Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Friday called for the inculcation of the essence of drums and its rhythm in younger generations, particularly children.
Amosun said this during a roundtable conference with International and Local Master Drummers.
The conference was held at the Olumo Rock tourist complex in continuation of the African Drum Festival holding in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Amosun said: “We should educate ourselves about the essence of drums and the role drugs play in our society.
“It is good that we are looking at the intellectual side of drums, we must not forget our identity and our past. Drums must be part of our everyday life.
“We don’t want to forget our identity, we don’t want to forget our past, we can do a lot with drums.”
Lead speakers at the conference, Jeleel Ojuade and Ghanaian, Sylvania Kuwor, applauded Amosun’s administration for laying a foundation for culture and tradition to thrive.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was also present at the event, said the beauty of rhythm and drums should not be taken for granted.
“I hope this will continue to be an annual event. If anybody can unite the arts, of all the culture that I know of, it is African society,” he said.
