As the controversy is raging over the eleven thousand naira (N11,000) first given out by Tony Okoroji-led Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) to each musician as COVID-19 palliative, another round of palliative has been approved by same body.

According to a statement signed by Chairman Tony Okoroji, a copy of which was made available to News Express, the Board of COSON has approved additional N5,000 for each of its 4500 members, making it a total sum of N22.5m.

The statement reads in part: “As a result of the extension of the lockdown across the country which has increased the hardship of the citizens and made entertainment activities impossible all over the nation, the Board of Nigeria’s biggest and most respected copyright collective management organization, COSON, has approved an additional sum of =N=22.5 Million as Anti-Coronavirus Emergency Relief Distribution to its members. This is in addition to the =N=50 Million originally approved.”

The statement adds: “Starting immediately, with the co-operation of the banks, each of about 4,500 qualified members of COSON will receive an alert for an additional sum of Five Thousand Naira added to the initial sum of eleven thousand naira in the Anti-Coronavirus Emergency Relief (ACER) General Distribution. Those who for any reason have not received the initial Eleven Thousand Naira will receive a straight-forward Sixteen Thousand Naira. If this helps some of our members to buy some garri or some rice, we will be happy.”

According to Okoroji, whoever condemns this initiative is doing so out of envy.

Hear him: “I very well know that much of the attack on COSON is a product of envy. We have consistently done that which many thought was impossible in Nigeria. We have absolutely no interest in the cantankerous name calling and rabid character assassination which many appear to dwell in. We are not interested because none of the squabbling will provide one cup of rice for the Nigerian musician or one cube of sugar for his tea.”

The missiles that are most likely to be fired in the next couple of days can only be imagined.

May be government should announce a different lockdown for the music industry to avoid possible missile casualties.

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