Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
May 21, 2015 – The late icon of the Nigerian film industry, Amaka Igwe received another post-humous honour just a year after she bade goodbye to the industry she loved so much and gave all she had to build into what is today known as Nollywood.
She was listed in Copyright Society of Nigeria(COSON) Roll of Honour for her exemplary leadership in ensuring that Top Radio, where she had controlling shares pays for music without been forced to do so.
She was honoured during the 5th anniversary of COSON as the nation’s sole Collective Management Organization for musical works and sound recordings.
Also honoured was Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba who was decorated with the Copyright Medal of Honour, the highest recognition that the music industry can give to any individual.
Mba was unanimously chosen by the COSON board because of the historic role played by him and his commission in resolving the over four decade dispute between the music and broadcasting industries in Nigeria over the payment of music copyright royalties.
Several Nigerians who had distinguished themselves greatly in the promotions and defense of the rights of creative people in Nigeria were also celebrated.
The list include veteran broadcaster, Mr. Mac Emakpore; Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. Afam Ezekude; multiple award winning music icon Tuface Idibia; show biz impresario, Mr. Edi Lawani; renowned saxophonist, Pa Chris Ajilo; music icon and Chairman of the COSON Advisory Board, Evang. (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; COSON front liner, 89 year old Pa Emmanuel Ntia; music artiste and politician, Kenny St. Brown (KSB); renowned Chartered Accountant and member of COSON Advisory Council, Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie; the first Chairman of the then Nigerian Copyright Council (NCC), Prof. Egerton Uviegahara; Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; Highlife super star, Sunny Neji; Business man and President, Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), Engr. Ekong Onofiok.
Others are renowned broadcaster, actor and director, Mr. Patrick Doyle; President of the Hotel & Personal Services Employers Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA), Chief Samuel O. Alabi; renowned Intellectual property lawyer and Professor of Law, Prof. Bankole Sodipo; veteran broadcaster, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo; Intellectual property lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige; music maestro, Prof. Sir. Victor Uwaifo, MON; COSON Licensing Consultant for the FCT, Mr. Segun Awosanya; COSON Licensing Consultant for Lagos state, Mr. Kazie Uko; quintessential Amazon of the Nigerian music industry, Erelu Morenikeji Okunowo; the first Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and Deputy Governor elect of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses Ekpo; renowned journalist, Mr. Justin Akpovi Esade; CEO of Cellulant Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Goke Akingboro and CEO of GreenBee Mobile Ltd. Mr. Nnamdi Agwunobi.
COSON founding staff member, the late Mrs. Patricia Oloruntoba was also entered into the COSON Roll of Honour for her dogged belief and unrelenting contributions to the COSON vision even when all looked bleak.
Speaking on the event, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said that looking back he is amazed at how much COSON has covered in such a short time.
“Today COSON has over 130 reciprocal agreements with collecting societies all around the world. We practically represent all known music in the world today. We also have music copyright agreements with the broadcast industry, the hotel industry in Nigeria and several other categories of music users in Nigeria today.
“COSON has become a flagship collecting society in Africa. We couldn’t have achieved all of these without the support of distinguished Nigerians to whom we are grateful. While we look back in thanksgiving at our journey so far, we look forward with determination and great zeal because we are resolved never to let down the creative minds in Nigeria. We want to assure them that they can sleep while COSON works”, he said.
The event which had at Lagos Airport Hotel, paraded stars like Ras Kimono, Capital F.E.M.I, KSB, Tuface Idibia, Konga, Bright Chimezie, Olu Maintain, Princess Anne Inyang, Majek Fashek, Sunny Neji, D’Lyte, Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe of Trace TV, Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; Mr. Francis Onwochie, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Jenifer Eliogu, Edi Lawani, King Wadada, King Waleman, Mr. John Asein, Mr. Justin Zhag, CEO of Startimes amongst others.
