The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) on
May 21, 2014 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos signed a historic music copyright
royalty agreement with the entire broadcasting industry in Nigeria.
It was
celebrations galore at the star studded signing ceremony attended by the
Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba; Director-General,
Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam Ezekude; Director-General, Voice of
Nigeria, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa who is also Chairman of the 400 member
Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, and several other top government
officials.
The event, SHOWBIZPLUSng can authoritatively report brought to an end the prolonged
disagreement between the music and broadcast industries in Nigeria spanning
over 30 years which culminated in a major crisis in the last quarter of 2013.
Following the back-to-back
and significantly publicized copyright infringement law suits filed by COSON
against some of Nigeria’s topmost broadcasting stations in 2013, the stations
under the aegis of Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) and Independent
Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) announced the suspension of the broadcast of the music of nearly all the
best known members of COSON on radio and TV stations across Nigeria. This
resulted in massive public outcry across the country followed by an all-out
media war between the music and broadcast industries.
In
reaction, the NBC and NCC stepped in in an attempt to resolve the matter. This
led to the setting up of the COSON/BON/IBAN/NBC/NCC Joint Committee. Under the
auspices of the committee, comprehensive negotiations have gone on between
COSON and broadcasting stations in Nigeria since the beginning of 2014.
Speaking at the
signing ceremony, the NBC DG, Mr. Emeka Mba who commended the Chairman of
COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji for what he described as Chief Okoroji’s doggedness
and commitment to the respect of Intellectual property rights in the Nigerian
creative industry, said, " This historic event isn't just about the Nigerian
music industry but the creative industry at large. This is about the respect of
intellectual property in Nigeria. Let us all see this as the beginning of better
things to come for the Nigerian creative industry. This goes to tell other
sectors that have been abusing creativity that the time is up. "
Also speaking at the event, the DG of the NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude commended COSON and BON/IBAN for sheathing their swords and finally coming to the table to negotiate. He also expressed pleasure at the outcome of the negotiations saying, "I did not realize that this day will ever happen in my time but I am glad that it has happened. We are finally here and are part of history. This event is not just about the copyright industry but a great day in the history of Nigeria. This is also proof to all that as a people, Nigerians can do the right thing if they put away individual interest and take on national interest. I encourage all parties involved in this agreement to keep to the letter and content of the agreement.” Mr. Ezekude recommended that the payment of music copyright royalties be made a condition for the renewal of broadcast licenses henceforth.
Also speaking at the event, the DG of the NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude commended COSON and BON/IBAN for sheathing their swords and finally coming to the table to negotiate. He also expressed pleasure at the outcome of the negotiations saying, "I did not realize that this day will ever happen in my time but I am glad that it has happened. We are finally here and are part of history. This event is not just about the copyright industry but a great day in the history of Nigeria. This is also proof to all that as a people, Nigerians can do the right thing if they put away individual interest and take on national interest. I encourage all parties involved in this agreement to keep to the letter and content of the agreement.” Mr. Ezekude recommended that the payment of music copyright royalties be made a condition for the renewal of broadcast licenses henceforth.
BON Chairman Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa said, "When the crisis was going on, I knew something will give because of how both industries need each other. I am happy that after several months of heated negotiations, we are here as witnesses of this historic day. This is a new dawn but we must all work hard to ensure that we achieve the objectives of today. I want to assure all that the members of BON and IBAN will meet their obligations by this agreement."
The Chief
Negotiator in the BON/IBAN/COSON/NBC/NCC Joint Committee, Mr. Mac Emakpore
thanked the parties for bringing to an end a crisis that according to him threatened
the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria. He said, "Several meetings
down the line in the midst of heated arguments, we have finally come up with
this document which is being signed today. I give God all the glory for this
progress made in the history of Nigeria."
As representative of IBAN, famous broadcaster and Managing Director of Ray Power FM, Mr. Kenny Ogungbe expressed satisfaction at the resolution of the crisis that had rocked the music and broadcast industries. He said, "I am personally happy for what has gone down today. Every organization in the broadcast industry will queue up behind the agreement we have signed here today. It is binding and we are proud that we have made history in Nigeria at 100."
As representative of IBAN, famous broadcaster and Managing Director of Ray Power FM, Mr. Kenny Ogungbe expressed satisfaction at the resolution of the crisis that had rocked the music and broadcast industries. He said, "I am personally happy for what has gone down today. Every organization in the broadcast industry will queue up behind the agreement we have signed here today. It is binding and we are proud that we have made history in Nigeria at 100."
COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji in his
address said, ‘For many years, Nigeria had run
away from addressing this problem leaving many frustrated and driving important
investment out of our nation. There are many who had given up, believing that
the problem will never be solved. Finally, we have sat on the same table with
the broadcasting industry and made stringent efforts to find a working
agreement on important issues that have stood between our music and
broadcasting industries. It may appear like a miracle but it has happened’.
Chief Okoroji
concluded by saying, ‘While there is no way in which we can undervalue the
importance of today’s agreement, I wish to say that our expectations must be
tempered as we have had to make significant compromises so that we can move
forward. This agreement is therefore an important first step as we begin the
journey to end the many bad habits that have held the creative enterprise
unprofitable in Nigeria’.
Present at the event were such big wigs of the broadcasting industry as Nigeria’s first ever female TV broadcaster, Ms. Julie Coker; Hon H.A.B. Fasinro of Smooth FM; Mr Larry Izamoje of Brila FM; Mr. Deji Awokoya of Beat FM, Classic FM and Naija FM; Ms. Evita Mousalli of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Naija Info FM, Mr. Adetunji Majeed of NTA, etc.
Among the
several key music industry stakeholders who attended the event were the masked
music star, Lagbaja and Rub-a-dub master, Ras Kimono. Other singing stars
present included Azzezat, Daddy Fresh, KSB, etc. Present also were showbiz
impresarios such as Edi Lawani, Efe Omorogbe and Patrick Doyle.
The Board of
COSON was represented at the historic event by Mr. Joel Ajayi, Hon John
Ewelukwa Udegbunam, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola and General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji.
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