August 27, 2014 – Nigerian Music Industry Coalition(NMIC) has appealed to all radio and television stations in Nigeria to refrain from playing music on Monday, September 1, 2014 for one hour between the hours of 9am and 10am as part of activities to mark ‘No Music Day’.
“The event which will be in its 6th year will focus attention on the widespread infringement of the rights of composers, song writers, performers, music publishers and other stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry”, Chinedu Chukwuji said in behalf of organisers.
“All stations sympathetic to the plight of the music industry are being requested to dedicate the time belt to interviews, documentaries, debates and discussions that focus on the rights of creative people and the state of intellectual property rights in Africa’s most populous nation. Newspapers and magazines are also being encouraged to do special features on the industry to mark the day”, the statement added.
The statement noted that in commemoration of the day the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) will fly its flags at half-mast.
“There will also be a bonfire of pirated materials at the society’s headquarters in the fight against piracy that has plagued the nation’s creative industry”, the statement noted.
Speaking on ‘No Music Day’, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said, ‘No Music Day is a day the music industry in Nigeria comes together to say no to the incessant abuse of our rights.
“For too long our industry has suffered great loss because of piracy. We have watched big record companies close shop and move away from Nigeria while our young talents roam the streets looking for record deals. This has got to stop. No more will we tolerate the years of ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop’. Piracy is a crime against creativity which must be brought to an end urgently,” he said.
Also speaking President of Music Label Owners & Recording Industries Association of Nigeria (MORAN), Hon. John E. Udegbunam called on all lovers of good music to join the ‘No Music Day’ campaign.
“We appeal to all users of music to ensure that they obtain the appropriate license for the music they deploy, this way we can ensure that our creativity outlives us.”
