No Retreat, No Surrender As Nigerian Music Industry Celebrates 'No Music Day' On September 1

 

The leadership of Nigerian Music Industry Coalition which is a coalition of the key national associations in the Nigerian music industry has said there will be 'No Retreat, No Surrender' in its fight against the massive abusive of the rights of Nigerian musicians and stakeholders in the music industry. The coalition made the call during the unveiling of the activities of this year's 'No Music Day'; an event which is held on September 1 of every year to focus attention on the widespread infringement of the rights of composers, song writers, performers, music publishers and other stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry.

Speaking to a cross section of Nigerian journalists in the coalition's headquarters in Lagos on Monday of this week, Secretary of Association of Music Business Professionals (AM.B-Pro), a member of the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition, Mr. Efe Omorogbe said, "Music is our business, we will protect it with everything we have. We will not let anyone or any organization destroy all that we have labored so hard to build. This is the focus of "No Music Day'. The theme of this year's celebration is "Keep the Music Alive" and this is a call to the government of our great nation, Nigeria and to all lovers of good music to join the Nigerian music industry in solidarity to put an end to the blatant abuse of our rights which in itself is a threat to creativity."

As part of activities of 'No Music Day 2013', the coalition as usual has requested all broadcast stations and the major users of music across the country not to broadcast music between the hours of 8am-10am on Sunday September 1, 2013 as a mark of solidarity with the nation's creative industry being devastated by massive copyright infringement. All stations sympathetic to the plight of the music industry are being requested to dedicate the time belt to interviews, documentaries, debates and discussions that focus on the rights of creative people and the state of intellectual property rights in Africa's most populous nation. Newspapers and magazines are also being encouraged to do special features on the industry to mark the day.

Also, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) will host an "Open House" on September 1, 2013 at the society's headquarters in Opebi for journalists who may wish to update themselves with the activities of the Nigerian Music Industry. Various officers and top members of the society will be on hand to interact with journalists and grant interviews.

Speaking on 'No Music Day', Engr. Sharon Wilson, President of Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN) said, 'No Music Day is a day the music industry in Nigeria comes together to say enough is enough to the incessant abuse of our rights. It is a day we put all our energies to call the attention of the Nigerian government and all lovers of music to support the music that makes them happy. For too long, musicians in Nigeria have been deprived of their rights but we are glad that with the advent of COSON, things are beginning to look up and there will be no stopping us until we get to the place of our dreams'.

Also speaking on No Music Day, 2013, President of Music Label Owners & Recording Industries Association of Nigeria (MORAN), Hon. John E. Udegbunam said, "No Music Day for us at MORAN is an important one. It is our strong desire to see our music industry function the way it should and we will remain committed to the objectives of No Music Day. We appeal to all who use our music in their businesses to 'Keep the Music Alive' by obtaining the appropriate license from COSON for the music they use."

It will be recalled that the first 'No Music Day' was held on September 1, 2009 bringing to an end the one week hunger strike campaign embarked upon by Nigerian artistes from across the country in condemnation of the abuse of their rights.  SOURCE