Ile-Ife (Osun) – A Psychologist in the Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Funmi Togonu-Bickersteth, has charged musicians on songs that would promote morals and discipline.
Togonu-Bickersteth, who is also the Chairperson, Association of Nigerian Musicologists’ gave the charge at the union’s 13th Annual National Conference, held at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, on Thursday, in Ile-Ife.
She said that music should serve as a veritable tool for moral institution, transforming and reaffirming cultural values which could promote values that were necessary for healthy family, relationships and good hygiene.
According to her, music is a major marker of ethnic, national identity that can be used to promote ethnic hegemony.
She explained further that music was a good effective medium to pass important message to the people.
Togonu-Bickersteth also urged musicologists to ensure that benefits of music to human and national development were properly harnessed.
She also appealed to musicians to compose new and modern songs that would curb social vices in the country such as corruption and insurgency.
Similarly, Prof. Gbemisola Adeoti, the Dean, Faculty of Arts, enjoined the musicologists to deploy their creative geniuses in generating useful ideas toward the realisation of their dreams of national development.
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Adeoti was represented by Dr Bayo Afolabi, the Head of Department, Dramatic Arts.
Earlier, Prof. Bamitale Omole, the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Omolayo Ajayi, commended the efforts of the department toward the growth of the university.
Also, Prof Femi Adedeji, the Head of Music Department at OAU, and National President for Association of Nigerian Musicologists, said there were various challenges hindering the growth of music.
Adedeji listed such to include; change in taste, generational differences, displacement of values, and social vices.
He charged the musicologists to make music more effective to positively transform the society.
Adedeji also appealed to his counterparts to create music that would assist science and technology to be more artistic and humanistic.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event include; an award of an `Ambassador of Nigerian Gospel Music,’ bestowed on Gospel Artist, Funmi Aragbaye.
Others are; Chief Dada Onijomo, `Ambassador of Nigerian Traditional Classical Music’; Dr Ayodeji Oshin, `Ambassador of Nigerian Entertainment Music,’ and Lt. Col. Ogue Gbulu, `Ambassador of Nigerian Art Music.’(NAN)