The  Wild Africa has launched ‘Music for Wildlife’ with OASISONE, a dynamic concert series, bringing African artistes together to protect the continent’s iconic wildlife.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa Representative in Nigeria.

Iyorah said the premium live concert on-demand content and live experiences network would be on Trace’s TV broadcast channels and streaming platform.

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He said for viewers in Nigeria, the shows could be found on Trace Naija, channel 325 on DSTV.

Iyorah said the show is produced by Wild Africa, a non-profit organisation  to inspire the protection of Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces, and with OAS1SONE.

“Music for Wildlife’ now sees Africa’s creative talent and natural heritage celebrated globally, reaching more than 350 million people.

“Music for Wildlife’s engaging blend of studio sessions, interviews and captivating wildlife content will reach viewers in 180+ countries, across 28 localised Trace TV channels and Trace+ global streaming platform.

“These performances will air across Trace’s television and streaming platform from the 21st of June onwards aligned with Trace’s 21st Anniversary.

“Through the intimate concert series, audiences will meet Africa’s finest musicians, including chart-topping stars such as Musa Keys, CKay, Focalistic, and a multitude of other stars and the latest emerging talent, as they tell the story of their music, lives, careers and inspirations, and express their passion for endangered species.

“Each concert also includes special features from African and international stars from music entertainment, sports, comedy, television, and film like Davido, 2Baba, Jacky Chan, Boity, Alex Iwobi, Stonebwoy, Emmanuella, Yao Ming, Sir Richard Branson, Morgan Heritage, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Stephanie Linus, Djimon Hounsou, and many others,” he said.

He added that the concert would  feature over 150 musicians from across the continent.

According to him, Music for Wildlife harnesses the emotive power of music to raise awareness and inspire action for wildlife protection.

He noted that Africa which is home to a quarter of the world’s biodiversity, faces enormous challenges – from poaching to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade to climate change and human-wildlife conflict.

Quoting World Wildlife Fund Living Planet Report, Iyorah said that Wildlife populations had plunged by 66 per cent in the last 50 years.

“Once home to rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs, Nigeria faces rapid biodiversity loss rates. With just 50 West African lions, about 100 Cross River gorillas, and a couple hundred elephants, many species stand on the brink.

“According to the UN, the country also has the highest rate of deforestation in the world, losing 3.7 per cent of vitally important forest each year, and has emerged as an export hub for the illegal trade in pangolin scales and ivory.

“But Africa is not staying silent. From Johannesburg to Lagos, Accra to Windhoek, artistes raise their voices, speak out against the threats facing wildlife, and inspire their audiences to connect with their wild spaces in national parks.

“Nigeria’s musicians, 2Baba, Ckay, Laycon, and more, are especially vocal and are working with Wild Africa as part of a wider campaign beyond Music for Wildlife.

“They are taking a stand against illegal bushmeat, deforestation, the illegal wildlife trade and promoting wildlife tourism. And it’s having an impact,” Iyorah said.

He said that a recent survey of 1,000 Nigerians conducted by Lagos-based Market Surveys International found that 88 per cent are aware of Wild Africa’s campaign.

He said that 97 per cent of people aged 10-17 report that they remember the campaign.

He added that 86 per cent said they would no longer kill or consume because of learnings from the campaign, and 31 per cent said they have stopped consuming bushmeat due to the campaign.

He noted that such testimonies of impact underscores the aim of partnership between artists Trace, OASISONE, and Wild Africa.

Iyorah quoted Olivier Laouchez, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Trace Group, as saying that the company is proud to open its global network to host the Music for Wildlife shows.

Laouchez said that it perfectly aligned with its values and initiatives.
“Trace partners with one of the leading conservation communications organisations in the world, to collectively lend their voices for Africa’s future, for its wildlife conservation.
“We are thrilled to be part of this game-changing partnership, both for the massive audience reach in protecting Africa’s wildlife:
“But also the unprecedented push this will achieve for Africa’s amazing artistes and music, to audiences of millions around the globe,” says Jandre Louw, Founder and CEO of OAS1SONE.

Also, Mr Peter Knights, Wild Africa Chief Executive Officer, said they were excited to partner with Trace in the launch of Music for Wildlife across their varied and far-reaching channels.
“This collaboration allows us to leverage the power of music to connect with a continent-wide and even global audience, turning up the volume on the issues that affect not only wildlife but the natural foundation on which human life depends,” Knights said.