Use music for peace building, crime prevention – Cleric

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As the world marked the 2026 World Music Day on June 21, the General Overseer of Christ Generation Ministry Incorporated, in Umuahia, Abia State, Rev. Blessed Amalambu, has called on governments across the world to deliberately deploy music as a complementary instrument for peace building, moral reorientation and crime prevention

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He said although music cannot replace security agencies, it possesses enormous power to transform minds, discourage criminality and promote national unity.

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Amalambu made the call while interacting with our correspondent on Monday, noting that while insecurity, kidnapping, terrorism and violent crimes require effective security operations, intelligence gathering and a functional justice system, music has the capacity to reach hearts where weapons cannot.

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“Security restrains the hand, but music touches the heart, songs inspire hope, reshape attitudes, encourage forgiveness, strengthen communal harmony and redirect people away from violence”, he said.

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The cleric described music as a universal language that transcends ethnic, religious and cultural boundaries while fostering understanding, unity and peaceful coexistence.

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He commended legendary Nigerian musicians – the late Sunny Okosun – whose patriotic song, ‘Which Way Nigeria,’ challenged citizens and leaders to embrace accountability, justice and national development.

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He also praised the late Fela Kuti and Bongos Ikwue for using music to promote social consciousness and national discourse, urging today’s musicians to produce songs that inspire integrity, hard work, hope, justice and peace rather than glorifying violence, crime and moral decadence.

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He appealed to governments, security agencies, musicians, media organisations and cultural institutions to collaborate in using music as part of sustained public enlightenment campaigns against insecurity, kidnapping, cultism, drug abuse and violent extremism.

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He maintained that lasting peace can only be achieved when effective law enforcement is complemented by justice, quality education, economic opportunities, sound moral values and the enduring influence of music in shaping hearts, rebuilding communities and inspiring nations toward peaceful coexistence.

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