COSON MEMBERS IN EDO STATE DENOUNCE EFE OMOROGBE AND THREATEN TO REPORT HIM TO OBA OF BENIN

April 2, 2018
PRESS RELEASE
COSON MEMBERS IN EDO STATE DENOUNCE EFE OMOROGBE AND THREATEN TO REPORT HIM TO OBA OF BENIN
Senior members of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) in Edo State have written a letter to the embattled former member of the Board of COSON, Mr. Efe Omorogbe, conveying their strong disappointment with him and advising him to desist from further being used as an instrument of destabilization in the society.
The letter was made public at a press conference held on Easter Monday, April 2, 2018, at the NUJ Press Centre in Benin City. The letter has signatories of notable artists not limited to: Prince S. B. Omo Osula, the Arala of Benin, Raphael Ehis Oboh, AKA Oligbese 4sale, Tony Ukate and Dr. Fabomo, the itendo of Benin among others.
The letter reads as follows:
“On December 7, 2017, you led a coup to remove the chairman of the Governing Board of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji. Your being named by your cohorts to succeed Chief Tony Okoroji was to impose on you shoes larger than life for you to fit in”.
“Your so-called appointment as Chairman of COSON was mute and very unpopular with vexatious reactions across the creative industry at home and abroad. You will recall the disgraceful treatment you received on the 19th of December 2017, from the COSON members across the country who gathered at the COSON Arena at COSON House in Lagos and strongly opposed and nullified your kangaroo appointment as COSON Chairman.
“We are not surprised that such treatment of outright rejection was meted out to you by COSON members across Nigeria. Behind this is your checkered attitude of arrogance which has resulted in your total disconnect with the creative community even in Edo State, the state of your birth. This is to the extent that the presence, support and contribution of the likes of Chief Tony Okoroji, a detribalized Nigerian, is more felt by us in Edo State. Even though you are our son, your contribution is nowhere to be seen.
“It is unfortunate that given your position of visibility as the manager of one of Nigeria’s best known performers; 2Face Idibia, no one in the state has felt your impact in any way. While you purport to come from Edo State, we do not know you because you always go around with your nose in the air. On December 19, 2017 when we came for the COSON EGM, not one person from Edo State raised his hand in your support or voted for you. We all voted for Chief Tony Okoroji, who has repeatedly visited us and has for many years identified with our aspirations.
“You will recall that just a few days after Chief Okoroji was restored as Chairman of COSON, he once again visited us in Benin City and we organized a church service and several receptions in his honour. Chief Tony Okoroji has proven to us that he is a true leader.
“We are shocked that despite our clear democratic choice of Chief Tony Okoroji as COSON Chairman at the said EGM chaired by our very own internationally respected music icon, Prof (Sir) Victor Uwaifo MON JP, you have mischievously and fraudulently continued to parade yourself as Chairman of COSON. Your behavior is contrary to the norms and culture of the great people of Edo State.
“We are embarrassed by your behavior and hereby denounce your unwholesome activities targeted at destroying the unsurpassed respect associated with COSON. We warn that if you continue to allow yourself to be used to destabilize COSON, an organization which we are very proud of and which is catering for our needs, we may have no choice but to drag you before the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewaure II so that you be called to order and appropriate sanctions imposed on you for the shame and the conduct that negates the value, norms and culture of our great people and the creative community in general”.
“A word is enough for the wise.”
Oba Ghato Kpere Ise!
FOR COSON EDO STATE MEMBERS:
PRINCE S.B. OMO OSULA
The Arala of Benin