Okoroji

Funsho Arogundade.

All arrangements have been concluded as Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, to host the Nigerian Digital Music Summit.

The summit which will hold on 28 and 29 September at the Convention Center, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, is in collaboration with Growth & Employment Projects (GEM) Nigeria and supported by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment.

The summit will be funded by the World Bank and the United Kingdom’s Department of International Development (DFID). With the theme “Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment”, the summit, according to Chief Tony Okoroji, COSON Chairman, will provide an opportunity for key players in the production and distribution of music in the digital era in Nigeria to engage with copyright experts to determine the basic rules of engagement in the digital environment in order to ensure that every person or organization in the value chain can get a fair deal, a condition necessary for stability and growth of the music industry.

Also, stakeholders and international music industry experts from different parts of the world are billed to speak at the summit and share knowledge with key stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry. Most of the experts expected to arrive Nigeria this weekend ahead of the summit will also work with the industry to optimize income and investments.

Key players in the Nigerian music industry participating at the Summit include Audu Maikori, President, Chocolate City Group; MI Abaga, Chocolate City CEO; Obi Asika of Storm 360; Sound Sultan and Baba Dee of Naija Ninja; Banky W, music star and CEO; EME; and Kenny Ogungbe of Kennis Music.

Chinedu Chukwuji, Chief Executive Officer, COSON said his organisation look forward to the Summit with great excitement. “The ‘T’s have been crossed and the ‘I’s dotted. We are ready for the redefining of the music business in Nigeria. We are certain that the aftermath of the Nigerian Digital Music Summit will be increase in investments in the Nigerian music industry because with the proper framework in place; there will be increased return on investment,” Chukwuji assured.

He added: “Nigerian music is such a big deal internationally, our music is one of our greatest exports as a nation and it is in our best interest that this translates to wealth for the creators. We must cut our losses to the barest minimum for the preservation of our industry. COSON continues to champion the cause for better remuneration for music creators in Nigeria in line with international best practices.”