Excitement As COSON Distributes ₦465.5 Million Royalty Claims To Members, Associates
Members of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, who were present at the last annual general meeting of the Society on Tuesday, could not hide their joy and excitement after it was announced that a whooping sum of ₦465.5m, has been approved as royalties for distribution to members and their associates.
Following the approval, the distribution which is the highest in the history of the organization, began immediately as several COSON members started receiving bank alerts on their phones while still at COSON House.
The prestigious COSON House tucked in Ikeja, Lagos, where the 2024 AGM was held, was besieged by members from different parts of the country who could not hide their gratitude to the leadership of the number one leading copyright collecting society in the country.
The meeting which was joined online through zoom by others who could not be physically present, was presided over by the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, who delivered an emotional speech he titled, “the COSON Spirit”.
In his words, “we have deployed the law, like no other organization in the history of Nigeria, to form a bulwark against the people, in and out of government, who have tried everything to hijack and plunder COSON or if they fail, to kill COSON. You know the modus operandi of the vampires among our citizens: they grab every good thing in Nigeria for themselves, their friends and families with no thought for the millions of other people in our country.
“They are not satisfied with owning one house. In a nation where millions do not own even a hut, they grab what belongs to all of us and build 735 duplexes for themselves alone and want more as if they have a contract with the Almighty that they will never die.
“I wish to state that I have been to practically every court in the land, have mounted the witness box and testified, and have won victories on behalf of COSON that many had thought were impossible. We have retained the services of four first class senior advocates and several other senior lawyers.
“Without the decisions of those distinguished Judges of the Courts, who remain committed to truth and justice, COSON, this great pan Nigerian organization that has become the nation’s most formidable agent of strength, unity, progress and growth for the creative industry, would have since been sucked dry and wiped away.“
The former PMAN president lamented that COSON could have done much if not for obstacles from state institutions.
“Fellow members of COSON, let me state that I verily believe that in these hard times, we could have done more, much more for the musicians of Nigeria. It is a paradox that the institution established by the state to enable us soar and achieve great results for our nation, conspired with carpetbaggers and fraudsters to become the greatest obstacle to our progress and success. But… we continue to fly, due to the unbreakable COSON Spirit”, Okoroji stated.
Chief Okoroji however thanked the management team led by General Manager, Mrs. Bernice Eriemeghe Ashibuogwu, for their contribution to the success of the society.
Some of the musicians at the meeting include: Amb Felix Duke, the President of the Creative Industry Group,CIG, Engr. Sharon Wilson, President of the Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Afro Juju music star, Sir Shina Peters; Reggae star Righteous Man Erhabor; songstress Stella Monye; pop music sensation, Alex O; Gospel music minister -Kenny Saint Brown; showbiz impresario – Koffi Tha Guru, Steve Black and many more.
Also present were members of the COSON Board such as Abuja based, Chief Uche Emeka Paul, a workhorse of the Catholic Charismatic Music Ministry; Enugu based music toaster and publisher -Angus Power Nwangwu; Oge Kimono, first daughter of Rub-A-Dub Master Ras Kimono, renowned drummer, Richard Cole, producer Zdon Paporella and Gospel music minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi among many others
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