World Music Day: Peter Varsity VC Says Music Can Transform Igbo Land
… Emphasises Use Of Indigenous Language
By Chuka Nnabuife
Given the vast positive impact use of indigenous languages in the spoken arts makes in advancement of society the Vice Chancellor of Peter University, Chukwuemenam Umezinwa has urged musicians in Igbo land to embrace singing in their native tongue.
He advocated this because it would help them communicate more effectively and bring transformation to society through their work.
Speaking during the commemoration of this year’s World Music Day (WMD) in Awka, Anambra State, the philosopher and globally renowned professor of music also noted the power of language, particularly musical communication and called on music makers in the area to consciously create as well as promote Igbo language. He equally observed the sordid relegation of folk music and urged the arts people to save it from extinction.
Prof. Umezinwa noted the “importance of music to humanity and commerce” and commended the yearly commemoration of the WMD every June since 1982.
Rev. Fr. Umezinwa, also explained that music is so powerful that every culture, race or age should ensure it is not toyed with. He dismissed the notion that singers who use their indigenous languages reach a limited audience and end up local champions.
Explaining the universal appeal of music which makes it appeal to even people who do not understand the lyrics, he told his audience made up of scholars, pupils, traditional institutions rulers, government officials, media men, music practitioners, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, music fans and representatives of various tertiary schools in the state that the power of music makes is unfathomable.
He dismissed the fear, especially among young music makers that singing in Igbo language or embracing the folk music genre would confine them to the local scenes and make them not achieve their dreams.
Giving examples of Igbo folkloric music exponents like Osita Osadebe, Oliver de Coque, Morocco Maduka, Oriental Brothers, Mike Ejeagha, Ali Chukwuma, among others who, through the genre achieved global recognition and music stardom, he told up-and-coming music makers that the truth is that their breakthrough is most likely through embracing Igbo folksies.
Rev. Fr. Umezinwa also emphasised the need for ndị Igbo to always market Igbo language and communication through their arts and culture. He made an appeal to government, philanthropists and well-to-do individuals to encourage young musicians by sponsoring events and contests in traditional music
as well as in Christian music composed in Igbo language.
This year’s WMD event was marked in Anambra State with a multidisciplinary discourse forum at the events’ hall of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB). Anchored by the music aficionado and broadcaster, Eze Onwuji, the event was organised by Libra Entertainment in collaboration with Anambra State’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment and Tourism and Rotary International Zone 38, the event rallied topical thoughts on the essence of music.
WMD, marked every June 21, since it began 1982, in Paris, France is a United Nations endorsed global event. It seeks to encourage professional musicians and non-professional ones to play music in play and private circles as music is a universal language.
Anambra State’s Culture Commissioner, Comrade Don Onyenji advised against playing and listening to music with leud lyrics and violent sound as they will influence members of society negatively.
Traditional rulers of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka and Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu who were in attendance also highlighted The importance of music to humanity and called for the establishment of more music departments in tertiary schools to encourage those gifted in the field to study it as a course.
While the Director of General Studies, Paul University, Awka, Dr Azubuike Nkala charged the youths to ensure they do not make wrong choices in life by not looking inward before they take or pursue their careers.
Chairman on the occasion, Micheal Okonkwo, an architect, observed that currently, the Nigerian society is yawning for music with good lyrical content.
Also in attendance was the Assistant Governor, District 9142 of Rotary Club, Mr. Abuchi Nwozor.
