‘Music has no boundaries’

Pipe Major Chukwu Oba leads a bagpipe band and in the following chat with Daily Trust, he says his dream is that bagpipe music is accepted in Nigeria. Excerpts: How did you start this group in Nigeria? Actually, as a person, I have this passion for musical instruments, especially the wind instruments like the bagpipe. […]

Pipe Major Chukwu Oba leads a bagpipe band and in the following chat with Daily Trust, he says his dream is that bagpipe music is accepted in Nigeria. Excerpts:

How did you start this group in Nigeria?
Actually, as a person, I have this passion for musical instruments, especially the wind instruments like the bagpipe. It started as a dream and became reality because I was able to acquire some learning materials like the practice chanters and the pipe itself. I later formed ‘the Scottish Pipe Band Nigeria’ due to the love I have for the famous Scottish Pipe Band in the UK. And when I looked at the prospects of this kind of music, I felt I could do better. I decided to form an NGO – Bagpipe Music Society of Nigeria. The NGO is supposed to be a platform that will bring together pipers and aspiring pipers to project Nigeria’s image better internationally so that the world would know that Nigeria is part of this musical tradition. The bagpipe music in Nigeria has come to stay by the grace of God.
 How did you mark this year’s bagpipers’ event?
Every March 10 is set aside to mark the International Bagpipers’ Day. In Nigeria under the society, we decided to be a part of the event just like we did in previous years at Abuja orphanages. This year, we chose to mark it at the Arts and Crafts Village here in Abuja.  We also did some historicals on the pipe music tradition as well as joint cake-cutting to commemorate the day. Bagpipers around the town graced the occasion. In terms of colours, we settled for those that project our nation: Green and White. That is why we specifically made the kilt costume in Nigerian colours. This is so that people in other parts of the world will know that Nigerians are also part of the Bagpipe music tradition. So we marked the day through these events I mentioned.
 The kind of music you produce sounds foreign and elitist. Don’t you think it will affect membership?
It is about information. For instance, the Scottish people who promoted this musical instrument are alien. But bagpipe is bagpipe. The truth is that bagpipe originated from North Africa, moved to Europe and is now returning to Africa. It came to Nigeria during the colonial era Police Force. Today, the Nigerian Army also has the bagpipe. Again our kind of bagpipe brings civilians to play the instrument. The kind of music we play is also the kind which we are known for in this part of the world, for instance ‘Showers of Blessings.’ So, it is wrong to say it is a foreign musical instrument.
What really inspired you to form this band in Nigeria?
The truth is music has no boundaries. When we see how people in other parts of the world use this brand of music, I see it to benefit young unemployed Nigerians. The instrument is one of the most difficult ones to play, but once you learn to play it, automatically you are empowered. So, I am also seeing it as a means of empowerment for the youths. One of the reasons for setting up the band is to encourage young people to play together, project the image of Nigeria, and build social relations across the country and the world.
 Do you hope to get collaborations with other organisations?
I am hoping that we should have collaborations with institutions in Nigeria. It will help us achieve our aims. I have reached out to the Nigerian Council for Arts and Culture and other sponsors. Apart from the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force that maintain bagpipe units, ours is the only civilian bagpipe unit in the country I can think of at the moment.
 How do you fund your activities?
When we have an event, we usually get patronage that covers our running cost. We fund the group by our contributions since our instruments are expensive.
Where do you see bagpipe music in the future?
I see the society being able to represent Nigeria in any part of the world. I see parents encouraging their children to acquire the skill. The event we did at the orphanage in 2013 attracted so many children who were desirous of learning to play immediately. We’ve had events in schools such as Regent International School and Farmers International School all in Abuja where the children wanted to learn; except that the instruments were not readily available.
The instrument encourages intellectual development because you need to have knowledge of the theory of music to some extent. The instrument has the practice chanters, which is a flute with nine notes.
What difference is there between playing the bagpipe and for instance, the violin, trumpet, guitar or piano?
Actually, the intelligence that is required to play the bagpipe is closer to that required by a surgeon. This is because it is mathematical. It is an instrument that can be played on its own without the support or back up of any other instrument. This is because it has three drones, a back drone and tenor drones that bring the harmony to the music. The bagpipe is one of the oldest and unique musical instruments in the world. It is prestigious. Bagpipe is an instrument that can be used for a procession and it plays on its own. Emperor Nero of Rome was a piper, and it was used during the world wars to motivate the troops.