SOMEN 20th Conference: Engage TRAWIN members, enjoy best of wedding programme, Akintade implores

The Governor of Ogun State Traditional Wedding Initiatives (TRAWIN), Chief Mrs Omolara Amosa Adenike AKINTADE JP has assured the general public of best of wedding programes should they engage members of TRAWIN as the Anchor.

Chief Mrs Akintade made the assurance in her remarks moment after she was honoured with an Award of Excellence at the 20th Annual National Conference of The Society of Music Educatiors of Nigeria (SOMEN) held at the Music Department of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State on May 14, 2025.

The Governor noted that members of TRAWIN were equipped adequately to anchor wedding programmes to their clients’ satisfaction, stating also that her members are time conscious as they will never go beyond the agreed time frame.

“If you engage members of TRAWIN to anchor your wedding programme, you have choosing the best in terms of time management, professionalism, cultural and traditional balance”.

The retired educationist stressed that the duty of TRAWIN members is to build happy homes.

“We build homes not houses. It is our duty to ensure there is peace in our client homes. We preach decent culture and tradition”, Chief Mrs Akintade affirmed.

She expressed appreciation to Dr Ifeoluwa Olorunsogo’s led SOMEN for deeming it fit to award her the honour, saying TRAWIN is always ready to partner with SOMEN in the training of music students.

“At TRAWIN, we are poised ready to partner with you in the training of music students”.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the event, Dr Debra Lawal, speaking on the event themed, “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Applications and Implications in Music Education”, noted that the conference would provide music educators, producers, performers, composers, and other stakeholders in the music industry with opportunities to advocate additional education in music, build global networks, learn from each other, and explore ways to use music as a tool for national development—economically, socially, morally, and in all other aspects.

Dr. Lawal, who lectures in the Music Department of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, further commended Dr. Ebenezer Obey and Pastor Dr. D.K. Olukoya, General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries for sponsoring individuals in the study of music at the master’s and doctoral levels, stating that the later has also made it compulsory for all 100-level students in the church’s educational institution to study music as a general course.

She cited examples of Mrs Tope Alabi, the Gospel musician and the hiphop artist David Adeleke popularly referred to as Davido, noting that their  decisions to study music in school significantly boosted their careers and have inspired many young people to pursue formal music education, even up to the tertiary level.

“Even though you have that talent, you need to be schooled, you need to get the basic foundation before you can build on it”, Dr Lawal charged.

Also addressing the media, Dr Ifeoluwa Olorunsogo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of SOMEN, stated that the association will not relent in its efforts at protecting the interests of music education in Nigeria, as well, addressing the growing challenges in the field.

He submitted, having acknowledged the prevalence of moral decadence in the music industry, that while educators cannot control music practices outside academic institutions—since they are influenced by society—they can shape the development of students learning music in schools to ensure they build on a solid foundation.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Okebukola, spoke on the importance of AI in music education, noting that it fosters creativity, enables rapid content creation, introduces new musical directions, offers easy access to public music creators, and enhances personalized learning and feedback. He emphasized that AI can broaden human-mimicking styles, provide practical learning tools through diverse musical experiences, increase accessibility, and make music composition easier, especially for beginners.

Dr. Yemi Andrew Akperi, Lead Presenter 1, explained that the future of music in Nigeria is bright with AI interventions. Lead Presenter 2 advised music educators to leverage AI for research, proposal writing, and securing international grants, thereby advancing their professional development and the growth of music education in the country.

Among other dignitaries honoured by SOMEN were statesmen who have made significant contributions to the development of music in Nigeria among which were HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Otunba (Dr.) SAJ Ibikunle, Dr Sefiu Alao Adekunle (JJC), Dr. Taiwo Adesoji Adetunji, Prince Olufemi Dokunmu, Alex Eyengho Ejike Asiegbu, Taidob College, Abeokuta.

Prominent individuals in the audience included the College Provost, Dr Rafiu Adekola SOYELE (fcipdm, mnim), Dr Bunmi Ayelaagbe among others.