Okoroji and Tuface |
It was commendation galore at the fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Copyright
Society of Nigeria (COSON) held at Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall, Ikeja, Lagos. SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt that several members of the society expressed their satisfaction and pleasure at
the great achievements the society has recorded in such a short time since its
approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In his address, the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji
thanked the members for their unflinching support to the society and restated
the resolve of the society’s leadership to constantly revolutionize the music
industry in Nigeria. He went on to state that the Annual General Meeting was a
requirement of the law and also an important event for members to be well
informed of the workings and current status of the society. Explaining the
purpose of the AGM, Chief Okoroji said the AGM has three broad tasks, “The
first is to receive and consider the audited financial statements of the
society for the year ended December 31, 2013, the reports of the auditors
thereon and that of the directors. The second is to elect or re-elect members
of the Board in accordance with Articles 52, 53 & 54 of our Articles of
Association. The third is to pass on and to discuss important developments that
have happened in our operating environment since our last AGM.”
The COSON Chairman informed the meeting of the different
levels of progress the society has made since its last AGM in May, 2013. One of
such is the over 100 reciprocal agreements the society has entered into with
other collecting societies around the word. According to him, “Just two and
half years ago, COSON did not have even one reciprocal agreement with any
international collective management organization. We were not even admitted
into the membership of CISAC; the international organization representing CMOs
around the world. As you are well aware, as a result of our painstaking effort,
COSON has since been admitted into the membership of CISAC. Last year, we
announced the signing of a reciprocal representation agreement between COSON
and PRS for Music of the United Kingdom. I am proud to announce today that due
to our tireless work, COSON now has reciprocal agreements authorizing us to represent
the music repertoire of about 100 collective management organizations in every
continent in the world. This includes the entire US music repertoire and the
music repertoire of such countries as South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Benin, Togo,
France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Jamaica, Brazil, Finland,
China, Australia, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Cuba, Canada, United Kingdom, India,
Spain, Argentina, etc., etc. In other words, COSON now represents practically
the entire world music in Nigeria and by these agreements the music of COSON
members is now administered across the world by our partner societies.”
Members were also informed by the society’s Chairman of the
listing of COSON members in the Interested Parties Information (IPI) system
administered by the Geneva based organization, SUISA. In his words, “The IPI
system can be likened to the Bible of the international copyright structure by
which every important copyright owner in music is identified around the world.
Once again, I am proud to announce that not less than one thousand five hundred
COSON members have now been listed in the IPI system and the listing continues.
The listing of COSON members in the IPI database and the assignment of special
international numbers to each of them has made the tracking of the use of these
members’ works and the compensation for the use of works belonging to such
members in any part of the world much easier.”
On the challenges posed by the digital exploitation of music,
Chief Okoroji assured members that COSON is taking a number of initiatives to
ensure that reasonable revenue continues to accrue to investors in music in
Nigeria.
In response, The National President, Music Producers &
Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Engr. Sharon Wilson, thanked the
leadership of the society for their commitment in ensuring that the music pays
in Nigeria. He said, “The 4th AGM of COSON has been a huge success. I
want to appreciate the COSON Board for the way they handled the crisis with the
broadcast industry. I am pleased with every step the Board has taken so far
especially the number of reciprocal agreements the society has entered into
with other collecting societies around the world. This is one of the best
things to happen to the music industry in Nigeria. I wish them the very best
and greater successes in the future.”
Also commenting, another member of COSON, Alhaji Isiaka
Ayinla AKA Easy Kabaka thanked the leadership of COSON for a job well done. He said,
“I and my people from Kwara State are pleased with the results the society has
produced so far. I wish them God’s speed and pray the Almighty Allah to reward
them greatly.”
The Annual General Meeting which coincided with the 4th
anniversary of the society’s approval by the government was marked with the
cutting of the 4th anniversary cake and elections into vacant
positions on the Board.
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