ROLE OF MUSIC IN NATION BUILDING

TOPIC: THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN NATION BUILDING

‘I try to do music that is relevant, music that people listen to for years without getting tired of it’
-INNOCENT IDIBIA A.K.A.2FACE
AWARD WINNING R N B ARTISTE

When a baby is born its mother’s lullaby is one of the first sounds the baby can hear and recognize. From the cradle to the grave, music will always flow in between the rhythm of everyday life. Music-the pattern of sounds produced by people singing or playing instruments to generate groove, rhythm, poetry, and melody is more than the sounds being released from the strumming of Asa’s acoustic guitar, its more than the groovy beats being created by the magic fingers of Don jazzy , it’s a veritable tool for building a nation. There is no better way to measure how far society has evolved but through music. It has been used to express emotions when words do not seem to be enough.

IS MUSIC THE ‘KOKO’?
Since no phenomenon void of utility survives in a society, music when harnessed can mould the broken pieces of a nation into a seductive masterpiece for other nations to behold. Music and the nation are stuck like Siamese twins, a nation cannot go far without maximizing the power of music to revamp her national character. Advocacy and social change is one of the ways by which music can be used to in nation building. One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies. Artistes are town criers who satirize social foibles in order to make human society and living worthwhile.Fela Kuti through his music became critical of the successive military governments that ruled Nigeria, he used music to comment on the political climate in Nigeria.

In addition, music can also aid in the aspect of ideological change and mass orientation. Ideological change and music are like two hearts with one beat. They beat as fast as the drums in the jungles of Africa. Songs like ‘Maga no need pay’,’For Instance’, ‘2010 Light Up Naija’, ‘Nigeria jaga jaga’, have helped to put some core national issues in the front burner of our minds and helped in creating a paradigm shift .
Music is the food of love, but it can also put food on the table. I once read the story of a talented young musician who said: ‘I want to release my album so that I can make money to take care of my younger ones .I have no father and mother’. Clearly, music is a wealth creation tool.This is evident in the enviable lifestyles music makers live, pursuing their passion.Gone are the days when they hop on taxis or “Okadas, now you see them in the hottest cars, phantoms, their fashion lines are the hottest items in boutiques, their albums move a million in a week, not forgetting their mouth watering endorsement deals. Music has helped in engaging these youngsters. Artistes like 2face, Dbanj, Timaya,Psquare, M.I, Banky w, Asa, have better stories to tell today as a result of the power of music.

The tourism potentials of a nation will be boosted when her music industry is vibrant and functional. Though the Nigerian national image is in tatters, but on the flipside, music has helped change our national image. The likes of Lagbaja, Asa, 2face, Femi kuti, have attracted international attention to Nigeria through music .This has helped in recreating a new portrait for the Nigerian youth as enterprising, diligent ,and smart.

The union between music and the nation will always be a fruitful one as they will give birth to wealth creation, advocacy and mass orientation, boosted tourism potentials e.t.c.in the absence of no objections, I now pronounce you, Music and the Nation as Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride. We wish them a happy married life.No long thing!