The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PMAN

  • WHO’S THE MODERN ENEMY OF NIGERIAN CREATIVE INDUSTRY? Attention: AGF, PMAN

    FOR long, we have identified Alaba Market as the active enemy of the creative industry. The inactivity of government, corporate organisations and development agencies was considered flaccid adversaries of an industry with immense potential than the most revered oil. All that can be forgiven, because we can excuse the past as a period of ignorance.

    Now that government is about taking the creative industry on a flight of purposeful destination, now that reactions are gradually building with re-energised interest by institutions like the Bank of Industry, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Inspector-General of Police and all, it is important to know who the new enemies of economic progress are, that have chosen to stall effort at spinning forward, from its present 1.4 per cent contribution of the creative industry to the country’s GDP.

    Now that government has discovered the new ‘oil well’ in the creative sector, now that lawyers are finding new clientele among entertainers with many of them making direct investment in film production and music labels and many more championing the fight against piracy, now that the banks are beginning to see signs of auditable structures and Return on Investment, now that the detractors of creative economy are thinning out, now is that time to identify the ‘crazy baldheads and chase them out of town’ (in Bob Marley’s voice).

    But how prepared is the creative industry for this new challenge that is about to place the engine of a segment of the Nigerian economy on their lap? This is no time for backstabbing and petitions, rather, for critical assessment of the state of the industry visa the new developments.

    An important part of this development is the fight against piracy for which the Inspector-General of Police has showed cooperation, but I see one grey area in the process, which only the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice can help resolve – This is by moving the Nigerian Copyright Commission from ‘Justice’ to ‘Information and Culture’.

    This was the opinion of stakeholders at the last Creative Industry Summit, and if the position of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is based on the cardinal principles of Progressive Change which is the cornerstone of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, then the creative industry is on its way to Eldorado.

    But on the basis of ego and individuality that sometimes characterise our politics, there may be some hiccups. I pray that this should not be the case. Otherwise what would be the reason for the AGF to hold on to the NCC which has not fared well under ‘Justice’ since its creation?  I think a let-go will be fair to the ‘redundant’ members of staff of the agency who have had no clear record of success with anti-piracy operations and have often blamed their inefficiency on underfunding.

    I trust that the AGF cannot be selfish in this case. This is the Change government of Muhammadu Buhari and all hands must be on deck to develop this nation and achieve the much-desired alternative sources of income generation. The cause is beyond an individual or their ego. There are other major concerns for the Ministry of Justice to busy itself with, and the NCC cannot be the yardstick of its success. Far from it.

    Moreover, now that the entertainment industry desires some harmonisation, the best ground to resolve the little conflict in the roles of the NCC and the National Film and video Censors Board (NFVCB) is under one roof. Meanwhile, taking a look at the The Quartet (an association of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NFVCB and NCC), the NCC is the odd one out. It is time all common-purpose agencies were brought under one umbrella and not play politics with productive initiative.

    Before now, the creative industry was crying over its inability to make international impacts having been restricted from treaties which is not within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information. Now that it is rightfully under the Culture Ministry, and everything is looking bright and beautiful, the NCC misalignment shouldn’t be the snag, and the AGF should in the interest of Change see to this.

    On the other hand, I find it quite appalling that PMAN is accusing the Minister of Information of stealing its idea of a creative industry summit. And I think that the crisis that has rocked the association for decades is now taking the semblance of a curse. Who will deliver PMAN from this seeming ancestral spell?

    When a PMAN faction that is yet to be accepted by all is seeking relevance by being controversial, then there is need to question the wisdom of its leadership. How can an idea of a creative industry summit be the exclusive right of anyone or an organisation whether they had forwarded it as a proposal or not? I cannot count the number of summits of that nature that have been held in the last 10 or 15 years, including the all-inclusive annual Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NEC) Series organised by my friend, Ayeni Adekunle Samuel through his NET publication.

    I was not invited to the recent Nigerian Creative Industry Summit but I found my way there. That is what every progressive mind should do. If recognition was the grouse of the leadership of the PMAN in question, they should have simply attended and added their voice, if indeed they have anything meaningful to contribute. Musicians have fared well without PMAN in fortune and glamour for over a decade of its crisis. This is no time for unnecessary attention seeking. If PMAN, which lacks rave-making members, can tell me how it is more relevant to an average musician than the CMO, I will rest my case.

  • PMAN ENDORSES G’ENNIE FOR 2017 HAVANA

    THE partnership between G’ennie Leisure Incorporated and Inspiro Productions has received the blessing of the management of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

    Ayo Shadare of Inspiro and Pretty Okafor, PMAN President, have assured the students of the Premier University, University of Ibadan team that Havana will be resurrected as both parties have taken it upon themselves to ensure that support comes for the owners, Sigma club.

    At a meeting held on Tuesday at Medina Estate, Gbagada, Lagos, Okafor assured the Project Manager of Gennie, Soji Onojobi, that he would do everything within his powers to ensure that Havana returns to its enviable height.

    “I featured in two editions of Havana with my late partner, Junior, and it was fun. The atmosphere was electrifying. Resurrecting Havana is project for PMAN because this regime is all about ensuring that Nigerian artists perform in many quality gigs as possible. Havana is one of such gigs. We only need to bring it back, stabilise it and watch it grow.  I live to resurrect things. We have been able to resurrect PMAN as a body, this will not be an exception,” he told the students.

    Sigma Deputy Chief, Loyalist Atanda Toluwase, said he was glad to hear about the partnership and looked forward to a successful Havana soon. “We have all been looking forward to a partnership like this. Working with a body that has 15 million registered members is too good to be true. We are grateful to Okafor, PMAN, Inspiro and G’ENNIE for everything,” he said.

    Mr. Onojobi also expressed his gratitude to PMAN and all those who have been steadfast in the past to get Havana sponsorship drive to this point. “We expect a better and a permanent Havana from now on,” he said.

  • I expect free and fair PMAN election – Okoroji

    I expect free and fair PMAN election – Okoroji

    A former chairman of the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tony Okoroji, said he expects a free and fair election of PMAN president in October.

    Okoroji, the current Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that free and fair election was vital to upholding PMAN’s ideals.

    He noted that PMAN played a pivotal role in the entertainment industry and promoted musicians’ interest.

    “I expect the upcoming election to be free and fair as the association seeks to elect a new president that will continue to strive for the progress of musicians in the country,” he told NAN.

    “It is necessary to amicably keep the association going because it helps to guide, protect and promote the interest of musicians in Nigeria.

    “The music industry immensely contributes to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

  • PMAN to hold peace concert in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Chapter of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) will hold a peace concert on September 21.

    The concert is aimed at uniting the north.

    The state chairman of the association, Mr. Dazang Gwom, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna that the concert would be held to coincide with the “International Peace Day.”

    He said all hands were on deck to ensure success of the concert, aimed at creating awareness and sensitizing the people on the need for peace in the state and in the north in general.

    “We all need to co-habit with one another. Let us not use the youths to perpetrate violence and let us shun tribalism, ethnicity and religious bigotry,” he said.

  • N10.3tr loss to piracy unacceptable – Minister

    The Federal Government on Friday described the estimated N10.3 trillion loss to national and global piracy in the creative industry as unacceptable.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said this  when a delegation from the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) visited him in Abuja.

    Mohammed said the figure, which represented 85 per cent of the N15 trillion worth of the industry, could turn the economy of the nation around if piracy was addressed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister lamented the trend where about 92 per cent of music and video productions by Nigerian artistes were done mostly in South Africa, Europe and America.

    He said the government would work with the association to stop piracy and provide the enabling environment for the creative industry to thrive.

    He insisted that government would encourage investments in the creative industry.

  • PMAN gets 25 man caretaker committee

    PMAN gets 25 man caretaker committee

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has inaugurated a 25 man caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the Performance Musician Association of Nigeria and conduct fresh elections into its national executive committee.

    Inaugurating the committee which has prominent musicians like Orits Wiliki, Chris Mba, Daddy Showkey and Tee Mac as members with Kelvin Gabriel Lucciano as Chairman, the Minister mandated the committee to also resuscitate state chapters of the association and reconcile all warring factions in the association.

    The Minister expressed regret that the association has been dogged with protracted intra-union dispute and leadership crisis spanning over a period of twelve years, adding that no Organisation can record any meaningful progress and growth under such circumstance.

    According to him majority of PMAN Members were knowledgable in what trade unionism is all about, pointing out that trade unions play important roles in the society and are fundamental to the development of prosperous and democratic principles.

    The Minister maintained that the principle of social dialogue should be embraced by all as an important tool for the resolution of conflicts so as to avoid unnecessary litigations and the attendant costs involved.

     

     

  • PMAN set to commence barcoding regime

    PMAN set to commence barcoding regime

    The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is set for the commencement of a barcoding regime.

    The decision was reached at the recently held National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ikeja, Lagos which had in attendance of State Chapter representatives from 24 states.

    According to PMAN President Pretty Okafor, the barcoding regime will commence as soon as the on-going negotiations between PMAN and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on one hand and the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) on the other hand are concluded.

    “We shall then announce the date for the commencement of the bar-code regime in Nigeria as the measure is designed (a) to protect the works  creator,  (b) the investors, and  (c) to be able to determine  the contribution of the  music industry into the annual  GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the nation since Nigerian music have been rated one of the best in the world today,” Okafor said.

     

  • PMAN holds NEC meeting

    THE President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mr. Pretty Okafor, has scored the caretaker committee under his leadership a pass mark. He said this on Monday at a press briefing at White House Events Centre, Ikeja, Lagos at PMAN’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which had delegates from 24 states in the country in attendance.

    “For the record, there has not been any successful NEC meeting of PMAN for many years until the one we just concluded,” said Okafor.

    “This is the first time delegates were flown in from all parts of the country.

    “We have been able to reposition and redirect the union; we have been able to put in place a worthy structure which past leaders of PMAN have not been able to do in the last 34 years. I therefore want to thank members of the executive committee for their unflinching support especially the first Vice President, Mr. Sunny Neji; second Vice President, Tolu Obey; General Secretary, Mr Kenny George; Felix Duke; Ruggedman and Asha, among others.”

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, PMAN also revealed plans to protect the works of Nigerian artistes through a

  • NDA-ISAIAH ELECTED PMAN GOVERNOR

    THE members of the FCT Chapter of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) have formally endorsed Solomon NDA-Isaiah as it governor following the resignation of Collins Adeyemi, the erstwhile governor.

    This was made during its usual general meeting held March 31 at Rita Lori Hotel Garki, Abuja.

    In his acceptance speech, NDA-Isaiah promised to work diligently for the upliftment of the association and for the benefit of all musicians adding that he was ready to put in his time resources, energy and contact to see to the success of the association. He also stressed on the need to bring in all aggrieved members together so that the association could regain its lost glory.

    “I contested as the chairman of PMAN FCT in 2004 but lost to Makossa Queen. I had wanted to lead the PMAN FCT Chapter because of the big plans I have for the Abuja music scene and musicians. But due to some factors, I couldn’t really achieve that at that point. But I later bounced back 10-years later to win the deputy governor position of the association. I am here on a rescue mission…It’s time to face reality. I don’t believe in talking too much, I believe in action and I need the full cooperation of all the musicians in Abuja in order to revamp the industry. I promise to do all within my powers and with God by my side, we are going to move PMAN FCT Chapter to greater heights,” he promised.

    Also reacting, the PMAN Secretary, Vincent Omoko aka Cent Moko congratulated the new Governor, pledging his undying support. He also called on all members to support the new governor to move the association forward.

    King Waleman also set the mood high with one of his popular tunes Garin Kano.

    Until his appointment, NDA-Isaiah served as deputy to Adeyemi.

  • Airtel, PMAN sign multiple MOU

    Airtel, PMAN sign multiple MOU

    THE Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in its new drive to bounce back after decades of leadership tussle, has entered a series of agreement with Airtel Nigeria, aimed at creating a more structured and rewarding entertainment industry.

    The partnership which was signed on Monday, June 29, is expected to provide an opportunity for registered members of the association to access telecommunications solutions and services at affordable rates

    Airtel, as part of the deal, will provide Closed User Group (CUG) lines to members of PMAN which will grant them unlimited talk time with significant cost savings.

    The company will also provide support to PMAN towards the association’s initiatives which consists the sensitization of the public on registration and anti-piracy related issues. Some of the mediums to be utilized include television commercials, radio, prints, blogs and tours to promote registration.

    Speaking during the signing ceremony, Director, Enterprise Business at Airtel Nigeria, Ms. Tawa Bolarin, said Airtel’s strategic alliance with PMAN is in line with its unwavering commitment to promote entertainment, creativity and the arts in Nigeria through technology.

    According to her, “Airtel supports PMAN in its visionary initiative to revolutionize the Nigerian music industry; a very honorable vision to create a much credible platform for Nigerian artistes and performers that need support,”

    She noted that the partnership will further empower members of the association with innovative, relevant and affordable mobile solutions to help them fulfill their communication potentials.

    Also speaking at the event, the President of PMAN, Mr. Pretty Okafor revealed that the association was focused on uplifting the standard of living for all Nigerian musicians and also contributing to the country’s GDP and putting Nigerian music on the world map.

    The initiative seeks to ensure that there is efficient identification and registration measures put in place for of each member of PMAN, through its Bio-metric Card Scheme that allows registered members to secure and protect their income and benefits. The card also functions as a debit card and comes with an accident and life insurance cover

    In the long run, the biometric card project will also make it possible to tackle other critical areas, such as fighting piracy as well as ensuring that artistes generate revenue and sustainable income from content and music in form of royalty fees.

    The ceremony was attended by Director, Legal Affairs, Airtel Nigeria, GbengaRotimi; General Manager, Enterprise Sales, Airtel Nigeria Bukola Akande; Head of PR, Airtel Nigeria, Adefemi Adeniran; PMAN President, Mr. Pretty Okafor,1st Vice President, PMAN, Sunny Nneji, 2nd Vice President, PMAN, Baba Dee, Rugged Man, Felix Duke,actor Dele Odule, ZaakyAzzay and Kazeem Popoola.