Obafemi Lasode, a music, broadcast, and movie producer, was elected, unopposed, as
PMAN Presidenti on January 31st, 2002. His Exco comprised of the following PMAN
members:
FEMI LASODE – PRESIDENT
COACH EDDY BORHA – 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
ZAAKI AZZAY 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
MERCY ADISHI – TREASURER
Obafemi Lasode, who was elected on January 31st, 2002, and on assumption of office met
a turbulent musicians’ trade union with debts running into millions of Naira. He had an
executive whose animosities and suspicion of each other existed long before he ever
contemplated giving his services to the union as it’s president, and this problem
continually reared its ugly head during his tenure, thus affecting the effectiveness of his
Exco.
The consistent squabbles, quarrels and petitions that occurred during the previous
president’s Exco, had a negative effect on the performance of the Femi Lasode Exco. On
assumption of office, he discovered that many organisations were reluctant to deal with
PMAN and preferred working directly with musicians of their choice. This attitude was
particularly noticeable, from Federal and State Governments parastatals, as well as other
public and private organisations
We inherited a secretariat that had been thoroughly grounded. But armed with a resolve
to succeed and the desire to put the Musicians’ Union on a right footing he swung into
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action, knowing that PMAN’s greatest asset is its name, a name recognized and loved by
millions of Nigerians everywhere.
PMAN PROJECTS (2002 – 2003)
1) LEADING OF DELEGATION OF NIGERIAN MUSICIANS TO MEET WITH
PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO GCFR IN ABUJA
As a major step towards revamping the battered image of PMAN, on August 14, 2002
Lasode along with Evangelist (Dr) Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, MFR led a delegation
comprising of prominent Nigerian musicians to State House, Abuja to meet with Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the Aso
Rock, Abuja venue, a myriad of problems plaguing the Nigerian Music Industry were
tabled. Issues included the scourge of piracy; low royalty payments to musicians by
record labels; non-payment of royalties to artistes by broadcasting outfits; non-payment
of levies by users of music such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, transporters, etc.
President Obasanjo GCFR was sympathetic to the plight of the musicians and directed
that the relevant government agencies should look into the issues, and periodically report
back to him. So the result of the visit was that the Nigerian musicians spearheaded by
their union, PMAN, had brought the problems mitigating against the growth of the music
industry, directly to the highest office of the Nation.
2) RESUBMISSION OF “THE PERFORMING MUSICIANS” DRAFT BILL
(PMAN BILL) TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH SOUGHT TO FIND A
SOLUTION TO THE COLLECTING SOCIETY CONTROVERSY, AMONGST
OTHER ISSUES.
The National working committee (NWC) submitted a draft bill to the National Assembly
in Abuja. It was believed that the draft PMAN Bill, would address adequately the
anomalies found in the Nigerian music industry, particularly with regards to issues
directly affecting the welfare of the Nigerian performing musician. The Lasode Exco met
severally with the Nigerian Legislatures to see ways of passing the draft bill through the
National Assembly. At the time of the handing-over to the next EXCO, the draft bill was
with the legal department of the House of Representatives for their input before going to
the floor.
THE PERFORMING MUSICIANS OF NIGERIA COUNCIL ESTABLISHMENT)
BILL 2002 was a Bill for an Act to establish performing musicians council and maintain
standards and prescribe protective trade practices for performing musicians in Nigeria
and; for related purposes. The Sponsor was : Hon. Eze A. Enwere Uzor.
The Bill was to be enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
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Some points ra raised in the draft Bill included:
– The National Working Committee, concerned with the ever-ending controversy
over the issue of the need for multi-collecting societies put forward, in the draft
PMAN Bill, a proposed solution. The suggestion was to divide the functions of a
collecting society into two: 1) collection of funds to be handled by a National
Collection Agency, and 2) for onward distribution to registered collecting
societies based on their membership. It was intended that the board of the
National Collection Agency would comprise of representatives of the stakeholders in the music industry. Lasode’s Exco believed that this could be a way
out.of the quagmire.
– Seeking ways to find a solution towards the controversy surrounding the issue of
non-collection of musicians rights. Lasode believed firmly that musicians should
exercise their right to choose whom should collect their rights on their behalf, and
should not have a collection society imposed on them. This controversial belief
contributed to attempts to destabilize his Exco by detractors.
– Another key issues that was raised in the PMAN draft bill was the establishment
of the NIMC – Nigeria International Music Corporation. The new PMAN felt
that such an organization should be the arrowhead for Nigeria’s music export
drive. The idea behind this section was that such an organization should interact
with international record labels, international marketing and distribution outfits,
international promoters, and other international organizations that are concerned
with the development of music worldwide. The NIMC would ensure an
organised sales of Nigerian music abroad.
– Another major point in the PERFORMING MUSICIANS DRAFT BILL was the
establishment of a music college. The reasoning behind this proposal was that if
government can establish a National War College to teach the art of war, then it
can equally establish a National Music College to uplift the standards of music in
the country, as well as teach how to make peace in order to promote unity
amongst the people of Nigeria.
3) HISTORIC MUSICAL JAMBOREE LIVE NATIONWIDE TELEVISED
PERFORMANCE AT THE GRAND HOTEL, ASABA, DELTA STATE IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE NIGRIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY
(NTA) – OCTOBER 2002
PMAN, with Obafemi Lasode at the helm, was able to organize an historic Musical
Jamboree in collaboration with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Africa’s largest
television network, and the Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State. The music jamboree
featured 26 top, seasoned Nigerian musicians, and was the first of its kind in the history
of music entertainment in Nigeria. This collaboration was also to show that musicians
and broadcast outfits could still work together amicably, while negotiating musicians’
royalties.
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4) “PMAN’S ELDERS FORUM”- A SPECIAL DISCUSSION SESSION
ORGANISED BY THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE
The “PMAN’S ELDERS FORUM” was chaired by Evangelist Dr. Ebenezer Obey, and
supported by notable popular Nigerian musicians. Issues discussed at the meeting
included the following : (1) the misappropriation of PMAN’s funds, (2) welfare standard
for Performing Musicians and Revenue for PMAN, (3) The Bill of Performing
Musicians Employers Association, (4) the need to create an enabling environment for all
music industry stakeholders to operate in; (5) the importance of proper briefing of the
honourable Minister of Culture & Tourism about the true position of things in the Music
Industry, in the democratic dispensation, (6) the huge success of the PMAN anti-piracy
committee set up in conjunction with the National Copyright Commission (NCC). Eleven
Thousands (11,000) pirated works and Thirty Eight (38) suspects were arrested under
three weeks of operation.. (7)The Hologramme scheme which took off in May 2002.
5) COMMISSIONING A SPECIAL EVENTS MARKETER TO HANDLE VARIOUS
PMAN PROJECTS
The National Working Committee (NWC) signed-on a special events marketer to handle
a number of PMAN projects including PMAN’s Patrons Investiture, and “PMAN
Nigerian Musicians’ Hall Of Fame”.
The Special Events marketer provided PMAN with funds to settle its long term debts,
such as outstanding rent and unpaid utility bills. The PMAN President was provided with
an official car with a special license plate – PMAN 1. Further-to-this, a take-off grant of
N500,000 was provided strictly for the organizing of the“Pman Nigerian Musicians’ Hall
Of Fame” project. The company also agreed to under-write the traveling expenses of the
President, together with one member of the NWC with respect to this project.
6) PMAN NIGERIAN MUSICIANS HALL OF FAMEVOL. 1
The Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), under the distinguished
leadership of Obafemi B. Lasode, PMAN President, organized the Nigerian
Musicians Hall of Fame (N.M.H.F). The PMAN NIGERIAN MUSICIANS’ HALL
OF FAME” was intended to be an annual event. The objective was to induct 50 past
and present Nigerian musical legends that had brought honour and glory to their
fatherland, internationally. The first edition was held at the end of June 2002. It is
also important to note that national spread was one of the criteria used for selection.
The aim of this was to duly reward Nigerian Musicians who have contributed to the
growth and development of music and also brought glory and honour to their
fatherland. Deserving Nigerian Musicians or their representatives were selected and
inducted in a colourful ceremony.
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A citation was read in honour of each of the worthy musicians, while they were given
awards. A pictorial album, titled PMAN Nigerian Musicians Hall of Fame was
launched at this induction ceremony and launching was circulated throughout, the
country. This annual contained biographies of the selected musicians, listed in in
alphabetical order.
The event was marred by low-turn-out of government officials. This was a result of
the non-adherence, by the Special Event Marketer, to the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism’s request that the event be held after the Miss World’s Beauty Pageant in
which Nigeria had fielded a contestant.
The musicians felt slighted and proceeded to hurl castigations and insults at the
Minister, who did not take kindly to the musicians’ unruly behaviour.. Eventually, it
took the personal intervention of the PMAN President, Femi Lasode, to repair the rift
between the ministry and the musicians.
7) PMAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL
BROADCASTING COMMISSION (NBC) BROADCAST CODE
In June 2002, PMAN was invited to contribute to the review of the National
Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Broadcast code. The review was held at a retreat in
Minna, Niger State. The thrust of PMAN’s submission was that proper
documentation and record-keeping of artistes’ musical works – audio and video –
played on air, was essential for an effective Royalty calculation on behalf of the
Nigerian artiste.
8) PMAN 19TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION –AT LEKKI-BEACH
The 19th anniversary of PMAN was celebrated in August 2003, at the tail-end of the
Femi Lasode Exco with a Music Carnival tagged “PMAN AT 19 – MUSICMANIA
CARNIVAL – 2003”.
The Carnival, which was full of fun, excitement and glamour in presentation, was held on
Saturday, 30th August, 2003 at Lekki Beach, Lagos. The Musical Carnival, first of its
kind in the history of PMAN featured, King Sunny Ade, Lagbaja, Tony Tetuilla, Daddy
Showkey, Muma Gee, Seun Anikulapo Kuti, Obesere and Idris Abdulkareem.
4 Stars each from PMAN State chapters were selected to participate on stage. PMAN
State Chapter Chairmen were also given an opportunity to perform at the Carnival.
Kaduna State Chairman represented the North zone, The Enugu State Chairman
represented the Eastern zone, Edo State Chairman represented the mid-West, while the
Lagos State Chairman, being the host Chairman, represented the Western zone for the
inaugural edition.
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9) THE FIRST NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND CULTURE
FESTIVAL HELD ALONGSIDE THE 8TH ALL AFRICA GAMES (COJA) IN
OCTOBER 2003.
The brain-child of Obafemi Lasode, The First Nigerian International Music And Culture
Festival was a music and cultural festival held alongside the 8th All-Africa Games,
organized by COJA 8th All Africa Games, Abuja 2003 which held between the 4th to the
18th of October 2003.
10) PMAN LAND IN LAGOS: THE NEED FOR A PERFORMING VENUE FOR
PMAN MUSICIANS
The PMAN National Working Committee (NWC) had recognized that there was a great
oversight on the part the founding fathers of PMAN, that when they formed PMAN on
behalf of Nigerian musicians, they did not ensure that PMAN had a performance place
that it owned and managed.
The Lasode Exco attempted to address this oversight by appealing to government and
well-meaning members of the public to come to the Trade Union’s aid and assist it in
establishing a performing venue, fully-equipped with state of the art musical equipment,
that belongs to the musicians. It was also intended that PMAN would organise a series of
Nigerian music and cultural festivals to promote tourism and earn valuable foreign
exchange for the nation.
The PMAN President personally went to the Land Use Office and purchased a form on
behalf of the PMAN National Secretariat as a first step in PMAN getting its long-awaited
land to build a “PMAN Music House” in Lagos. The form was forwarded to the
Governor of Lagos State for his endorsement, but even after a series of meetings, a final
response was still expected up until the time of the handing over to the next duly elected
administration. The major stumbling block had been a disagreement amongst PMAN
members as to the location of the proposed land.
11) NATIONAL ACTION COMMITTEE ON AIDS (NACA)
The new Director of NACA invited Lasode, the PMAN President to his office to discuss
possibilities of a new working arrangement with PMAN. They were interested in PMAN
organizing two concerts in 2003 as part of a HIV awareness campaign. They also
indicated interest in the PMAN-CCAF project submitted earlier.
NACA had indicated its dismay about the different petitions it had received from the time
of the previous Exco and insisted that it would prefer selecting and contacting its own
choice of musicians rather than going through PMAN. This did not go down-well with
some PMAN factions and this led to the call for the impeachment of the PMAN
President. Eventually the PMAN ‘Elders’ stepped in and the agitating musicians were
called to order.
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12) ANNOUNCEMENT OF LASODE’S RETIREMENT AFTER SUCCESSFUL
ELECTION AND HANDING –OVER TO INCOMING EXCO OCTOBER 10,
2003
EXCERPT FROM PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING LASODE’S
RETIREMENT-OCTOBER 10, 2003
“I cannot overstate the point that the job of the Nigerian musician is to rehearse and
perform, I repeat…..the job of the Nigerian musician is to rehearse and perform only,
whether it be on stage or in the studio. It is not for the Nigerian musician to be chasing
royalties due him or her by broadcasting stations, that is the job of the collecting society,
and that is why it is imperative that We have an active, virile collective Exco in this
country.
We are lagging behind the rest of the world in this regard and there is need to get the
system up and running as quickly as possible. It is not an understatement to say that for
many musicians, royalty payments maybe the only pension plan that they may have in
their old age, and which they can also pass on to their off-springs after transiting to the
great beyond. The new PMAN will join hands with all the key players in this area to
ensure that royalty payments to Nigerian musicians will be prompt and regular.”
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OBAFEMI LASODE ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
INTENTION AS PMAN PRESIDENT AFTER PMAN’S
OCTOBER 2003 ELECTIONS
Obafemi Lasode, President of the Performing Musicians’ Employers Association of
Nigeria (PMAN), handed over to a newly-elected administration after the mandatory
PMAN election held in Enugu on 31st October 2003. The successful Presidential
election was termed ‘Free and Fair’.
CONCLUSION
Once again it must be noted that the incessant restiveness, and in-house fighting plus the
impression that PMAN was a corrupt-laden organization, affected the effectiveness and
the smooth running of the Musicians’ Trade Union during the tenure of Obafemi Lasode.
On the issue of the much celebrated Nigerian Music Awards (NMA), it was alleged that
the previous regime had obtained money to hold the NMA which they never executed.
This act stalled the proper organisation of the event. The sponsors, at that time, were
reluctant to release another funds unless the previous funds were totally accounted for.
This was never achieved as the relevant documents were never found
