NAN-ELS-6
Tool
By Taiye Baiyerohi and Bayo Olawunmi
Lagos Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that music was veritable tool the government could use to sensitise Nigerians about its activities.
Mohammed made the assertion at the Africa Music Business Round-table as he spoke on “Championing Social Justice and Advocacy through Music” in Lagos on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Africa Music Round-table is to foster creative and cultural exchange, fast track industry development, knowledge transfer and build bridges for the economic growth of music.
The programme is one of the activities lined up to mark the 2016 “All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA)’’, with the grand finale slated for Nov. 6 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The award ceremony will create a night of glamour, glitz and grandeur for Africa in its crowning glory through a world-class live production event broadcast to over 80 countries.
He added that the national orientation campaign, tagged “Change Begins with Me,’’ which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sept. 8, 2016, would be jingled through music.
He noted that the campaign was about returning to those moral values that would place the country in good stead.
“A lot of that can be done through music, in order words, music is a powerful tool for advocacy.
“Good music has no tribe, no gender, no section and no religion.
“l find the topic you have asked me to speak on very interesting and absolutely relevant.
“I am sure many will remember that when Nigeria changed from right-hand driving to the left in 1972, the likes of Ebenezer Obey and Ayinla Omowura used their music to sensitise Nigerians.
“That was more effective than thousands of advertisement pages in the newspapers.
The minister also cited how music was used to sensitise Nigerians, when the government in 1973, changed the country’s currency from Pounds and Shillings to Naira and Kobo.
“Also, when Nigerian transited from Pound Sterling to Naira and Kobo, musicians played a prominent role in sensitising the public.
“This is one of the most important and credible platforms to promote African Music,’’ Mohammed said.
The Minister appreciated AFRIMA for projecting Nigeria in good light.
“This, to me, is one of the most important and credible platforms to promote African music globally, using Nigeria as a pivot.
“My sincere hope is that you will do everything possible to sustain AFRIMA which, in your own words, is propelling African Music to the glorious pinnacle far beyond the borders of Africa,’’ he said.
The minister urged Nigerian musicians to emerge with sound musical content that would reshape the morals of the society. (NAN)
PTB/AAO/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)