Advocating Proper Funding to Evolve NN Band to Global Standards, Demand 

Although the Nigerian Navy Band has grown to be a reputable and recognised entity with with several international performances to its credit, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the need to evolve and even sustain such efforts to global standards capable of attracting foreign exchange when on demand

The importance of music, as a soft power when played in military operations can never be understated. In charge of this section is the Directorate of Music, which can be found in all arms of the Armed Forces. 

For the Nigerian Navy (NN) though, it has become of utmost importance to evolve this directorate and make its content more globally acceptable. This task was the recent crux of the Nigerian Navy Band annual conference organised by the Directorate of Music, Naval Headquarters, Abuja.

Themed “Music Education in the NN: Past, Present and Future”, stakeholders at the event said this can only be achieved through proper funding of military bands and review of their curriculum.

The end goal being to enable them evolve into global brands capable of attracting foreign exchange through the exportation of original contents.

Also on the front burner was the advocacy to review the curriculum of military schools of music to be at par with those of universities for career development of their personnel.

The three-day conference which was held at the Nigerian Navy School of Music (NNSM), Ota, Ogun State, brought together music lecturers from reputable universities, musicians, script writers and other stakeholders in the field and they unanimously agreed that there was need for the military bands to embrace Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which they said, had limitless possibilities for teaching and learning music.

Noting the important role music, as a soft power, played in military operations, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who was represented by the Naval Training Command’s (NAVTRAC) Ashore and Sea Officer, Commodore Raheem Taofeek, said music provided parameters that could be used to frame experiences, feelings and comportment. 

Reiterating the navy’s commitment to the creation and adoption of policies aimed at improving professionalism and capacity building, he said: “I would like to emphasize here that quality training and retraining of our officers and ratings in all capacity is paramount in our military endeavours. 

“The Directorate of Music from inception has been a department to reckon with in terms of training. Judging by the array of seasoned scholars, serving and retired officers as well as important stakeholders participating in this conference, I am confident that your wealth of knowledge and experience would enrich the deliberations.

“It is my expectation that this conference would be an appropriate forum to exchange ideas and proffer views that would assist in charting a new course towards repositioning the NN Band for sustainability of creative professionalism through modern musical educational aids.”

Reminiscing on the days of humble beginnings, the Director of Music, Nigerian Navy, Captain Olalekan Abiodun, said the Navy Band has grown to be a reputable and recognised entity of reckon with several international performances to its credit.

He attributed the successes to the foundation laid during its formative years which he said was based on quality training and professional education . 

According to Abiodun, the department started with one musical section (military band) but has added three more- the Dance Band, Steel Pan Band and Bag Pipers.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the effort of the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, for his encouragement and approvals on requests concerning training. 

“This year’s conference is designed to x-ray music education with particular interest in reviewing the past, improve upon the present and to make considerable and achievable plans for the future. 

“It is therefore our intent to tap from the reservoir of knowledge and wealth of experience of our seasoned academia, military officers of the music department (serving and retired) and other esteemed stakeholders during the paper presentation and discussions. 

“It is heartwarming to state that the implementation of the communique at the last Nigerian Navy Band Conference 2022 has contributed significantly to improving training and performances in the department,” he said.

Delivering his keynote lecture, a Music Lecturer from the University of Ibadan, Dr. Toyin Ajose, said the course content and adequacy of teaching/contact hours should be reviewed to be at par with what was obtainable in higher institutions.

He recommended collaboration and educational exchange programmes to open doors for cultural exchanges that enrich musical experience for personnel.

“The NN Band should collaborate with experienced music educators in higher institutions such as universities, colleges of education or polytechnics to ensure that their educational programmes are effective and we’ll structures. This kind of initiative could have a positive impact on both the NN’s image and the development of musical talent within the country.

“The NN Band should engage with local communities through music initiatives, workshops and performances. This would promote cultural awareness and appreciation…More of these community engagements can be extended to primary and secondary schools around and other educational centres. Through these kinds of educative and entertaining interactions, the NNB can further contribute to music education in Nigeria.

“It is common knowledge that music education in the NNB like other military institutions require adequate funding for the purchase of state of the art musical equipment, infrastructure as well as maintenance.”

Emphasising the need for technology, Ajose said there were several applications that could facilitate the teaching of rudiments of music, sight reading and aural training, urging the Navy to pay adequate attention to ensuring that its bandsmen were able to use digital tools, maximally.

“Where a music computer laboratory is not present at the NNSM, it is high time that one was set up to enhance the teaching and learning in the school.

“New courses that capture the current music realities should be introduced into the programme and courses of the school. The inclusion of Nigerian indigenous and popular music studies should be given a substantial consideration in the curriculum of the school.

“Scholars have posited that for a music education programme to be seen as inclusive and diverse, such programme must accommodate different genre in its classroom design. 

“While the NNB has put on great efforts in the ‘Nigerianisation’ of its musical performances over the years, it is expedient that same gesture should translate to its music education. This is particularly important as it will assist to indigenise music education in the NNB thus contributing to the ongoing conversation on decolonising music education in Nigeria.”