Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) charges ahead in helping shape the legal and business structure of Nigeria’s music industry, especially where it comes to royalty payments for artists. On May 8th, 2012, the organization elected new board members and officers. It is good to see familiar names with actual industry experience involved in the organization. Names such as Banky W of EME Records, Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Records, Fuji artist Adewale Ayuba and Storm 360 Executive Obi Asika.
I am particularly pleased to see Maikori and Asika involved in COSON as I know they also bring their legal hats to the table. I anticipate COSON will continue to be an organization that is cautious yet purposeful in drafting of guidelines/recommendations, music advocacy and implementation of meaningful well thought out strategies and policies to drive the industry forward. Needless to say, it is high time AML industry, artists in particular, begin reaping the benefits of their hard work.
I also mentioned in a post a few days ago on Wax’s take of Naija mix, the importance of carving out laws that are innovative and anticipate the exploitation of “Naija” music by other African countries and artists. COSON continues to be, in my book, a step in the right direction.
One last thing, I can’t stress enough, how much we need diversity of voices and representation when it comes to women in organizations like COSON. I encourage AML female Nigerian artists reading this to get in the game. For starters, persons that would seem quite qualified include Sasha P who has a legal and music background, Emem of One Management, also an artist, industry executive and a law degree holder.
I would also like to see industry women who provide ancillary services that drive the success of many in Nigeria’s music industry get involved. That includes persons like Toni Payne of Toni Payne Concepts and Bobby Taylor of Bobby Taylor PR.
This is, overall, a good look and I look forward to the industry making tremendous inroads as organizations like COSON keep the artist and the music at the center of all negotiations and advocacy.
-Uduak
Photodescription: “Faces of the newly elected COSON Board
L-R: Audu Maikori, CEO of Chocolate City; Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Now Musik; Banky W (of EME Records); Adewale Ayuba; Chief Tony Okoroji (One of COSON’s founders); Azeezat Allen; Obi Asika, CEO of Storm 360; Baba Dee, Hon. John Udegbunam.”
Photocredit: COSON