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Call for Nigeria 'no-music day' | Call for Nigeria 'no-music day' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Nigerian broadcasters have been asked to observe what has been dubbed "No-Music Day" on their stations. | Nigerian broadcasters have been asked to observe what has been dubbed "No-Music Day" on their stations. |
The call comes from the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition, which is concerned about the non-payment of royalties. | The call comes from the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition, which is concerned about the non-payment of royalties. |
Its spokesman told the BBC that many stations and nightclubs see obtaining music licences as an "alien idea". | Its spokesman told the BBC that many stations and nightclubs see obtaining music licences as an "alien idea". |
Last week, the group organised an ongoing hunger strike by musicians - mainly in Lagos - angered at losing money to piracy. | Last week, the group organised an ongoing hunger strike by musicians - mainly in Lagos - angered at losing money to piracy. |
The BBC's Fidelis Mbah in Lagos says pirated CDs of popular albums are readily available on the city's streets, at a fraction of the official price. | The BBC's Fidelis Mbah in Lagos says pirated CDs of popular albums are readily available on the city's streets, at a fraction of the official price. |
Despite the occasional raid on the pirates' production outfits, security agents have failed to tame their activities, he says. | Despite the occasional raid on the pirates' production outfits, security agents have failed to tame their activities, he says. |
It is the first time Nigerian musicians have united to highlight their plight. | It is the first time Nigerian musicians have united to highlight their plight. |
'Pain' | 'Pain' |
Nigerian Music Industry Coalition's Efe Omorogbe said the failure to pay royalties was equivalent to making and distributing pirated CDs. | Nigerian Music Industry Coalition's Efe Omorogbe said the failure to pay royalties was equivalent to making and distributing pirated CDs. |
We're not relying on the album [sales], we're only relying on shows Musician Xtreme | We're not relying on the album [sales], we're only relying on shows Musician Xtreme |
"There are probably more radio stations in Lagos than in two other African countries put together. Lagos stations do not pay royalties," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "There are probably more radio stations in Lagos than in two other African countries put together. Lagos stations do not pay royalties," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
He said Nigeria had two royalty collection associations. | He said Nigeria had two royalty collection associations. |
Radio stations often say they do not know which one collects for which catalogue. | Radio stations often say they do not know which one collects for which catalogue. |
"The system has failed to structure itself in such a way that people are compelled to pay," he said. | "The system has failed to structure itself in such a way that people are compelled to pay," he said. |
Our reporter says that so far radio stations in Lagos have complied with the musicians' request and are not playing music. | Our reporter says that so far radio stations in Lagos have complied with the musicians' request and are not playing music. |
The musicians' indefinite hunger strike will be followed by a protest to the National Assembly, he says. | The musicians' indefinite hunger strike will be followed by a protest to the National Assembly, he says. |
One Lagos musician, who goes by the stage name Xtreme, says piracy has really affected his income. | One Lagos musician, who goes by the stage name Xtreme, says piracy has really affected his income. |
"All the artists are feeling the pain... we're not relying on the album [sales], we're only relying on shows," he said. | "All the artists are feeling the pain... we're not relying on the album [sales], we're only relying on shows," he said. |
Are you taking part in Nigeria's "No-Music Day"? Let us know what you think about it, by using the postform below to send us your comments. | Are you taking part in Nigeria's "No-Music Day"? Let us know what you think about it, by using the postform below to send us your comments. |
Yes, the musicians are really suffering as a result of our unregulated check economy. The govt. need to come in to salvage the music industry in one hand and the artist on the other hand.Mr Esabu Monday, Agadaga Ewohimi, Edo State, Nigeria | |
its really disastrous because i was in Abuja early this year when the Nigerian major musicians attends comedy events, just to earn a living, while their Cds is everywhere in the market.Jonas E. ThankGod, Madrid | |
What is this nonsense about no music day? Why can't the country not get serious in eradicating poverty. Despite the oil from the delta region, the cocoa from the west and midwestern region, the palm oil from the eastern region the groundnuts and the cattle from the northern region, the rubber from the midwestern and southeastern regions of the country plus precious solid minerals in all parts of the country there are no basic amenities for all the population. Even in the commercial city of Lagos 95% of the city do not have pipe borne water flowing through the taps to drink and even flush the toilets. What a shame. A big shame indeed. I learnt that the governor of Lagos state is beautifying the city, when there is no electricity in constant supply and pipe borne water. Get serious Nigeria. The country is being laughed at from serious nations around the world after so many years of self rule. Stop this no music day and get the country off poverty. Mind you observers don't go to the GRA, Victoria Island or Ikoyi. They go to areas that have been neglected. Dr. Eng. William. Gillbeak, London Unitied Kingdom | |
I support you with all my life. we have been robbed for too long.Oyet, Ukatejit, Calabar, Nigeria | |
This's just a nonsense. How's the music industry beneficial to the Nigerian Federation? After all the parliament and the executives have already failed to provide the dividend of the so-called democracy to their people, so what next do they expect from them?Tijjani Bukar, Damaturu, Nigeria | |
It sad that our musicians are not getting compensated for their talents due to nefarious activities of some unscrupulous individuals. Piracy is an up hill battle for the music and movie industries in Nigeria. Due to the current economic downturn in the country, a lot of people find the pirated CDs cheaper than the original ones. For as long as people are buying pirated CDs, the industry will remain vibrant and lucrative. It is had time the national assembly join our artistes in the fight against pirated CDs and payment of royalties to the musicians. There is no doubt that the livelihood of our artistes is in jeopardy. My fellow Nigerians should boycott pirated CDs and help are artistes to grow.Omorodion Osula, Boston, USA | |
I support Nigeria musicians. This idea it will help them 2 develop the activities of music in Nigeria.Yakubu Peter, Kano, Nigeria | |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |