30 MTN Musical Scholars Graduate from MUSON

The Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), on Saturday 29th August 2020 graduated 30 music scholars whose studies had been enabled by a two year MTN Foundation scholarship. As expected, and as has become the norm, it was a virtual event, in accordance with Covid 19 protocols.

MTN Foundation is involved with different aspects of Nigerian society, its massive operations powered by funds from MTN’S 1% profit after tax that’s exclusively devoted to prosecuting social and community enhancement programmes.

Its partnership with MUSON is only one of the many areas where MTN intervention in Nigeria is evident. And appropriately so. Nigeria is a hotbed of musical excellence especially in contemporary music. The MTN/ MUSON partnership is however geared stronger towards classical and folk songs, the genres generally thought to be the underpinnings of good music. Contemporary music is not left out altogether, however. What’s on offer just is more tasteful and backed with the rigour of study as a discipline as against the freestyle that performers opt for whenever ‘inspiration’ perches but for some while on them.

Graduates of the programme are equipped for different aspects of the music spectrum, including composition, performance, production, etc.

Dennis Okoro, Director, MTN Foundation, thanking the graduands on behalf of MTN “for entrusting us with your gift through this programme”, affirmed that the Foundation was honoured “to be part of your success story and look forward to the great things you will achieve”.

His MUSON counterpart, Banke Ademola, Director MUSON School of Music, was full of thanks to the Foundation for the scholarship availed the students to enhance and showcase their musical talents. She was also happy that MTN staff came by routinely to monitor the progress of the students. She maintained that Covid 19 had nothing on the ceremony, which though virtual was still glamorous and lived up to its billing.