WRITTEN BY DAVE OKPOKWASILI
Guests at the formal presentation of books written in honour of a music icon, Professor Dan Agu, have called for the reduction of costs for music education in the country.

This, they believe will encourage talented youths to venture into the music industry.
Dan Agu, as he is fondly called comes to mind when a mention is made of the Old Anambra State Anthem and the incident song of the 1987 movie, Things Fall Apart, which he composed with Sam Ojukwu.
The books: “Musical Horizons in Africa: Essays and Perspectives, a festschrift of Daniel Christian Chikpezie Agu and a compilation of his works: Songs of Life: Selected Vocal Works” were presented before his mentees, Students and admirers.

Presenting the Book, an Industrialist, Mr Humphrey Ngonadi noted that music education needs to be encouraged by subsidizing its cost to make it more affordable.

Speaking to the ABS, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the event, Reverend Professor Femi Adedeji, stated that classical music composers are beginning to delve into the uncharted territory of using indigenous world views in writing songs instead of the prevalent western influenced method, which according to him will help broaden its appeal.

Earlier in a Keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Professor Chris Onyeji, and other speakers who took turn to eulogize Professor Agu such as the National Chairman Association of Nigeria Musicologists, Professor Isaac Idamoyibo urged young people to learn the virtues of hard work, dedication, selfless service, mentorship and for music education to be made more affordable.