Yinka Olatunbosun
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is halting piracy in its tracks with the new measure to check the illegal download, sales and distribution of works by its members. To this end, a compulsory bar-coding system of all musical and film works released in Nigeria has commenced. Although the official date is yet to be announced as at press time, the initiative is designed to protect the works, creators, investors and ultimately, help in determining the contribution of music into the annual GDP.
That was one of the highlights of the recently held meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of PMAN in Lagos where members from 24 states were present to deliberate on sundry issues before the association.
As part of the association’s collective vision of reforming and repositioning the Nigerian Music industry, the new anti-piracy strategy has been adopted after a series of negotiations and discussions between PMAN and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture as well as the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC). This bar-coding will provide a framework for holistic anti-piracy drive against the backdrop of identifying piracy as an economic crime.
PMAN is also concerned about some unscrupulous members of its association who are parading themselves as members and officials of the association, warning them to desist from such practice.“Julietta Ofuyeta is our chapter chairman in the F.C.T. while Zubby Enebeli is in charge of Delta State. In Rivers State, Muma Gee is the authentic chairperson while Chiaka Banton is our man in Akwa Ibom state respectively,’’ the PMAN Secretary General, Kenny George declared.
From all indications, a National Delegates conference will be convened on October 4, where fresh elections into various offices of PMAN will take place.
In addition, the PMAN President, Pretty Okafor commended the Nigeria Police for its efforts at pursuing and investigating petitions filed against those who are involved in the illegal claim of landed properties belonging to the association. PMAN urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book in line with the present administration fight against corruption.
A disciplinary committee for the association will soon be inaugurated to check the activities of members who may have committed one form of anti-union activity or the other while meting out the appropriate sanctions against such ones.
