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”

SUCCESS IN A PIECE

Have you ever thought of success without thinking of failure? You can never give what you don't have, that is were EXperience is the BEst teacher comes in.

Everyone wants to succeed in anything they do, even if its to hurt people. But do you think of the lost, the price to pay, the pain, the consequence before the result and the gain form it all? Like one of my boss, who is ranked among the 250 most influential women in the world by Richtopia, by name Alex Okoroji will always say "you have to do your home work first" (do your personal research, find out facts before reaching out to whoever it is you want to.










You can never be better than your preparation!...............

Messi and C. Rolando are two great footballers of our time and they have both set great records for themselves and the world. Some say Messi is talent while Rolando is hard work, no doubt. But I tell you, it's much more than that. If Messi is talented, then he should fold his hands, eat and sleep all day, without working hard, I bet you even my great grand father in his grave will do better then him. It is all about hard work. Then get to work and stop killing your talents with laziness, excuses, fake-life and all manners of selfish greed.

First step for every young talented creative out there, be it music, acting, dancing, writing, soccer, tennis, what ever it is you create. First is to discover himself/herself, practice and keep practicing your craft, control self, character, human management and be open to more creative ideas. Then look for standard platforms like COSON (for musical content creators <composers, artists, performers and all> in Nigeria) to get a copyright protection over whatever it is you create. There are several platform out there, depending on your interest.

Good use of social media and other promotional pages/platform is very good. There is one very unanswerable question that bothers many of the young artists out there.

Can I give out my songs for free?.....Well, that depends on you, what you want, who you intend to reach and how you created the song. For me the best answer is leaving you to figure that out but if you got the song for free and did a professional recording for free and a free promotion.....then you can decide what you want.

Here is the biggest challenge. The fear of failing, wanting an already made path, misuse of time and resources. I have met so many great people in my little life, directly or indirectly, one on one or other wise.....and I noticed one common thing among all of them, I mean each of them have one thing in common, HARD WORK.
They are always the last to go to bed and the first to wakeup, they hardly watch TV....please don't get me wrong, they do only when necessary, and I'm talking from experience.



Why would you sit down doing nothing when you've got so much deposited in you? I charge you to wakeup, define yourself and do away with all forms of laziness.....


Just a piece of me.

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: IDEAS FROM MY INSPIRATORS.

After trying all I could by myself and unable to get anywhere. I decided to seek for advise, which is the only and best option unless I want to see my ancestors before time. So I reached out to my mentors and my great source of inspiration.....you will not believe all I got from them. Here's what I took from them.

The first person that responded to my call is Maxwell Ivey Jr. who is a writer, blogger, an influencer and a podcaster. He is one of my greatest source of inspiration. He said to me that he think things would be easier on me and the rest of us if we didn’t have some people out there appearing to do it all and making it look easy. That I should be kind to myself and do what I want most or what I need most first. I am a special person. He have heard my music, so I shouldn't doubt it. What would I love to change about my job that would make it more enjoyable in the short term? Perhaps I and my supervisor or employer could talk about this. Though not every boss is willing to change or amend their policies but some are. Until I get there, I  should know that he will always be there for me. That only gave me the courage to face one of my biggest fear, which is doubt.

While I was trying to redefine my path, here comes another woman I admire so much and here's her advise.....
Her name is Renee Radicioni Pavlus   she said there are lot of people going through the same thing out there. That my story is like sounds like a lot of people’s story. She continued, the problem is, we think of all these things in our brain and minds, some of us look at the positive outcomes, and some of us look at their possibilities. I myself have spun around many times with 20 fingers in 20 pies, accomplishing very little, regretting, getting frustrated, and wondering why why why?
Well, recently I’ve had to learn that I needed to focus my point down, maybe taking on two challenges instead of 20. Maybe working out a plan, or maybe finding people to help me make this plan happen. No they might not be great things, but perhaps even little things are is important. It’s kind of like building our arsenal of talents, gifts, skills. It’s so easy to dream, Hope, plan ahead, but if we don’t define our Voice, purpose, or understand our reality good and bad, nothing will happen, absolutely nothing. I am a testimony to this, you know, having a spirit of willingness, having capabilities, or knowing that to accomplish certain things we need the help of others is part of our learning and growing experience.
So I am simplifying, I mean in the way and the tasks that I will take on and I’m also allowing myself to try to be a little more patient, or allowing for pitfalls, or in possibilities which often happens when you don’t see or when you need help learning new skills, or when you need help just progressing. Don’t be ashamed of asking for help, but choose the people you ask help from very wisely. Many people mean well, but when it comes down to actually achieving, accomplishing, and doing that either back off, try to help with some confusion, or get at flustered as we may be.
So, having said all this, baby steps, organized baby steps, looking and examining how you can achieve these baby steps, and looking at the barriers towards achieving them Chyna, working through each barrier one at a time. We feel so much better when we have achieved something, we feel so much better when we allow ourselves to ask for help in the kindest way possible, but do it in a realistic honest way, and don’t make your expectations too high, because that can also sabotage your progress, I know this, first hand.

I couldn't help it but pick my broken pieces, put it all together and solve the puzzle the world have created for me. I realized that I have to take it one stop at a time and to ask for help from the right people, not acting like I know it all.

Yes I remember, of all the multiple choices in my head and things to do, DeAnna Lynn Rice asked me to pick one, the ones that speaks most, and you go with it. and Evelyn Faix   said she is like that too but I have to start with one first and she suggested that the music lessons can be taken from an online website called musicvi.com. It’s music for the busily impaired I can buy the courses and they are very good I can also get them from the MLS Talking Books location for free computer classes you should go to Lighthouse.

Lastly Edwin Polini said I should only keep my eyes on JesusChrist who is the author and finisher of our faith.

From all these, I come to a conclusion that for one to stop existing and start live he or she needs to

• DECIDE
• CHOOSE
• ACT
• ASK
• FOCUS
• BELIEVE
• HAVE FAITH

The you'll find your way to success as you have a direction now

Thanks for the help......

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….