10 BILLION NAIRA LAWSUIT ON NIGERIAN COPYRIGHT COMMISSION (NCC)

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s biggest copyright collective management organization, has gone to the Federal High Court to seek damages of eight billion naira from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) for “the undemocratic, unlawful and unconstitutional ‘suspension’ of the approval and operating licence of the Plaintiff” and another two billion naira “for the significant loss of Reputation and Goodwill suffered by the Plaintiff and arising from the massive publicity sustained by the NCC against COSON following the undemocratic, unlawful and unconstitutional ‘suspension’ of the approval and operating licence of the Plaintiff and the unlawful directive that the bank accounts of the Plaintiff be frozen.”

In its 63 paragraph Statement of Claim in suit No FHC/L/CS/425/2020 filed by renowned Lagos lawyer, Mr. James Ononiwu of Whitedove Solicitors, COSON pleads that It is a fact that the Copyright Act in Section 39 (2) gives the Defendant the power to approve collecting societies but nowhere under the law is the NCC given the power to suspend, revoke or in any way restrict the approval given to a collecting society or embark on an audit of a collecting society or direct the freeze/restriction of the bank accounts of a collecting society without an order of court.

COSON which is Africa’s fastest growing CMO with thousands of members across Nigeria, also pleads that while the Copyright Collective Management Organization Regulations (2007), made by the NCC, states that it has been made in exercise of the powers conferred on the NCC by section 39 (7) of the Copyright Act, the regulations are over reaching of the law because nowhere in Section 39 of the Copyright Act or any other law is the commission given the power to suspend, revoke or in any way restrict the approval given to a collecting society or embark on an audit of a collecting society or direct the freeze/restriction of the bank accounts of a collecting society without an order of court.

COSON said that the NCC has become a MONSTER, deploying the wide powers it has unlawfully assumed to decimate the stakeholders it was set up to protect and that in its actions, the commission has been the law maker, the accuser, the judge and the jury in its own case without COSON being offered any opportunity for fair hearing.

COSON has therefore asked the Federal high Court to declare that the provisions in the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007, made by the NCC, by which the NCC has assumed the power to unilaterally suspend or revoke the licence of an approved Collecting Society or to require an approved collecting society to apply to the NCC to renew its licence are undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

Similarly, COSON which has reciprocal representation agreements with about 150 collective management organizations in every continent around the world has asked the Federal High Court to declare that the provision in the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007 by which the NCC has assumed the power to order the audit of a Copyright Collective Management Organization without the authorization of the society’s Annual General Meeting and without a court order is undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void. Also requested is a declaration that the directive by the NCC without an order of court that the bank accounts of COSON be frozen, is ultra vires the powers of the NCC, illegal, unlawful, null and void.

Furthermore, COSON is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the commission, its officers, agents, servants or privies from relying on the provisions of the Copyright Collective Management Organizations Regulations 2007 to take any steps purporting to revoke the operating licence/ approval of COSON or in any way or manner disturbing/continuing to disturb or preventing/continuing to prevent COSON from lawfully enforcing the constitutional rights of its members, affiliates, assignees and reciprocal representation partners or interfering/continuing to interfere with the internal management, operations, funds, audits or bank accounts of the Plaintiff or disturbing/continuing to disturb or preventing/continuing to prevent COSON, its members, affiliates, assignees and reciprocal representation partners from earning income and sustaining themselves with their Intellectual Property, without an order of court.

It will be recalled that at a massively attended world press conference held at COSON House, Ikeja days before the suit was filed, COSON called for the immediate resignation of Mr. John Asein, the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission who is alleged to be immersed in rabid corruption. At the Press Conference addressed by the CMOs chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, he said, “the Nigerian Copyright Commission has brought shame to the Nigerian nation. We therefore on this 10th day of March 2020 call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to call the Nigerian Copyright Commission to order. We demand of the Buhari Administration to order the Nigerian Copyright Commission to publish a bold and unreserved apology to the thousands of members of COSON, the entire Nigerian creative community and the international copyright family for the terrible misuse and abuse of power and to make appropriate restitution to COSON”

THE MAN TO DELIVER THE FIRST LECTURE

THIS IS THE MAN DELIVERING THE 1st RAS KIMONO MEMORIAL LECTURE, MONDAY, JUNE 10 AT THE MAGNIFICENT COSON HOUSE, IKEJA

Professor Duro Oni has been on the staff of the University of Lagos since 1976 and has held various positions including that of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services);Dean, Faculty of Arts; Professor and Head of the Department of Creative Arts: Pioneer Director, Confucius Institute: He was also the Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies. In a career spanning over forty years at the University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni initiated and developed degree programme in; Creative Arts(Theatre Arts, Music & Visual Arts) at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels and the Bachelor's Degree in Chinese Studies.

He was also the Director General / CEO of the Federal Government Parastatal, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) and Special Assistant/Adviser to the Hon. Minister of Culture and Social Welfare/Youth and Sports from 1990-1992. He holds the BFA and MFA Degrees from the California Institute of the Arts in the United States and a Ph.D. from the University of Ibadan. An academic of repute, Duro Oni has a total of ten books and over sixty articles in reputable journals and chapters in books in the areas of Theatre Arts Design and Aesthetics, Dramatic Literature and Criticism, Management, Cultural Studies and the Nollywood/Nigerian Films.

An Academic, Culture /Theatre Administrator and Production Designer, Duro Oni has also travelled widely and has trained in and or visited the following countries, among others; U.S.A., Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, Yugoslavia, Bermuda, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Canada, Barbados, Trinidad, India, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Turkey and a host of African countries including Egypt, Republic du Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Libya, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.

Prof. Duro Oni is a Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes (SONTA), Fellow and Advisory Board Member of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners(NANTAP), Senior Overseas Fellow of the Ferguson Centre, Open University in the United Kingdom (2006-2007),Fellow, Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, (RSA),UK.

Prof. Duro Oni, who was born inMinna, Niger State on the 15th of December, 1952 is from Iwoye-Ijesa in Osun state. He is fluent in English, Yoruba and Hausa.

Please meet the man we are all coming to listen to on the 2019 Ras Kimono Memorial Day and delivering the first Ras Kimono Memorial Lecture on Revolutionary Music for Equality and Justice. Please meet the erudite Prof. Duro Oni.

THE NEW FACE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ! OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA

Ms. Okoro Blessing Nkiruka is a new age social media personality in Nigeria..She is best known on social media as CEO. She is young, pretty and daring. She has 230K followers on her Instagram page, she is a Public figure, Relationship expert, Storyteller, Brand Influencer, Founder of breakormakeup concept, Leading relationship blog –BOM-

She is social media savvy. She has used social media to bolster and peddle her hunger for power, privilege, recognition and deception. She has a quarter of a million followers that she sells her image and garbage to. She is living it all up on social media,

except that her “living it all up’ is fabricated and perceptually misleading. Over the weekend, she got burst when she went to a home, armed with her cellphone to intrude, trespass and invade the privacy of private citizens and owners of the home and property; that plushy home, to rudely take pictures, record a video of the living room of the home and shared on her Instagram page or blog as her new upscale Home she recently purchased.

But her luck ran out. She was caught by owners of the house as she trespassed, humiliated before their camera. What is wrong with today’s young social media influencers: her fraudulent and fake social media life caught up with her!: a painful loss of pride.

It is my understanding that young CEO had fraudulently asked those that wished to use her services, as a product endorser, to pay. Innocent merchants have allegedly paid her and she had refused to hold her own end of their deal, defrauded then.

these videos have gone viral... But most comments are defending her with silly sentiments and proffer excuses for her invasion of a family's home, tried to blame the owner of the home she intruded, for using excessive force to detain and subsequently humiliated her. This is the problem with Nigerians: always offer excuses in defense of crimes and criminals. What CEO did was a violation of a family’s rights to live happily. She invaded their privacy.

Her desire to continuously mislead her followers with her lies and imaginations of a well lived lifestyle blew up in her face and you want to feel sorry for her?. She went to fabricate her imagination to deceive her 230K followers and perhaps, business partners…she could have also arranged a kidnapping or armed robbery exercise at this household or scout it as a possible future hit home for illicit and dangerous robbery and or kidnapping operations, considering the climate of insecurity in Nigeria. The man had every right to deal ruthlessly with any trespasser to his property. That was his home; he had every right to protect his family and property against an intruder. The family was in their home and property when a rude stranger walked in, disrespected them and assaulted their privacy.

She should be thankful she walked out there alive. You break into my home, intruded in my family’s privacy, liberty and the rights to live freely and happily, I will break your skull. She violated the man and his family because of her greed.

He has every right to defend and protect his family. If you came into my property and residence, uninvited, to invade my privacy, "you will leave in a body bag" so funny just as this quotes sounds but its the simple truth.

There will be no need for handcuffs after I burst her knee caps before I call the police. She trespassed with a Cellphone, illegally took pictures of my home, recorded inside of the home, while trespassing. She was an intruder and should be treated as such. She came to my house, my property. . She went the extreme to seek fame and justify her fake lavish living. She wan be senior girl nah, let her pay for the consequences of living a sham life. The gate-men should be treated as accomplices to this crime

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FURTHER LIBELLOUS STATEMENTS AGAINST THE COSON CHAIRMAN

AFTER FILING A 600 MILLION NAIRA COMPREHENSIVE DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST PRETTY OKAFOR, OKOROJI’S LAWYER WARNS PRETTY ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF FURTHER LIBELLOUS STATEMENTS AGAINST THE COSON CHAIRMAN

Mr. James Ononiwu of the big Lagos law firm of Whitedove Solicitors, lawyers to Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, has written to Mr. Pretty Okafor warning him of the consequences of the new wave of libellous statements made by Mr. Okafor against Chief Okoroji on several social media platforms.

In the letter dated September 14, 2018, Mr Ononiwu wrote, “Your claims and innuendoes on the said social media platforms that our client published or caused to be published fake and false public statements to the effect that the Federal High Court had on September 5, 2018 ordered the Nigerian Copyright Commission to suspend all actions, proceedings and processes relating to the purported suspension of the licence of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and the freezing of COSON’s bank accounts, are outrageous and libellous of our client”

Said Mr Ononiwu. “As has recently been shown, every information contained in the said COSON publication is accurate. Chief Okoroji is a man of impeccable integrity and will never take part in the dissemination of any falsehood or any information that is deceitful”

Mr Ononiwu reminded Mr. Okafor that he has refused, failed or neglected to file any defence to the 600 Million Naira comprehensive defamation law suit filed by Chief Tony Okoroji against him at the High Court of Lagos State in Ikeja since May 22, 2018. He also told Pretty Okafor that after having since been served with the processes, Chief Okoroji is set to proceed to obtain judgment against him and enforce the judgement if he does not take appropriate action.

In the letter, Mr Ononiwu went on to inform Pretty Okafor that Chief Okoroji will not hesitate to bring fresh court action against him.

It will be recalled that in a 17- page Statement of Claim, supported by 8 witnesses and numerous documents, Chief Tony Okoroji has in Suit No ID/ADR/903/2018, detailed several destructive statements made on different occasions against him by Pretty Okafor on Facebook, WhatsApp, magazine interviews, press releases, etc, stating that the statements are ‘blatantly false, serially defamatory, obnoxious, reckless and sordid’.

Apart from asking the court for general damages in the sum of three hundred million Naira and aggravated damages in the sum of another three hundred million Naira, Chief Okoroji has also asked for conspicuous and unreserved apology from Pretty Okafor published on Facebook, WhatsApp, the Guardian Newspaper, the Sun Newspaper, the Punch and Vanguard Newspaper.

The celebrated former President of PMAN, CEO of TOPS and author of “Copyright & the New Millionaires” has also asked for a perpetual injunction restraining Mr. Okafor, Mr. Okafor’s servants, agents or privies by whatever name called, from further publishing or broadcasting, or causing to be published or broadcast, the said words or any words defamatory of Chief Okoroji.

Okoroji’s lawyer, Barrister James Ononiwu, has also said, “Chief Tony Okoroji knows the ‘guy men’ who are so desperate to hijack COSON, the most successful organization in the history of the creative industry in Nigeria, built with the exemplary and outstanding leadership of Okoroji. These ‘guy men’ desperately want to grab what Chief Okoroji has built for the good of generations of musicians in Nigeria. They want to milk COSON dry and trash it. These are the same people who destroyed PMAN and destroyed NARI, all built with the significant input of Chief Tony Okoroji. They want to destroy COSON too and Tony Okoroji says no!

“The ‘guy men’ know that they cannot take out Chief Okoroji through a democratic process. Chief Tony Okoroji, a tried, tested, incorruptible and deep intellectual who is not afraid to speak truth to power, enjoys the overwhelming trust and confidence of musicians across Nigeria. These ‘guy men’ who want to reap where they did not sow, have therefore resorted to the sick fabrication and deployment of falsehood and defamation of character which they mistakenly think will take out Chief Okoroji.

“Let them be informed that while our client is a man of peace and welcomes constructive criticism, Chief Okoroji will not stand idle over the coordinated wicked lies and unjust fabrications. He is fully committed to defending COSON and determined to keep COSON strong, vibrant, alive and productive for the good of generations of Nigerian musicians. Chief Tony Okoroji, a well-known advocate of the rule of law, has asked us to look out for the ‘guy men’ who are blackmailing COSON, serve them summons to come to court so that they can repeat what they have said on social media, in a court of law, and provide the evidence to back up their statements. Where they cannot defend what they have said, they will pay the price. The time for careless talk is over”

57 SUSPECTED GAYS ARRESTED DURING INITIATION PARTY IN LAGOS

GEM & COSON PARTNER ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

GEM & COSON PARTNER ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AS NEW TOOL KIT IS DOMICLED AT COSON HOUSE

In a bid to properly educate and enlighten the Nigerian populace and the entertainment industry in particular, the Growth and Empowerment Project (GEM), funded by the World Bank and domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has just entered into a new partnership with Copyright Society of Nigeria, (COSON), Nigeria’s wave making collective management organization. In the partnership, GEM has domiciled at COSON House, a just developed tool kit for education in intellectual property with emphasis on copyright, aimed at ensuring a well-rounded, global understanding of the subject in Nigeria.

At a meeting held at the boardroom of COSON House, Ikeja, on Thursday August 9, 2018 during which the partnership was concluded, Mr. Bello Abba Yakasai, Cluster Manager, GEM Project, said that the initiative was borne out of the need to engender a culture of respect for intellectual property rights amongst practitioners in the industry and users of intellectual property in the country. This, he said appeared to have been difficult in the past, owing to the ambiguous nature of the subject.
Yakasai said “What we aim to achieve with this tool kit is to simplify the grey areas with respect to Intellectual Property so as to make it understandable by everyone. The IP manual, we are certain, will bring about a reorientation amongst everyone; be it the owners of the intellectual property or the end users”
The tool kit developed under the GEM project by Mr. John Asein, an internationally respected expert on copyright and a former Director of the Nigerian Copyright Institute will be formerly presented to the intellectual property community at a special event, “Let’s Talk Copyright” (LTC) which will hold at the COSON House Arena on September 1, 2018. Let’s Talk Copyright will be the climax of the 2018 No Music Day celebration.
As has been the practice over the last eight years, different representatives of COSON, in a Media Blitz, will simultaneously be at key broadcast stations across the country on September 1, the annual No Music Day, to discuss with Nigerians the intriguing subject of intellectual property which is shaping the new global economy.
After the Media Blitz, various artistes, performers, movie makers, broadcasters, legal practitioners and the media are expected to descend on COSON House for “Let’s Talk Copyright” (LTC) where the new Tool Kit will be unveiled by the creator, Mr. John Asein supported by officials of GEM and the World Bank.

According to Mr. Yakasai, the decision to partner with COSON on the project is in recognition of the unassailable impact that COSON has made across the continent with respect to intellectual property. In the words of Mr. Yakasai , “COSON, more than any other institution in Nigeria, has shown that it has the capacity to manage such an important resource and to put it to good use for the larger society”
Responding to Mr. Yakasai, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji thanked the GEM team for their continued confidence in COSON. He said that with COSON as custodian of the IP tool kit, GEM and its partner agencies can rest assured that the tools will be properly deployed and that the message will get to every stakeholder in the industry
In attendance at the meeting were the COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Chibueze Moses Okereke and COSON Head of Legal, Ms. Simi Wash-Pam.
Also present at the meeting was the creator of the tool kit, Mr. John Assien, who is also Executive Secretary of Reprographic Rights Organization of Nigeria (REPRONIG) and other members of the GEM Project team which included Mr Ndubuisi Kanu, Assistant Cluster Manager and Mr. Johnson T. Akeredolu GEM Project Officer, Tourism and Hospitality.

Photo Caption: COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, 4th left, surrounded by Mr. Bello Abba Yakasai , Cluster Manager, GEM Project, 4th right, Mr. John Assien, Chairman REPRONIG, immediate left, Mr Ndubusi Kanu, Asst. Cluster Manager, GEM Project, 2nd right and Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, GM/CEO COSON,right.
L-R - Mr. Chibueze Moses Okereke, Head Public Affairs, COSON, Mr. Johnson T. Akeredolu, Project Officer, Tourism and Hospitality GEM Project and Ms. Simi Wash-Pam, COSON Legal Counsel.

ALEXA: I NEED HELP

I want to increase my computer knowledge. I need a better job that will allow me do other things. I want to learn sewing. I need another apartment. I need to enrol in a music class... I need this, I need that, I want to do this, I want to do that. Too many things to do with little or no assistance....

How many can I achieve all by myself? How do I go about achieving all these. I've learnt something about myself...... I hardly get help from people, I always have to do it all by myself.

I wish families are there to assist, it would have been so easy and nice. I just need help, I need helping hands. Who do I run to apart from myself? Its just like I have everyone around me and still have to fix it all by myself. I need a job to help push my ministry, but its just a side hustle. I don't know what to do or who to run to. I need help so so so bad. I don't want to regret coming back here. The pressure is too much.

Seven good years, just like seven days, I've had to much experience for something to start taking place, I've tried all my very best to walk and run. I've fallen and risen, been hurt and healed, I've starved, been broken, weak, bullied, abused but I pick my broken piece and comfort myself.

Just me, myself and I. I've cried rivers and seen desert. Family made me feels like I picked the wrong choice. I've been promised and failed. I was hated and beaten blue black, my body have been bruised, flogged with broom and all sort of weeps, my hair have been pulled and dragged to the ground.

My relationship is not the way I want it to be so I have to make it work. I have no choice but to love above all. I need an answer to these few prayers of mine. I don't know where I'm heading to, I need a direction. the way is too narrow and full of thorns of all kinds.

My head hurts with so much thoughts, my eyes hurt with too much tears, huuummmm...... no amount of secret tears can help the situation.

O God, I just don't know how to express myself to you, use me as an evidence of change in my generation.....

Who's out there.....somebody....... anybody........I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALEXA: WHAT DO YOU WANT

Hey, life is never the way we expects it to be.... Never had it funny, even though things fell apart or never goes my way, I still have to push through.

My name is Alexa and here is a little about my new life

My growing up was hell, but there is a God who sees me through at all time, no matter how hard it comes, I've always had a way out. But right now I'm so full of hate and resentment. Everything is coming so soon.

You don't have to be in a rush. Why rushing for what you'll live with for the rest of your life? Why working my body to the passion of your body. I'm changing, my body is growing older, stronger and vulnerable. I'm getting weak, feeling too much passion burning inside of me, thanks to your help.

I shake to ask you in, I'm scared to allow your touch. Why cant you see this through my eyes or feel it in your mind? Why are you letting go of your first promise? why is your body always hot when it comes around mine. Do you really think you love me? You do things this days that scares the peace out of my soul.

I wanna run away and never come back because you've broken my walls, taken my strength, destroyed my belief, shattered my hopes and have made me someone I wasn't ready to be now....If only I saw it coming this soon, even when I sensed the signs, I still never believed it.

Help! Help!! Help!!! is all I'm crying for now. We need help. From just a hug to cuddling, now we kiss so passionately that it scares me to even touch you further, in short no part of me is hidden anymore, all that remains now is for you to get me naked and put your damn whatever down here.

You cant help it anymore, your passion have grown out of control and I see it coming in no time you because you've worked my body t your rhythm, to the fire burning inside of you.

Logan, I'm talking to you. We need help. No more talking, you are too free, like its your right, like whatever happens, you don't care. Give me space you said no, give me time you're still saying no. I really need to put myself back. you finally wants to take the only thing I have left. Can that be love? Is that what you call love? I'm asking you Logan.

I have no education, no certificate, no handwork, no trade learnt, no money, no home, no friends, no close family or relatives. Thought I called you my friend.
My family said I was coming back to you just to get pregnant and you making my biggest fear to appear real. Is that what you want for us, you said no. Then, why can you just let go of me since the passion and the sex thing is getting too much

What is the big deal in letting go.  Why telling someone you love them when all you do is put them in pains.

you know I have so much killing me already. Sometimes I allow you to do that just to see if that will help take some of the pains and heart aches away, but each time we do that..,...they even get worse.

you promised not to come between me and my first love, but here you are doing the opposite and still having to courage to enter his presence with our smelling body, huummm.... What do you really want? I'm asking again. Do you want my down fall or my rising? You are killing me spiritually. Please help me and not use me.

I've told you before, go out there, you have my permission. Go and do whatever you want just to please your flesh, staying for ages wont help either of us. I've given you the hurtful freedom to do that. If you really want to get married to me, then you don't have to take away the only precious treasure I have left. You cant eat your cake and have it....never.

Please respect the space I asked for and I promise all will be well with us. I don't see us coming out of this well. please I beg you.

This is exactly the reason I broke up with my ex....every guy wants the same thing and its really killing me.......

Please help me so I can help you too.....................

A SLEEK RED-CARPET TRIBUTE NIGHT IN HONOUR OF THE RUB-A-DUB MASTER

COSON HOUSE PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR RAS KIMONO AS PLANS ARE ROLLED OUT FOR A SLEEK RED-CARPET TRIBUTE NIGHT IN HONOUR OF THE RUB-A-DUB MASTER

The magnificent COSON House in Ikeja will on Wednesday, August 22 witness a super classy event in honour of the great reggae toaster, Ras kimono, who passed on in Lagos on June 10, 2018.

The sleek red-carpet event, a tribute night like no other, will... climax the week-long program of the funeral of the massively beloved music legend who will be laid to rest in his home town, Onicha Olona in Delta State, on Saturday, August 25, 2018.

Speaking on the upcoming event, COSON Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Chibueze Moses Okereke said “the event will be strictly by invitation. We know that people from all walks of life would wish to attend this big event especially as the sleek tribute night is being personally produced by the COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, Nigeria’s undisputed master of special events. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate everyone so if you get the IV, please honour the event because it means that you belong to a select group. Members of the Kimono family have met several times with our Chairman over the tribute night and I have no doubt that it will be talk of the town”

Also speaking about the forthcoming Red Carpet Tribute Night in honour of the great Ras Kimono, the COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, said, “Ras Kimono was not just a COSON member, he was a 100% committed COSON member, totally dedicated to the COSON cause. As a hyper creative person, he fought against anything that will destroy COSON as he saw the organization as a watershed development in our country and an important legacy for the Nigerian creative industry. No one should forget that until he passed on, Ras Kimono was a key member of the COSON Board and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji through every challenge. Chief Okoroji was one of the last persons Kimono spoke to on his sick bed, before he passed on.

“The COSON Board he left behind, has held a special meeting in his honour and has instructed that the magnificent COSON House that Kimono contributed to building must host a memorable event in his honour to celebrate this one of a kind Nigerian artiste as he sets out on his last journey out of Lagos. All hands are on deck at COSON , the organization he loved with all his heart, to ensure that Kimono is buried like the king that he was”

MEET THE JUNE 12 GIRL

KASI, THE JUNE 12 GIRL, THANKS BUHARI FOR DECLARING HER BIRTHDAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY

As Nigerians stayed on the line in the sun and in the rain on ...that historic day, June 12, 1993, to vote for Moshood Abiola to become President of Africa’s most populous nation, in what is still regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections ever, a child of destiny was born.
That child of destiny has grown up with unmatched talent, never-say-die spirit and incomparable determination to conquer the world. Her name is KASI "the June 12 girl"

Recently, the introduction of Nigerians to the world of KASI, the enchanting multi-talented June 12 girl began. There is no question that pretty soon, everyone will be very familiar with the very talented young lady who writes songs like no other, sings like no other, dances like no other, draws like no other and who has created the fascinating fashion line called ‘Real KASI’.

Speaking about her historic birthday, the power bike riding KASI says “I do not believe that my birth is an accident. June 12 1993 will remain a remarkable day in Nigerian history. That was the day Nigerians tasted unity. On June 12, the late Moshood Abiola, a Yoruba Muslim found favour across Nigeria from people of all tribes and people of all religions who threw tribe and religion into the dustbin and voted for him. Nigerians were united in support of Abiola. In the same way, I pray to find favour from Nigerians from the East, the West, the North and everywhere. As a child of June 12, I want to use my music, my fashion and art to bring unity to my country.
“Abiola was a world-wide phenomenon, both in business and politics. I am determined to be a world-wide phenomenon in the creative industry where I belong. That is why I work so hard to be on top of my game. I am conscious of the circumstances of my birth. I am determined to be the best that anyone in my industry can be and I promise not to let Nigerians down.

“I am aware that the June 12 1993 elections were annulled. The memories have however refused to go away. Every year, people across the country continue to celebrate June 12, my birthday. Finally, the President has declared my birthday a national holiday to be celebrated across the nation. I am so elated and grateful. Thank you, Mr. President. By His grace, my march to the top of global entertainment will not be annulled because I fly the flag of history. I am a Christian but my music, fashion and art will touch the hearts of Muslims and people of other religions. My parents come from the South East of Nigeria while I grew up in the South West. I sing in English, Igbo and Yoruba. I am trying to learn Hausa and other Nigerian languages. I want to touch people wherever they are. Quote me. People everywhere will rock to the music of KASI and hang my artworks in precious places and wear Real KASI like no other fashion line. I know for sure that my June 12 birthday is not an accident. It is a mark of destiny”.

Hope your special day brings you all your heart desires

Wishing you another year of great opportunities, achievements and personal growth.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

from all of us @ TOPS

Just in case you don't know, the June 12 girl have released two singles “LOVINJAITIS”  her thumping dance song guaranteed to get everyone gyrating on the dance floor for months and “IFUNANYA”  a touching love song which will show the wide range of the talent of this young lady who is sure to be one of Nigeria’s most wanted performers in the years to come.

To download/listen to any of her songs, just click on the song title and it will take you to the page.

Map Walker

Little More About Peter Map Walker

What do you know about Peter Map Walker......?

How well do you know the guy in the photo, Peter Map Walker.....? What can you say about him....well if you don't know much, here are some things about Peter Map Walker that you really don't know or you've never taken note of and some of the reasons why He Is Tough..

Peter Map Walker possesses the talent and musical passion to turn heads in the entertainment/music industry with his charisma, astounding studio resume, and his street credibility all obtained at such a young age. He began rapping at the age of twelve participating in schoolyard battles and ciphers, MAP spent his early years in Gowon Estate, Lagos, where he was oppressed and intimidated by his childhood friends and neighboring children but he never gave up on being who he had always wanted to be.... In 1998 he and his parent moved to Gemade Estate, where he went through hell.......living life to the fullest (from hand to mouth), enjoying it however it comes (finding fun in himself), sometime staying for days without food, not because he did not want to eat but because his parent could not provide for him and his 3 siblings then..

His dad lost his job and mother also had financial issues, resulting them selling most of their properties and cars just to survive, but He never gave up on his dreams neither did he ever mixed his emotions with his feelings.

He is a real Lagos boy to say because he has been in Lagos from the day of birth till date. His passion for rapping helped keep him focused. He continued to work on his rapping/managing skills and formed a rap group called T2K Crew in 2005 with friend Johnny Nash and Chi byk. Two years later MAP met HL who helped him improve on his rapping skill.

In 2010 MAP Shomex, Ladida, 5th Element, L.A and Simon and they worked together at Gikro Records. In 2011 he (MAP) did his very first studio recording titled Swag, featuring Shomex and Simon, followed with a mix tape titled Gowon Estate in 2012 featuring Timi, Shomex and Ladida which got him a nominated for the MIA Awards in USA.

Through thick and thin MAP stood his ground and fought for his future, never allowing circumstances deprive him of his right.

MAP's Keeps the Hits Coming with the release of the song "Ko Ma Ro" in 2013, MAP the rapper has secured his spot as a popular rap artist. Then followed She Don’t Want to Love, A Man Like Me, and Gbesunmomi.

2014 MAP came out with his first gospel single LIFT JESUS HIGHER to glorify God for his blessing on the earth, then followed

H.C.I.M.....2015 Map came up with another single titled Me Love, and two powerful collaborations with Hood Made Gang from South Africa and Da-lil-one from USA. 2016 MAP got the opportunity to meet with STARS from TOPs Records. The likes of G-wilz (the rapper who is lyrically licensed to kill), Kul-GP, Dolzi (the King of Melody), Kasi (the June 12 girl) and others.

MAP also did other freestyles just to keep the flow coming and he is still on the GAME

As side hustle he Barb's hair and loves to teach, as he had also taught in schools, all to put money in his pocket and food on his table.

It has never been easy on him, sometimes he works for free not just for the passion but sometimes the people will either decide not to pay him because of his humble and quiet nature, or just to test his patience. Yet he did not give up on his dreams and passion but rather gets stronger with time.

Recently he worked with a famous Nigerian Actress and Musician, where he learnt so much about public relationship, social media, content creating, web designing and many more.

Gat a question for you all……..

Who’s as Tough as Peter Map Walker who have stood the test of time and made a way for himself through God, humility and patience…

Do you know that MAP real name is Peter Asiegbu?

MAP Says...

"I'm a product of Rap/hip-hop. That's all I listen to what I grew up on, besides what my parents had going on in the house. It's definitely hip-hop first and everything else is just distant." Lol that’s for when I was growing up but now…..

God first then any other thing follows….