Nigeria will tomorrow join over one hundred and twenty-five countries to mark world music day, celebrated June twenty-one every year. It is a day that celebrates all things related to music. World Music day originated in France and first took place in Paris in, 1982. Since then, the idea has spread across the globe, for a world without music will have no meaning to many.
World Music Day was created by the Former French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, after Maurice Fleuret, the Director of Music and Dance, discovered in a study that one person out of two, played one musical instrument or the other. He therefore began to dream of a way to bring people to act music on the streets.
The purpose of World Music Day is to promote music by organizing concerts and events which are free to the public with a non-profit making objective, as well as to make all types of music accessible to the public. it is also designed to act as a platform to encourage armatures and professional musicians to express their talent and showcase their versatility.
Philosophers define music as a systematic organization of sounds in order to make a complete unit, which is pleasing to the ear, for if sound is not organized, it becomes noise. Music is therefore a means by which people can share emotions, intentions and meanings, even though their spoken languages may be mutually incomprehensible.
Music can be used to influence people positively or negatively and can produce profound emotions within them. It can also generate variations of expressiveness by skilled composers and performers. Musicians are great thinkers, who discuss ideas and not people. No wonder different organizations and persons use music for different purposes.
Advertisers use music to promote their goods and services convincingly. Christians use gospel music to spread the Gospel and praise Almighty God. Others use traditional or cultural music to promote their language and culture, while some use secular music for entertainment. By virtue of being a powerful means of communication, lyrics of any music and its spoken language should be critically examined and the message designed to educate, inform and entertain.
It is suggested that any music that has immoral lyrics or offensive remarks, should be banned to serve as a deterrent to erring music writers and composers. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and other music regulatory bodies should censor all music, before their circulation.
Entertainers in general wish to appreciate Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for including Entertainment in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This has created the enabling environment for entertainment to thrive in Anambra State.
The message of 2025 World Music Day is centered on consistency. To celebrate music in all forms and encourage people to make good music and share it.
Music is divine, therefore, be part of this year’s World Music Day and let us celebrate the Universal language of music. Collaborate with friends and colleagues to make people happy through music and musical concerts.
LET THE MUSIC PLAY ON,
BUT LET IT BE GOOD MUSIC.
EZE ONWUJI
