Admin l Sunday, October 08, 2017
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria -A former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations,I Chief Emeka Anyaoku was among the many distinguished Nigerians at the weekend that applauded recipients of the Business Hallmark magazine People of the Year award on a night that had all the trappings of a classy event.
Extolling the virtues of the revered COSON Chairman Chief Tony Okoroji as he was honored with the Professional Excellence in Entertainment Industry award, the guests were told of how at the age of 29, he turned around PMAN and made it one of the most respected entertainment organisations in Africa. His recognition on the night was also perhaps hinged on his excellent and iconic contributions to the fight against intellectual property theft as regards the protection of the rights of musicians both local and foreign.
Speaking on the night, the music copyright guru and author of one of the best books on intellectual property, Copyright and the New Millionaire said the award has among other things motivated him to do much more in his advocacy fight. According to him, COSON will not relent in its quest to ensure that the Nigeria music industry and its practitioners get what they deserve and at the right time.
He said “Word cannot express my gratitude to the organisers of this event and most especially to my friend and brother Prince Emeka Obasi for the honor done me and other recipients tonight. With the caliber of people that have been honoured today I am pleased and I must say gingered to do even much more until music users in the country do what is right by respecting the rights of musicians here in Nigeria and all over the world. The days of believing that music is free is gone and at COSON we are determined to ensure that the message is heard loud and clear.
Other recipients honoured on the night include the Acting Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu who was honoured with the prestigious Man of the year award, Mr. Oscar Onyema, MD, CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange who bagged the Professional Excellence award and and also Professor Oladapo Ashiru, Group Managing Director, MART Group whose immense and exceptional contributions in the medical field earned him the award of the Outstanding Achievements in Assisted reproductive Technology award.
