CHAPTER 31 : THE MUSICIAN AS A MESSENGER OF HOPE IN DIFFICULT TIMES: A REVIEW OF E. C. ARINZE'S ADIAKALU UBOSI

Abstract

Over the years, Nigeria has been experiencing difficult times like economic recession, inflation, unemployment, hike in food prices, kidnapping, religious crisis, terrorism, injustice, the COVID19 pandemic, and so on. As a result, depression, terror and many other psychologically related challenges arise leading to hopelessness among Nigerian citizens. Music has been one of the effective channels of communicating optimism and hopes to society despite the prevalent circumstances. This paper appraises E. C. Arinze as one of such musical messengers of hope whose evergreen works still encourage those who are discouraged due to life's challenges. This study analyzed one of his compositions - Adiakalu Ubosi musically and textually Data collection was drawn from the library, internet resources, audio files, documentaries and relevant literature. This paper sets out to encourage contemporary musicians and composers (in Nigeria) to imbibe this mindset like E. C. Arinze in becoming a musical herald of hope and encouragement to Nigerians to look forward to a bright future.

Keywords: Musicians, Music as a channel of communication, E. C. Arinze and Messenger of hope.