In commemoration of this year’s Mental Health Day (October 10), the Temidayo Ogan Music Medicine/TOCSS Foundation has begun engaging with medical colleges in Nigeria.
The move is aimed at introducing music therapy programmes into Nigeria Colleges of Medicine, as a precursor to using performing arts, including music to promote mental health and general well-being.
In a statement released in the United States after an initial engagement with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, a professor of Anatomy, Abayomi Okanlawon, stated that the innovative idea from Temidayo Ogan Music Medicine will be beneficial to Nigeria and the University of Lagos, especially the College of Medicine.
According to founder of the Music Medicine Group, Rev. Mrs Temidayo Ogan, music therapy is not completely new in the treatment of illnesses and preventative medicine.
“The TOCSS World Congress of African Music and Medicine event will help promote mental well-being and general wellness. Just like we read in the Bible, using music and performing arts in general to treat illnesses will definitely help to improve medical outcomes,” Ogan stated, adding that the theme of the Lagos and Texas events is ‘The Future of Medicine & African Performing Arts.’
As part of its bid to introduce gospel music into the music medicine, the organisation stated that Olamilekan Olowosile, who recently joined the international advocates for music and medicine at a joint congress in Berlin, will be the Lagos State team lead.
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The TOCSS Gospel Music Experience was recently launched in the United Kingdom and has travelled to Germany and around Nigeria, promoting wellness and mental health awareness, through music concerts and church tours.
“Our music therapy project will be joining efforts and resources to improve physical and mental well-being around the world. We are ready to roll out our 2025 World Church Tour which will begin with the Black History Month in the Lagos event in February. Our TOCSS African Praise Experience USA aka (TAPE USA) will embark on a world church tour to promote mental health awareness in the kingdom,” the statement read.