PMAN Unveils New Charter
Hope seems to be coming the way of Nigerian Musicians, if words of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria President, Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli are anything to go by.
Speaking during his courtesy visit to the corporate office of THISDAY Newspaper,Omatsola opened up on numerous plans of the association for its artists and Nigerian music.
Top on his agenda was the welfare of artists, which he hoped to improve with the setting up of an affordable insurance package for active members. He also discussed his technique for tackling the piracy issue, which has remained a lingering problem till date.
“We have a committee for combating piracy, We are also partnering with the EFCC, Copyrights Commission and have also had discussions with various record label owners with a bid to ensure they stick to our wholesale and retail prices. Our intention is to make it more profitable for them to join the legal stream,” he said.
The association has also started liasing with banks with a view to providing the much needed funding for artists and their various projects.
” We have an agreement with Afribank allowing artists to apply for funding for instruments through PMAN. The PMAN President also commented on plans by the association to launch its magazine, “What’s Up?” And a television programme concerned with the teaching of music education and appreciation.
” Our plan is to ensure that in the nearest future, members benefits include full legal advice, health and insurance schemes while the association will also resolve the numerous problems that arise between the musicians, their recording studios etc.’
Tourism through music was also not left out as the association is currently liaising with the Lagos State Government and two television stations with the aim of showcasing Nigeria’s vast musical talent to a teeming global audience. ” The intention is to showcase bands at the end of every month through the NTA and TV3, it’ll begin with Lagos and spread to other states. Our intention is to make the association very professional and I see no reason why it shouldn’t be big since our country is the giant of Africa.”
Tee Mac also used the opportunity to wish injured musician Tu-Face Idibia, a speedy recovery while appealing to musicians not yet registered for its welfare packages to do so soonest. ” All those that are not registered for the life and accident insurance should do so now, we currently have a committee for that. PMAN also wishes Tu-Face a speedy recovery.”
[Via This Day]
