COVID-19: Why MCSN did not share money to its members – Orits

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Koolman Revolutionnaire, Orits Williki, is the chairman of Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN). Orits as he is fondly called by his fans, in this  interview with our news editor, Charles Okogene, took time off during the COVID-19 lock down to field answers to our questions, though, through online. including what MCSN has done/doing to its members to cushion the effect of the pandemic on their lives. He also spoke on the achievement of the society since its operational license was restored two years ago by National Copyright Commission.

In the midst of all this confusion in the world occasioned by Coronavirus, what has MCSN done for its members to cushion the effect of the pandemic in their lives?

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Nothing much other than messages of encouragement and hope based on the level of work we have done since we got our license or approval from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), two years ago. Besides that, the Society is not a charitable organization; Musical Copright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), operates professionally within the clear mandate of the law and it’s terms of guideline. The Money the Society collects belongs to members either specifically or generally,  so if there were approved money by the board for distribution, it will be illegal to have such money starched in any account. We were always distributing to our members until we were tagged criminals and illegal Society by the NCC . You will recall you and l use to argue over making our distribution a public affair and l use to tell you that l don’t know when you collect your salary….and that we needed to protect our members’ privacy.

You once ‘boasted’ that MCSN will takeover the scene and that was when it regained its licence from Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), but years after, nothing seem to be happening. Why?

Let me first correct you,  l wasn’t boasting but rather telling you a statement of fact. Secondly you may not know that MCSN has actually developed the sector for all, through pains and agony with trailer loads of cases all through the years so much so that, there is hardly any copyright case today that you will file without relying on the MCSN cited cases through the Nigerian Law Weekly Reports.

ALSO READ:COVID-19 N50m palliative: COSON’s lawyer hits back at MCSN
Thirdly we underestimated the level of destructions the NCC and Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) in partnership had done on MCSN for over 10 years;  even our vital documents in our computers carried away during the NCC raids are still with them. So on getting the license we realized that we really had to do a total restart of the Society e.g. we needed to win back our loyal licensees that were forcefully turned to COSON and persuade others by clearly letting them know that we own the works they have been using, we needed to use the two years to restructure everything they had destroyed and above all to be humble in victory. This has paid off hugely to our advantage thanks to the seasoned professionals we have both at the  board and management levels. We do not run the Society on propaganda, lies and deceit .In two years we have signed huge contracts and MOUs with major users of our works from all radios and television stations ationwide, hotels nationwide and above all, we are owed judgement debts in billions of naira by many companies and organizations; though our judicial system may be slow but we strongly believe in it because we have tested it over the years and we know it works. So we had projected that all the pampering and enlightenment for users ends last year. So we projected that from this year onwards the actual business commences but here we are no thanks to the monterous virus.

In what ways have MCSN taken advantage of the recent ruling of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which says that MCSN’s rival, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), is not known by law and, therefore, asked the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to desist it from its register?

ALSO READ: MCSN: COSON wins

Well. we just got the judgement only last month and we are taking appropriate steps to ensuring we execute the gains of that judgement to the fullest. It will be a deciding factor on the way forward in the copyright sector.

ALSO READ: COSON files notice of appeal on Aikawa’s judgement

Similarly, has MCSN’s membership profile risen following the reported pulling out of some musicians from COSON as a result of the court judgment and the call by Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), on them to quit the society?

Of a truth, l tell you there have been a massive increase in membership vault and to mention that our Membership base had been intact despite the turbulence as only 3 members officially resigned from us over the years. Also note that we make sure you are what you say you are and you own the works you bring to us for signing.

How have you encouraged your members, some of whom might be among those who still does not believe that there is Coronavirus, to keep keeping safe while maintaining social distancing?

We are doing the best we can majorly through individual efforts , for example l have free jingles airing in some RADIO stations Nationwide encouraging not only members but all Nigerians to save their lives and others by maintaining and adhering to the rules of living Standard today we really do not need to make noise over that.

On a personal note, what happened to your much advertised 35 years on stage, which was supposed to have taken place before the outbreak of the pandemic?

The organizing committee had to shift the programme until such a time possible. That really comes with high level of loses on my part.  l feel pained but it is what it is. So will jump start the project when it is possible. The Committee has professionals to advice us on what to do.
Thanks for your time.

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