Glitz and glamour, pomp and pageantry are just a few words to describe the funeral rite activities for the mother of Capital Luxury Group CEO, Mr Edidiong Udoidiong in Akwa Ibom State over the weekend.

The musician and tycoon who runs a Nigerian conglomerate dealing in luxury automobile, transport and logistics went the extra mile to serenade his mum with a befitting burial, spiced with a weeklong of charity and entertainment events, which paraded some of Nigeria’s top personalities and entertainers.

On Saturday, June 26, 2021, the much publicised ARISE CONCERT 2021 lighted up the little village of Ikot Inyang, Eke Uruk Eshiet, Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State. Call it a royal farewell, analysts say this may be the biggest memorial concert in the history of the state, featuring performances by 2Baba, Sinach, Chioma Jesus, Blakky, Iyanya, Presh, Ed Singer, Sir Wilker Jackson, Duncan Mighty, Rugged Man, Nigga Raw, Anogiri and Udo Mariam, with DJ Smart Don on the wheels of steel.

The week began with visitation to charity homes, where MercyMe Heart Foundation showered love on orphanages in Akwa Ibom State, some of the beneficiaries include; Hand of Hope Orphanage, Eket, Divine Children’s Home and St. Anthony Destitute Center, Uyo, Mfonabasi Orphanage, Mother Theresa Missionaries of Charity, Hold My Hands Foundation and Good News Community. Named after his mum, Mrs Mercy Monday Udoidiong, Mercyme Heart Foundation; a non-government organization established to create awareness and give succour to patients with heart diseases donated in total, the sum of 3 Million Naira to charity homes across Akwa Ibom State.

Asides from the exhilarating performances which brought nostalgia and made history, the high point of the celebration was the donation of a new SUV to Mercyme Heart Foundation by the deceased’s son, Edidiong Udoidiong and commissioned by African music icon Innocent Idibia (Tubaba).

Popular by his stage name, Ed Singer, Mr Udoidiong in his remark assured his kinsmen, guests and visitors, that he will sustain the legacies of his mum, which was anchored on touching lives, which he hopes to achieve through the foundation and the annual Arise Concert.