It was singing, jubilation and merriment this Tuesday, December 10, as members of Nigeria’s No 1 copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), approved a 2024 royalty distribution of a whopping =N=465.5 million for COSON members and associates. Following the approval, the distribution which is the highest in the history of the organization, began immediately as several COSON members started receiving bank alerts on their phones while still at COSON House.

They came from the East, the West, North and South of Nigeria: gaily dressed musicians who stormed Oluwaleimu Street, in the Allen Avenue Area of Ikeja where the magnificent COSON House stands sparkling in the sun, and in which COSON’s 2024 Annual General Meeting took place.

The AGM practically turned into a carnival as the former President of PMAN and Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, who presided at the General Meeting, delivered a moving address which he titled, “the COSON Spirit”.

The celebrated copyright warrior was praised repeatedly by joyous COSON members after delivering his speech in which he said, “We have deployed the law, like no other organization in the history of Nigeria, to form a bulwark against the people, in and out of government, who have tried everything to hijack and plunder COSON or if they fail, to kill COSON. You know the modus operandi of the vampires among our citizens: they grab every good thing in Nigeria for themselves, their friends and families with no thought for the millions of other people in our country. They are not satisfied with owning one house. In a nation where millions do not own even a hut, they grab what belongs to all of us and build 735 duplexes for themselves alone and want more as if they have a contract with the Almighty that they will never die.

“I wish to state that I have been to practically every court in the land, have mounted the witness box and testified, and have won victories on behalf of COSON that many had thought were impossible. We have retained the services of four first class senior advocates and several other senior lawyers.

“Without the decisions of those distinguished Judges of the Courts who remain committed to truth and justice, COSON, this great pan Nigerian organization that has become the nation’s most formidable agent of strength, unity, progress and growth for the creative industry, would have since been sucked dry and wiped away.“

With sadness in his voice, Chief Okoroji said, “Fellow members of COSON, let me state that I verily believe that in these hard times, we could have done more, much more for the musicians of Nigeria. It is a paradox that the institution established by the state to enable us to soar and achieve great results for our nation, conspired with carpetbaggers and fraudsters to become the greatest obstacle to our progress and success. But… we continue to fly, due to the unbreakable COSON Spirit”.

In his speech, the COSON Chairman thanked the Management led by General Manager, Mrs. Bernice Eriemeghe Ashibuogwu, for their contribution to the success of the society,

Identified at the AGM were such persons as the President of the Creative Industry Group, Amb. Felix Duke; President of the Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Eng Sharon Wilson; Afro Juju music super star, Sir Shina Peters; Reggae Music giant, Righteousman Erhabor; celebrated female singer, Stella Monye; Pop Music sensation, Alex O; Gospel Music Minister, Kenny Saint Brown; Showbiz Impresario, Koffi Da Guru, Popular entertainment die-hard, Steve Black and many more.

Also present were members of the COSON Board such as Abuja based, Chief Uche Emeka Paul, a workhorse of the Catholic Charismatic Music Ministry; Enugu based music toaster and publisher, Angus Power Nwangwu; Oge Kimono, first daughter of the unforgettable Rub-A-Dub Master, Ras Kimono who himself was a COSON die hard, before his death; renowned drummer, Richard Cole, famed producer Zdon Paporella and Gospel Music Minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi.

Hundreds of COSON members joined the jubilant AGM on-line via Zoom.

Distinguished filmmakers, esteemed members of the Nollywood Creative Minds Forum, and honored guests, My friends in the media, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to address this gathering of creative minds, who are shaping the narrative of our beloved Nollywood industry. I must thank the leadership of the NCMF for extending this invitation to me. I have followed the activities of the forum from inception and attended previous editions as a film journalist. Today, even as a regulator, I can affirm that the forum has created a veritable platform for strengthening the Nollywood community through networking and collaboration. The forum has also facilitated partnerships and collaborations between Nollywood creatives and industry stakeholders. I congratulate the leadership of the forum and urge them to continue to facilitate discussions on industry trends, challenges and opportunities, with a focus on shaping the future of Nollywood.

Today, I have been asked to speak on a crucial aspect of our collective growth and success: the pursuit of a better filmmaking tradition. As filmmakers, we are not just storytellers; but we are custodians of our culture, our values, and our history. Our work has the power to inspire, educate, and entertain. However, with this power comes great responsibility and if you like responsiveness.

In recent years, Nollywood has experienced tremendous growth, with a significant increase in production quality, audience engagement, and global recognition. This year alone, Nollywood recorded more highest grossing movies than the previous years. This year alone, we saw a 120 percent surge in revenue at the box office and an increase in ticket purchase, thanks to the effort by our filmmakers to improve on production quality and storytelling. However, we must acknowledge that there is still room for improvement both in storytelling and production quality.

But as we strive for excellence, we must focus on developing a better filmmaking tradition that prioritizes:

1. Quality storytelling over this is what is trending’: Our stories should be authentic, engaging, and reflective of our diverse experiences.

2. Professionalism: We must adhere to industry standards, best practices, and ethical guidelines.

3. Innovation: We should embrace new technologies, techniques, and ideas to stay ahead of the curve.

4. Collaboration: We must foster a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and knowledge-sharing.

To achieve this vision, the NFVCB is committed to providing support and resources to filmmakers, including:

1. Capacity-building programs and workshops (Plans for a PRODUCERS, EXHIBITORS AND DISTRIBUTORS LAB)

2. Access to funding and investment opportunities (Letters of endorsement to those wishing to establish cinema, distribution and exhibition infrastructure

3. Facilitation of international collaborations and partnerships

Distinguished colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, the pursuit of a better filmmaking tradition requires a collective effort from all stakeholders. It is not just what only NCMF can do. It requires a deliberate effort by ALL to strive for the best for our industry. Therefore, I urge us to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity, innovation, and excellence.

Together, we can build a thriving film industry that showcases the best of Nigeria and Africa to the world.

I thank you for your attention

Dr. Shaibu Husseini

Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB)