Commendations galore as COSON celebrates fourth anniversary

Some stakeholders in Lagos State have expressed their satisfaction and pleasure at the achievements the Copyright Society of Nigeria had recorded since its recognition by the Federal Government.
They gave this commendation on Wednesday at the 4th Annual General Meeting of COSON held at the Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.
In his opening address, the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, thanked the members for their unflinching support for the society and restated the resolve of his leadership to revolutionise the nation’s music industry.
Okoroji stated that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) was a requirement of the law and also an important event for members to be well-informed on the workings and the current status of the society.
Explaining the purpose of the AGM, Chief Okoroji said the AGM had three broad tasks:
“The first is to receive and consider the audited financial statements of the society for the year ended December 31, 2013, the reports of the auditors thereon and that of the directors.
“The second is to elect or re-elect members of the Board, in accordance with Articles 52, 53 & 54 of our Articles of Association.
“The third is to pass on and to discuss important developments that have happened in our operating environment since our last AGM.”
The COSON chairman also informed the meeting about the different levels of progress the society had made since its last AGM in May, 2013.
One of such was over 100 reciprocal agreements the society had entered into with other collecting societies around the world.
According to him: “Just two and half years ago, COSON did not have even one reciprocal agreement with any international collective management organisation.
“I am proud to announce today that due to our tireless work, COSON now has reciprocal agreements authorising us to represent the music repertoire of about 100 collective management organisations in every continent in the world.
“This includes the entire US music repertoire and the music repertoire of such countries as South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Benin, Togo, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Jamaica, Brazil, Finland, China, Australia, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Cuba, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Spain, Argentina, etc., etc.
“COSON now represents practically the entire world music in Nigeria and by these agreements, the music of COSON members is now administered across the world by our partner societies.”
On the challenges posed by the digital exploitation of music, Okoroji assured members that COSON was taking a number of initiatives to ensure that reasonable revenue continues to accrue to investors in music in the country.
On his own, the National President, Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Sharon Wilson, thanked the leadership of the society for its commitment in ensuring that musicians earned more for their works.
Wilson said: “The 4th AGM of COSON has been a huge success. I want to appreciate the COSON Board for the way they handled the crisis with the broadcast industry.
“I am pleased with every step the board has taken so far, especially the number of reciprocal agreements the society has entered into with other collecting societies around the world.
“This is one of the best things to happen to the music industry in Nigeria. I wish them the very best and greater successes in the future.”
Also commenting, another member of COSON, Alhaji Isiaka Ayinla, popularly known as Easy Kabaka, thanked the leadership of COSON for a job well done.
Ayinla said: “I and my people from Kwara State are pleased with the results the society has produced so far. I wish them God’s speed and pray the Almighty Allah to reward them greatly.”