In what could have once been described as impossible, 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 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.
It will be recalled that 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.
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.
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.”
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.
