Kunle Adelabu
Councilors in Ikorodu Local Government have charged musicians in the community to use their music to promote good values and positive change.
They spoke against the backdrop of the impact of music that promotes use of drugs, violence and other negative acts while also stating that these acts are reasons for cultism and hooliganism that are currently disturbing the social and economic lives of Ikorodu.
The council legislators made the call when officers and members of the Islamic Musician Association of Nigeria (IMAN) visited them to observe their plenary session and interface with the lawmakers.
The Deputy Leader, Ikorodu Local Government Legislative arm, Hon. Adebowale, speaking during the visit, charged musicians to use their songs to change the society positively.
“I want to charge and implore you musicians to use your songs to change the society by composing and releasing meaningful songs.
“The kind of songs our youths are listening to these days, like the songs of Naira Marley and the likes, are violent in nature and are promoting cultism and the use of drugs in our society.
“Our musicians should assist in using their songs to educate the public on danger of drugs, cultism, hooliganism and prostitution among other vices”.
Also contributing, the Presiding Officer, Hon. Toheeb Shokunbi, stated that the lawmakers are disturbed by the level of hooliganism in Ikorodu which, according to him, is as a result of the activities of cult groups.
“It is important to use music for social change”, he stated.
“We cannot tell if God can intervene through your songs to change the attitudes of our youths that are constituting menace to the society.
“We are very disturbed by what is happening in Ikorodu regarding cultism and other bad behaviours”.
He also warned the Islamic musicians to stop copying fuji musicians in terms of sounds that accompany their songs.
The Council Leader, Hon. Salman Ayobami, also contributing, commended the visiting group and equally enjoined them to use their music to promote good values in the society.
He assured them that the House will support them where they can.
Also in their respective remarks, Hon. Gbenga Awobajo, Hon. Olohunwa Oshodi, Hon. Omotayo Awolesi and Hon. Banwo corroborated the statements of their colleagues that spoke earlier.
Mr Lateef Fasanu, the State Organising Secretary of IMAN, responding, assured the lawmakers that their members would work towards using their songs to promote good values in the society.
“On behalf of IMAN, I can assure you that we will work on the proposal by our lawmakers. It’s something that is achievable between now and July when we will be having a programme”, he stated.
“We are going to work on a joint song that would address the issue of cultism, hard drugs and other vices that is disturbing our community. The development is worrisome to all of us.
“But to achieve this, we solicit for your support in that regard”.
Mr Akibu, the Chairman, IMAN, Ikorodu branch, while addressing the gathering, stated that the group had visited the lawmakers to seek their supports for the association and its programmes.
