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Royalties: COSON warns erring hotels……

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Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings has sent out a warning to hotels in Nigeria who are dodging the payment of copyright royalties for the music used in their establishments that there would be heavy consequences anytime from now.
According to a press statement sent to us, COSON said it entered into an industry wide agreement with Hotels and Personal Services Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) in December 2012 resulting in negotiated music copyright rates for hotels across Nigeria. Since then, such top hotels as Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos; Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja; Sheraton Hotel & Suites, Abuja; Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi; Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC and several top hotels across the country have been in compliance.

Unfortunately, some hotels have continued to freely deploy in their business the works of innocent creators and investors in the music industry in defiance of the law, against the rights of these creators and against global best practice.

Sending a warning in a statement, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “Anyone who thinks that COSON is joking about this has to be ready for the full force of COSON. We have a good relationship with the HOPESEA leadership and with the leadership of other associations like Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA). These organizations held us down to serious negotiations that lasted about two years. The leadership of HOPESEA got a rate on behalf of their members which is the lowest rate anyone can get anywhere in the world. Some of the hotels appear not to appreciate what their leadership has done. Anyone familiar with COSON knows that we do not say what we will not do. We are determined to take on the recalcitrant hotels full blast. We have been very patient but now we will employ the full instruments of the law”

Meanwhile, some hotels in Nigeria who are yet to comply have been given two weeks’ notice by COSON lawyers to pay their music copyright royalties or face the music. The hotels include Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Bolingo Hotels and Towers, Abuja, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Golden Tulip, Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Imo Concorde Hotel & Casino, Owerri, Rockview Hotel, Owerri, Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, etc.

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Portable wanted as Ogun government arraigns nine associates for assaulting officials

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Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, is reportedly on the run as the Ogun State Government arraigned nine of his associates for assaulting officials.

The singer’s proteges were arraigned on Thursday before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court.

The Ogun State Police Command accused the suspects of assaulting government officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The suspects, identified as Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Fatimo Muhammed, 26; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Samuel Adeleke, 28, were arraigned on a five-count charge of armed violence with cutlasses and guns, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Police Prosecutor Sunday Ekong told the court that the defendants committed the offences alongside Portable around 10:00 am on Wednesday at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Ekong explained that the singer, who is currently at large, unlawfully restricted, obstructed, and assaulted town planners Ramon Lateef, Akinpelumi Oyero, and Abidemi Onabanjo while they were performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, a business owned by Portable.

The prosecutor noted that the defendants were armed with dangerous weapons and had the intent to kill the officers.

The charges violated sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

In her ruling, Justice O.M. Somefun granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each, with sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the state government.

The case was further adjourned until March 17 for hearing.

The incident reportedly stemmed from the sealing of Portable’s uncompleted hotel and building by the ministry over illegal development without necessary permits.

SOCIETY REPORTERS recalls that the singer had called out the government officers for arresting his customers and vandalizing his bar.

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JUST IN! VETERAN NOLLYWOOD ACTOR COLUMBUS IS DEAD

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Columbus Irosanga is dead

 

Irosanga reportedly died in the early hours of today after a brief illness.

 

Irosanga is a PhD holder and a lecturer at the department of Theatre University of Port Harcourt

 

He has acted in over 100 A rated movies and stage plays

 

Many of his colleagues ,friends and fans have taken to social media to mourn him.

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Actress Olayinka Solomon battles memory loss after childbirth

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Popular Nollywood actress, Olayinka Solomon has opened up about her struggle with memory loss.

The actress made the revelation while discussing her postpartum experience on Wednesday.

In a viral post on her Instagram page, Olayinka Solomon questioned other women on what changed after their childbirth.

Sharing her experiences, Solomon wrote; “Postpartum mom. What changed after childbirth?

“Mine, I get angry over little things and memory loss. We can gist now, next minute, I don’t remember. I don’t get full. I can eat now, and the next minute I’m hungry.”

Society Reporters reports that the actress welcomed her fourth child with her US-based husband on January 9, 2025.

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