More reactions have continued to trail a recent report by Maggie’s Blog about the COVID-19 palliative of N11,000 purportedly given to each musician registered with Tony Okoroji-led Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).

The first reaction came on Friday from former president of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tee Mac in which he challenged Okoroji to disclose the source of the N50m when COSON’s operating license had been forfeited by the Federal Government.

In this edition, we bring to you more reactions from some of the movers and shakers of Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Enjoy.

NA SCAM — Renowned musician Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy

Everywhere, everything Na Scam. People scamming people. Government scamming its people. A country of scammers. COSON/MCSN all Na Scam.

FAILED PROMISE — Performing artiste Donsmarter

My own opinion is that he (Okoroji) tried. But he should have kept to his previous statement in December 2019 that by April 2020 every member will receive royalty. But all we saw was N11, 000 in the name of palliative for coronavirus. All is well.

IT’S COMMENDABLE — Frontline movie producer Zik Zulu Okafor

Well, it depends on how much they have in their vault. In any case, no Association, Union or Guild in the Arts, Culture and Entertainment industry generally has even done that. Yes, many people hold this unscientific opinion that music is thriving in today's Nigeria. Yes, our music has broken into the international arena and some of our guys are raking in good millions, if not billions of naira. And COSON is collecting some good money from organisations using their creative works.

But let’s ask a critical question: How many of those musicians are enjoying this breakthrough and making mega bucks? Are there even up to 15 in a profession you have over 50,000? Check the percentage. Let’s not be carried away by the hundreds of musical videos we see in music and entertainment channels. How many of them are enjoying wide airplay outside the stations to attract funds for the collecting society.

So, I don’t really expect that COSON’s palliatives for members will be in the region of some huge thousands of naira because it has to reach out to as many members as possible. Tony Okoroji’s led COSON initiative is therefore commendable as far as I am concerned. And it’s the first effort in the creative industry.

BRILLIANT EFFORT IF... — Joseph Mfon Akpan, Initiator of brass bands in Akwa Ibom State and director of Digital Brass

This is a difficult time for lots of people across the world. We would not deny the fact that there is so much pain and suffering resulting from this COVID-19 lockdown. It is unfortunate that many of our leaders, particularly in Nigeria, poorly understand what suffering actually is, and what they [as leaders] must do to prevent or relieve it. I think sometimes leaders need to get out of their own shoes and put on someone else’s to truly understand what is happening around them. That, to me, defines true and meaningful leadership. I don’t believe there is true leadership without empathy. Therefore, in my opinion, Chief Tony Okoroji has proved to be a true leader who is empathetic, responsible and reliable and I think the members of COSON would consider it truly an honour and their pleasure to be a part of COSON’s journey under his leadership. I deeply admire and respect his leadership for the transparent manner he is distributing the N50m palliative to COSON members across the country. If this money belongs to COSON and the owners of COSON who own COSON’s funds have approved of this measure to relieve some of the pain and suffering that their members are experiencing in this difficult time, then I think it is a brilliant step and nobody should have a problem with that. Frankly, if this action has been or is being executed in line with the orders and regulations of COSON, then the Chairman of COSON has not done anything deserving crucifixion, rather he should be appreciated and encouraged to continue to bring COSON down a path of continued growth and development and continue to achieve even higher levels of success. This is my take on this topic.

BETTER THAN NOTHING — Ngozi Emedolibe, Seasoned entertainment journalist and PR consultant

COSON in my opinion has done well by distributing some stipends to her members. I have known Chief Okoroji as a smart-thinker, and this is a proof to that. The controversy about the source of the funds and how their account was frozen is strictly legal. The two copyright administrators, COSON and MCSN are perpetually locked in legal battles, which I have always frowned at, because they must form a common front to fight their common enemies- copyright violators.

Okoroji has done well, in spite of the amount in question. But it is better than nothing at all.

IT’S A SHAM — Pretty Okafor, President, Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN)

This is just another episode of mismanagement of Copyright holders’ hard earned royalty by the former CMO, COSON, led by Chief Tony Okoroji.

COSON’s new strategy after the revocation of its license by NCC is to stir up chaos within the Recording industry value chain , and craftily tie up Right Holders Catalogs in endless frivolous lawsuits, thereby drawing attention away from the industry-wide call for forensic audit of and the impending criminal prosecution of Coson officials.

PMAN is aware the N50m that was inappropriately disbursed came from one of COSON’s Royalty pool accounts, hence the N11,000 palliative is nothing but a sham because COSON has lost its operating license and, therefore, has no authority whatsoever to touch any accrued royalties.

The recording industry, after extensive consultations with PMAN, agreed to compel the Nigerian Copyright Commission NCC to initiate criminal proceedings against Chief Okoroji and anyone at COSON that aided and abetted the diversion of funds belonging to right holders.

Musicians generally are facing hard times from cancellations of shows due to the pandemic, therefore, it is inevitable that COSON will be held accountable for all their fraudulent activities, including the N50m palliative of which a significant part was distributed to ghost members and unknown musicians.

IT IS WELCOME — Veteran movie director/producer Obi Osotule

Tony is my in-law. He has fought many wars and won many. There is still a cloud hanging over COSON. The last I heard it was to be deregistered. I am of the belief that people should be allowed to register with any collecting Society of one’s choice and govt should allow COSON to thrive.

On the palliatives it is commendable. Many people are hungry. Many people cannot feed their families at this time and if COSON can come to their rescue it is welcome. Moreover, I believe these are monies held in trust for artistes what better time is there to disburse it if not now. 11k can do some families a world of good.

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