Music as Non-Visual Medium For Entertainment, Peace Building, and National Security: A Study of Selected Nigerian Artistes (Published)
This paper is a study of the contributions of the medium of music as a tool for entertainment, in peace building and engendering national security which, sometimes, spreads to other climes. It focuses on the musical genre, examining the roles of three popular Nigerian musicians, two living and one dead, towards the peace process. Sonny Okosun, of blessed memory, and his kinsman, Sir Victor Uwaifo, were more of pan-African campaigners who, through the lyrics and messages of their songs which cut across tribes, cultures and climes, spread their tentacles even beyond the shores of Nigeria, preaching the gospel of peace, freedom and unity. Onyeka Onwenu, on her part, has also preached love, reconciliation and peace, with her musical renditions done in English and the different Nigerian dialects. The central thrust of the paper is the analysis of some lyrics of the selected songs of the musicians under study. The Critical Theory and Cultural Studies will suffice as the theoretical basis for the discussion of the role of music as a medium for entertainment, peace building and national security from the perspective of the lyrics of the musicians under review. It recommends governmental, individual and collective efforts at giving a breath of life into the music industry.
Keywords: Entertainment, National Security, Onyeka Onwenu, Peace – Building, Sonny Okosun, Victor Uwaifo