Four years after he made his NECLive debut, Nigerian pop star and businessman D’Banj will return to the conference on April 20, 2016as a lead speaker.
The former Mo’Hits partner, who’s now a musician cum businessman, has seen his career structure evolve in recent times, as he moves around the world making pitches and sealing deals as the CEO of self-found DKM media. But he’s also making records and fronting gigs, with a fan base that remains impressive, for someone who’s been active for almost 13 years.
His debut as a NECLive speaker, according to founder Ayeni Adekunle, will cover his music sphere and more, especially his dreams and ideas for transforming the Nigerian music industry using a model he plans to demonstrate.
It’s the first time, in a career that took flight in 2004, that the 35 year-old act will deliver a major keynote address at a major conference here. D’Banj joins other superstars like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, 2face Idibia, Davido, Joke Silva and M.I who have presented excellent ‘papers’ at the annual conference event.
‘I’m looking forward to NEClive’, D’banj says, promising ‘a very major announcement and ‘case studies I’ve never shared anywhere else’. The conference will highlight efforts by individual organizations and sector groups to support the economy through the entertainment industry.
Nigeria is currently ranked as the largest economy in Africa surpassing South Africa following the rebasing exercise of 2013 which according to analysts at Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management & Research Co. recorded a leap of 89%, increasing to c.$509.97 billion (~=N=80.22 trillion) from c.$272.21billion (~=N=42.40trillion) and an improvement in GDP Per Capita.
In a similar report, contributions by arts, entertainment and recreation economic activities increased to 0.24% Year-on-Year (YoY) in first quarter (1Q2015) from 0.21% in 1Q2014.
Nigerian Entertainment Conference, now in its fourth year, holds at Landmark Events Centre, in Lagos, on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The event, which has become the umbrella conference for Nigeria’s entertainment industry, is the marketplace of ideas, products and services for everyone working in Nollywood, music, fashion, comedy, media, technology and many allied industries. This year’s theme, organizers say, is ‘Entertainment Industry as ‘Last Hope’ for Africa’s largest economy’.
On Friday 6 November at Freedom Park, Lagos, several prominent personalities from the Nigerian creative industry including Programme Chair, Committee for Relevant Arts, Jahman Anikulapo, Wazobia FM OAP Steve “Yaw’ Onu, Writer and publisher Toni Kan, and Programmes Director, Beat FM, Olisa Adibua gathered for the inaugural NECLive Series conference entitled “Bridging Pathways To The Creative Industry Of Our Dreams”.
Organised by NET, the NECLive Series conference featured panel discussions on the topics “Protecting Intellectual Property” and “Bridging Pathways To The Creative Industry of Our Dreams.” Also Ace photographer, Sola Animashaun, anchored a master class titled ‘Power of Photography – Pictures in A New Age’
Other personalities in attendance included Founder, Olori Supergal.com, Tosin AJibade, Entertainment Editor, The Nation Newspaper Victor Akande, Director General, and National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC) Mrs. Dayo Keshi, GM, Five Star Music, Soso Soberekon and Programmes Director, City 105.1 FM, Gbemileke “Oscar” Oyinsan amongst others.
Giving his thoughts on the day’s events, NET publisher and conference convener Ayeni Adekunle remarked,
“The process of creating an organized and sustainable creative industry is a unavoidably long one. An industry, which has existed in chaos for such a long time, will not transform itself overnight and this is where the NECLive Series conference is very important. Once a year we gather for the main conference, but these regular mini conferences give us the opportunity to bring more ideas to the table and engage in a robust debate that cannot be had in just one day.
The conversations we have had here today along with the many conversations we have had and will continue to have, will form the basis for the structure of the new Nigerian creative industry that we want to build. I am very happy at the turnout and I enjoin all the participants and everyone present to take these discussions to heart and begin implementing the resolutions wherever we may have a chance to.”
Convened annually since 2013 by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the industry’s leading content platform, NECLive serves as a platform for discussing challenges, exchanging ideas and setting the agenda for the entertainment industry in Nigeria. NECLive Series is a spin-off from the broader conference, which held in April 2015.
Indeed, the Nigerian entertainment industry has exploded in recent times. The hyper activity on the scene has, no doubt, upstaged the days of yore when local TV and radio stations feed the public with foreign contents, especially from the United States.
You recall days when the craze for foreign songs, which most of us barely understood the lyrics or even make any sense out of them, were in vogue?
Those days when Indian and Chinese movies, even without subtitles, kept many on the edge of their seats? Days are gone when you went to night clubs and danced to American beats from dusk till dawn without complaining; the era when Shaba Ranks, Patra, Buster Rhymes, Chakademus & Pliers, 2Pac, Shagy and the likes ruled the country’s music industry.
Then, it was like a taboo to play a Nigerian song or video on air; Nigerian movies were ‘no, no.’ In fact, a radio station was even so audacious that time, as to decree that no Nigerian music, except Fela, would grace its air.
Today, things have changed; Nigerian songs are making waves all over the world, with the artistes winning international awards for their works. Nollywood, on the other hand, has become a phenomenon across the globe, to the extent that American superstars have seen reasons to collaborate with our people.
Today, comedy has become a major part of events, with hundreds of young Nigerians earning a living from just making people laugh. Unlike in the past, the youths are proud to introduce themselves in public as professional dancers today.
Don’t forget the cinematographers, sound engineers, producers, directors, make-up artistes, set designers and others on the fringes, making a living from the industry; that’s how far the entertainment industry has gone. But critically studied, the industry is yet to go full circle in terms of achieving its full potential.
Largely, lack of proper structure and funding has remained a stumbling block to the sector that has the capacity of impacting the economy positively.
Vanessa Obioha reports Nigerian artistes may not be about outward show only, and that some of them should be reckoned with in their brainpower
Alot of in-betweens happened at the recently held Nigeria Entertainment Conference (NEC). Sparks flew in every direction, voices were raised in anger, concerns expressed in desperate ripples and spat resolved, shocking revelations made, but above all, knowledge was shared. That is what the conference was all about-to share knowledge that will benefit the stakeholders and practitioners, as well as, budding artistes in the entertainment industry.
Expectedly, a teeming crowd converged at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Oceanview Marquee for the conference. As early as 8:00am, guests were already at the venue for accreditation. Although, the right venue was not appropriately conveyed, guests still found their way to the marquee which was aesthetically transformed to suit the event. On the white walls of the marquee were portraits of the panelists and speakers. The main stage was illuminated by the white backdrop of the conference logo. Two big screens were positioned on both sides of the stage to enable participants view the drama on stage. Lush white seats were provided for those who couldn’t make it to the main hall to view the event, given that it was an informal ambience, a refreshing novelty away from the strict and formal setting of a conference. Perhaps, it was a deliberate set-up by the organisers since the conference revolves around the entertainment industry. The camaraderie was infectious as friends hugged themselves, back slapped and issued shouts of surprise. For the budding artistes and entertainers, it was the perfect environment to hobnob with favourite celebrities and take selfies.
However, the Oceanview Marquee was a wrong choice to host the event as it was not spacious enough to accommodate all. Perhaps, the organisers should have stuck to its previous venue, the Convention Centre which boasts of more space. Eager participants had to struggle for space with exhibitors who came to showcase their products and services. For those who could not find a seat in the hall, big screens were situated at the back of the hall, displaying all the action on the main stage. But not all were comfortable watching the show on a screen when the action was next door. A large number of guests preferred to stand at the back of the hall for that eye-witness experience. The gathering was also a premium opportunity for people to network and at the same time, learn more about products and services that were on exhibition. For instance, many encountered Enplug Africa, a social media technology company that started in Nigeria last October, for the first time. The company displayed a public computing platform which is a unique digital signage software that enables brands to engage their audience through streaming of live feeds from various social media platforms. It pushes content real-time and gives the brand a visible presence in the social media.
The 3rdNigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive 3) held on Wednesday April 22, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The annual event which is organised by NET Newspaper brings together different stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry to discuss mutual challenges and partnerships and to set agenda for the year ahead.
The event had in attendance entertainment personalities and professionals such as Davido,Joke Silva, eLDee, Ali Baba, MI Abaga, Ice Prince & the entire Chocolate City team,Mo Abudu, Wunmi Obe, Shizzi, Jason Njoku, Shina Peller, Chioma Ude, Mai Atafo,Yetunde Babaeko amongst others.
On Wednesday April 22, 2015 at the third edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) holding at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, a number of respected contributors to Nigerian show business will be awarded NET Honours in recognition of their efforts in the promotion and development of Nigerian entertainment.
The NET Honours are awarded annually at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, which is organized by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the premier Nigerian entertainment industry media platform. They recognize media and entertainment personalities for their contribution to the growth and development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, which cuts across music, film, fashion, comedy, art & design, media & broadcasting and branding.
Past winners of NET Honours include music icon Onyeka Onwenu, Nollywood legend Jide Kosoko, street music pioneer, Daddy Showkey, Gospel legend, Ebenezer Obey, Media mogul Ayo Animashaun, distinguished moviemaker, Zeb Ejiro and music executive Obi Asika. Others are Don Jazzy, D’Banj, Laolu Akins, Amaka Igwe, OJB Jezreel, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Sunny Okosuns, Adebayo Salami,Sunday Omobolanle and Tajuddeen Adepetu.
The prominent Nigerian entertainment personalities who will receive NET Honours this year for their contribution to the advancement of their respective field include iconic OAP J.A.J, respected broadcaster and music critic, Benson Idonije, award winning music producer Cobhams Asuquo, media executive Alex Okosi, NBC DG Emeka Mba and respected entertainment writer Jahman Anikulapo.
Others are popular Yoruba movie actor Tajudeen Oyewole (Abija), Corporate Pictures CEO Razak Abdullahi, legendary actor and musician Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala), filmmaker Lere Paimo, Music icon (Lagbaja), Galaxy TV CEO Steve Ojo, renowned poet and actor, Adebayo Faleti and COSON Board chairman Tony Okoroji.
Chris Ihidero, chairman of the NET Editorial Board describes the NET Honours as a small token of appreciation for the immense contributions made by the awardees to the evolution of Nigerian entertainment as a business and as a culture.
In his words, “Few things define the culture of a country so closely as its entertainment culture. The overall culture of a country closely mirrors that of its entertainment industry and the positive contributions they have made are contributions, not just to entertainment, but also to national development.”
The Nigerian Entertainment Conference is the premier forum for entertainment industry discussions and agenda setting in Nigeria. The third edition of the annual conference tagged “Buying And Selling Nigerian Entertainment…And Everything In Between” will feature addresses and panel sessions involving prominent Nigerian show business personalities such as Davido, Shizzi, Bez Idakula, Linus Idahosa, Shina Peller, Tunde Laoye, Mai Atafo, Yetunde Babeko, AY, Wunmi Obe, Innocent Uba, George Thorpe and Jason Njoku.
Profiles Of NET Honours Recipients
Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson
Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson aka JAJ has had over 36 years of experience as a broadcaster. He has become one of Nigeria’s biggest broadcasting personalities and he has been instrumental to the growth of Rhythm 93.7 FM. JAJ’s consistently high standards and longevity have contributed in no small way to the growth of private radio and TV broadcasting in Nigeria.
Mr Benson Idonije
Benson Idonije is an iconic broadcaster, journalist, music producer and artist manager. At 78 years of age, with over 57 years in the industry in which time he has worked with legends like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, he continues to participate actively in the industry without showing any sign of letting up.
Cobhams Asuquo
One of Nigeria’s most successful song music producers ever, Cobhams Asuquo has achieved local and international acclaim. He is currently the CEO and Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions) and he is signed on to Sony ATV (Sony Publishing) London as a songwriter. Cobhams is living evidence of the human ability to surmount any kind of challenge and achieve success against all odds.
Abija
Tajudeen Oyewole aka Abija is one of the Nollywood’s most successful Yoruba actors. He is also a successful movie producer with titles such as Aji Perin, Ija Eleye, Omo Eleye and Orikunkun under his belt amongst others. With over 40 years of work under his belt in the Nigerian film industry, Abija still maintains his high level of output and creativity and does not look like quitting anytime soon.
Razak Abdullahi
Razak Abduallahi is the CEO of Corporate Pictures, one of the country’s top movie and music marketing firms. Razak Abdullahi’s efforts in marketing Nigerian movies and making Nollywood a profitable business model have contributed greatly to the success of the Nigerian film industry.
Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala)
One of the fathers of modern Nigerian comedy, Moses Olaiya has contributed immensely to the success of the Nigerian movie industry as an actor and a producer. He is also a huge contributor to the evolution and growth of Nigerian music. Moses Olaiya is a genuine living legend of Nigerian entertainment.
Alex Okosi
Alex Okosi is a media executive responsible for the launch of the pan-African MTV channel MTV Base in February 2005. This platform now gives African artistes a global audience of more than 100 million. He is also the creative force behind the MTV Africa Music Awards, another massive international platform for African artists to enhance their profile and status.
Lere Paimo
As a film actor, film-maker, producer and director, Lere Paimo has featured in, produced and directed several Nigerian films over the years. He has been awarded an MFR in recognition of his immense contributions to the Nigerian film industry, and till date he continues to make use of his experience and knowledge to contribute to the development of the industry.
Emeka Mba
Emeka Nkem Mba is the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and a highly respected veteran with over 23 years of experience in the industry. As DG of the NFVCB, he has carried out trailblazing work in reforming the Nigerian film industry and he was also instrumental to the launch of Africa’s first satellite movie channel Africa Magic which has given Nollywood a truly global platform.
Jahman Anikulapo
Jahman Anikulapo is a respected entertainment writer, Arts critic and journalist. He has presented Nigerian films to large international audiences at the Milan African Film Festival and French African Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, where he also served on the international jury. He is also on the board of the West African Documentary Film Forum, conveners of the yearly Real Life Film Festival in Ghana. He has continuously striven to promote the Nigerian movie industry.
Lagbaja
Afrobeat musician, Bisade Ologunde aka Lagbaja is one of Nigeria’s most successful and internationally recognized artistes. He has regularly used his clout to push for the interests of the Nigerian entertainment industry and his success in promoting indigenous African music to the African and global audience was key to the resurgence of the Nigerian music industry.
Tony Okoroji
Chief Okoroji is Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Board and he has been at the forefront of efforts to review Nigeria’s copyright laws. As one of Nigeria’s most respected authorities on Intellectual Property, he has consistently fought to promote the interests of Nigerian copyright holders in the entertainment industry.
Steve Ojo
Steve Ojo has been involved in broadcasting for 49 years. He later set up the first production company in Nigeria, supporting government stations with production and post-production services. As the founder and CEO of Galaxy TV, he continues to work to advance the interests of private broadcasting in Nigeria.
Adebayo Faleti
Adebayo Faleti is one of Nigeria’s entertainment pioneers with a career stretching back over five decades in poetry, acting, writing and broadcasting. One of Nigeria’s most celebrated Yoruba playwrights, he is also a successful Yoruba movie producer and one of the most respected exponents of the indigenous language creative sector.
The conference holds on Wednesday, April 22nd at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos and will feature exhibitions, deliberations, workshops and masterclasses.
Here are some of the speakers that you can expect at the conference this year:
The third edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference is set to feature addresses and panel sessions by leading lights of Nigeria’s entertainment scene such as Davido, Bez Idakula, Wunmi Obe, Kemi Lala-Akindoju, Ini Edo and MI Abaga.
The annual conference, which is billed to hold on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos is themed “Buying And Selling Nigerian Entertainment…And Everything In Between”. Leaders in Media, Fashion, Music, Film, Hospitality, Art & Design, IT and Corporate Branding will exchange ideas and discuss mutual challenges through a series of panel sessions and addresses.
Among those confirmed to be speaking at NECLive 3 are BET Award winner Davido, MD, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Alex Okosi, Vice President, Corporate Brand and Strategy Communications, Dunn Loren Merrifield Group, Henry Ekechukwu, music producer Shizzi, Chocolate City rap artiste MI Abaga and NET publisher and conference convener Ayeni Adekunle.
Other speakers include actress Joke Silva, veteran rapper eLDee, EbonyLife TV CEO, Mo Abudu, Marketing expert George Thorpe, Iroko TV boss, Jason Njoku and UBA Pacific Music Limited boss, Innocent Uba.
Panelists on board include MD, The Quadrant Company, Bolaji Okusaga, CEO, Del-York International, Linus Idahosa, owner of Oracle Experience, Felix King, Ventra Media Group boss Daryn Wober, Quilox Club owner Shina Peller, CEO, AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, fashion designer, Mai Atafo, comedian AY, and photographer Yetunde Babaeko amongst others.
Also joining the lineup are Nigerian Breweries Senior Marketing Manager Tokunbo Adodo, Lawyer Tunde Laoye and Total Consult CEO Theo Lawson.
The Nigerian Entertainment Conference is an annual event convened by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), Nigeria’s leading entertainment industry print and online medium. Since its inception in 2013, the conference has become the premier forum for Nigerian entertainment industry discussions and agenda setting, with notable addresses from influential personalities like 2Face Idibia, Omotal Jalade-Ekeinde and Frank Nweke Jnr.
You can register for NECLive 3 here and you can join the conversation on social media using the hash tag #NECLive3
– Mo Abudu, Davido, Joke Silva, M.I, Jason Njoku, George Thorpe, others to speak
The third edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference will hold in Lagos, Nigeria on Wednesday April 22, according to a statement issued today, by organisers NET Newspaper.
The umbrella conference for the Nigerian entertainment sector which debuted in 2013 will see everyone come together again at Eko Hotels in Lagos, for a full day of deliberations, workshops, exhibitions and master-classes.
Past editions have featured renowned celebs including 2face Idibia, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Amaka Igwe, Kenny Ogungbe, Jimmy JATT, Basketmouth, M.I, Don Jazzy, Kunle Afolayan, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Lagbaja, Tony Okoroji, Audu Maikori, D’banj and Ali Baba; as well as respected executives like Aina Kushoro, Emeka Mba, Chris Ubosi, Ayo Animashaun, Olisa Adibua, Colette Otusheso, Steve Babaeko, Ifeoma Williams, Efe Omorogbe, Frank Nweke, Gab Okoye, and Prof. Pat Utomi.
Speakers and facilitators for this year include acclaimed Nigerian actress and trainer Joke Silva, BET and MTV award winning pop star Davido, Afrinolly’s Chike Maduegbuna, founder and CEO of Ebony Life TV Mo Abudu, IT entrepreneur Chika Nwobi, rapper and business executive M.I Abaga, iROKO TV founder Jason Njoku, music distributor Uba Pacific, media administrator Deji Awokoya, marketing icon George Thorpe, entrepreneur Ayo Makun, founder of NotJustOk Demola Ogundele and Quilox chairmanShina Peller.
Session moderators include Bukky Sawyerr-Izeogu (Classic FM), Zainab Balogun (Ebony Life), Osagie Alonge (Pulse), Oreka Godis, Dayo Odulaja (NET), Olamide Adedeji (Soundcity), Ehiz Okoeguale (MTV Base) and others. The event will be hosted by Tee A for the third year running.
This year’s conference, according to NEC founder Ayeni Adekunle is themed: ‘BUYING AND SELLING NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN.
‘We’re moving the conversation beyond rhetoric this year, and actually providing a platform for individuals and companies doing great stuff to come and show the world what we’re about’.
This year’s sessions will be more about what practitioners have done in the past years, using case studies to deliver presentations everyone can learn from.
All sessions and exhibits will also be accompanied by master-classes by the visionaries plotting the future of the industry.
The conference will hold at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Wednesday April 22.
Confirmed partners for this year include MTV Base, Beat FM, Classic FM, Hip TV, Ebony Life, AV Edge, TNS, ID Africa, EDS, Top Radio, X3M Ideas, and F316.
This year’s conference will mark the fifth anniversary of the debut of Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) newspaper.
The second edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NEC) held on Wednesday 23rd April 2014 at the Grand Ball Room of the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos – Nigeria with the theme ‘Creating Pathways to the Future’.
In attendance at the one-day conference were session speakers, panelists, stakeholders and enthusiasts of the Nigerian entertainment industry. Plenary sessions at the second edition of NEC 2014 included Music, Nollywood, Business, Media, Information Technology (IT) and Social Responsibility.
The conference began with confirmation of registered delegates and Ayeni Adekunle – Chairman of Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NEC) delivered a notable welcome address calling for holistic review of problems challenging the entertainment industry in Nigeria. The conference hoped to identify pathways to move the industry forward by creating pathways to the future.
KEY SPEAKERS AT SESSIONS OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDED:
Professor Pat Utomi who spoke on ‘SOLVING THE DISTRIBUTION PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL’ highlighted the need for stakeholders to embrace relevant structures leading to the effective distribution of property created by the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Multi-award winning musician 2face Idibia gave a trajectory presentation for the support by the industry to make collective rights management succeed in Nigeria. His paper was titled, ‘SLAYING THE COLLECTIVE RIGHTS MONSTER’ and it was presented during the session on Music.
Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Emeka Mba led conversations during the Nollywood session with his paper on ‘BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE NOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY’. He pointed out that the role of digital revolution taking over the global film industry is bringing about a paradigm shift. Therefore, practitioners must recognize that ‘the old order in Nollywood is fast changing’.
The Social Responsibility session graced a collection of personalities, celebrities and social service advocates. International humanitarian ambassador and actress, Omotola Jalade- Ekeinde initiated discuss for that session with her talk titled- ‘WHY WE SHOULD CARE’. She emphasised on the need for discipline by stakeholders in the entertainment industry.
Others included conversations around Information Technology – ‘Using IT for intervention’ and the Media session, which focused on ‘whose content is it anyway?’ The sessions all had experienced team of panellists.
THE 2014 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTED THE FOLLOWING AS CONTAINED IN A POSITION PAPER RELEASED BY NEC:
The Nigerian entertainment industry is grossly impoverished and will continue to be in very bad shape if pertinent issues are not properly identified and promptly resolved.
A fundamental challenge in the industry is lack of established structures that will assist with full exploitation of potentials the industry has to offer both developed and emerging markets.
Piracy remains at the fore of issues seeking urgent attention to put the Nigerian entertainment industry in proper perspective. Pirated copies of works produced by artistes, filmmakers and authors will continue to glisten freely on streets of the country without caution as the enforcement of piracy act remains weak. Nigeria could be losing more than USD$2billion to piracy every year. The government and related agencies responsible for the adequate protection of intellectual property are expected to take more stringent and proactive measures.
Intellectual Property (IP) owners need to be better enlightened about their rights, IP protection laws and become actively involved in building the structure that will secure their works also making rights collection as well as remittance a fairly easy process.
Funds injected by the government to further develop the industry especially the movie sector have failed to yield the desired impact. It was identified that lack of an efficient distribution network will continue to plaque the industry. Rather, funds that are injected as support grants should be deliberately used to set up an effective distribution structure. At present, stakeholders find it very difficult to access the government funds.
The initiations of alternative distribution platforms are being created to serve the interest of both content owners and consumers of products from the Nigerian entertainment industry. However, pricing for the delivery of products ordered by consumers on these alternative distribution platforms remain debatable.
An effective distribution structure will to a large extent eliminate piracy, which is currently bedevilling the industry. The structure is about combining what works in Nigeria where consumers can make an order that has either or not been released and the entertainment content is delivered at the consumer’s convenience. It creates easy access, broader reach to consumers and guarantee product quality that is being delivered.
Creating and sustaining a distribution structure should capture essential data for every activity recorded including sales, delivery, cost and profit margins. These fundamentals are visible in a structured environment and will position the industry as accountable, making it a more viable sector. It will invariably attract investment opportunities to the industry as structured Return on Investment (ROI) will be guaranteed to stakeholders.
Nigeria’s collective rights management is in disarray and has been described as a ‘monster’ that must be slayed to attain a harmonised form of royalty payment. Right owners form a basis for the existence of content used by media houses, especially music, and royalties of every artiste must be paid. However, the Collective Management Organisation (CMO) has put the industry in a situation where the interest in royalty collection is perceived as an individual interest rather than in the industry’s interest. This perception must be corrected. This can only be done when the different bodies collaborate by setting a common goal for the good of the thriving entertainment industry in Nigeria.
World Music Day on September 1, 2009 marked the beginning of the change process for collective rights in Nigeria. For the first time, some practitioners came together to discuss future of collective rights, calling a truce among music bodies, which had hitherto not agreed on a collective process. This initiative signified the registration by Nigeria Copyrights Commission, the formal introduction of COSON in 2010, a body saddled with responsibility to collect royalties on behalf of rights owners.
It is advised that artistes and music executives/ administrators take out the time to understand processes involved with collective rights management. Lack of knowledge or poor understanding of benefits that are associated with a strong collective rights society has been bane for misinformation in the Nigerian entertainment industry. However, the collective rights management is expected to be proactive with sensitizing members of the public on its activities.
Every organisation including the broadcasting sector in use of materials or works of artistes/ talents in the Nigerian entertainment industry must fully comply with the remittance of royalties. Non-compliance or refusal by the organisations within identified sectors to pay royalties on the use of rights should be met with stringent penalties. Penalties that are enforced by the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The National Broadcasting Commission and other associated bodies should mediate in the face-off between COSON (Collective Society of Nigeria) and Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON)/ Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) – the bodies representing broadcasters. Resolving the lingering issues between these bodies will help to promote fairness and adequate protection of rights’ owners.
As matter of duty, COSON must never overlook the need to act responsibly at all times, to demonstrate the highest level of responsibility, accountability and transparency in the conduct of licensing, collection and distribution of collective rights in order to engender trust and good will of the music society and in the interest of the larger industry.
Optimism about building a world-class collective management system can be achieved, only if all stakeholders eliminate putting personal interest over the collective good and benefits to the industry.
It is important to caution that collective administration will face a tough challenge due to rapid technological advancement. The copyright system is being confronted to answer to the demands of the digital age in a manner that may render the current collective format obsolete.
Recognising the pivotal role technology and digital applications play in today’s human existence, collective rights management and every aspect of the entertainment industry should offer considerable investment in digital rights management. It is noted that survival of any structure created for the development of the Nigerian entertainment industry will depend largely on the immediate response to both digital and industry dynamics in operation.
Digital technology is democratising access to content creation and distribution. It is even making it easier for the near elimination of barriers to enter the market. The digital democracy is revolutionising the industry. It is creating an absence of industry peer review mechanisms that must be guarded against with extreme caution.
The convergence of media, technology and entertainment is reinventing a brand new industry. Convergence has brought co-creation mechanisms between content originators, creators and users who freely inject a new kind of intensity and individuality in the creative flair.
To move the Nigerian entertainment industry beyond the status quo, a focused re-orientation and new mentality is required. Experience combined with critical skills is essential for a viable and sustainable industry of the future. People in the industry must not be afraid to learn from the best global practices and earnestly avoid information hoarding.
Some practitioners are not aware of the ‘language of film’. The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, should grow beyond the use of basic narratives but have a proper understanding of cinematic codes. It would be near impossible to construct a new dimension of reality if the elements required to build a structured visual narrative is lacking.
The use of visual storytelling and employing the power of visual narratives can be used to construct a new reality for the Nigerian entertainment industry. The government of Nigeria may also capitalise on the new reality order of strong visual storytelling to rebrand the country’s image.
It is important to acknowledge the impact of technology on storytelling and content creation across multimedia platforms. Today, audience and consumers are learning to search for and engage with content in more interactive and digital ways. The interaction extends across multiple users and creates digital tribes accessing the content. Therefore, the way a story is told and received is changing.
There is an opportunity for advertisers and brand custodians to invest in creating a new storytelling experience. As content creation is changing, so are the dynamics for brand interaction with audience. Therefore a strategic synergy between both industries would positively impact on the development of the entertainment industry also boosting the economic viability of both sectors.
New markets and opportunities continue to emerge with the introduction of digital devices. These devices require more integration of content and the entertainment industry should look to position itself to provide more local content that will appeal to consumers of these products.
It means that new games, apps and entertainment content with an appeal for the consumers in various locations will be developed to take advantage of the technology. Invariably, there will always be a market and wholesome opportunities for creators and content owners to explore.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) identifies that the future is digital and is optimistic about the transition to digital broadcasting in Nigeria. NBC Director General, Emeka Mba affirms that digital broadcasting will usher audience variety and ultimate quality in television services. The industry will greatly benefit as the digital space opens up new revenue streams and redefine the existing broadcast media business models.
It is opined that television content remains more popular and continues to grow in the advanced markets such as United States and Europe. Nigeria must utilise the key skills and resources available to secure an appreciable content consumer market. However, the necessary structures must be in place to grow the industry if it must meet best global practice.
In conclusion, the industry is encouraged to establish effective and auditable distribution platforms. This will drive an interest towards the Nigerian entertainment sectors focusing on advances for exclusive licensing agreements for territorial distribution of music, movies and other forms of creative arts. Distribution territories may effectively extend to US, Europe, UK markets and parts of Nigeria.
In other words, the Nigerian entertainment industry must birth a new industry that is distribution-led. The industry must depart from being production-led to creating structured deals and have properly defined marketing and business plans.
Finally, it is important to involve other formal sectors into the business of entertainment. The insurance industry for instance can be involved to institutionalise completion bonds as part of the production process, serving as insurance cover that an actual production will be completed.
