Navy Infuses Technology into Music Department to Improve Service Delivery

Precious Ugwuzor

To enhance capacity of personnel for effectiveness, the Nigerian Navy has pledged to improve on the infusion of technology into the music arm of the service.

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, made this disclosure at the recently held 2021 Navy Band Conference themed ‘Improving the capacity building of the Nigerian Navy Band through technology for global recognition’.

Represented by the Administration Officer, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Commodore Promise Zebulon, the CNS the three-day conference would give participants opportunity to discuss, share musical experiences as well as proffer ways to optimally explore technology and skills of the Nigerian Navy Steel Pan production.

He said: “Music brings calm where there is anxiety and tension. It would be recalled that during the 2019 Nigerian Navy Band Conference, one of resolutions was for the Band to enhance its Steel Pan Technology towards global recognition.

“I will like to emphasise that quality production of Steel Pan from the School is a fundamental requirement for global relevance and recognition. Without capacity building, it will be difficult to improve in our endeavours.

“The whole essence is to infuse technology, enhance our efficiency. Technology makes it easy to move around equipment and instruments, it becomes mobile and sustainable.”

Gambo noted that expanding quality local steel pan production would not only generate revenue for the school but for the military and also create job opportunities for youths in the country.

In his welcome address, NN Director of Music, Commander Olalekan Abiodun, said the Nigerian Navy Band had grown to be a reputable department to reckon with due to the maintenance of the foundation laid years ago

Going down memory lane he said: “The department which started with one musical section that is the military band, has grown to add three more namely; the Dance, Steel and the Bagpipers band.

“The Bagpipers band was introduced into the Nigerian Navy Band in March 2021 and participated in the just concluded Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference held in Kano State.

“It is very important to state that an efficient and productive Steel Band has been established in the Nigerian Navy School of Music, Ota and steel pans are presently being fabricated locally here at the school.

“The conference was designed to provide a dedicated platform for harnessing informed opinions on improving the capacity building of the Nigerian Navy Band with particular attention to steel pan technology as a medium to achieve global recognition.

“The conference’s outcome is expected to reflect suggestions and recommendations on measures to further improve the steel pan technology, personnel skill and general production of the instrument.”

Delivering the keynote lecture at the conference, Professor Isaac Yekini-Ajenifuja, an associate professor at the Department of Music, Lagos State University (LASU), challenged the Nigeria Navy Music School (NNMS), Ota, to create a global unbeatable identity for itself with its knowledge of steel pan production.

Recalling how the navy in February 2015 sent six personnel comprising two officers and four ratings to Trinidad and Tobago, for one year course on steel pan tuning and manufacturing, he
said with the knowledge gained, the personnel returned to the country and manufactured sets of steel pan instruments for Nigerian Navy schools such as Nigerian Navy Secondary School (NNSS) Abeokuta, NNSS Imeri, Ondo State, NNSS Akpabio, Calabar NNSS Ogbomosho, Oyo State, headquarters, Naval Training Command, Apapa and NNMS Ota.

He said the team also refurbished the steel band at the NNSS Ojo, adding that these productions were a test run in the journey to becoming a giant in steel pan production in Nigeria.

The professor however noted the need for conducive environment, funding and personnel in order for that dream to be actualised, appealing that the project be given adequate consideration in order for the band to join the league of entrepreneurs.

Acknowledging how technology has changed the world and the huge future prospects it held, the professor said failure of the Nigerian Navy Band to join the trend in the area of steel pain could stagnate the school or plunge it into extinction.

He said: “lf technology is the only viable tool for individual, organisations and countries to be relevant and be successful, then, the military is not an exemption. Research has shown that virtually every aspect of the military system has been overhauled to conform to the new trend.

“I am very sure the Nigerian Navy is not opposed to the new Idea that will elevate its practice to conform to the international best practices.

“The training sponsored by the Nigerian Navy authority was equally the strength of their progress in the early years of the Nigerian Navy band, the quality of training received by the personnel helped them to conquer the music world.

“They became the pride of the Defense Headquarters due to their performances in local, national and international events.

“Today, adequate training has also been given to officers and bandsmen in steel pan performance and production which need to be explored to give the band more recognition and unparalleled identity.

“Although, they have engaged in a series of performances, it is not enough to create the desired goal. The aspect of production they have acquired could go comatose if not used.

“This is an area the Nigerian Navy Band can scientifically launch into the world of technology and create an unbeatable identity for itself. This will, on the other hand, turn the band into an entrepreneur and also give it access to make money.”