OKOROJI IN ABUJA COMMENDS THE LEADERSHIP OF SHAIBU HUSSEIN AT NFVCB

Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Nigeria’s biggest copyright collective management organization, on a whirlwind tour of Abuja, the nation’s capital, was this Tuesday warmly received at the Wuse Headquarters of the National Film & Video Censors’ Board (NFVCB) by the Executive Director, Dr Shaibu Hussein, and all the members of the Board of NFVCB.

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Welcoming Chief Okoroji, Dr Hussein said that it was a great day for the Censors’ Board to receive in its premises one of the greatest pillars of the Nigerian creative industry and an indefatigable and sustained defender of the rights of creative people across Nigeria. Addressing members of his Board, Dr Hussein spoke glowingly about Chief Tony Okoroji’s unmatched impact on the entertainment industry in Nigeria as President of PMAN, which he is replicating as Chairman of COSON.

In reply, Chief Okoroji commended Dr Hussein’s leadership of the Censors’ Board and how he has so quickly repositioned the Censors’ Board and made the organization an active participant in key issues of policy affecting the creative sector in the country. The former President of PMAN said that he is excited by the tremendous energy Dr Hussein has brought to his assignment, which according to him, is proof that at NFVCB, there is presently a round peg in a round hole as a good leader will always positively affect the direction of any organization, state or country. He said that his presence at the NFVCB, the first time since the agency was created, is evidence of his acknowledgement of the great work of the leadership.

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The COSON Chairman said that part of the reason for his visit to Abuja, is to “mobilize all ‘mobilizables’” towards the unforgettable success of the much- advertised master-blaster COSON Week 2025, featuring 7 different big back-to-back events in Lagos, the nation’s entertainment capital, from May 25 to May 31. While inviting members of the NFVCB Board to the big COSON Week 2025 events which he said will be “stupendous” and “unmissable”, Chief Tony Okoroji repeated the mantra of COSON Week 2025: “Nigeria will rise Again!”.

BREAKING! FREEDOM PARK GETS READY FOR “COSON MEGA JAMZ” – 24 HOURS OF NON-STOP LIVE MUSIC, SINGING, DANCING & SKANKING, IN THE CITY!

Freedom Park, in the heart of the city of Lagos, will be the setting for an unprecedented 24 hours of non-stop hyper live music, singing, dancing and skanking, as the heavily advertised COSON Week 2025 explodes with the “COSON MEGA JAMZ”

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The “COSON MEGA JAMZ” unfolding from 12 noon, on May 28 to 12 noon, on May 29, will be one of the seven big events of the master-blaster COSON Week set to light up Lagos, Nigeria’s undisputed entertainment capital, from May 25 to May 31.

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Announcing the “COSON MEGA JAMZ” from Abuja, where he is working through the week, the indefatigable COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, said: “The assignment given to us by the COSON Board is to mobilize all “mobilizables” and make sure that COSON Week 2025 is unforgettable. We are mobilizing every mobilizable. We are sweeping wall-to-wall to create an experience for every segment of the society. My team is working 24 hours of the day. I have no doubt that Lagos will be the place to be from May 25 to May 31 and the happiness we generate with COSON Week will spread across the Nigerian nation”.

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Speaking further, the former President of PMAN who is well known for producing unforgettable shows, said: “I have been speaking for weeks with Theo Lawson who manages Freedom Park. He has assured me that all the facilities at Freedom Park will be primed like never before, for the “COSON Mega Jamz”, the first ever 24 hours non-stop music concert in Nigeria or anywhere in Africa. If you want unlimited fun, come to Freedom Park for the “COSON Mega Jamz”. We will in every way promote our mantra for the COSON Week: “Nigeria will rise again!”

CIG Endorses COSON Week; To Partner COSON For Successful Events

Culled from: https://cigblog.creativeindustrygroupng.com/2025/03/07/cig-endorses-coson-week-to-partner-coson-for-successful-events/

CIG Endorses COSON Week; To Partner COSON For Successful Events

COSON Week, the epoch-making set of events that will bring creative minds across the country together for a week of unprecedented music driven activities in May 2025, has received the endorsement of the Creative Industry Group headed by Ambassador Felix Duke.

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COSON, in a letter signed by its erudite Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, sought the collaboration of CIG, in the week-long set events to make COSON Week a huge success. The week will also be used to solicit for funds to bring to fruition, the COSON Music Foundation which will cater for elderly and sick musicians.

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Chief Okoroji noted that the first event of the COSON Week will be “COSON In the Church”, a National Day of Prayer, which will take place at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, on the 25th of May.

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In his words: “During the service, citizens in towns and villages across Nigeria, will be linked by an unprecedented mix of simultaneous broadcast, streaming and videocasting, deploying various communication technologies, on a National Day of Prayer, as in one voice, Nigerians in supplication, seek the face of the Almighty, to give the Nigerian nation a new lease of life, and optimism for Nigeria’s children”.

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“COSON in the Church”, spear-headed by creative artistes across Nigeria, will feature Nigeria’s most admired gospel artistes from different denominations. The nightingales will be joined by some of Nigeria’s most respected ministers of the gospel, who will offer prayers for peace and progress in Nigeria”.

Chief Tony Okoroji noted that the essence of the one-week music fiesta with the theme, Nigeria will rise again, is because of COSON’s strong belief that Nigerian entertainers from every tribe, with their millions of fans have a key role to play in stabilizing the nation and healing the wounds that tend to threaten the unity and development of the country.

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The COSON letter further read, “In recognition of the important role that CIG is playing in promoting creativity in our country, we hereby request your support of “COSON in the Church” and all other programs of COSON Week 25. It’s our hope that you will publicly identify with COSON Week 2025 and that you will nominate persons that will participate in the different events”.

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Accepting the offer, CIG National President, Ambassador Felix Duke, promised that the group will fully participate in the COSON Week and give every support necessary to make it a success.

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He also called on other creative minds to join hands with COSON to make the events memorable.

BREAKING! THE 2025 “COSON IN THE CHURCH” WILL BE BEAMED TO NIGERIANS IN GRAND STYLE FROM THE BEAUTIFUL “CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE LIGHT” IN IKEJA ON MAY 25

Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Nigeria’s biggest copyright collective management organization, has announced that “COSON in the Church”, the first of the seven mega events of the much-advertised COSON Week 2025, will be hosted by the beautiful inter-denominational Chapel of Christ the Light, located in the Central Business District of Ikeja, near the Lagos State Secretariat, on Sunday, May 25.

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Making the announcement in a video call to the management of COSON, Chief Okoroji expressed profound joy that the very important opening event of COSON Week 2025 will be held at a venue open to all Nigerian Christians of every denomination. Said Chief Okoroji, “I can assure everyone that the Presiding Chaplain at Chapel of Christ the Light, Rev Dr. Oladele Ajayi, is very excited that his church which does not belong to any sect, will be the epicenter of the National Day of Prayer from which the songs and praise of Nigeria’s topmost gospel singers and ministers of the gospel, will be beamed across the country and the world. We have had extensive discussions and we are both committed to doing whatever it takes to meet the expectations of Nigerians”

For several months, the social media has been flooded with different types of promotional materials telling everyone that millions of Nigerians of all denominations will join in songs, prayers and worship on May 25 to lift the spirit of the nation whose citizens have in recent years wrestled with significant economic, security and developmental challenges that have left many depressed and desperate.

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Nigerians have also been told that on May 25, citizens, in towns and villages across Nigeria, will be linked by an unprecedented mix of simultaneous broadcast, streaming and videocasting, deploying various communication technologies, so that in one voice, Nigerians, wherever they are, can join in supplication, to seek the face of the Almighty, to give the Nigerian nation a new lease of life, and restore optimism to Nigeria’s children.

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There have also been several advertising materials asking Nigerians to save the May 25 date.
Sunday, the 25th of May, is expected to usher in the much-advertised “COSON Week 2025” with the opening event being the now popular “COSON in the Church”. COSON Week, is of course, spearheaded by members of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), across Nigeria. The mantra for “COSON Week 2025” is “NIGERIA WILL RISE AGAIN!”

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The question had been asked by many: “Which venue will host “COSON in in the Church” on May 25?” That question has now been answered by this announcement of the hosting by “Chapel of Christ the Light” which is owned by the Lagos State Government.

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It will be recalled that the past “COSON in the Church” with its distinct red-carpet opening ceremonies, featuring Nigeria’s most renowned gospel singers and gospel ministers, had been successfully hosted by Chris Okotie’s Household of God Church, Matthew Ashimolowo’s KICC Prayer Dome, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo’s Trinity House and Anselm Madubuko’s Revival Assembly.

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Said Chief Tony Okoroji, the former President of PMAN who is very well known for organizing unforgettable events: “The 2025 “COSON in the Church” is planned to be distinct, different and special. Because of the mood of the nation, it is our desire that millions of Nigerians across the nation and across the world will freely join in singing the same songs at the same time and saying “amen” to the same prayers. I do not know of any patriotic Nigerian who does not want a better country. With good mobilization and modern technology, I believe that we will achieve our goal. I therefore invite Nigeria’s Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Pentecostals of all shades to join us on May 25 to pray for peace and progress in our nation, the way we have never done before. Believe me; Nigeria will rise again!”.

MILLIONS OF NIGERIANS TO JOIN IN SONGS, PRAYERS & WORSHIP FOR THE COUNTRY ON MAY 25, AS “COSON IN THE CHURCH” BEGINS THE MASTER-BLASTER “COSON WEEK 2025”

Millions of Nigerians of all denominations across the country, will be mobilized to join in songs, prayers and worship on May 25, to lift the spirit of a nation whose citizens have in recent years wrestled with significant economic, security and developmental challenges that have left many depressed and desperate.

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On that day, citizens in towns and villages across Nigeria, will be linked by an unprecedented mix of simultaneous broadcast, streaming and videocasting, deploying various communication technologies, on a National Day of Prayer, as in one voice, Nigerians in supplication, seek the face of the Almighty, to give the Nigerian nation a new lease of life, and optimism for Nigeria’s children.

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The event of May 25, tagged “COSON in the Church” will be the first of the seven superlative events of the much-advertised master-blaster “COSON Week 2025”, spearheaded by members of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Nigeria’s biggest copyright collective management organization, with every event propelled by the mantra, “NIGERIA WILL RISE AGAIN!”

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The auditorium of a church in Lagos, the nation’s commercial and entertainment capital, which will be the epicenter of the National Day of Prayer from which the event will be beamed across the country and the world, will be announced in the coming weeks. The church will play host to Nigeria’s most captivating gospel singers and the nation’s most respected ministers of the gospel from different denominations, who, in a world class production, will lead the songs and prayer points for the revival of the nation, on a very special day.

Churches and other groups around Nigeria, will be requested to organize special sessions for their members to link up and participate, and those who cannot participate in groups, can sing and pray along, from home.

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Speaking on the upcoming events, the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, the well-known master organizer of unforgettable events, said: “It is our strong belief that Nigerian entertainers from every tribe, with our millions of fans, have a key role to play in stabilizing the nation and healing the wounds that have threatened our unity and development, and to give optimism and courage to our people, at a time of severe national challenges. We believe that the task of rekindling the vigor and energy necessary for a greater Nigeria, should be all encompassing and not left to elected officials alone and that just complaining, is no longer, good enough.

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“We are determined to show that despite our challenges, we will move ahead and build a nation where every child has the promise of a future.

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“To meet this important national objective, COSON, with thousands of members across Nigeria, is rallying its members to storm Lagos, the nation’s undisputed entertainment capital, with seven explosive and exciting back–to–back events, titled “COSON Week 2025”, holding at seven key venues across Lagos from May 25 to May 31, 2025.

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“Our mantra for COSON Week 2025 is: “NIGERIA WILL RISE AGAIN!”

“As we are aware, COSON has as members most of the foremost music stars across Nigeria with millions of fans transversing all age brackets. We can say without apologies that no other organization in Nigeria has the capacity or expertise to match COSON with respect to the promotion and presentation of a kaleidoscope of exciting music anchored events.

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“Available to COSON are the nation’s most experienced, tried and tested producers of exquisite events who are being positioned to ensure that every event of the “COSON Week 2025” is organized to world class standards. The events of “COSON Week 2025” will be broadcast and streamed on several channels within the country and across the globe”.

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The celebrated former president of PMAN, went on to state: “I want to emphasize that are we non-political and non-sectional. We are simply concerned Nigerians from every tribe and region of the country who wish our country well and are deploying our skills for a better Nigeria. For instance, I have never belonged to any political party and have no plans to.

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“We are currently mobilizing all ‘mobilizables’ for the significant talents and resources necessary to bring the huge events to fruition. We are appealing to all Nigerians, individuals and institutions who can give us any assistance or support, to please do so. Nigeria will rise again!”.

COSON HOUSE GOES SOLAR!

COSON HOUSE GOES SOLAR!

The magnificent COSON House in Ikeja, the sparkling headquarters of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s biggest copyright collective management organization, is now being significantly powered by solar energy. This was disclosed by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, in his address to the recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the society which took place at the COSON House Arena.

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Speaking on COSON House, Chief Okoroji said: “Fellow members of COSON, you would not have failed to notice that even in the very dark economic circumstances which have negatively affected every aspect of life in Nigeria and almost every structure in the country, your COSON House continues to sparkle and continues to be pristine, seven and half years after it was commissioned. You will not find a stain on any wall nor a dead bulb anywhere in COSON House. Every installation in the building continues to function at optimum. As I have mentioned before, there are ten toilets in this building and you can practically dine in any of them because they forever remain sparkling clean.

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“As you arrived COSON House today, you may have noticed that much of the left side of the roof of this edifice is almost completely covered by solar panels. Following a decision of our Board, COSON House is today being powered significantly by solar energy. Our substantial investment in solar power is helping us to confront the astronomical rise in the cost of diesel to fuel our big generators and to deal with the much-heightened cost of public electricity. More importantly, as a responsible organization, the deployment of solar energy represents our commitment and contribution to a clean environment and to the battle against global warming.

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“What I have just said, represents the COSON Spirit. The COSON Spirit is the spirit of continuous progress, a spirit that does not bow to any adversity but confronts hardship and danger with determination and purpose. The COSON Spirit does not tolerate failure of any kind and optimizes the adage, “where there is a will, there is a way”. The COSON Spirt is the reason that despite the unprecedented, coordinated and almost endless missiles that have been fired at us, COSON today, continues to fly high”.

COSON WEEK 2025 WILL BE “UNFORGETTABLE” – TONY OKOROJI

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Former President of PMAN and now, Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, has declared that the COSON Week scheduled to take place between May 25 and May 31, 2025 will be truly unforgettable

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Chief Okoroji made the declaration in his address to the just concluded Annual General Meeting of Nigeria’s No 1 copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), at which the 2024 royalty distribution of a whopping =N=465.5 million was approved.

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These are the very words of the well-known master planner and producer of remarkable events: “one of the many important decisions taken by the COSON Board at its meeting of November 6 was the approval for the hosting of a master-blaster edition of the iconic “COSON WEEK” in May 2025. The Board also directed that every step should be taken immediately to begin the mobilization of all “mobilizables” to ensure that COSON WEEK 2025 is, in every way, unforgettable”. 

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Continuing, Chief Tony Okoroji, the creator of the famous Nigerian Music Awards that played host to Presidents, Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors and stars from around the world, said, “COSON Week is the flagship week of our great society, during which we roll out wall-to-wall high-profile events to entertain, to inform, to communicate, to educate and to project an unassailable brand. COSON week 2025 will bring joy to many. We will deploy the events of COSON Week 2025 to tell Nigerians that despite the difficulties we face, all is not lost. We will use COSON Week 2025 to propagate the importance of creativity and entertainment to the economic and socio-political well-being of Nigeria”.

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Chief Okoroji went on to say: “We are now at the planning stage of COSON Week 2025. We intend to mobilize all “mobilizables” as ordered by the Board.  As we enter the new year, we will begin to unfold the different events, the venues and their specific attractions. One thing I can assure you is that COSON Week 2025 will be truly unforgettable. Please, fasten your seat belts!”.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

COSON MEMBERS CELEBRATE BUMPER =N=465.5 MILLION ROYALTY DISTRIBUTION!

It was singing, jubilation and merriment this Tuesday, December 10, as members of Nigeria’s No 1 copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), approved a 2024 royalty distribution of a whopping =N=465.5 million for COSON members and associates. Following the approval, the distribution which is the highest in the history of the organization, began immediately as several COSON members started receiving bank alerts on their phones while still at COSON House.

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They came from the East, the West, North and South of Nigeria: gaily dressed musicians who stormed Oluwaleimu Street, in the Allen Avenue Area of Ikeja where the magnificent COSON House stands sparkling in the sun, and in which COSON’s  2024 Annual General Meeting took place.

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The AGM practically turned into a carnival as the former President of PMAN and Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, who presided at the General Meeting, delivered a moving address which he titled, “the COSON Spirit”.

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The celebrated copyright warrior was praised repeatedly by joyous COSON members after delivering his speech in which he said, “We have deployed the law, like no other organization in the history of Nigeria, to form a bulwark against the people, in and out of government, who have tried everything to hijack and plunder COSON or if they fail, to kill COSON.  You know the modus operandi of the vampires among our citizens: they grab every good thing in Nigeria for themselves, their friends and families with no thought for the millions of other people in our country. They are not satisfied with owning one house. In a nation where millions do not own even a hut, they grab what belongs to all of us and build 735 duplexes for themselves alone and want more as if they have a contract with the Almighty that they will never die.

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“I wish to state that I have been to practically every court in the land, have mounted the witness box and testified, and have won victories on behalf of COSON that many had thought were impossible. We have retained the services of four first class senior advocates and several other senior lawyers.

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“Without the decisions of those distinguished Judges of the Courts who remain committed to truth and justice, COSON, this great pan Nigerian organization that has become the nation’s most formidable agent of strength, unity, progress and growth for the creative industry, would have since been sucked dry and wiped away.“

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With sadness in his voice, Chief Okoroji said, “Fellow members of COSON, let me state that I verily believe that in these hard times, we could have done more, much more for the musicians of Nigeria. It is a paradox that the institution established by the state to enable us to soar and achieve great results for our nation, conspired with carpetbaggers and fraudsters to become the greatest obstacle to our progress and success. But… we continue to fly, due to the unbreakable COSON Spirit”.

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In his speech, the COSON Chairman thanked the Management led by General Manager, Mrs. Bernice Eriemeghe Ashibuogwu, for their contribution to the success of the society,

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Identified at the AGM were such persons as the President of the Creative Industry Group, Amb. Felix Duke; President of the Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Eng Sharon Wilson; Afro Juju music super star, Sir Shina Peters; Reggae Music giant, Righteousman Erhabor; celebrated female singer, Stella Monye; Pop Music sensation, Alex O; Gospel Music Minister, Kenny Saint Brown; Showbiz Impresario, Koffi Da Guru, Popular entertainment die-hard, Steve Black and many more.

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Also present were members of the COSON Board such as Abuja based, Chief Uche Emeka Paul, a workhorse of the Catholic Charismatic Music Ministry; Enugu based music toaster and publisher, Angus Power Nwangwu; Oge Kimono, first daughter of the unforgettable Rub-A-Dub Master, Ras Kimono who himself was a COSON die hard, before his death; renowned drummer, Richard Cole, famed producer Zdon Paporella and Gospel Music Minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi.

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Hundreds of COSON members joined the jubilant AGM on-line via Zoom.

COSON BOARD MEETS IN LAGOS WITH GREETINGS TO ALL MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The full Board of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON),met this day, April 23, 2024 at the Board room of the magnificent COSON House in Ikeja.

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The board scrutinized and approved the accounts of COSON for the year ended December 31st 2023. The board also reviewed the distribution of palliative royalties approved by the AGM in November 2023 and expressed satisfaction that over 95 percent of the members have received their royalties.

The board assured the members of COSON that the interest of the members will be defended at all times and that COSON will continue to grow from strength to strength, and remain one of the best run for collective management organization in the world.

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The Board meeting was presided over by the COSON chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, celebrated fighter for the rights of creative people in Africa and former President of PMAN.

Present at meeting were Gospel music minister, Kenny Saint Brown; Ace-drummer and producer, Richard Cole; Reggae gospel star, Righteousman Erhabor; Showbiz Impresario, Koffi Idowu-Nuel also known as Koffi Tha Guru; Singer, Producer and TV host, Nimyel Nansel, better known as Zdon Paporrella; Vivacious performer and first daughter of the legendry Ras Kimono, Oge Kimono, well-known Enugu based music toaster and publisher Sir Angus Power Nwangwu.

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In attendance also, were Abuja-based music publisher and war horse of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN), Chief Uche Emeka Paul, Gospel Music Minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi; National President of Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Engr Sharon Essco Wilson; COSON General Manager, Mrs Bernice Eriemeghe Ashibuogwu and COSON Deputy General Manager, Mr Vincent Adawaisi.

FULL TEXT OF THE 2023 NO MUSIC DAY BROADCAST

“NO STOPPING IN MAKING THE MUSIC PAY”

“NO MUSIC DAY” 2023 OFFICIAL BROADCAST

  • Made on behalf of the Nigerian Music Industry from COSON HOUSE by the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria, Chief Tony Okoroji.

Hello Everyone,

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This Friday, September 1, 2023, the Nigerian music industry once again marks “No Music Day”. Let us recap that “No Music Day” is a day that the industry in Nigeria has dedicated annually to bringing the attention of the Nigerian nation to the widespread infringement of the rights of songwriters, composers, performers, music publishers, record labels and other stakeholders in the nation’s creative industry.

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You may ask: Why is September 1 called “No Music Day”?

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Exactly 14 years ago, on September 1, 2009, practitioners in the entire Nigerian creative family massed in front of the National Theatre in Lagos and for days, refused to eat or drink and demanded that the over 400 licensed broadcast stations in the country, who use music as the key raw material for their operations, should not broadcast music for a significant period of that day. So began what we have celebrated every year since, as “No Music Day”. 

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The mass hunger strike was a result of our frustration with the devastating level of intellectual property theft which is a malignant symptom of what has become a general national malady. Everywhere around us, people are trying to reap where they did not sow and comfortably stealing what does not belong to them and this has manifested in endemic corruption that threatens to ruin our nation.

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Every year, in marking “No Music Day”, our key objective has been to engage the Nigerian people and the various governments on the potential contributions of Nigerian creativity to the development of the Nigerian nation and the necessity to fully deploy the substantial comparative advantage which our nation possesses in this area so as to provide hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs to the teeming masses of Nigerian youth who parade the streets of our country almost hopelessly and which hopelessness invariably attracts them to become laborers in the devil’s workshop.    

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The truth is that nothing is wrong with our genes. While our politicians and so called leaders, with their take-everything and give-nothing-in-return mentality, have left millions of Nigerians with devastating hunger, joblessness and unknown gunmen everywhere, several young Nigerians are flexing their muscles in different parts of the world and soaring in diverse fields.

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Asake, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Flavour and many more are taking what is today called afro beat to the world and filling huge venues with rapturous fans paying pounds and dollars to see them. Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal player who now wears the shirt of the English national football team, is born of Nigerian parents. Victor Osimhen who is the top scorer in the very competitive Italian Football League is a full-blooded Nigerian. Taiwo Awoniyi who amazingly just scored in 7 consecutive premiership games for Nottingham Forest is a Nigerian. Tobi Amusan who holds the World Record in 100 meters Hurdles is a Nigerian. Anthony Joshua, the famous boxer has Nigerian genes. The internationally celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian.

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The fact is that none of the Nigerians mentioned here became successful as a result of any contribution or assistance of the Nigerian government or any of our numerous government agencies continuously expending millions of naira of public funds. Every Nigerian star across the world who has made it has made it on his or her own.

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The tragedy of our development or the lack of it, is that when the government or any of its agencies touches any great idea, that idea is sentenced to failure. The reason is simple: The average Nigerian public official is not programmed to work for the public good. His focus is to corrupt any good idea and look for how to deploy the idea to grab whatever he can grab for himself, his family and friends.

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COSON is a shining example of how public officials behave towards good ideas in Nigeria. Through a lot of toil and hard work, we built COSON into the biggest and most successful copyright collective management organization in Nigeria’s history and one of the most respected in Africa, an organization admired across the world. COSON distributed hundreds of millions of Naira every year to musicians across Nigeria, some of them famous and a lot of them in the growth period of their careers. We built the magnificent COSON House in Ikeja without borrowing any money and without any government help whatsoever.

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Lo and behold, our success became our albatross as every group you can imagine began to conspire to hijack COSON, take over the organization, and in the typical Nigerian fashion, suck it and milk it dry. We said no and the government agency we campaigned vigorously to be set up, an agency that was supposed to protect us, joined our adversaries, deployed powers they do not have under the law and took every imaginable step to annihilate us. Some officials of the government devised ‘divide and rule’ tactics to infiltrate our leadership, some planning to retire into COSON when they leave government. In all of these, they spared no thought for the enormous harm they were doing to our constituency and the billions of naira they have cost the musicians they are supposed to be in office to lift up. Sadly, they never cared that they are choking us and would not let us breath. At the end of the day, it has become clear that the musicians would have done much better without this government agency.

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What has happened to COSON has happened to several other organizations and individuals in Nigeria faced with officials of government who see their role not as agents of growth in position to lift up institutions and individuals. These officials are in every sense self-centered agents set to pull down good institutions, good ideas and good individuals and feast on their carcass.  

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COSON members across the country are hereby applauded for the great example they have shown and their steadfast resistance of the massive efforts to hijack their organization or to kill it. They are also applauded for their support of the COSON leadership in the midst of the lawless assault by rapacious agents deploying state apparatus to take over the great organization we have built. Every time I pray, I pray for the members of COSON.

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Once again, I make this broadcast from COSON House in Ikeja which is property that belongs 100% to the creative people of Nigeria and which shows what we can do when we work together. I wish to state that I am proud of the members of COSON, everywhere in Nigeria, our Board members, and the indefatigable Management team at COSON. COSON has continued to thrive because we have not allowed anyone to tear us apart which underlines the truism in the words, “United we stand, divided we fall”.

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On this “No Music Day”, I restate the determination of COSON to remain a transparent and law -abiding agent of strength, unity, progress and growth for the music industry in Nigeria with the determination to shield the Nigerian music industry from scammers and marauders who work day and night to turn collective management of copyright into their personal cash cow and naira gushing ATM.

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Yes, on this “No Music Day 2023”, I wish to assure the thousands of members of COSON across the country, that the season of the locust is practically over and that every step is being taken to make sure that the music begins to pay again without delay.

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On this “No Music Day”, I call on the  true creatives of Nigeria to borrow a leaf from COSON, bind together and work together for the good of all and to resist those who work day and night to divide us so that they can feast on that division. Nigerian musicians must continue to conquer territories and soar in every part of the world. Nigerian movies must be dominant everywhere we go. Nigerian fashion must be the toast of people in every part of the world. Nigerian sportsmen must conquer in every field, on every track, every court and every ring. Nigerian content must be the reference point on every platform.

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We very much recognize the deep despair in the land, the hunger that threatens the life of millions of Nigerians, the insecurity that has snatched the lives of so many of our countrymen and the anguish under which many Nigerians wake up in the morning and go to bed at night. Nigerian creatives cannot afford to give up. We must work hard together for the unity of our country and the progress of our nation. We must contribute to making Nigeria a nation in which people do not brazenly reap where they did not sow and comfortably steal what does not belong to them and amass wealth which they have not earned.

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We cannot afford to give up as a nation despite the immense disappointments we have faced. All of Nigeria’s creative people must today fully engage in preventing Nigeria from becoming a wasted land destroyed by hatred and suspicion and the narrow tribal ambitions of a hand-full of people.

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On this “No Music Day 2023”, I pray for all Nigerians who are going through trials, tribulations and hardship and beg the Almighty to please meet their needs. God bless the Nigerian Creative Industry and God bless the great people of Nigeria.

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CHIEF TONY OKOROJI:

September 1, 2023