- Says The Creative Industry Is Over New OIL
The Coson House, Opebi Allen, Ikeja held its 2nd major event since its launch earlier this year. The Copyright Society of Nigeria, few days ago, on the 15th of July, 2017 hosted the Minister of Information and Culture of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at its Coson Hall where a number of dignitaries were present to witness the event.
The event started with the Minister been put on a tour of the building and its departments led by the Chairman of the Institution, Tony Okoroji before everyone settled for a seat at the Coson Hall. The event kicked off with veteran singer, Azeezat, giving a rendition of the National Anthem, which she did in a soulful way. No wonder they donned her Nigeria’s Queen of Love.
With a big screen display of a video playback of Coson’s achievement over the past 7 years and an overview of their staff activities and roles, it was finally time to get into the business of the day.
The Honorable Minister of Information and Culture took to the podium and started his speech by appreciating Coson and members of the creative industry present for having him around.
His first remark was that Coson needed more marketing and publicity because they have overachieved and still remain unheard.
He further went on to talk on how the Nigerian economy had always relented on Oil as its source of main revenue and further pointed out that one day, Oil might dry and the nation would need to drift to a new source of revenue.
“The creative industry is our new oil. It is the only oil that would not dry up because it is imbedded in the brain of our creatives and not in the ground” he said
He also addressed that music made by Nigerians outside Nigeria and brought to Nigeria to be consumed would soon be stopped as this is a means to help increase the use of Nigeria amenities to boost our own industry and economy rather than boosting that of a foreign land.
He ended his speech by assuring guests present that the government would continue to work hard to make sure that the creative industry gets all the required support they need to perform better.
The minister was ushered back to his seat with a resounding round of applause after his speech. Koffi the Guru was called upon to represent the guests in asking just one question and he started off in his usual blunt and frank but funny way, but got straight to the question all the same. He asked the Minister if the government would ever take a bold step in investing majorly in the creative industry rather than the project funds they usually pass out.
“Government should empower us, they should milk us, for if they see milk in us, they would invest in us” he emphasized.
Another highlight of the event was the Coson Roll Of Honor. The Roll of Honor was carried out in a dramatic scene with two hefty men carrying the big Coson book over their shoulder to the stage and dropping it on the table where the Minister was invited to seat before the book on the table and sign his name into the book alongside his thumbprint. This made the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed the first minister to be entered into the Coson Roll of Honor.
The event was brought to an end with a closed session by the board members of the Copyright Society of Nigeria present with the Minister of information in the buildings boardroom while guests networked and some bade farewell.
Some prominent guests present were Co-founder of Cabal Entertainment, Obi Asika, Publisher of Encomium Magazine – Kunle Bakare, Veteran Reggae Musician – Majeek Fashek, Media Expert – Tajudeen Adepetu, Charles Enebeli (Father of Mavin Boss, Don Jazzy), Music acts – Blackface, YQ and Malaika, Veteran Movie Producer/Director – Patrick Doyle, Ace Manager, Efe Omorege amongst others….
