I always wonder what the essence of listening to music is, when all we get is just the loud sound of the beat. Sometimes, you notice the beat and the lyrics don’t synchronize. All we get is just a ‘danceable noise’. I guess that suits the situation of the countrymen. Abami Eda rightly described us when he posited that we are a people given to ‘suffering and smiling’. For those that know me in person am not a music critic, so this is not about any song or ‘songster’, far from it. This past week, I was watching a magazine programme on NTA network news after so many years of avoiding state owned TV stations. The programme is one my father made us watch while growing up. It was truly a great watch, then. Stop the guessing game, the programme is ‘newsline’. I wanted to watch a movie I collected from my very good friend but daddy was glued to the TV though we agreed that I will take over in the next 10 minutes. So it was, but before then the presenter said something about the national anthem that caught my attention. Few days before that blissful Sunday, I was asking my enactus teammates about the essence of the songs we always hear at enactus’ programmes nationwide. None of them answered though and the topic was buried. It was a painful thing so I decided I will get another opportunity to talk about it. So the presenter made us understand that she went into the streets and asked people about the national anthem. They were asked to recite it, lo and behold, just like you have rightly guessed they all faltered. I was embittered when a primary school student recited hers and she disappointed me. The anger in me transferred to my face and my dad saw my reaction. Now my attention was divided, everyone around me was trying to recite the anthem and the national pledge. I was not worried about them because over 15 people were interviewed and only 2 or 3 people did get it right, so I said to myself ‘what difference will the 4 people in this room make?’ Surely they made a difference, except for my sister every one of them stopped at the first stanza and the national pledge. Another question arose. The presenter asked those she interviewed, THE ESSENCE OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. Annoyingly a gentleman said in a gracious manner that the national anthem is an opening song during state functions and so it is of no importance. Enraged is the least word to describe my state. I could not behold it and same was the countenance of the beautiful presenter. So I asked myself, what is the essence? ‘Arise o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey’… The anthem didn’t just call on Nigerians, it asked them to obey the call of the country as a colleague, a national and a citizen. That is the essence, to heed the call of the land, to solve the nation’s problem. The labour of heroes past shall be in vain if we do not heed this clarion call. I know what you are thinking, it seems Nigeria’s problem is unique and can’t be solved. No it is not, you may not be able to do it individually but you can be a part of the solution. My kind of call for a change of mindset is a way of being a part of the solution. Find a way too. Join the crusade and be the change you want to see. ‘Flourish wherever you are established’ is an advice a friend will always give. The essence of the national anthem is to always remind us that we have a duty to this nation but it seems our heroes past didn’t even bother to give us the message. They were so concerned about the music. Since the 2nd week of July, I have always made it a point of duty to listen to 3 songs that I think every youth in this nation that want to see positive change should know by heart. It is not about the artiste(s) or the beat but the message contained. Permit me to tell you what I believe in. I want to see a Nigeria nation where these songs will be rendered at the start and end of every function or at least, help change the mindset of Nigerians. These songs are the least popular but I believe can do a lot for this nation. The songs are ‘I believe’ by Nikki Yanofsky, ‘The Future’ by TY Bello and ‘Great Nation’ by Timi Dakolo. Listen to these songs, learn the lyrics and I know like it changed me, it will drive you towards thinking about the possibility of a better Nigeria. Thank you for reading but please listen to those songs and let me know your view. We’re a nation: undivided and poised. We will take our stand: and build our land With faith: to defend what we love- Timi Dakolo said. This piece was first published on omojuwa.com on the 2nd of September 2013.