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Light in PMAN’s crisis tunnel

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The umbrella union for Nigerian musicians, Performing Musicians (Employers) Association of Nigeria (PMAN), may soon have a breath of fresh air.
Leadership tussle, sabotage and even physical threats have bedevilled the association. However, the light has come at the end of the tunnel, with the court ruling that enthroned the National Caretaker Committee led by Pretty Okafor, which has restored sanity.
History was made recently in Abuja, when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, enabled an interactive forum and presentation by PMAN leaders on the road map towards placing the showbiz industry where it truly belongs and how to tap from its accruable resources.
The minister, who was visibly awe-struck as Okafor reeled out the huge benefits of having a focused and united association with foresighted and intelligent men at the helm of affairs, stated at the end of the presentation, that no stone would be left unturned to right all the wrongs in the system.
Describing the delegation as that of the “authentic PMAN”, Mohammed described the estimated N10.3 trillion loss to national and global piracy in the creative industry as unacceptable.
The figure, which represented 85 per cent of the N15 trillion worth of the industry, he added, could turn the economy of the nation around.
He frowned at the trend where about 92 per cent of music and video productions by Nigerian artistes were done mostly in South Africa, Europe and America whereas we have good locations for same back home.
“I want to assure you that the government would work with the association and provide the enabling environment for the creative industry to thrive, as well as encourage investment therein,” he promised.
Mohammed agreed with the recommendations of the association that November 30 should be set aside as ‘Anti-Piracy Day’, adding that both parties would soon converge and announce government’s commitment to fight piracy, protect creative assets and grow revenue in the sector.
One of the ways he hopes to nail the coffin of the monster is through the bar code technology, which the association launched months back.
“We would consider the issuance of a standing order to radio, television and telecommunications to cease from using non-bar-coded music or movies,” the minister said.
The august presentation tagged ‘PMAN-Buhari Administration: A Partnership for Change’, according to Okafor, is a right step towards fulfilling the federal government’s efforts in the diversification of the economy.
“It would strengthen government efforts to discourage international production which is sucking away quality local jobs and revenue to government, as it would earn about N3 trillion in both VAT and taxable income through the partnership,” he stated.

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