Events

Plateau unity christmas carol festival 2024: A celebration of faith and harmony

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2024

The Plateau Christmas Carol Festival 2024 unites faith, culture, and tourism, ushering hope and harmony to Plateau State and beyond.

The Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival 2024 marked a transformative moment for Plateau State, combining faith, cultural heritage, and economic revitalisation.

Under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, this maiden event, held at the Ten Commandments Prayer Altar in Jos South, aimed to restore hope and unity in a state historically marred by division and conflict.

Also read: Culturati Festival 2024: celebrating Africa’s diversity and unity in Lagos

The festival, themed “Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival,” was a collaboration between the state government, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and religious leaders.

It drew a crowd of over 15,000 attendees, including prominent figures like former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and past Plateau governors Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang.

Governor Mutfwang described the festival as a pivotal step towards Plateau’s recovery and fulfillment of its prophetic destiny. “For too long, we have fought many battles,” he said.

“Now is the time to unite as one people and harness the blessings God has bestowed upon this land for the greater good.”

The event provided a platform for communal healing and economic growth, with local hotels fully booked and traders thriving during the festival.

Traditional choirs from the Ngas, Berom, and Mwaghavul communities delivered captivating performances, while gospel artists Solomon Lange, Panam Percy Paul, and Neken Chuwang inspired the audience with songs of hope and reconciliation.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon praised the governor’s leadership, calling the festival a symbol of healing and a testament to the people’s desire for peace.

Obasanjo echoed similar sentiments, urging Plateau’s residents to embrace their diversity as a strength and an opportunity for growth.

Religious leaders such as Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, and Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi delivered powerful sermons, emphasising the significance of unity and faith in rebuilding the state.

The festival also highlighted Governor Mutfwang’s broader vision for Plateau State. Declaring December 2024 as Tourism Month, he promised to make the state a beacon of tourism and cultural celebration.

“Jos will shine brightly this Christmas season, showcasing the beauty and spirit of Plateau,” he affirmed.

The success of the Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival has ignited calls for the event to become an annual international celebration, attracting tourists and pilgrims from around the world.

This aligns with the governor’s commitment to transforming Plateau into a hub of peace, prosperity, and cultural pride.

By merging faith, tourism, and community spirit, the Plateau Unity Christmas Carol Festival has set a new standard for how cultural events can inspire and rebuild.

The festival exemplifies the power of shared purpose and unity in steering Plateau toward a brighter, harmonious future.

“Together,” Governor Mutfwang declared, “we will reclaim Plateau’s divine destiny as a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.”

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.