The Governor, Performing Musician Association of Nigerian (PMAN), Oyo State Chapter, Evangelist Taiwo Omotunde has urged the federal government to help prevent and tackle the illicit activities of pirates in the music industry and strengthen copyright policy in order to make the industry to flourish more.
Evangelist Omotunde gave the urge in Ibadan while speaking on the activities of the association under his leadership and the release of his three new albums that will hit the market and music airwaves in the first week of October, 2022.
According to him, piracy has been a major problem confronting the industry, hence the call for the intervention of government to curb the menace in the music industry.
“I am urging the federal government and all levels of government in the country to help us prevent the unholy activities of pirates on our music, government should arrest those who copy and steal other peoples song, it is only government that has the capacity to carry out this exercise and by doing this, the industry will be strengthened.
The PMAN governor who advised members of the association to take advantage of the digital age to improve themselves appealed to government to assist the industry by providing grants and loans to musicians in order to make them improve and invest massively into the industry.
According to him, government can generate huge revenue in the industry to sustain the economy by tapping the huge potentials and resources in the sector.
“The Central Bank has huge grants for Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, the category which Juju music genry belongs, but the sector is not included into this scheme. Musicians are the ones driving the social aspect of the economy from the concerts, recording and others which they do, and by this create wealth for the economy.
“Government need to recognize us as Small and Medium Scale Enterprise too so that we can have access to grant in order to help us create employment, expand the economy and excel in our trade.”
Omotunde who said the association under his leadership has feared well declared that the place of Juju music in the entertainment industry remains intact as other music genry depends largely on Juju music to be relevant.
He said members from all zones of the state irrespective of the section of music they belong now have a sense of association, unlike in the past when the association was drifting and it has been encouraging.
Evangelist Omotunde said PMAN in the state now has a platform, pmanoyostate.com where members of the public can locate the musicians adding that this has really enhanced their activities.
“Juju music is the mother of all other music, it is invading and fast transforming into other forms of music and that has come to stay, he added.
He said his three albums which will hit the music stand in October are collections of powerful and inspirational stuff that will give music lovers real satisfaction on every side.
“In the three albums I am bringing together this time, one is a collection of my hits songs, the second one is full gospel and the third is new composition of current affairs and socials stuff. It is about my philosophy among others.”
