By Adeola Badru

LAGOS — The Methodist Church Nigeria has urged Nigerians to embrace freedom, solidarity and national unity, saying inspirational songs and sacred music can promote patriotism and encourage citizens to contribute to national development.

The church said musical compositions conveying messages of freedom, collective responsibility and solidarity could inspire citizens to work towards a better society amid the country’s socio-economic and developmental challenges.

The call was made at the 10th Annual Choral Day Celebration organised by the Methodist Church Nigeria Council of Knights, Lagos and Lagos Mainland chapters, at Ereko Methodist Cathedral, Lagos.

The event, themed “My Defender, Refuge and Strength,” featured a 65-member choir conducted by the Grand Concert Choirmaster, Sir Dr Soji Onafowokan.

The choir led the congregation through hymn singing, descants, chants, anthems and other musical performances.

Speaking on the national significance of the celebration, the Secretary of the Planning Committee, Sir Oluwatosin Olaniyan, said the messages contained in the songs could inspire Nigerians to embrace positive values and contribute to national development.

He said the programme provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on themes of freedom and solidarity contained in the songs.

“It encourages people to be ministered to and get inspired by the songs because the wording of those songs are really great wordings.

“We have the opportunity to sing songs that tell us of freedom, that tell us of solidarity with the country, and by the time we are done, people are energised to go out there and do something good for the nation,” Olaniyan said.

Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sir Kayode Adeluola, stressed the need to preserve classical music while adapting it to contemporary realities.

Adeluola said contemporary musical talents and compositions should be accommodated within classical music, adding that traditional musical pieces could also be adapted to classical tempos and rhythms.

“There are a lot of musical talents of people living in contemporary times. So, it is something which you cannot actually exclude, particularly when you go to a musical.

“Even in traditional music, you will find that there are many musical pieces that can be adapted to suit even classical tempo and rhythm,” he said.

He maintained that classical music remained relevant in modern society, noting that what was considered contemporary today would eventually become history.

Preserving Methodist musical heritage

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Council of Knights, Lagos Chapter, Princess Adetope Tychus, expressed gratitude to God for the successful celebration, describing music as an important ministry within the church.

She said sacred harmonies and worship provided opportunities for believers to use their voices as instruments of praise, encouragement and proclamation.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Sir Teju Ogunjimi, said the annual programme was designed to preserve the Methodist Church’s musical heritage, particularly its traditional hymns and chants, and prevent them from disappearing.

Ogunjimi acknowledged that classical music could appear sophisticated to contemporary audiences because of its historical origins, but stressed the importance of sustaining the tradition for future generations.

In his remarks, the Grand Concert Choirmaster, Sir Dr Soji Onafowokan, described the 10th anniversary of the programme as a testament to faith, growth and excellence.

He said conducting the choir at the milestone celebration was a privilege, adding that an initiative that began as a vision had evolved into a platform uniting talented singers from different Methodist churches.

“Ten years is grace. It has been a journey of faith, growth and excellence. To be the Concert Choirmaster of this glorious concert is a privilege I do not take for granted.

“What started as a vision has become a movement that unites the best voices from different Methodist churches to sing as one choir. We have grown from good to better, and from better to excellent,” he said.