Broadcasting

COSON Calls for Removal of Jijiwa, VON Boss over Threat

Published

12 years ago

November 17, 2013

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Board of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has demanded for the removal of Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, director general of Voice of Nigeria (VON) over the recent threat by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) to ban the broadcast of music of Nigerian artistes on Nigerian radio and TV stations.

The board which rose from a meeting in Lagos reassured all members and affiliates of COSON that Nigeria is not a banana republic and that no one can stop them from being heard in their country.

Present at the meeting which held at the board room of COSON in Opebi were Mr. Obi Asika of Storm 360, Mr. Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Music, Mr. Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, Mr. Banky Wellington (Banky W) of Empire Mates Entertainment, Mr. Dare Fasasi (Baba Dee) of Naija Ninja Entertainment and Ms. Azeezat Allen of More Money Music.

Also, present at the meeting presided over by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, were Hon. John Ewelukwa Udegbunam, National President, Music Label Owners & Recording Industries Association of Nigeria, Mr. Joel Ajayi of Gospel Choral Records and COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji.

They reiterated the commitment of the society to using the instruments of the law to fully defend the rights of creative people in Nigeria and to promote the Nigerian nation to the world.

Saying that COSON will not be intimidated and will never act outside the law, it declared that COSON will work night and day, without fear or favour, to continue to promote the spirit of the COSON slogan, ‘Let the music pay!’ and that COSON will not relent in its effort to ensuring that musicians walk tall in Nigeria and earn a decent living for their work.

On the repeated BON broadcasts that COSON has been engaged in incessant and continuous harassment, intimidation, blackmail and attack on broadcasting stations over un-negotiated payment of licensing fees, the Board directed that COSON solicitors be instructed to demand an immediate retraction of the blatantly false and unfounded broadcast aimed at tarnishing the image of COSON, from Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria and Chairman of BON, failing which legal action should be commenced against Malam Jijiwa.

The Board recalled its earlier request upon the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate how the leadership of BON led by a paid employee of the Federal Government, Jijiwa, is taking active steps to truncate the criminal trial of the unapproved MCSN and six of its officials which trial is being conducted by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), an agency of the Federal Government.

The COSON Board decided that the time has come to ask Jijiwa to step aside as Director General of VON as his open affront on the policies and decisions of the government paying his salaries are baffling and inexplicable and the fire he is allowing himself to be used to stoke can lead to consequences that the Nigerian nation will regret.

The board also reassured all public and commercial users of music in Nigeria that they have nothing to fear from COSON as long as they take the necessary steps to pay royalties for the music used in their operations just as it reminded the public that COSON does not have the power to impose a tariff on anyone and asked everyone who may disagree with any tariff issued by COSON to apply to NCC to set up a panel to review such tariff in accordance with the provisions in the Copyright (Collective Management Organization) Regulations, 2007.

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Broadcasting

NIMC rolls out Pre-Enrolment Portal for seamless NIN registration

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Ugo Onwuaso

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National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.

NIMC

Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.

NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.

Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]

The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.

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Broadcasting

MultiChoice Talent Factory Calls for Entries Into Fully Funded Film Training Programme

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2025

Ugo Onwuaso

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MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.

MultiChoice

The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.

According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.

MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.

Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.

Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.

Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.

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Broadcasting

Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos

Published

6 days ago

December 15, 2025

Ugo Onwuaso

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Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards

This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.

The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.

The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.

Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.

– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.

– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom

– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO

– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.

Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.

In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.

“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.

“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.

The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.

“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”

Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE