Don Calls For Strict Enforcement Of Law Against Noise Pollution In Worship Centres

Afe Adogame, a professor of theology at Princeton theological seminary, United States has called for strict enforcement of the law against noise pollution in worship centres in the country.

Adogame made the call while presenting his keynote address at the opening of the International Conference on African Pentecostalism at redemption city, Mowe, Ogun.

The annual conference was organised by the Redeemed Christian Bible College in conjunction with religious department of university of Ibadan and Redeemer University, Ede, Osun.

The conference has as its theme ” Exploring The Intersections of Music And Culture In African Pentecostalism: Local and Global Perspectives”.

Adogame said that many worship centres mounted their speakers in such a way that noises coming from the inside was becoming problematic to none worshipers.

He the way and manners worship centres were been built in residential areas should also be checked.

Adogame said that many worship centres mounted their speakers in such a way that noises coming from the inside was becoming problematic to none worshipers.

He the way and manners worship centres were been built in residential areas should also be checked.

” We have law about noise pollution but are not being enforced. Elsewhere in the world, no worship centres is permitted in the residential areas

” We have laws against noise pollution and we need to start enforcing the laws “, he said.

Adogame also called for strict enforcement of copyright law against gospel music plagiarism in the country.

He said that many gospel singers were no longer innovative in composing new songs but instead recycling the old songs of other musicians as their own.

He, however, said that it was unfortunate that copyright law was not being enforced to minimise the act in the country.

” We have copyright laws but they don’t work and this is problematic.

“Any church out there who sing somebody’s song without crediting the owner is not the best.

” There is nothing wrong in singing somebody’s song but you have to acknowledge the original owner of the song.

” But here in Nigeria, we call it freelance music. Anybody can put his or her name on any existing songs without crediting the owner.

” But unfortunately, we are in a country where we have laws, but are not being enforced.

“There is need for the enforcement of these laws to checkmate music plagiarism to enhance creativity.

” In pentecostal tradition, in particular, we don’t have creativity and innovation. New song are not being composed but what we have is what called freelance music.

” There is creativity and innovation in music and we need to beginning to see how music can help us to understand spirituality better”, he said.

On the infusion of secular song to gospel songs, Adogame said that the distinction between what is secular and gospel is slim.

” We often think there is sharp define between what is secular and religion .

” In the Africa cosmology , the definition of what is secular and religious is slim.

“What happen is that the secular influence the gospel music and vice versa.

” I don’t think there is any corruption because in a society where the secular shape religious and the religious shape the gospel, it is complementarity.

” Where it can be problematic is the content of the music”, he said .

In his remarks, Pastor Rotimi Oti, the provost of the college, said that African Pentecostalism was a rapidly growing phenomenon that was shaping the spiritual, social, and cultural landscape of the continent and beyond.

Oti , who described music as a powerful medium that is central to the worship and expression of faith in Pentecostal churches, said it has the ability to evoke emotions, create a sense of community, and facilitate a connection with the divine.

“Through the exploration of music in African Pentecostalism, we aim to understand how it reflects and shapes the cultural, social, and political contexts in which these churches operate”, he said.

In his remarks, pastor Sunday Akande, the National Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, described music as a wordless prayer that opens up our “imagination to the divine source of all life”.

Represented by Pastor Josiah Bolarinwa, the Assistant Continental Overseer, Research and Development, Akande said music is the the most immaterial and ephemeral of all the art forms.

We can’t see music, grapes in our hands, but we can feel it working through us and the world”, he said.