The Vice Chancellor of Peter University, Achina Professor Chukwuemenam Umezinwa has called on musicians of Igbo extraction to promote Igbo language through folk music to save it from extinction.
The Vice Chancellor made the call at a music seminar held at the Headquarters of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Awka organised by Libra Entertainment in collaboration with the State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism and Rotary International zone thirty-eight to mark the 2024 world music day celebration.
Addressing the gathering, Professor Umezinwa who spoke on the “importance of music to humanity and commerce”, explained that world music day started in France in 1982 and is celebrated on the twenty first of June every year with the aim of promoting music by encouraging professional musicians and unprofessional ones to play music in play and private arenas as music is a universal language.
The Vice Chancellor who is also a Reverend Father urged great Igbo musicians and upcoming ones to always market Igbo language by promoting folk music like the Late Mike Ejeagha, Ali Chukwuma, Osita Osadebe so that Igbo language will gain global recognition, even as he appealed to government and well-to-do individuals to encourage young musicians by sponsoring good traditional, local and Christian music composed in Igbo language.
On his part, the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Comrade Don Onyenji represented by Mr. Onochie Igbokwe advised music lovers to desist from listening to music that will influence them negatively.
Also speaking , the Chairman on the occasion, Architect Micheal Okonkwo noted that music is a great unifier that appeals to everyone and advised talented musicians to play more of music that has good content and Igbo meaning in order to succeed in their career.
In his speech, the Director of General Studies, Paul University, Awka, Dr Azubuike Nkala charged the youths to choose what they want to do in life so that they could be fulfilled.
The traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka and his Umuawulu counterpart, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu also highlighted the importance of music to humanity and called for the establishment of more music department in tertiary institutions to encourage those who are gifted in music to study it as a course.
The programme saw music lovers from Saint Patrick’s College, Saint John of God Secondary School, all in Awka entertain the gathering with special tunes.
The programme which was convened by Mr. Eze Onwunji of the Programmes Department of Anambra Broadcasting Service was coordinated by the Assistant Governor, Rotary District 9142, Mr. Abuchi Nwozor.
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