In a positive-vibed letter made available to EagleStrideTV, PMAN national president, Pretty Okafor, highlights several aspects of the Nigerian music industry which will witness a turnaround for good.
The association has just weathered the storm of several internal imbroglios and power tussles to stabilize. According to Pretty Okafor, "Music must pay and musicians must reap the reward of their strenuous efforts in content production".
The letter dated 15th January reads:
As the current President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), I bring you warm greetings and glad tidings and congratulate you all for making it into 2021.
I am personally so excited about this YEAR 2021 because it is the Year where ALL the Musicians in the entertainment industry will arrive at the Promise Land just like the inspiring journey of the children of Israel in the Bible.
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.
Moving forward, this year 2021, my projections are 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.
The aforementioned will not be achieved without hard work and cooperation, therefore 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.
Finally, I call 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.
I hereby appeal 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.
I wish ALL MUSICIANS in Nigeria the Very Best of 2021, our Year of Liberation and Blessings.
Pretty Okafor
National President.
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