Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) on Wednesday said that it would collaborate with stakeholders in Nigerian music industry to mark the 2017 No Music Day on Sept 1.
The Chairman of COSON, Mr Tony Okoroji said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
This year’s event theme is: ‘‘Music for National Stability’’.
“Every year, in marking ‘No Music Day’, our objective has been to engage the Nigerian people and the various governments on the contributions of Nigerian music to the socio-economic development.
“It is a day the music industry has dedicated to bringing the attention of the Nigerian nation to the widespread infringement of the rights of stakeholders in the music industry.
‘‘The event will among other vital things, activate a forceful campaign against hate speech in Nigeria, which is threatening ethnic harmony and peace in the country.
“It is also meant to enhance the vigorous promotion of the Nigerian Music Industry to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s GDP,’’ he said.
Okorocha said that the “No Music Day” 2017 celebration was aimed at building significant public awareness and support for the new national fight against piracy and undermining investments in Nigerian creative industry.
He said that the day would also be used to emphasis the necessity to fully deploy the substantial comparative advantage, which Nigeria possessed in its fast growing music industry.
“I have no doubt that if the right environment is created in Nigeria, the enormous creative energy exhibited by our young people will be released to the amazement of the world.
“I urge the media and Nigerians to cooperate with COSON to mark the day for its essence to be realised.
“I hope that this coalition will receive the support of everyone to unleash the creative ingenuity of our people and create a better tomorrow for Nigerian children,” Okoroji urged.
According to him, in commemoration of “No Music Day”, broadcast stations have been requested not to broadcast music from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. on that day.
He said that stations were asked to dedicate the time belt to the broadcast of interviews, documentaries, debates and discussions that focused on the rights of creative people.
Newspapers and magazines across the country are also requested to publish special features on these issues.
The “No Music Day” of COSON, which has become an annual event, started in 2009 in Lagos by a group of Nigerian artistes.
The day was marked with rallies and a weeklong hunger strike, to protest the cruel abuse of the rights of artistes in Nigeria.
In commemorating the day, the public is requested to tune into different domestic radio and television stations on Sept. 1, to engage members of COSON and other music industry stakeholders.
