Strategizing Works of Selected Nigerian Musicians for the Actualization of Global Peace in the 21st Century

Abstract

Global volatility, conflicts, crisis, divergence, resentment, antagonism, misdemeanor, terrorism, war and other negative social trends proliferate as a result of ethnic, religious, political tensions and mostly human behavior. Many attempts made by various countries of the world and many world organizations to decrease, reduce and defuse these negative social trends acquiesced with little or no positive result because what is required is to work on human mind to achieve peace. The defenses of peace must be constructed in the minds of men, since wars normally begin in the minds of men. The aim of this paper therefore is to do collection of works of selected Nigerian musicians’ geared towards actualizing global peace in this 21st Century. Selected relevant texts from the works of Chief Osita Osadebe , Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque, Majek Fashek, Ojiakor Patrick among others were interpreted and analyzed under five categories: Admonition, Appeal, Advice, Impression and Revelation. Information was elicited by collection of some of their relevant records, through internet sources and review of some related literature. It revealed music as a tool through which awareness is created, “metanoia” achieved, with power to inspire and generate peace. These musicians through their music with inspiring lyrics are building peace, stopping violence, saving lives, and healing shattered communities. Strategizing their works entails collecting, notating, annotating their works, packaging them and putting them on the internet, television, radio, CD and use them as ringing tunes for the propagation in addition to life performances. It suggested that more encouragement should be given to these musicians for them to focus on promoting individual inner peace, love, compassion and forgiveness. This paper would open people’s minds and souls to follow the right parts, to embrace peace through right music which when evaluated, will be music that has immense worth for our societies and universal.