From the womb to the cradle to the grave- music and the making of music remains an integral part of our human experience. Musicians who make different types of music infuse their 'spirits' into their work. For those who form music with their lyrics and words- they inspire, excite and take other humans to great heights. Music is powerful and musicians are deeply insightful and powerful beings. Music is so filled with enormous power and its role in history and the shaping of minds and nations is there for all to see.
Our country -Nigeria is blessed with these powerful musicians whose influence go beyond the shores of our land. From the revolutionary laden anti-apartheid lyrics/voices of Late Sunny Okosuns to the provocative but discerning songs of Late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti we connect to our purpose here as humans and as Nigerians. From Okosuns "which way Nigeria... I love my Fatherland..I want to know..which way Nigeria is heading to'... .to Fela's " my condition don reach make I shout' to Tuface's "if to say na only me". We link to the essence of mobilization, participation and organising for change. Instructive to say that Tuface's "if to say na only me' is deeply philosophical and dovetails into the call for us (Nigerians) to look beyond ourselves, beyond our comfort zones and to see how we can impact our society better with our talents and resources.
Young people today, all over the world are frontline global shapers and consistently engaging to change their destinies and the history of their nations. At this juncture in our history, young people have the opportunity to impact Nigeria in a very special way. The RSVP message is directed at young people - who form the bulk of voters in Nigeria. The concept is so innovative, deeply persuasive and clear-Register -pick your Permanent Voters' card-PVC, Select (select your candidates), and Vote -vote not Fight and Protect- protect your mandate. The RSVP concept is premised on the platform of using the arts (music and musicians) to mobilize Nigerians (especially young people) with the aim of deepening their interest in effectively participating in the 2015 elections, and pushing for needed change.
OSIWA's collaboration with Enough is Enough(EiE) on the RSVP concert series hit Owerri, Imo State, South-East, Nigeria on Saturday, 31 January 2015 at Mimi's Place. The mobilization and awareness raising about the event had been on via EiE's several outreach platforms for weeks and this impacted on the turnout at the event. Entry into the event was by show of PVC at the gate, while basic contacts of all attendees were also taken. I had my moment on stage too, before the main acts performed and rolled out OSIWA's articulation of its vision and engagement in Nigeria specifically with regards improving the quality and conduct of elections and the importance of greater and effective citizens' participation.
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The artistes (renowned, up and coming and local) at the event kept the audience thrilled all night from about 8.30pm to 2am when the show rounded up. From the rib-cracking jokes of the two comedians who anchored the show to the soul lifting gospel tunes of Frank Edwards, who incidentally is an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ambassador to the rap vibes of Nigga Raw, Dammy Krane's waist-turning lyrics and Tuface's combo of songs, the audience were kept thrilled through the night. Important to state that, the key message of the RSVP was never lost on the audience, as artiste after artiste kept on re-iterating this and emphasising the need for people to see the 2015 elections as a huge opportunity to better how elections are conducted in Nigeria and the power of citizens to make the leadership changes they desire.
Resoundingly, the message that ran through the night in Owerri was - 'this is our country and we must keep pushing for change. The power to make this happens lies in our hands (with our PVCs). Let's act wisely. The RSVP concert train moves to Lagos this weekend, 8th February 2015, another hit that is going to be.
Joseph Amenaghawon is OSIWA's Economic Governance Program Coordinator
Follow Joseph @jogbosky
