Music Was My Secret Weapon As Governor, Donald Duke Speaks On The Power Of Harmony At Youth Conference

Music Was My Secret Weapon As Governor, Donald Duke Speaks On The Power Of Harmony At Youth Conference

A former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has revealed how music played a significant role in his life during his tenure as governor. Duke shared that his weekly music sessions on Sunday nights were a crucial part of his routine, helping him stay at his best throughout the week.

Speaking at the Teens Career Conference organized by The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Abuja, Duke highlighted the power of music. He explained that when music is spiritual, it transcends generations, but when it is merely a craft, it lacks longevity.

He said, “As governor, my wife would prepare the band for me, and we would play from 9 pm on Sundays and close by 4 am, then be in the office by 8 am. After some time, I discovered that my commissioners would ask my secretary, ‘Did he play throughout the night?’ If she said no, they would be very careful around me because I would be grumpy throughout that week. But each time I played on Sunday nights, I got recalibrated. That is the power of music.”

Duke emphasized the importance of harmony, not just in music, but in life. He noted, “What makes music is harmony, and without harmony, the world would remain a terrible place. Music is life, and since music is all about harmony, life is always about harmony. Without harmony, there will not be peace.”

Reflecting on his youth, Duke shared a story from 1974 when he was in secondary school and wrote to his father about his desire to become a musician. His father, though supportive of his love for music, insisted that he should first complete his education.

Duke also touched on the significance of preparing the next generation for leadership, a lesson he believes Nigeria has historically overlooked. He remarked, “One of the pitfalls of our country is never preparing the next generation for leadership. It led us to a civil war. You have young people with incredible energy, but it is not channeled in the right direction. You must find your usefulness and ask yourself, ‘What can I do that will allow both myself and others to prosper?’”

He concluded by reiterating the theme of the conference, “The Power of Music,” and its broader implications for life and leadership, encouraging young people to embrace the harmony that music represents.