Ace musician, Dakolo, cautions parents against forcing career on children

For parents who are in the habit of forcing careers on their children, a subtle advise has come from ace musician, Timi Dakolo, to them.

He is urging them to support their children and wards build up their talent as there was “no greater self-esteem booster than to know who you are, and be passionate about what you have to offer the society.”

Dakolo, who spoke during the yearly musical festival of Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, recalled how, like most of his contemporaries in the country, he started off from the church choir before joining a group called the Purple Love.

While encouraging the students to nourish their creative endowments, and be open to learning new things in life, he added “as parents, help your kids discover their talent and encourage them rather than force career paths on them as the kids might not do well taking to the forced path.

“Parents whose children have interest in music, should encourage them by helping them to learn early in life, the various principles and things they generally need to know about music, such as pitch, melody, rhythm and tone quality. This might include how children learn the words and melody of a new song.”

On her part, the Head of School, Anthony Campus, Helen Brocklesby, said, “Parents should nurture and develop their children’s talents; help their children go as far as they can in whatever field they chose as the world is becoming more diverse and more creative…What is important is that children are able to be flexible and creative in all the things that they do. So, since the world is not made up of one type of persons, we need to make sure that children explore a lot of things.”

Apart from showing interest in academics, they should also show interest in acting, drama, dance and the arts generally so that they can bring to their families, to the world and to their lives, a diversity of expressions.”

The music coordinator for elementary school, Mr. Olatubosun Atundaolu, said the school encourages students to develop their talent, by organising competitions where they would showcase their creative endowment.