The Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) on Friday said that the growing interest of Europeans and others in Nigerian indigenous music was already projecting African cultural values globally.
The Deputy Director of MUSON School of Music, Mr. Emeka Nwokedi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos State that the school’s performances abroad had continued to attract more foreigners.
“We have had the opportunity to favourably engage in competitions with other musical groups from over 70 countries, and Nigerian indigenous music stood out.
“It was overwhelming to see how people from different countries of the world enjoyed our performances in Nigerian and African music.
“Let me say here that what people from Western and other countries enjoy the most today is music from their continent, Nigerian and African music.
“When we even talk of Africa, Nigerian music is particularly attractive to these foreigners. They enjoy the uniqueness in Nigerian indigenous music.
“They say that Nigerian music has character, heavy rhythm and that the music is tonal,’’ he said.
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According to him, the growing acceptance of Nigerian music in foreign countries is a proof that music is universal and unifying.
Nwokedi, who said that the school was already connected to other foreign countries, added that music had become a viable channel for promoting cultural exchanges between different countries and organisations.
The deputy director expressed optimism that Nigeria could positively reposition her image globally by promoting more musical cultural exchanges with different countries.
“Let me say that Nigeria can reach the entire world through her indigenous music alone. We can really begin to export more of our indigenous music to the rest of the world.
“When we continue to promote our culture through music, it will make more foreigners change their mindsets about Nigeria. And this will attract more foreign investors and businesses to Nigeria,’’ he said. (NAN)
