Nigeria Content Online

The chairman, Broadcasting
Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the director general, Voice of
Nigeria, Abubakar Jijiwa, has identified with the decision of the
Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) that radio and television stations
pay royalties for audio and music video albums they broadcast.

Speaking at the 53rd General Assembly
of BON, held in Awka, Anambra State, on Thursday, September 16, Jijiwa
reminded chief executives of broadcasting organisations that the law
states that every broadcasting organisation must pay for the music it
uses. He added that as law abiding institutions, the stations should
endeavour to comply with the law.

He also noted that the issue of who to
pay royalty to no longer arises because government has recognised COSON
as the legitimate collecting society.

Apprising the gathering of the journey
so far, COSON chair, Tony Okoroji, said, “Since the government gave
COSON the mandate to operate in May, we have engaged the key users of
music in Nigeria in continuous dialogue. We have taken the COSON
Stakeholders’ Forum around the country and used different media to
discuss the issues with all concerned.

“We did not jump on anyone, neither did
we harass anyone. We have been very professional about our mandate. The
time has finally come for everyone to do their duty. We have respected
the users of music long enough. We now expect you to reciprocate that
respect,” Mr. Okoroji said.

He disclosed that as from October 1,
2010, radio and TV stations will no longer be able to use artists’
music free. He added that COSON has mandated Olusola Adekanola &
Co, a chartered accounting firm, to collect money due Nigerian
musicians and other stakeholders in the music industry.

He also told the chief executives that
it is their responsibility to ensure that their stations operate with
valid copyright licences.