In Nigeria, the upper legislative chamber – the Senate – has pledged unflinching support to the country’s music industry, towards ensuring that musicians derive full financial reward for their efforts. Senate President, Bukola Saraki made the pledge in Lagos during an all-night live performances by both veteran and upcoming musicians to mark the on-going Week of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON.
Senator Saraki whose remark was delivered by Senator Ademola Adeleke from Osun State, explained that musicians, who have contributed immensely in positively projecting the country’s image globally, deserve every support they can get. “Let me assure you that you can always count on our support and the support of the 8th Senate. We take pride in in your achievements. Nigerian music commands respect all over the world. We all have much to be thankful for and to celebrate which is why we are here tonight”.
Senator Saraki conveyed the appreciation of the 8th Senate to the President of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji for his foresight in securing the future of the country’s musicians. “We have much to thank COSON for. When they talk about profile and prospects of Nigerian music, COSON, led by the activist leader, Tony Okoroji, has been in the trenches fighting for Nigerian musicians to be given their well-deserved respect and just as importantly fighting against the infringement of intellectual property of our artistes to ensure that authors, composers, performers and others in the arts and entertainment industry get due reward for their labour”, the Senate President said.
Reggae legend, Ras Kimono, almost brought down the roof with his great performance which brought fans out of their comfort zones to dance to the tunes.
Veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo who was among special guests danced so hilariously that his cap fell off but he did not mind. Mr. Olatilo said his mood was the manifestation of his deep interest in reggae music. “Anytime I hear Ras Kimono music, I go instantaneously mad. There is a story behind it. Ras Kimono will tell you. When he and Oritz Williki first emerged on the music scene, I was the first person to play their music as far back as the 1980s. We had a fantastic relationship”, he said.
On the need to raise funds in support of elderly musicians, Mr. Olatilo, who coordinated that aspect of the event, said, “COSON has come to stop musicians from knocking on anybody’s door for help because the country’s musicians are really qualified to be rich and COSON is saying they have to be rich. Now, this foundation that COSON has put in place running for 7 years, will add to whatever they make from the royalties. I am 64, for instance. I cannot be as vibrant as I used to be 20 years ago and I speak for the musicians too. So when they get to a point when they cannot be vibrant, they fall back on COSON. That is the genesis behind the collection we have come here to organise”.
COSON President, Chief Tony Okoroji in his address, said the live music performance, tagged, “COSON Greenball”, was a soft way of forging national unity and cohesion using music, noting that peace is needed to attract investments. “We are united here tonight – to get together, have great fun and establish that there is really nothing between the North and South of Nigeria, East and West of Nigeria, and then we can send great images to the world. What does the image do? To establish that we are people who are stable, and that means promoting investments in our land, because if we keep talking about Boko Haram and all those things that divide us, people will be scared to invest in our land”.
The hall was really electrified from start to finish, as musicians, both upcoming ones and the veterans including Shina Peters, did what they know how to do best, making the night a memorable one for the guests.
