By Steve Dede
The Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, while addressing some musicians at COSON Headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, said that a lot of progress has been made in the negotiations to break the deadlock between COSON and the broadcasting industry.
‘Not for one minute have we forgotten that we represent the music industry and that we must represent the industry forcefully. What we say or do will have far reaching impact on the music industry in Nigeria for years to come. On the other hand, we are citizens of Nigeria and must search for that which is best for our country over the long run. We do not want to kill the broadcast industry but to work with it. We have therefore kept searching for areas of compromise without hurting the music industry which we represent,’ Okoroji revealed.
‘What erupted as a major crisis may indeed turn out to be the proverbial blessing in disguise for our country. For many years, Nigeria has run away from addressing this problem which has frustrated many and driven important investment out of our nation. There are many who had given up believing that this problem will never be solved. Finally, we are sitting on the same table with the broadcast industry and important issues that affect both our music and broadcast industries are being ironed out. It appears like a miracle but it is happening. I give kudos to the leaderships of both the NBC and NCC for what we have achieved so far.’
COSON Board member Efe Omorogbe was quick to sing the victory song as he went on Instagram to reveal the good news.
‘Uhuru! COSON/BON/IBAN beef resolved,’ Omorogbe, who is CEO of Now Muzik captioned a photo of Okoroji and Keke Ogungbe in a warm embrace.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), which comprises of all the broadcast stations (both government and privately owned) and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), which is made up of independent (privately owned) stations, have been at loggerheads with COSON over the payment of royalties to Nigerian artistes. It will also be recalled that last year, BON placed a ban on 96 musicians registered with COSON.
Royalty war: COSON/BON/IBAN end disagreement
1 comment
Coson/Bon//Iban agreement is a fraud,how come nobody is willing to explain the content of the agreement,what they signed is one million naira per station yearly,if network two million naira flat even if you have 10 network stations sum payable with 8 to 12 months . You will agree with me their agreement is not is not in the best interest of our great industry. Our great radio stations are known to make profit in excess of minimum 350millions yearly per station. So who is fooling who?