By McPhilips Nwachukwu

In Lagos, this year’s World Music Day has come and gone, courtesy of the National Troupe of Nigeria. But having come and gone, the memory  lingers on. The lingering memory is not  as a result of fulfillment of expectations going by the demands of the event which would have involved an almost all day fun filled musical concert.

But this kind of grand expectation was absent and the occasion in this regard failed completely to provide an essential platform for a show casing of the rich musical heritage of the country which cuts across many genres.

However, the organizers of the  event, the National Troupe of Nigeria was intelligent enough to beef up the lack and disappointment by looking behind the scene to bringing on board hitherto unknown pupils with great talents to make the day for huge Lagos music lovers,.

The invitation of school pupils of the Lagos State based Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted therefore, became for the troupe,  a strong platform for the celebration, showcasing and identification of hidden talents among disabled ones in society.

*Ascene from a musical performance

While on stage the disabled pupils performed to the admiration of the audience. The rendition of the country’s national anthem and their  delivery of some Christian songs was so well done and delivered in a manner so natural and professional that every Dick and Harry in the hall saw and agreed, with the Artistic Director of the Troupe, Martin Adaji, who in his opening remark, pointed out, “ that there is ability in disability.”

It should however be noted that the commitment of the Troupe under the directorship of Adaji since assumption of office has been committed to the development of hidden talents; and especially among the children.

This commitment equally informed the troupe’s annual dramatised story telling competition, with which is presently used to introducing gifted and talented pupils to creative potentials and possibilities in the arts.

However, what was lacking in adequate concert performances at the event was made up with a very useful and engaging talk shop that bothered on music and issues around the creative industry.

To kick start  the debate was  notable reggae artist and Chairman, Musical Society of Nigeria, MCSN, Orits Williki,who spoke on the topic: Copyright in Nigeria: The Potentials, Challenges and the way Forward.

In his presentation, Williki identified some of the challenges that militate against effective realization of copyright goals in the country.

Some of these challenges, he identified to include; regulatory challenges and interpretation and implementation of the copyright legislation.

“The copyright owner is the focus of legislation, but NCC and other relevant agencies have succeeded in misinterpreting the Act to make the NCC the focus of the provision of the Act.” He said.

Speaking to the audience as a guest lecturer, Biodun Adebiyi of the Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Lagos State University   anchored his own contribution on the topic, Music as Social Calendar.

Adebiyi’s paper examined in detail the symbiotic relationship between music as a cultural form and communication as a social messenger.

The paper traced how different musical forms and instruments have been used over time to communicate important social, religious and political messages.

According to him, “As a cultural indicator, an African musical instrument probably presents the most diversified source of information on the artistic values, religious beliefs, family life and general structure of society.

“For example in Ghana traditional society, eligible maidens searching for husbands go to market places and sit down at vantage positions; and as unmarried males they fancy as husbands pass by, they shake their rattles to attract attention.”

The event was graced by popular actor of the Village Headmaster saga, Dejumo Lewis, Aig Imoukhouede, Sola Onayiga (Ireti) and Mayo Ayilara.