Music In Africa hosts ground-breaking Nigerian music anniversary event.

The event commenced with the screening of Music In Africa's promotional video and a brief introduction of the Music In Africa project by Ed Keazor, Regional Editor (Anglophone West Africa). The first guest speaker was veteran broadcaster and music historian, Benson Idonije, who traced the nascent origins of Nigerian popular music from the 1920s through to 1970. A key highlight of his presentation was the circular nature of certain musical styles and the extinction of a number of hitherto popular genres.

He was followed by highly respected blogger, music historian and producer, Uchenna Ikonne, who spoke on the evolution of Nigerian popular music through the 1970s on to the 1990s. Highlights were a detailed analysis of the death of the major record companies and the impact on popular music. Ikonne was followed by veteran radio DJ and Nigeria's pioneer of digital radio, Raymond Bola Browne, who discussed the Nigerian music renaissance of the 1990s on to the new millennium and the place of digital radio.

The next presentation was by globally respected entertainment lawyer and CEO of the 960 Music Group, Mark Redguard, also the former CMO of Spinlet. His presentation was naturally on the Nigerian digital music revolution. Some interesting pieces of information included the fact that telco MTN is Nigeria's biggest distributor of digital music and the multi-billion potential of the Nigerian digital music industry.

The final presentation was delivered by Nigerian music industry legend, Obi Asika, founder of Storm Records, Storm 360 and Dragon Africa, who incidentally was recently appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria, on social media. His detailed presentation traced the growth of the phenomenon of 'Nigerian soft power' - this being in simple terms the Nigerian creative revolution of the 21st century, encompassing music, movies, fashion and literature. His presentation examined the growth of the Nigerian international music phenomenon and ended with a warning that operators would do well to avoid complacency as new African powers, such as Angola, were gearing up for their day in the sun.

The event was concluded with the presentation of certificates of recognition to a number of Nigerian music legends for their contributions to the growth of Nigerian popular music. These included speakers, Benson Idonije (for contributions to music broadcasting), Uchenna Ikonne (for contributions to music journalism) and Obi Asika (for contributions to the growth of the recording industry). Others included highlife legends Sir Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajilo and E.C.Arinze. Also honoured were the pride of Jos, Alhaji Dan Maraya Jos, Nigerian Afro-beat and hip-hop legend Ade Bantu, who was present to receive his award, and lastly Naija-pop legend, 2face Idibia, whose award was received on his behalf by his record company CEO, Mark Redguard.

Overall, the four-hour event was acknowledged by all present as one of the most comprehensive and serious overviews of the Nigerian popular music industry, with a high quality of presentations and insightful and animated interaction from the audience, which included a cross-section of journalists, music industry representatives, industry operators and music academics.