Emeka Mba to Receive Coson’s Copyright Medal of Honour

The Director – General National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba, will on May 20 in Lagos be decorated with the Copyright Medal of Honour. The decoration will take place at the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the approval of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings which event takes place at Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Mr. Mba was unanimously chosen by the COSON Board because of the historic role played by him and his commission in resolving the over four decade raging dispute between the music and broadcasting industries in Nigeria over the payment of music copyright royalties.

The Copyright Medal of Honour is the highest recognition that the music industry can give to any individual in acknowledgment of that person’s significant contribution to the promotion and defence of the rights of creative people in Nigeria.

Speaking on the award to Mr. Mba, the renowned Intellectual Property activist and Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, said, “Mr. Emeka Mba has shown that he is a square peg in a square hole. Where others have been afraid to try, he has moved on with courage and made a huge difference. Mr. Mba has displayed a full understanding of how the respect for intellectual property rights can have very strong positive impact on Nigeria’s broadcasting, the nation’s economy and our social well-being”

Continuing, the former president of PMAN said, ‘There was no disagreement whatsoever when Mr. Mba’s name was put forward for this honour. He has shown by words and deed that he gets it. He understands that every worker is entitled to his wage whether they are government officials, brick layers or artistes and proved that he is willing to take every necessary step to ensure the protection of the rights of creative people in Nigeria”.

COSON General Manager, Mr Chinedu Chukwuji says that all hands are on deck to make sure that the COSON 5th Anniversary is a truly memorable event.

The presentation to Mr. Mba of the Copyright Medal of Honour will be witnessed by top names in the music, movies and broadcasting industries across Nigeria.