ACKNOWLEDGMENT that the challenges facing the Nigeria music industry is enormous, in view of its daunting tasks as the nations sole collective management body, COSON, led by its general manager, Chinedu Chukwuji, explains that the determination to succeed is non-negotiable. As part of its compelling challenges, the organisation recently threatened to enforce the bidding laws on broadcast and licensing rights on some radio stations like Cool FM and Wazobia FM. Recent information has it that both radio stations claimed not to have received any letters from the society, and neither were they aware of the provisions of the law. It is laughable for anyone in the broadcast industry to claim ignorance of the provisions of the law with respect to obtaining copyright licence before they can broadcast music. Anyway, the Cool FM and Wazobia FM situation is receiving serious attention and the law must be enforced, he declared. Expectedly, COSON must have issued licences to many organisations for the public performance of music and sound recordings. According to him, the first thing the body did when it was approved in 2010, was to engage the different stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry and user organisations on the governments approval of COSON and what its expectations are with respect to compliance with the copyright act. With its soaring fame and fortunes, would the organisation say it met its expectations last year He replied confidently, I will say COSON made some tremendous progress last year. We were able to reach out to all levels of stakeholders. For us, it is continuous improvement. And on the expectations for this year, he promised that musicians would soon have cause to smile, as royalties would be paid to all right owners whose works have been used this year. And with the unending crisis in the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) with its effects on the industry, Chukwujis take on the problems was that it has facilitated the coming together of different associations, who in 2009, came together to from what is called the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition. He said the coalition provides a platform for musicians and investors to come together and fashion out ways to earn decent living from their creativity and investments. With the believe that the problems of PMAN would soon be resolved, he stated that the music industry of his dream is an industry that will create significant growth, generates substantial export and provide sustainable employment for the teeming number of people who are employable by the industry. As the only approved CMO in the country today, considering the large repertoire in the industry, how does COSON intend to cope with the challenges The highly resourceful youngman confidently declared, We promise that we would never forget the importance of the trust that has been placed on COSON and that we will do everything in our power to bring fresh hope and new smiles to the faces of Nigerian musicians and those who invest in the country. The task indeed is huge but not insurmountable and we are prepared for the challenges ahead. And as part of efforts to tackle the daunting tasks ahead, COSON, it was revealed, has set up structures, procedures and standards that will help position the society rightly. Chukwuji disclosed further that, staffs are being given first-class training because they are the drivers of this movement. We are partnering with every genuine stakeholder and association in the music industry to deliver the desired results, he said. Already, many artistes have signed up for COSON. And the inexhuastive list with COSON, that has now become the copyright clearing house, includes the evergreen icons like Ebenezer Obey, Victor Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Dan Maraya Jos, Funmi Adams, Christy Igbokwe, Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek, Daniel Wilson, Alex zitto, Shina Peters, Wale Thompson, Kollington Ayinla, Adewale Ayuba, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Orlando Julius, Stella Monye, Uche Ibeto, as well as the complete cache of the new millennium music stars such as Tuface, Ruggedman, Sammie Okposo, 9ice, Eddy Remedy, 2shotz, Olu Maintain, Baba Dee, Bouqui and Mr. Kool. Others include, Rooftop Mcs, Jazzman Olofin, X project, Eldee, De Don, MI, KCPresh, Asa, Konga, Owen Geen, Original stereoman, Djinee, Danfo Drivers, DJ, Jimmy Jatt, Solid Star, Waje, Mo Cheddah, Kefee, Mindinight crew, Zoolezoo, Timaya, Sound Sultan, Muma Gee, Rhymzo, Two, Omawunmi, AY.com, ID Cabassa, Klever J, Yinka Ayefele, and not forgotten the works of departed acts like Osita Osadebe, Orlando Owo, Oliver De Coque, Rex Jim Lawson, Celestine Ukwu, Ayinla, Omowura, Sunny Okosun, Bala Miller and others have also assigned to COSON to manage their works for the benefit of their successors. The major music publishersin Nigeria, have also placed hundreds of thousands of titles under the management of COSON. The society, now offers a big umbrella to thousands of copyright owners who have also joined from different groups that make up the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition. According to Chukwuji, there is no discrimination in COSON, as all those entitled to membership are admitted at no cost whatsoever, whether they are young or old, he said. Another major breakthrough for the society, he revealed, was that it was able to sign a landmark agreement with Wireless Application Service Provider Association of Nigeria (WASPAN), the umbrella body of all telecommunication value added service providers. And also the licensing of all the stations of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria across the country, in what was an unprecedented occurrence in the history of the music industry in Nigeria. He reaffirmed COSONs promise to the Nigerian music industry to deliver results. In the year 2011, Nigerian artistes and stakeholders in the music industry will have very good reasons to smile. The music will definitely play, he remarked confidently.
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