Akwa Ibom choir breaks Guinness World record

A Nigerian choral group in Akwa Ibom State has broken the world record for being the largest Christmas carol singers in the world.

The record, which has been officially certified by the Guinness World Records and pasted on its website, www.guinessworldrecords.com, was broken by the Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir comprising a 25,272 man-choral group.

At a concert in the Uyo Township Stadium on December 13, last year, the choral group broke the record with representatives of the Guinness World Records in attendance.

The record consigned to the history books the former record of 15,674 carol singers, which was achieved a year earlier (on December 15, 2013) by a group called CENTI in Bogota, Columbia.

The Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir sang a medley of: The First Noel, Joy to the World, O Christmas Tree, Hark the Herald the Angels Sing, Once in Royal David’s City and O Come All Ye Faithful, in an electrifying rendition for over 20 minutes.

Guinness World Records adjudicator, Liz Smith, who announced the Akwa Ibom choir’s feat at the Guinness World Record headquarters in London, United Kingdom, congratulated the choir.

She said: “It is now time to reveal the report of the official attempt to break the Guinness World Record of the largest group of carol singers. Our team of highly trained record specialists have reached a decision. The record to beat was 15,674. I can now confirm that your attempt to break the record has been successful. Congratulations on receiving a new Guinness World Records title. The title of the largest group of carol singers has been achieved by Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir. You are officially amazing.”

Breaking the news to Akwa Ibom residents, Governor Godswill Akpabio said: “This month, we broke the Guinness Book of World Records, for the largest number of carol singers ever in the world. This momentous feat was achieved when Akwa Ibom people drawn from all the nooks and crannies of the state, who came together in the spirit of love and brotherhood. I believe that if we imbibe the virtue of love and stand together in brotherhood in the New Year, we will keep setting records and the walls of division, which have been erected by some selfish politicians, would tumble down.”