IAUE: Music Department Holds 20th Annual Conference

The Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Rumuolumeni campus was a behive of activities on Tuesday August 20, 2024 when the Department of Music hosted the 20th annual conference of the Association of Nigerian Musicologists at the university auditorium.

Declaring open the conference with the theme “Music Traditions in Contemporary Nigeria”, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku expressed appreciation to the President of the Association for choosing to host the conference in IAUE.

He emphasized that his administration is committed to providing administrative and academic leadership and opportunities for staff to share their ideas globally.

Professor Okechuku Onuchuku highlighted the significance of music in human lives citing it's role in showcasing cultural heritage, projecting national sovereignty and conveying messages through songs.

He also noted the economic value of music including job opportunities in production and promotion of music.

The Acting Vice Chancellor  expressed optimism that the conference would highlight express opinions on how music can help the country grow economically.

As part of his address, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities Professor Kingdom Eke Orji exclaimed that the National is unique because it was the first to be so hosted by the Department and in such magnitude.

He extolled the Acting Vice Chancellor for the landmark contribution to capacity building and cross fertilisation of ideas through academic conference stressing that he has sponsored well over ten conferences in the various Departments that make up the Faculty.

Professor Orji declared that the theme for interrogation is apt against the backdrop of the fact that Nigeria is a plural society with multifaceted cultural backgrounds which spins the precolonial, colonial and post colonial epochs. He outlined distinct subthemes for investigation as indigenous music traditions, popular music traditions, teaching of music traditions, digital access to music traditions, documentations of music traditions all in contemporary Nigeria.

The Dean muttered that he was convinced beyond every iota of doubt that one nagging questions in the minds of the organisers will be how the brainstorming session can proffer holistic solution to the myriads of debilitating challenges that confront the Nigerian milieu in contemporary times. These problems he recognised as ranging from insecurity to induced trauma, abject poverty, abysmal corruption, environmental degradation, kidnapping, terrorism, moral decadence, child trafficking, ritual killing, cyber crime, copyright violations and piracy.

Professor Orji voiced that he has no doubt that the outcome of the deliberations in various breakouts sessions will inadvertently provide peaceful coexistence, good governance and national development in contemporary Nigeria.

During his speech, the President, Association of Nigerian Musicologists (ANIM) Professor Christian Onyeki expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for hosting the conference and for providing the enabling environment for them to experience the calm ambience of the University. The theme of the conference he stated stirs nostalgia around the 21st century world music discourses as it gives them leverage to deliberate on the place of music traditions in this fast changing world in which digital access and technology are changing the world.The relevance of practice of art music in contemporary Nigerian he uttered also calls for periodic review to understand the realities of the art. 

Professor Onyeji commented that the conferences from one institution and cultural location to another have provided needed clarification to the people that those who study music are dignified men and Women in the society making honest contributions to the society and the economy and also living decent lives.

He acknowledged that they were encouraged by the enhanced enrollment of music students in Tertiary Institutions but called on parents not to discourage their children who chose music as their course of study. Such persons he affirmed, need the support of other families and friends to excel and become the billionaires of the world. He beckoned on all to encourage them to concentrate on their chosen field of study to make their mark in the world.

Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion Venerable Emmanuel Chiweike Nheeme described the conference as a pleasant coincidence given its 20th edition aligning with the 20th day of August. 

While portraying music as a universal language enjoyed by all, he encouraged attendees to take it seriously especially as it relaxes and calms the nerves.

Dr Nheeme also enjoined all to embrace the lessons that would result from the conference.

During her address, the Head of Department of Music, Professor Bernadette Chinedu Ugochukwu informed that the Association of Nigerian Musicologists (ANIM) was established in 1993 at the University of Ilorin Kwara State even though it was known then as Musicological Society of Nigeria (MSN). She elaborated that the Association is for all music Professors, Lecturers and graduates from Tertiary Institutions.

Professor Ugochukwu explained  the Association had just few Professors in Music before now  but that recently they can boast of twenty five Professor in almost all areas of music study.

The Head of the Music Department explained that the Department came onboard in 1988 then as Rivers State College of Education emphasizing that the theme for the annual conference “Music Traditions in Contemporary Nigeria “ acknowledges the Nigeria’s complex musical culture, looking at the nature and forms of music in our various traditions in contemporary Nigeria.

She expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for his fatherly advice, encouragement and financial support and for breaking the yoke of fear.

The event featured goodwill messages, awards to deserving personalities and cultural performances.