2021: PMAN President forsees better days for Nigerian Musicians
By Dayo Badmus
President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, Pretty Okafor has declared the year 2021 as a year of major breakthrough for musicians in the country.
Okafor, in a new year message sent across to members of the music fraternity in Nigeria at large, says Nigerian musicians are destined to arrive at the promised land this year.
According to him, “It has indeed been a long journey, but I am proud to say that we’re now well positioned to end all the infighting and Leadership tussle in PMAN and other music industry Associations.
‘The recent crisis that rocked the Collective Management organization (CMO) landscape and threatened the music industry’s publishing revenue has opened our eyes and compelled us to restructure the CMO landscape, this will enable the Government licensed CMOs , such as the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) to effectively administer copyright licensing and Royalty collection, for onward distribution to Right owners.”
The former Popstar of the Junior and Pretty fame made further projections as Follows:
1. In spite of the Covid-19 Pandemic that ravaged the entire globe music industry will witness tremendous growth in all areas particularly in digital streaming and music licensing, this will bring financial empowerment to ALL Musicians in Nigeria, which is our ultimate goal and objective.
2. This year will witness the unprecedented cooperation between the Music Industry and the Government, it will also help bridge the communication gap between the youths and the Government.
3. Afrobeat sound will continue to dominate Pop culture in Africa and it will rise to prominence across the world and will be recognized as a Genre by relevant global music organizations.
In his words, efforts will be required by relevant agencies to actualise the aforementioned.
“I call on The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to Partner with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in its enforcement drive to bring all users of copyright works and Broadcasters to compliance and pay the Royalties due to Musicians in line with the new NBC Code.
“Furthermore, I call on the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) to encourage their members to respect the Rights of Right owners and cooperate fully with the authorized CMO.
“I also call on the Nigerian Communications Commission to request the Telco’s (MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9 Mobile) and the Value Added Service Providers (VASP) through their Association to respect the rights of creators by always getting clearance for Musical works used or exploited by them.
“The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA), Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL) and Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA) and indeed ALL Music users, will do good if its Members are advised to respect the Rights of Musicians by paying due Royalties to the authorized CMO.’
Okafor concluded by calling on the NCC to initiate the processes needed with other Government Ministries and Agencies for the activation of The Copyright Levy which has been signed into Law for the overall benefit of all Musicians, while also appealing to all Musicians in Nigeria to come together and take their destiny in their own hands by supporting and working with the authorized institutions and organizations created for the Music industry for collective bargaining.” He said.
