Akeem Nafiu 
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/ Gte (MCSN), Mr. Mayo Ayilaran, has assured music creators of a virile and beneficial copyright system. Ayilaran spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during an inspection of a new office accommodation provided for the Society by the state government.
The CEO was accompanied on the visit by the General Manager (Licensing Operations), Mr. Louis Udoh; National Enforcement and Compliance Consultant, Mr. Obi Ezeilo and MCSN’s state Consultant, Dr. Unwana Ibanga. Receiving the delegation in his Abak residence, the pioneer Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. Moses Ekpo, expressed his joy at the news that MCSN was in the state preparatory to opening a branch office.
Ekpo, who is also the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, commended MCSN for its commitment in ensuring that creators benefit from their intellectual property, urging the Society to continue operating with transparency and accountability. He said: “MCSN is getting closer to those who matter –the creators and consumers of music”.
The pioneer DG of NCC urged the Society to continue expanding its presence across Nigeria to enhance effective copyright administration nationwide. Dr. Ekpo who remains a respected voice in the creative industry, assured MCSN of his full and continued support, expressing his confidence that the Akwa Ibom State Government will fully back MCSN’s operations in the state.
In his response, Ayilaran thanked Dr. Ekpo whom he described as the “Father of Copyright in Nigeria”, for his role in the development of copyright in Nigeria and support for the creative industry.
He reiterated MCSN’s commitment at ensuring that the vision of having a virile and beneficial copyright system is realized for Nigerian creators. He told his host that his visit to the state was in continuation of the expansion programme of MCSN which intends to open a branch office in Uyo to serve music consumers and creators in that part of South-South zone.
“The branch was contemplated with the active participation of stakeholders in the zone, particularly the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the State Government that had offered the office accommodation for the take off of the branch office”, Ayilaran added.
While also receiving the delegation, Director of the Centre for Arts and Culture, Dr. Unwana Joshua Udo, commended MCSN for its efforts at enhancing copyright administration and pledged the state’s commitment to supporting the Society.
Dr. Udo said the Akwa Ibom State Government takes creativity very seriously and has been working with the state chapter of PMAN in ensuring that creator’s rights are respected.
He reiterated the government’s commitment in collaborating with MCSN and PMAN in ensuring that musicians and creators in the state benefit from their intellectual property.
At the meeting were prominent leaders and members of the music industry in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, including PMAN Akwa Ibom Governor, Comrade (Evang.) Joshua Okon Offiong, his Cross Rivers State counterpart Comrade Efiom Effiong (Rebreed), and PMAN executives and members.
In his remarks, Ayilaran commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its hospitality and the evident growth in the state’s creative industry, which he noted starts from the moment one boards the State’s airline, Ibom Air.
He also appreciated the state’s support for and cooperation with PMAN, pointing out that the upcoming branch office will bring MCSN closer to creators and users of creative works in the region.
Mr. Ayilaran also urged musicians in Akwa Ibom to register and notify the Society of their works and also provide their bank account details, which can now be done seamlessly online from anywhere in the world to enable them to receive royalties for their intellectual property regularly as the world has gone digital.
He assured that the Akwa Ibom office would be fully operational before the end of the last quarter of 2024 and that MCSN is committed to establishing similar offices.
