I stumbled recently on a publication written over seven years ago by one of Nigeria’s most cerebral journalist, Tunde Fagbenle. The part I found most interesting and revealing in the publication is where the writer wrote and I quote “Nigeria, perpetually ruled by small minded men is so blinded by ethnicity, dulled by greed and riddled with graft; she cannot even know how to harness her own treasures. Profligate and clueless, the country wallows in filth and darkness, wasting every opportunity to rise to greatness, wasting every talent, every asset nature has so disproportionally blessed with”.
The analysis above is a clear representation of what Yoruba’s call “Afowofa” (unguarded) which simply describes a situation where things left unattended to become more chaotic.
A country that doesn’t respect its heritage is a LOST COUNTRY. A country that doesn’t celebrate its music legends is a LOST COUNTRY. A country that doesn’t respect deep thinkers and creative minds is a LOST COUNTRY. A country that doesn’t learn from its historical past is a LOST COUNTRY. Over the years different Nigerians ie Musicians, Social Crusaders, Journalist, Book Writers, Lawyers, etc. have fought to salvage many of the problems facing us today.
My interests are the musicians who at different point in time helped to communicate our sufferings and agitations to the authorities. Olanrewaju Adepoju a popular Ewi exponent who now suffers severe medical complications used his Ewi music to ridicule the unfavorable activities of the government, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall a respected Fuji musician in his album “Fact” used his song to chronicle the failed promises of the Nigerian government of that period, Orlando Julius a Afro Highlife musician and an advocator of peace and ethical behavior reflected these in his compositions ie We Pray For Peace, Ise Logun Ise, Boju Bari,etc .
Jimi Solanke a great folk musician in his song “Year 2000” chronicled failed promises of the Nigerian government within a span of 7 years. Other songs are Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya’s song Ilu le( Country Hard), Hubert Ogunde’s Yoruba Ronu, etc At different point in time many of these musicians opened our eyes to our countries afflictions.
They helped greatly to relieve and communicate our sufferings and agitations with the power of music to the authorities but unfortunately many of them have become wasted today and live in complete abject penury.
What saddens one is that many of yesteryears songs that talked about the problems of our society are no more receiving maximum airplay but rather commercial songs, party songs, drug and sexually induced songs have completely taken over the airwaves. Sadly the regulatory bodies who should take necessary steps to help correct this inconsistency have become laid back.
As Nigeria continues to wither away I ask please “Where are the Wasted
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