The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COSON

  • COSON honours Finnish copyright expert

    COSON honours Finnish copyright expert

    CELEBRATED expert and teacher of copyright collective management around the world, Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, has been decorated with the Copyright Medal of Honour in Nigeria. The award, bestowed by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), was given during the society’s Green Ball, during the COSON Week held recently.

    Decorating Ms Koskinen Olsson at MUSON Centre, Lagos, venue of the event, COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji, said that the medal was in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedicated service to the copyright community around the world, especially in the development of collective management of copyright in developing countries.

    Before the presentation, a mini documentary titled The Guardian Angel on the activities of Tarja Koskinen-Olsson was played.

    Responding to the honour, Olsson said that she was humbled to see the success of COSON and to witness it at an event like the Green Ball. “The beauty of the COSON way is the creation of a unified platform. It is a modern way to tackle the challenges facing the music industry in our globalised world. Your music has great power not only in your own country but throughout the world and you should harness it. I love two things: people and copyright,” Olsson said.

    Present at the event were the Chairman of the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE), Professor Helge Ronning and the Managing Director of the organisation, Mr Frode Lovik. Artistes who graced the occasion included Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, Bright Chimezie, Mike Okri, Chris Ajilo, Laolu Akins, Stella Monye, among others.

  • Frank Edoho to host COSON Song Awards

    Frank Edoho to host COSON Song Awards

    CELEBRATED presenter of popular TV quiz programme, Who wants to be a Millionaire, has been penned down as will anchor of COSON Song Awards which holds at the New Ball Room of Lagos Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island on Saturday, May 25. This follows an agreement just reached between COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji and Edoho.

    Speaking on the development, Chief Okoroji said; “several persons have been considered to anchor the massive event and for weeks, we have said yes to one name and then reconsidered. Finally, there is a consensus that we now have the right guy with the right poise, language and personality. I am very happy that Frank Edoho will host the event we are planning.”

    Expected on stage for the event are artistes across all ages and music genres. They include Tuface Idibia, Banky W, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Iyanya, Flavour, Illbliss, Adewale Ayuba, Sheyi Shay etc.

    The COSON Song Awards, according to Okoroji, will be unique in many ways. “Songs are the backdrop of our lives. At the COSON Song Awards, the songs that have provided the soundtrack to the Nigerian nation since independence will be celebrated like never before. It will be massively educative, nostalgic, historic and yet crazily entertaining,” he adds.

  • Patrick Doyle talks COSON in the Church

    Patrick Doyle talks COSON in the Church

    ACTOR/BROADCASTER, Patrick Doyle, in company of his lovely wife and actress, Ireti Doyle, will compere COSON in the Church, the first of the events of the upcoming COSON Week. The artiste assures that guests are in for a great time and a show to be remembered on Sunday, May 19.

    “COSON in the Church is an event never experienced before, anyone who steps in to the exquisite auditorium of the Household of God Church, Oregun where the event will take place will leave there with memories of a life time. Arrangements have been concluded with several partner stations to beam the event live to the world, NTA Network will be the host station,” Doyle says.

    The big event will feature gospel acts from across the country including Panam Percy Paul, Evang. Ebenezer Obey, Buchi, Bouqui, Rosemary Chukwu, Princess Anne Inyang, Asu Ikiye, Dizzy K Falola. There will also be several of the ministers of the gospel who will be offering prayers and invocation to the Almighty for the Nigerian nation.

    A red carpet ceremony will take place before the main event and Nigeria’s most famous people in music, movies, government, diplomacy and business are expected to grace the red carpet.

  • COSON Song Awards plaque unveiled

    COSON Song Awards plaque unveiled

    A host of icons in the music industry gathered at the premises of the Protea Hotel, GRA Ikeja on Tuesday, May 7 as the Board of Trustees of the much talked about COSON Music Foundation was inaugurated. The 8-member Board which will be responsible for the prudent management of the funds of the big foundation consists of distinguished music industry personalities.

    The Board has juju music maestro Evangelist (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi MFR as Chairman. Other members of the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees include Prof. (Sir) Victor Uwaifo MON, JP, Erelu Keji Okunowo, Mr. Edi Lawani, Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie, Dr. Ben Ofoeze, Chief Osita Okeke and a representative of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

    Speaking at the event attended by the likes of Ras Kimono, KSB, Sunny Neji, Queen Ure, Kween Onakala, Azeezat and other music industry personalities, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, explained that the setting up of the COSON Music Foundation is the focus of the COSON Week. He said: “Each of the seven big events of the forth coming COSON Week is in support of the COSON Music Foundation, the big non-profit trust being set up for Nigerian music and musicians in a profession where there is no pension, gratuity or an insurance scheme. The foundation will provide support for artistes in distress and also provide funding for music education.”

    Chief Okoroji also called on all lovers of music and people with interest in Nigerian music to support the foundation.

    Speaking at the event, Evangelist (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi MFR said, “The idea of the music foundation itself is no doubt a novel one and a right step in the right direction. The music foundation will provide necessary resources and leadership to trigger a new economic and cultural revolution as well as provide much needed resources to intensify the battle against piracy and other forms of abuse of the rights of musicians in Nigeria, as this will improve the income of musicians through their recorded works. With the calibre and integrity of people that will serve with me as trustees of the foundation, I like to assure you all of our openness, fairness and equitable administration of the fund that will accrue to the foundation to the general good of the music industry and welfare of musicians.”

    Also inaugurated at the big event at Protea Hotel was the recently appointed COSON Advisory Council. The 11-member Advisory Council appointed by the COSON Board of Directors to be an important think tank for the society consists of distinguished music industry personalities and others who have special experiences or skills to offer useful advice to the society.

    Unveiling the plaque for the COSON Song Awards, Chief Okoroji said, “It has taken us months of brain-storming to come to a consensus on the insignia, plaque or trophy that represents the COSON Song Awards. As we searched far and wide, we picked out a bird which has been given the special talent by the Almighty to sing – the nightingale. In our minds, we perched the nightingale on the cone of the metal gong, the scintillating musical instrument common among the peoples of Nigeria. The basic concept was discussed with a young Nigerian artiste and sculptor, Dare Adenuga. We believe that Adenuga, a product of Yaba College of Technology, has come up with a masterpiece which from now on we will call Awoko. Awoko is the master singing bird celebrated in many songs of Yoruba master songwriters. Reputed to have out-of- this-world lyrics and singing talent, when Awoko shows up, every other bird bows. On May 25, only the very gifted will go home with the Awoko.”

    Speaking on the state of preparedness for the COSON Week, COSON Chair, Chief Tony Okoroji, assured Nigerians that COSON Week “will be like nothing they have seen before.”

    All hands are on deck to make the COSON Song Awards scheduled for Saturday, May 25 a truly defining event in the history of Nigerian entertainment. The COSON Song Awards will now be staged at the New Ball Room of Lagos Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island instead of the previously advertised Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites.

  • COSON , hoteliers agree on royalty as NTDC settles rift

    History was made in Abuja recently as hoteliers in the country under the aegis of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and Hotel Employers and Personal Services Association of Nigeria (HOPSEA) and the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) signed an agreement seeking to ensure the payment of royalties to music artistes across the country.

    The agreement, which was brokered by the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, was signed at the Bolingo Hotel and Towers and had the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Hotel Owners’ Forum Association (HOFA) as witnesses.

    The agreement for payment of royalties by hotels and similar establishments took two days of intense negotiations between all affected parties with Otunba Runsewe having to intermittently calm frayed nerves.

    In his remarks just after the signing ceremony, the NTDC chief expressed his joy at the landmark achievement saying his passion for the growth of the hospitality and music industry necessitated his resolve to find a lasting solution to the impasse, while thanking all concerned for their cooperation, especially the NCC whom he described as a major witness to the event.

    Fielding questions from journalists, Runsewe said, “Today is very historical because, for a very long time, there had been some disagreement between the copyright and different stakeholders and our corporation has taken the lead by resolving the entire issue. We have signed the agreement and all hotels across the country will now be able to pay the royalty fee for using intellectual materials”.

    Speaking further, he revealed that all court cases had been withdrawn, stressing that what obtains now is a level-playing field for all parties. In his words, “Most importantly, all court cases have been withdrawn. No more court cases and so it’s now a level-playing field for everyone”

    Displaying the documents to journalists, Otunba Runsewe noted that all parties involved signed the agreement, saying, “I would like to show it to you. All parties have signed, from the Copyright, HOPSEA and HOFA whose presidents are here, my good self and the NCC have all signed this agreement.”

    He observed he was particularly happy and proud as a Nigerian that we can resolve issues among ourselves instead of dragging issues, thereby overheating the polity.He said the historic event represented a boost for tourism development and victory for the generality of Nigerian artistes.

    Runsewe used the platform to appeal to other sectors to take a cue from the momentous occasion by resolving issues expeditiously and amicably, advising that such moves would help the country by creating more jobs and making the environment better for Nigerians.

    Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, was visibly excited, averring that, “The basic issues are that music used in Nigerian hotels and similar establishments from now on would be paid for so that the musicians will no longer be working in vain”, adding, “This has taking many decades of fights, but finally we have put pen on paper and we have all agreed that this is worth doing because it is what is done everywhere in the world.”

    He was upbeat that the move will create employment for Nigerians, while young people will now be excited expressing their talents because, according to the COSON chair, “A lot of our young people who will want to get employment in the area will be excited because they know that they will be reward for the work that they do, and creativity will thrive in Nigeria”

    At the end of the signing ceremony, all parties involved including HOFA President, Abuja Chapter, Engineer Onofiok Ekong; HOPSEA boss, Chief Samuel Alabi, who also doubles as president of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN); representative of NCC, J. S. Fagbemi and DG, NTDC shook hands in a show of friendship and unity which they agreed was necessary in taking the industry to the next level.

  • COSON withdraws suit against Silverbird Communications

    The Copyright Society of Nigeria(COSON) has with-

    drawn the multi-million naira suit it filed in July against Silverbird Communications Limited over non-payment of royalties to artistes whose works are being used on its television and radio stations.

    The withdrawal of the suit was announced in Lagos  by COSON helmsman Chief Tony Okoroji.

    Okoroji said Silverboard Communications opted for an out-of-court settlement with COSON. It has accepted to enter into an agreement with the society on the payment of royalties to artistes.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lagos last week, Okoroji said COSON sued Silverbird to compel it to pay royalties to artistes and other workers in the music industry whose works are being used daily on STV and Rhythm FM stations across the country.

    “At COSON, litigation is not the first step in resolving dispute. Indeed, it is usually the last. We will not file a case against an infringer except we have taken other steps and find the infringer is obstinate”, he said.

    The COSON chairman remarked that  music costs a lot of money to make and that it is through payment of royalties that some of the investment is recouped.

    “When the artiste is old and no longer at his peak, collective management is usually an important source of income”, he said.

    In his remarks, the Group President of Silverbird Communications, Mr Guy Murray Bruce said his organisation was not against payment of royalties to artistes but was only waiting to see which of the warring groups would be appointed the Collective Management Organisation(CMO).

    Bruce expressed delight that the mandate fell on COSON and promised to pay whatever royalty is due to the artistes whose works are being used on his organisation’s stations.

    The Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, who was represented by Mr Chris Nkwocha, praised COSON and Silverbird Communications for being able to resolve the issue of royalties outside the court.

    He said the agreement between the two parties was an indication that those in the music industry can now be reaping the sweat of their labour.

     

  • Payment of royalty to artistes: COSON, Cool FM settle out of court

    Payment of royalty to artistes: COSON, Cool FM settle out of court

    Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has withdrawn the multi-million Naira suit filed against Cool FM over non-payment of royalties to artistes.
    This followed an out of court settlement agreement reached between the two parties.
    At the  meeting held at Opebi, Ikeja headquarters of COSON, both teams resolved the issues of royalties for the musical and sound recording broadcast by Cool Fm stations across the country.
    The COSON team was led by its chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji while the Cool Fm team was led by the Chairman of Steam Broadcasting, Mr Amin Moussalli.
    The Head of Media Communication and Strategy, Chibueze Okereke, who confirmed the report, said the two parties agreed that the suit filed by COSON in June, 2012 against Cool FM be withdrawn from court with immediate effect.
    Others present at the meeting were the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Steam Broadcasting,  Ms Evita Moussalli, Director of Finance, Mr Idowu Adebayo. Others in the COSON team  included its General Manager, Mr Chinedu Chukwuji, Head Licensing, Mr. Ayoola Daramola and a member of the licensing team, Mr. Victor Nwokocha.
    Also in July this year, COSON reached similar agreement  with Globe broadcasting, owners of Wazobia FM and a sister company to steam Broadcasting on payment of royalties to artistes
  • The NCC, MCSN, COSON triangle

    The NCC, MCSN, COSON triangle

    A: Mr. B, dem don orchestrate the arrest of MCSN officials. I no no the whereabout of my good friend, Halim Mohammed.

    B: @Mr. A sir. I heard of their arrest just like you. COSON has no hand in it. It’s between MCSN and NCC

    C: Now, B is beginning to sound like a PR person. Have government agencies suddenly become this effective? To raid MCSN… Hmmm, Okoroji on my mind…

    A: @B, I don’t expect anything less from you. But I know it must be celebrate galore in your office yesterday (Tuesday September 18, 2012)

    D: Okoroji na him go run Mayo out of town. I pity Mayo sha becos na my frend too, but the time dem for settle dis mata don pass, so one body must die as it is, for the oda to live.

    A: Halim is right now in NCC office where they are detained. They have just been granted bail, but looking for surety to sign the bail bond (18:34, Wednesday Sep 19, 2012)

    B: COSON knows nothing about these men’s arrest. They contravened the law and as such, faced the music. My pipu. Nobody is above the law. We all no that. ‘COSON…let the music pay’.

    E: UPDATE ON NCC GESTAPO ACTION: In an unbelievable twist in an allegedly democratic country, NCC swooped into the office of MCSN and abducted 5 staff members. It appears the NCC has taken the staff into unknown destination! Their attorneys including Dr. Ope Banwo, Yemi Salman and Sesan Ekisola have tried in vain to see their clients or even get to see them all day yesterday. Today too, we have not been able to get access for over six hours. The NCC officials are claiming they have order from Abuja not to let them have access to lawyers or relatives. Contrary to law and human decency, the NCC officials have NOT taken them to court as required within 24hrs; they have not detained them in any legally recognized prison or police station and the officials are arrogantly insisting they will keep them locked up without contact with family or lawyers until they write statements or confess they have been operating as an illegal collecting society, despite court orders against NCC not to interfere with operations of MCSN.

    We have been at the NCC office at Costain since 8am today (after waiting from 9am-7pm yesterday) and as of this time, 4.15pm, no official has produced the detainees or even told us why they were being detained. We are of course preparing the appropriate lawsuits against these lawless fellows and their Masters from Abuja. We say “no’ to tyranny. PLS REBROADCAST!

    C: ‘They contravened the law’; ‘nobody is above the law’, ‘face the music’. These words sound like a victory dance…

    B: @C, don’t read these plenty meanings. Just stating a fact that you and I know

    F: @Source (joked): NCC was waiting for Ambassador Segun Olusola to die, so they can deal with MSCN.

    E: Voice of Jacob, hand of Esau. Music fit change tomorrow o, begin Just dey play and refuse to pay o

    D: @E, which one be your own for dis mata nah. Na becos COSON dey battle una organization abi? Truth is, why would MCSN flout the orders of NCC? This is the overseeing agency we are talking about here. If NCC says MCSN should cease to be a collecting society, and asked the bodies to merge long ago, they should have merged and we won’t be having this conversation.

    E: It will be recalled that MCSN had dragged NCC to court over the violation of the constitutional rights of its copyright holders to enforce their copyright without having to apply for a license and won N40m in damages. In the judgment against NCC, Justice Achibong castigated NCC for executive lawlessness and even awarded N40million naira in damages against NCC and its officers for violating their constitutional rights. So what are we saying here, shouldn’t we let the law take its course? Its none of my business, my company has settled with COSON, but I believe the law should be seen to be operating here, instead of this ‘agbero’ approach.

    C: @F, do you mean Okoroji was waiting for Olusola to die before they can deal with MSCN?

    D: Is Okoroji the one ‘dealing’ with MCSN?

    C: As far as I could recollect, Okoroji was the one fighting MCSN, on behalf of COSON. What I don’t understand is the angle of NCC…

    D: Okoroji and Mayo had been involved in an over-a-decade feud. Both have been protecting their interests. While Mayo relied on MCSN/CISAC affiliation, he forgot to play Nigerian politics which Okoroji is master of. The result is the raid we are talking about now.

    F: Whichever way you put it ‘D’. The major thing however is what you said; “both have been protecting their interests.”

    A: @E, that message is false. They are all in NCC Lagos office and they have been bailed; Halim called me from there to update me. Ope Banwo knows their whereabouts. @E, does democracy say you should not be arrested if you are alleged to have infringed the law? They were arrested yesterday and have been bailed 24 hrs after in line with the provisions of the law.

    D: Of course yes, @F, COSON and MCSN are more or less business enterprises of Okoroji and Mayo.

    A: @D&F, is anybody pretending not to know that?

    F: Yes, that’s why I don’t support any of them. I am indifferent about what happens.

    D: Then the matter is finished if we all know that. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against any of them. I will protect what brings food to my table any day. So if anybody accuses Okoroji of trying to stifle MCSN, yes, fine, Mayo should fight to stay alive.

    A: But we are accusing Okoroji wrongly o! NCC is only fighting back at MCSN that has used court order to garnish its (NCC) account, thus preventing the Commission from accessing money in its account. In one of NCC’s account, what was found was N20, 000. Let’s not assume without fact that COSON dey do MCSN.

    G: If I become Minister or have a chance to advice government, I would ask that MCSN be registered; the more collecting societies, the merrier. What the NCC has failed to appreciate is that MCSN that has been in operation long before Okoroji gave visibility to collective rights administration in Nigeria has people under it, and has some international affiliations, so what will be the implication for those structures if they just go down? Why is the NCC insisting that there should just be one collecting society? We should have as many as can handle right administration. —To be continued

  • COSON congratulates Sound Sultan

    FOR recently celebrating twelve outstanding years in the entertainment industry, the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, has sent its felicitations to celebrated Nigerian singer, Sound Sultan

    The Chairman of COSON, Tony Okoroji, described his success in the industry as one that has brought joy to the country. Present at a show held September 15 to celebrate the eclectic singer known as Naija Ninja during which he thrilled guests for hours, Okoroji also commended him for his effort in using his celebration at alleviating the sufferings of the needy in the society.

    “The use of your celebration to promote the interest of the needy in our society is commended. Your partnership with Oxfam aimed at tackling the hunger scourge in our nation is also highly commendable,” Okoroji said.

    He added that Sultan’s success in the entertainment industry is not a fluke but a result of hard work and dedication. “Your rise to the top and the exceptional songs that you have created over the years have brought joy to the entire nation… you have proven that your success is not by happenstance but the result of a dogged determination to leave a lasting legacy in the Nigerian entertainment scene,” he added.