Department of Music, Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Department of Music, Faculty of Humanities, University of Port Harcourt.
With proper orientation, music has the capacity to ignite the passion for both national development and social integration in Nigeria. The thrust of this research investigated and identified the placement of music and orientation as a panacea for national development, cohesion and social integration. In consideration of the Nation’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural, meta-political diversities and inclinations, this study examined the role of music and orientation in promoting national unity and social amalgamation. It underscored the significance of music in Nigerian culture and its potential for fostering national unity. Consequently, the research investigated how music and orientation could contribute compositely to national development and achieve social integration. Adopting the African communal life concept of Nketia, the methodology involved qualitative approach, empirical study and library sources. Findings from the research reveal that musical configuration and instruction with proper focus, character orientation and coordination can serve as a panacea to achieve social integration in a changing world. The study recommends that Music Departments across the tertiary institutions in Nigeria should partner with the Federal Government, National Orientation Agency, National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, and other agencies, integrating music instruction and enlightenment into national development plans, thereby promoting music programmes that celebrate Nigerian diversity and unity.
Orientation, social integration, national development, panacea
