By Aniekpeno Mkpanang
Friday the 13th, is a day shrouded in mystery and superstition. Its cryptic origins are hazy, but its worldwide impact remains palpable.
Some trace the legend of Friday the 13th back to the Last Supper, when the 13th person on the table became the betrayer; others link it to the Knights Templar's downfall which also records the involvement of a 13th bad luck-bearing personage. Even Norse mythology speaks the 13th factor in Loki's betrayal.
Whatever the truth, fallacy or dearth of both, the 13th day on the calender has become synonymous with ill luck, fear, and trepidation. The myriad of superstitions deepen and get worse when the 13th day falls on a Friday!
But what happens when a community dares to defy such myth? What happens when collective spirit and determination collide head-on with superstition? This is the story of Akwa Ibom's Guinness World Record for the Largest Group of Carol Singers executed on Friday, December 13, 2014. It remains a testament to the power of our unity and the triumph of hope over fear that in the face of global superstition, Akwa Ibom children dared to defy the odds.
On Friday, December 13, 2014, at the Uyo Township Stadium, 25,272 young voices from every corner of the state converged to create an unforgettable Guinness World Record for the Largest Group of Carol Singers on the face of the planet.
This monumental achievement not only shattered the myth of Friday the 13th but also epitomized the unyielding spirit of the Akwa Ibom people.
Now as December 2024 approaches, to mark this decade-long milestone, we pay heartfelt tribute to the thousands of Akwa Ibom children who volunteered and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to set the new and currently unbroken World Record. While their selflessness and dedication embodied the true essence of the rising Akwa Ibom spirit, their labour of love will forever be etched in the annals of world history.
In a remarkable twist of fate, this year's Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, the 17th edition, returns to its roots on Friday, December 13, 2024 - the same day that our Guinness World Record was set a decade ago. What a profound opportunity for the current organizers to draw inspiration from the past, inject new ideas, and propel the event to even greater heights!
Let us honour the can-do spirit of our youth, who, against all odds, pulled off this incredible feat. May their triumph inspire future generations to embrace challenges, shatter myths, and shape their own history.
As we celebrate this triumph, let us remember that the true essence of Akwa Ibom's 'can-do' spirit lies not in the record itself but in the unyielding resolve, creativity, and unity that made it possible.
May this year's State Christmas Carols Festival therefore be themed as a testament to the enduring power of our collective spirit; very much in line with the ARISE Agenda, which happens to be the mantra of the Government of the day.
Now, having said all that, let me personally welcome you to December, the month of our Guinness World Record.