MUSICIAN AS 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 including, economic recession, unemployment, hike in food prices, kidnapping, religious crisis, terrorism, injustice, the COVID-19 pandemic, etc. 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 hope to the society despite the prevalent circumstances. This paper apprises E. C. Arinze as one of such messengers of hope whose evergreen music still gives encouragement to 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 herald of hope and encouragement to Nigerians at large to look forward to a bright future.