Dipo Olowookere
Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s wave making copyright collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings which is revolutionizing royalty collection and distribution in Nigeria berths in the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday, September 8, 2016 for a major Stakeholders’ Forum for copyright owners and users in the South-West states of Nigeria.
The extraordinary event which will hold at the main hall of Kakanfo Inn & Conference Centre in the heart of Ibadan will be a historic gathering of top artistes, songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, record companies, broadcast stations, hotels, night clubs, restaurants, transport companies, advertising and activation companies, etc. from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Kwara states. The event will also be attended by top government officials including representatives of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the Federal Government agency that regulates copyright in Nigeria. The Forum will be preceded by courtesy visits to key personalities and media organizations in Oyo State.
Speaking on the upcoming Ibadan forum, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said, “We are getting ready for the big event in Ibadan. It is an important opportunity for us to interact with and listen to the people on whose behalf we work. COSON continues to take giant strides across the nation and across the world. One of the key reasons for the rapid growth of COSON and the significant stability that this great organization enjoys is that COSON is stakeholder driven. The COSON Stakeholders’ Forum has been held several times in Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha, Owerri, etc. Through a network of activists and consultants, COSON strives to make an impact across the country. We are going to Ibadan to ensure that the COSON revolution continues to inspire and energize the music industry and to make great impact in the national economy especially in the South Western part of our nation”.
Speaking also on the Ibadan forum, COSON General Manager, Mr Chinedu Chukwuji said, “COSON is known for raising the bar and surpassing its past achievements, so as usual, we are leaving no stone unturned in putting together a first class event in the ancient city of Ibadan. With the recent successful hosting of the COSON Stakeholders’ Forum in Owerri, it is indicative that we are making progress and I am confident that stakeholders across the country are willing to make the necessary sacrifice and commitment to make the process work. We are indeed looking forward to the Ibadan Forum”
In the last six years, COSON has continued to redefine the music copyright licensing landscape in Nigeria as it continues to push for better copyright remuneration for music copyright owners. Across Africa, COSON is respected as one of the most professional organizations in the music industry. In every corner around the globe, COSON is represented by about 135 Collective Management Organizations with which the wave making Nigerian organization has reciprocal representation agreements.
Come September 8, Oyo State is sure to reverberate with the now famous COSON slogan, “Let the music pay!”
