Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), the nation’s sole collective management organization for cinematograph films, has held its maiden stakeholders’ forum. The well-attended and star-studded event held on Thursday, February 20, 2015 at the exquisite Planet One Entertainment Centre, Maryland, Lagos. The forum is the first in a series of such public enlightenment programs lined up by AVRS for the year. Chairman of the Society, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, explained that the cardinal objective of the forum was to enlighten stakeholders in the film and broadcast industry on the purpose, nature and operations of AVRS. He also said that the forum was held to explain to the stakeholders ”their rights and obligations to the Society” with a view to establishing cordial working relationships with various stakeholders in the film industry.
Addressing the nearly 300 movie practitioners who attended, Mr. Ali-Balogun traced the background of the formation of AVRS, citing the need to strengthen capacity of industry practitioners to fight piracy, as well as the clamour for royalties and residual income as fundamental reasons that led to the establishment of a CMO for the audio-visual sector. Having scaled the primary hurdles of formation of AVRS and its approval to function as a CMO by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, he said the time was due for rigorous and extensive sensitization of all stakeholders comprising industry practitioners and commercial users of audio visual content across the country, to get everyone well-informed on their duties, rights and obligations.
He stressed the need for all prospective members of AVRS, producers, directors, screen writers, lead actors and actresses, toendeavour to become formally registered members and assignors to the Society, as the strength of a CMO usually derives from the number of mandates it has in its repertoire, based on which it could commence licensing users of works of its members on all platforms. Also speaking, the General Manager of AVRS, Barrister EmeAkiba-Eyo, outlined to stakeholders the benefits of membership of AVRS and threw light on the nature and operations of the Society. In her words, “AVRS is a company limited by guarantee and approved to function as a CMO by the regulatory agency being the Nigerian Copyright Commission. For avoidance of doubt, it is neither a guild nor an association, but a corporate organization duly incorporated to operate in accordance with the provisions of its memorandum and articles of association, section 39 of the Nigerian Copyright Act, and the Collective Management Organizations Regulations 2007. As film producers, directors, screen writers, lead actors and actresses, your membership of AVRS guarantees earning of royalties and the peace of mind which comes with knowing that while you engage in your various creative efforts, AVRS is busy working round the clock as your watchdog against unauthorised exploitation of your works.”
In his goodwill message, the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. AfamEzekude, represented by Barrister Obi Ezeilo, congratulated AVRS for convening the stakeholders’ forum and charged practitioners to close ranks and work collectively towards achieving the goals of the society. The NCC boss advised stakeholders to avoid any indulgence that may weaken the capacity of AVRS to deliver on its mandate.
Directors of AVRS who were present at the event included Barrister TunjiBamishigbin, Chief Gabriel Okoye (IgweGabosky), Sir Emmanuel Isikaku, OtunbaAinaKushoro, Mr. Fidelis Duker, Mrs. EmemIsong-Misodi, and Prince JideKosoko.
Anchored by Mr. Francis Onwochei who is also a Director of AVRS, dignitaries at the event included film maker and former Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation, Mr. AfolabiAdesanya, president of Theatre Arts and Movie Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), YemiSholade, president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), Comrade Victor Ashaolu, top Nollywood producers, directors, actors, actresses and marketers including Mr. Dejumo Lewis, Mr. EmekaOssai, Chief Cosmos Ndulue, Richmond Ezihe, Sunny McDon, ZebEjiro, Christopher Ozoemena, Alex Enyengho, Chico Ejiro, Abbey Lanre, AdewaleElesho, NobertAjaegbu, DeboDebo, Ralph Nwadike, Aisha Abimbola and a host of others.