The Nation
The Nigerian Navy Orchestral Department would deliver better refined renditions unique to her various folklores, if quality investments were channelled to human capital development, an Associate Professor, Stephen Olusoji, has said.
The Head of Department, Creative Arts, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and guest lecturer at the Nigerian Navy Band Officers Conference held in Ota, Ogun State, said the creative art of music is a potent tool for driving national integration, mass orientation, promotion of government initiatives and positive projection of the country’s aesthetics.
According to him, knowledge upgrade will not only reposition the band among international equals but also reaffirm its high repute as exemplified at the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) of 1977 and COJA 2003, among other international performances.
“Retraining is an important issue that must be addressed for repositioning the force band. Training is an important index for measuring and evaluating efficiency, achievements and results. It should include basic rudiments of music, sound training on the various chosen instruments by well-tutored instructors, technology repair, composition and music aesthetics. Retraining engenders freshness of ideas, new techniques, methodologies and other innovations that will make the system run,” he said.
The don stressed the enriching effect of infusing local flavour in their parade sessions through research of different cultural styles.
Addressing the establishment of a full-fledged musical studio to enhance the division’s operations, the special guest of honour, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile said the government would renew its commitment to redress its needs.
He commended the band’s performance, urging it to reignite the social demand for its performance at important functions.
Represented by Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, he said: “With every organisation globally you tend to grow and develop your capacity with time and the Nigeria Navy school of music has spent about 25 years and certainly from that time till now there is a great achievement. I believe they could do better as the time progresses. I am happy that Ota has been very kind to the establishment here I believe there is more to offer to the community and there is more we also expect from the community.”
Music School Director, Commander Olalekan Abiodun said the school is vast in deriving complementary notes from percussions made from steel pan. He noted that following the training of two officers and four ratings in steel pan manufacturing technology at Trinidad and Tobago, the school develops steel instruments at Ota, Ogun State....
Replies