The Imperative of Promoting, Developing and Sustaining Indigenous Music in Nigeria

Scientific Essay from the year 2017 in the subject Sociology - Media, Art, Music, Ebonyi State University (New Frontier Ind. Research and Publications Int'l, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria), language: English, abstract: Until very recently, Nigerian indigenous music was silenced by its Western counterpart, following westernisation, globalisation and attrition. Music is cultural. And all Nigerian cultures have their respective music. Despite the recent promotion, development and sustenance bids of several artists, scholars and concerned authorities, the teeming Nigerian masses are yet to be roused towards and properly educated, sensitised and re-oriented on and towards indigenous music. It is against the above backdrop that this study has emerged to call for a change in these regards. The paper maintains that it is imperative to properly, constantly and adequately promote, develop and sustain our indigenous music so as to project our indigenous music, create a place for it in the globalised Western hostile village, and allow for culture continuity and national development. Music unites people(s) and allows for the showcasing of cultural identity, ethos and aesthetics. Therefore, to duly tap from the potentials/prospects of indigenous music, it is imperative to incessantly promote, develop and sustain indigenous music in Nigeria and beyond. This study is anchored on music and indigenous wholistic theories that are most suitable for it, following its nature and pursuit. It relied on both primary and secondary sources of data collection. Oral interview, participant and non-participant observation, and induction formed the oral sources, while textual library materials like journals, textbooks, etc. formed the written, secondary, sources. The qualitative approach and the descriptive methods were employed. Keywords: Imperative, Indigenous music, Developing, Promoting, Sustaining

Robert, Odey Simon holds BA (Hons) in Languages and Linguistics of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. He is currently a Post-Graduate candidate. He has lectured on part-time basis in several higher institutions, with one of the recent ones being in the Consultancy Services Unit of the General Studies Department, Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia. He also taught English Language and Literature-in-English in several colleges, with Sandaji College, Lafia, Nasarawa, Nigeria being the most recent. He is also an external English Language subject Examiner to WAEC and NECO. He has been researching with several firms, including Bridge Gate Research Consult Ltd, Owerri, Abraka, Port-Harcourt, Lafia, Gboko and New Frontline Industries Research and Publications Ltd, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Robert is an erudite, versatile and experienced young promising and diligent linguist, scholar, researcher, writer and poet, with several works of both print and electronic versions to his credit- papers, international journals and poetry, prose and drama collections, some of which currently await publication, including two anthologies, two novels and a play. He has also attended several local and international conferences. He is of Utugbor royal blood- the family of Chief Robert Idachu Njor of Utugbor, Ika-Ichia, Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria. He is so bent to Bekwarra/African Linguistics, Cultural/Gender Studies, Arts/Humanities, Education, Philosophy/Religion, Politics and Economy, besides general knowledge; writing, researching, travelling and community development/voluntary services.