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.
Speaking on the development, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony
Okoroji said, “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. We truly wish we
could do more and we would have been able to do more if not for the constant
irrational harassment and the many obstacles placed on our way by a government
agency which has completely misunderstood its mandate. Is it not terrible that in
these hard times,no one apart from COSON appears to be doing anything for the Nigerian
artiste?
“I am in touch with many members of COSON who are in need of
continued assistance. Other members of our Board are receiving similar
messages. It is our sacred duty to provide for our members and we will not
shake that duty. COSON must continue to be responsible and responsive to the
needs of those we serve and there should be no excuse not to help them wade
through thesevery difficult times.
“I am once again proud of the quick response of members of
the COSON Board who have shown great understanding that we must continue to be
our brothers’ keeper. I am also proud of the COSON management team of Vincent
Adawaisi, Isa Aruna, Anthony Imuse and Tolu Balogun who have ensured that every
instruction of the Board is executed with dispatch”.
Said Chief Okoroji, “From the beginning, we took a decision
that COSON would be a world class organization, transparent, accountable,
credible and totally focused on the well-being of its members. Once you walk
into the magnificent COSON House in Ikeja, you cannot but feel an organization run
on the cutting edge of management and technology. The well laid out sparkling
clean environment and the quality of the staff will immediately tell you that
this is not your typical Nigerian organization. That is why some cannot stop
themselves from throwing stones at us.
“I know that we cannot please everyone but we are working very
hard every day to lift up the musicians of Nigeria, promote and defend our
industry and provide visible solutions to the challenges of our members. 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”.
Concluded Chief Okoroji, “I know that questions will be asked
whether COSON can afford this additional palliative in the light of the present
circumstances. My answer is that with prudent management, we can.It is fraud
and stealing that make things impossible in Nigeria. In keeping with our
tradition, no hanky-panky or shady dealing will be tolerated in the
disbursements. I will continue to provide consistent updates. At the end of the
exercise, the minutest details of the disbursements will be brought before the
Board and the General Assembly for thorough examination and ratification”.
FOR COSON:
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