Commendation galore as COSON celebrates fourth anniversary

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 4^th 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 4^th anniversary of the society’s approval by the government was marked with the cutting of the 4^th anniversary cake and elections into vacant positions on the Board.