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Okoroji Tasks Lawyers On Economy

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By Dipo Olowookere

Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Mr Tony Okoroji, has called on lawyers across the country to re-exhibit courage in the battle against the factors that have militated against the progress of the Nigerian nation and ensure that they stand firm in promoting the values that that will see Nigeria through its present challenges.

“No great nation in the history of mankind has been built by cowards and Nigeria will not be an exception,” he said.

Mr Okoroji observed that it is beginning to appear that Nigerian lawyers who used to form a bulwark against corruption and abuse of power have gone cold.

The COSON boss made these comments while addressing a large gathering of members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the 2016 Law Week of the Lagos Branch of the body, which took place at MUSON Centre, Onikan on Thursday, October 6, 2016 with the theme, ‘Judicial Independence and the Democratic Process.’

Mr Okoroji was insistent that for the Nigerian economy to rebound in a sustained manner, there needs to be a fundamental change in the nation’s mindset so that it is recognized at all levels of policy making that the economy of brick and mortar is gone and the knowledge economy has taken over.

According to him, respect for intellectual property rights is critical for the knowledge economy to thrive and lawyers have a significant role in ensuring that the respect for the rights of creative and innovative people becomes part of Nigerian culture so as to release the latent energy of thousands of creative and innovative Nigerians.

The former president of PMAN listed the people at the top of the world economy today–Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, J.K. Rolling, etc., and in each case observed that they are engaged in activities centred around the Knowledge economy.

“Do you think any of these persons would have acquired the enormous wealth they are associated with if they were operating in a Nigerian environment where the abuse of Intellectual Property rights is the norm?” he asked.

Mr Okoroji pointed at the significant progress COSON has made in so short a time saying that one of the key reasons for the progress is the robust and continuous use of the law courts to enforce intellectual property rights.

According to him, just six years ago, nobody gave COSON a chance, yet within the short period, COSON has collected and distributed hundreds of millions of Naira in copyright royalties to music copyright owners in Nigeria. In his words, “in a democracy, going to court is the one way to forestall the resort to machetes, brute force and anarchy.

“At COSON, when we go to court, we do not see the defendant as an enemy. We just believe that there is someone with whom we have different points of view and we have not been able to harmonize those views.

“We therefore take the facts and the law to a judge who is a trained independent arbiter to intervene. I consider the fact that we have yet to lose one case as evidence that our strategy is right~

Mr Okoroji asked the lawyers in the audience to advice their clients involved in intellectual property infringement that the landscape is changing rapidly and the cost of intellectual property infringement can now be quite expensive.

He said, “The brazen theft of a person’s intellectual property is also corruption.”

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Relive the Shows You Grew Up With on GOtv

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There was a time in our lives when life was simple. Not perfect, not fancy, but simple in a way that just felt complete.

We weren’t thinking about bills, deadlines, or what the future would look like. Our biggest concern? Whether NEPA would take light before our favourite show came on or if someone would change the channel at the wrong time.

Back then, happiness didn’t need planning. You’d rush through homework, eat quickly, and settle in front of the TV like it was the most important part of your day. And honestly, it was.

Those shows weren’t just shows, they were moments.

Then we grew up. Life got busier, louder, and a lot more demanding. But somehow, those memories stayed.

Sometimes it hits you out of nowhere, like a theme song or seeing your niece or nephew watching something familiar. And just like that, you’re taken back.

Back to when watching SpongeBob SquarePants felt like the highlight of your day. Back to singing along to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse like you were part of the cast. Even those “I’m too grown for cartoons” days still had room for The Thundermans and Henry Danger.

It’s funny how those shows did more than just entertain us. They gave us something to look forward to. Something that made the day feel lighter, no matter what.

But every now and then, there’s something comforting about knowing that those moments still exist somewhere. The things that once made us laugh, relax, and forget everything for a while are still there, unchanged.

Channels like Disney Junior and Nickelodeon are still running those same shows, holding onto that same kind of joy we didn’t even realise we’d miss. And platforms like GOtv quietly keep that connection alive. Because after a long day of trying to figure life out, sometimes what you need isn’t something new.

Sometimes, you just want something that reminds you of who you used to be, something that lets you sit back, laugh a little, and for a moment forget all the noise. And maybe, without even realising it, you smile, because for a few minutes, life feels simple again.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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Stripped: What Happens When Men Can’t Keep It All Together

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Stripped on Africa Magic Showcase

In a world where men are expected to have it all figured out, be strong, provide, and never fall apart, Stripped shows the reality that many don’t talk about.

A new drama series premiered on Africa Magic Showcase on Sunday. The limited series brings together a strong lineup of Nollywood stars, including Daniel Etim Effiong, Efa Iwara, Kunle Remi, Ian Wordi, and Mofe Duncan, in a story that dives deep into the pressures men face behind closed doors.

Stripped follows five friends whose lives are slowly unravelling. From career setbacks to relationship struggles and financial pressure, each man is pushed to the edge in different ways. In a desperate attempt to regain control, they take an unexpected path, stepping into the world of stripping at an upscale club.

Daniel Etim Effiong plays Kel, a former marketing executive now juggling survival and responsibility, while Mofe Duncan (Bolaji) battles to keep his business afloat. Efa Iwara stars as a music video director forced to confront a complicated personal life, Ian Wordi plays a conflicted architect, and a youth pastor caught between duty and desire, while Kunle Remi brings to life a determined hustler trying to rewrite his family’s story.

Their lives intersect when they are recruited by Yvonne, a sharp and calculated lounge owner, who introduces them to a world that challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves.

This series explores identity, pride, friendship, and the silent expectations placed on men. It also shines a light on the emotional weight many carry without saying a word, both vulnerability and moments of humour along the way.

With a strong supporting cast of equally complex female characters, the story unfolds across six episodes, building tension as secrets deepen and relationships are tested.

Watch Stripped on Africa Magic Showcase, available on GOtv Channel 8, with new episodes every Sunday at 8 PM.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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Don’t Just Watch, Decide: Final Days to Vote for AMVCA 12

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Vote for AMVCA 12

As the countdown to the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) draws closer, fans across Africa still have a chance to do more than just watch, they can decide.

Voting is officially in its final days, and this is the moment for audiences to show up for their favourite actors, filmmakers, and stories that have made an impact over the past year.

The AMVCA has always stood out as an award platform that gives viewers a choice, allowing fans directly influence who takes home some of the biggest honours on the night. From standout performances to fan-favourite productions, every vote contributes to shaping the final outcome.

Voting is quick, simple, and free. You can cast your vote via the official AMVCA website or through the myDStv and myGOtv apps. Simply log in or create an account, select your favourites across the categories, and submit. You can also vote multiple times across these platforms to increase your support.

Voting for AMVCA 12 closes on April 26, 2026, at 9:00 PM WAT, and once that window closes, that’s it, no extra time and no second chances.

A lot of people wait until the last minute and either forget or run into issues trying to vote at the same time as everyone else. It’s always better to get it done early.

The awards night will come, the winners will be announced, and conversations will happen again, but between now and then is the only time you actually get to influence the outcome.

So if there’s someone you’re rooting for, or a project you genuinely believe deserves it, this is the time to show up.

Don’t just watch how it plays out. Be part of the reason it plays out that way.

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