The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has narrated how he had once attempted to commit suicide but had to change his mind after listening to a series of inspirational music.
According to a statement from the palace on Wednesday, Ooni Ogunwusi gave the narration at The Muson Centre, Lagos while speaking during the opening session of the maiden edition of ‘Memorable Moments With Music.
Ooni described music as a key component of human existence, an iconic cultural expression and the best endowment from God to humanity for all seasons.
He said: “This is a very great moment for me. There is power in music. When I almost committed suicide at my younger age as a real estate businessman, it was music that saved my life. Music is a perfect communication with God.
“I had become very successful in the real estate sector at a very young age. I took a loan of 8 billion naira about 12 years ago to build a high-rise building which I had to pull down by myself when we were already on the 10th floor, and the money went down the drain. Life turned upside down thereafter and the only option was for me to commit suicide, but listening to a series of inspirational music reset my thinking faculty to remember the common saying ‘There is Hope When There is Life”
“I have since then adopted music as a very powerful solution tool when faced with challenges, and I made up my mind to invest in music and art for the economic empowerment and mental liberation of our youths and the less privileged people in our society. Ladies and gentlemen, whatever you are going through, please don’t give up. Use inspirational music to elevate your spirit.
“This is indeed a calling for me and I feel so happily fulfilled tonight with this 1st day of this musical project, a 3-day musical show which I tagged ‘Memorable Moments With Music’.”
Ooni added that he has taken it as part of the overall mission of the House of Oduduwa to establish a viable model of social cohesion through the formation of “Memorable Moments With Music” using as a holistic, invaluable, and tremendous strategy that embraces and amplifies the thematic rich stories of Africa through the voices and sound of different musical genres and groups across Africa.
The Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) said he is in collaboration with different musical groups like his own Ile-Ife based Akorin Oodua, Emerald Choir in Akure, Bethesda Home for the Blind, Lagos, UNILAG Choral, Xplicit Dancers, Ibadan Ekemini Theatre Troupe, Oghene Umu-Africa (Children of Africa), Team Definition, the appearance of Kenny Blaq, Bisola Omoge Bata, and other exceptional groups to achieve success for the 3-day musical event.
The ‘Memorable Moments With Music’ holding at the Muson Centre, a 3-day musical program will have its grand finale session by 7 pm on Thursday 23rd December 2021 parading award-winning artistes and musical groups.
Credit: PM News Nigeria