COSON tasks creatives to lead fight against corruption
Tony Okoroji, Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), on Sunday urged Nigerian creatives to lead the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Okoroji in his “No Music Day” message, said that the creative industry needed to become proactive in addressing corruption in the country.
He said that it was important that creatives deployed their voices, writings, and performances to confront corruption and poor governance.
The COSON chairman also said that people who engaged in the fight against corruption must be corruption- free, by ensuring transparency and accountability within the creative industry.
” I call on everyone in the Nigerian creative family to become generals and foot soldiers in the battle to rid Nigeria of the rot of corruption.
“We must deploy our voices, writings, movies, skits and drama to lead the war, so that when the story is told, it would be clear that we did not run from our responsibilities.
“But, if we are coming to justice, we must come with clean hands. If we are going to fight corruption, we must be sure that we are not corrupt ourselves.
“If we are fighting bad leadership, we have to be absolutely sure that we are not providing bad leadership ourselves. In other words, we must practice what we preach.” he said.
Okoroji highlighted the rampant infringement of intellectual property rights in Nigeria, connecting it to the broader national issue of corruption and economic decline.
He rejected the notion that something is inherently wrong with Nigerians, pointing to the global success of Nigerian creatives and athletes as evidence of their potential.
“Sad as it may sound, many have concluded that there is no hope for Nigeria. Some even say that there must be something wrong with our genes.
“I say No! No! The truth is that nothing is wrong with our genes, as several young Nigerians are flexing their muscles in different parts of the world and soaring in diverse fields.
“Asake, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Flavour and many more, are taking what is today called afro beats to the world and filling huge venues with rapturous fans paying pounds and dollars to see them.
“Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal player, has Nigerian genes. Victor Osimhen, one time top scorer has been a top scorer in Italian league, is a full-blooded Nigerian, as well as Tobi Amusan who still holds the World Record in 100 meters Hurdles.
“Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate in Literature, is a Nigerian. Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is relatively young, is a Nigerian and this is just to mention a few.” Okoroji said.
He acknowledged the despair and hardship in Nigeria, but encouraged creatives to contribute to the nation’s progress, ensuring that integrity and justice prevailed.
Reflecting on the origins of “No Music Day,” Okoroji recounted the 2009 protest, when creatives demanded that broadcast stations refrain from playing music, marking the day as a symbol of advocacy.
The COSON chairman urged Nigerians to be diligent and play their part in ensuring that the country becomes a better place for everyone.
