Wikipedia

Tony Okoroji

Tony Okoroji is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, author and intellectual property activist.[1] He was elected President of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in 1989 and later became the Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).[2] In 2016, Okoroji established his own record label, TOPs Record.[3][4]

Chief
Tony Okoroji
Born (1957-12-22) December 22, 1957 (age 66)
NationalityNigerian
Occupation(s)Author, Musician and Activist
Known forIntellectual property activist
TitleChairman COSON

Music industry leadership

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Okoroji became president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in 1989. He is credited for expanding the organisation across Nigeria.

He was also one of the individuals that called for the establishment of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) during military dictatorship.[5][6] Okoroji emerged chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) following its formation in May 2010.[7][8]

In 2017, he introduced Nigeria’s first online licensing platform, COSON Licensing Application Platform (CLAP)[9] and declared an all-out war against copyright infringements. This reform led to the collection of 300 million naira royalty for artists within a year.[10][11][12]

Books

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In 2009, Okoroji released a book Copyright, Neighborhood Rights and the new Millionaires (the twists and turns in Nigeria) which analysed copyright infringement issues and ways to tackle the challenges.[13][14]

In 2017, Okoroji published another book On The Road To Change which is a compendium of articles written by him and published in Saturday Independent (Nigerian Newspaper) and other media platforms.[15][16][17]

Music career

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Okoroji became popular in the early 70s with hits such as James and John, I say No, and Oriaku from his Juliana album and Akataka.[18][19] In 2016, he established his own record label, TOPs Record. In 2017, he released a single which is a remake of Oriaku titled Oriaku newskul  and in 2018, he released another single, Happy Music  under his own record label.[20][21][22]

Discography

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  • Juliana album (1983)
  • Akataka album (1985)
  • Locomotion album (1984)
  • Super Sure (1976)
  • Big Big Sugar Daddy 1979)
  • Mama & Papa (1982)
  • Akataka (1985)
  • Otanishi (1986) [23]
  • Happy music (single) 2017.[24]
  • Oriaku (The New School) 2018

References

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  1. ^ "Okoroji's big book launch takes place this Sunday | Encomium Magazine". Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  2. ^ "Tony Okoroji: Some Provisions of New NBC Code Are Unenforceable". THISDAYLIVE. 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  3. ^ "Tony Okoroji to launch record label". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  4. ^ Reporter (2017-06-30). "Meet The 5 Music Acts On TONY OKOROJI's Label". City People Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  5. ^ "Victor Uwaifo Warns NCC DG, Ezekude: Please Fight The Pirates And Leave COSON And Okoroji Alone". Yes International! Magazine. 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  6. ^ "Okoroji appointed patron of the Intellectual Property Law Club of O.A.U. Ile Ife | Encomium Magazine". Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  7. ^ Week, Comms (2020-04-05). "Okoroji, COSON Boss Renews N100m Lawsuit against NCC". Nigerian CommunicationWeek. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  8. ^ "COSON boss Tony Okoroji explains N31 million was spent in one year". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  9. ^ admin (2017-01-26). "COSON Unveils Nigeria's First Online Licensing Platform, CLAP". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  10. ^ "COSON: Nigerian artistes to collect royalties next week -". The Eagle Online. 2014-12-13. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  11. ^ Admin, Octopus (2017-09-27). "Coson Takes 'Operation No Hiding Place' To Port Harcourt, Declares Full Blown War On Copyright Infringers". The Octopus News. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  12. ^ "'The state of the Nigerian music industry' – Chief Tony Okoroji | Encomium Magazine". Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  13. ^ "Renowned African Entertainer, Tony Okoroji Launches Book". Trendy Africa. 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  14. ^ Ola, Kunle (2015), Fitzgerald, Brian; Gilchrist, John (eds.), "Evolution and Future Trends of Copyright in Nigeria", Copyright Perspectives: Past, Present and Prospect, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 97–124, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-15913-3_7, ISBN 978-3-319-15913-3, retrieved 2020-09-08
  15. ^ "Tony Okoroji launches book -". The Eagle Online. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  16. ^ "Okoroji Launches On The Road To Change". Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  17. ^ Admin, Octopus (2015-05-14). "ADEBAYO TO CHAIR OKOROJI'S BIG BOOK LAUNCH". The Octopus News. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  18. ^ "Finally, Okoroji's Happy Music Hits Airwaves". guardian.ng. 7 January 2017. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  19. ^ Latestnigeriannews. "Tony Okoroji releases Oriaku". Latest Nigerian News. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  20. ^ Okanlawon, Ajani (2016-12-14). "Tony Okoroji is releasing a new song after three decades". QED.NG. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  21. ^ "Tony Okoroji's 'Happy Music' hits airwaves". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  22. ^ Voice, City. "Okoroji releases new single, 'Happy Music' | City Voice Newspaper". Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  23. ^ "Tony Okoroji". Discogs.
  24. ^ "Okoroji hits airwaves with 'Happy Music' -". The Eagle Online. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
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