PMAN - NIPOST SIGN DISTRIBUTION DEAL

The recently announced performing musicians association of Nigeria-Nigeria music distribution network (PMAN-NMDN) has taken off with the signing of the joint venture agreement (JVA) between PMAN & NIPOST.

The JVA, signed at the protea hotel in Lagos recently, is a collaboration that will ensure that all musical works (CDs, DVDs & Cassettes) released in Nigeria, or imported pass through a controlled distribution system that will permit accountability, transparency and efficiency. The signing is believed to be an efficient commercial solution to illegal operations in products of entertainment industry

While the president, Admiral Dele Abiodun signed on behalf of PMAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Mori Baba Danmasin Fakai, the post master general, signed on behalf of NIPOST. Abiodun said the kickoff was a sign that the entertainment industry will be better off in a short while.

“The MDN is a scientific model of music distribution; it will help in sanitizing the distribution of music in Nigeria. I’m happy about this because we promised it to Nigerian Musicians when we were coming on board. Our musicians can now concentrate on their works and forget about how it is distributed”, he said.

Similarly, Alhaji Ibrahim described the signing of the JVA as historic, assuring that NIPOST would deliver on its part of the bargain. With this agreement, the services and facilities of the NIPOST in terms of warehousing, transportation and ICT tracking system, which allow letters and parcels to reach parts of the country on 24 to 48 hours basis, are being conscripted to ensure that music and other commercial works on CD,VCD and DVD reach the markets simultaneously from the date of release, leaving no vacuum for illegal dealers to fill.

NIPOST will provide spaces at designated post offices for the distribution of musical and ancillary works, inform of large consignments of commercial CDs, VCDs and DVDs brought to it from any other sources, act as registration agent for stakeholders, and work in its possession within the period agreed for the recipient to pick them up.

SHOLA ALLYNSON LAUNCHES NEW ALBUM

Shola Allynson-Obaniyi launched her fourth album “imo’ore”, at the jogor centre opposite liberty stadium, Ibadan, recently. The event was crowded with friends, fans, dignitaries and music giants like Mrs Olukemi Mimiko, wife of the ondo state governor, Yinka Ayefele, Kunle Hamilton, Shola’s producer Cobhams Asuquo and many more.

    On her new album “imo’ore”, Shola takes a new and refreshing direction as she collaborated with music maestro, Cobhams Asuquo, who produced three of the five tracks in “imo’ore”. The duo’s collaboration of styles gave birth to a masterpiece of worship where international celestial sounds meet home grown Yoruba gospels. The new album also includes her hit love song “eji owuro”.

    In spite of a sale of several million copies of her first three albums, (Eji Owuro – 2003, Gbeje Fori – 2005, and Ire – 2007), shola’s music has been the best kept secret of the south-west Nigeria. The new album imo’ore breaks the bubble and engages a new crop of followers in Nigeria and beyond with songs like “Mimo” and “Isinmi”.

DARE ART ALADE, WEIRD MC & MUMA GEE FOR CELEBRITY GUS

Reality show buffs who have in the last four years followed the Nigerian breweries sponsored yearly Gulder ultimate search show from inception will have something fresh and unique about the show to watch in a couple of weeks: a new variant of the popular reality TV show, Gulder ultimate search (GUS), this time featuring top rated celebrities drawn from the movie and music industry.

    Powered by Nigerian breweries and conceived to showcase Nigerian celebrities of diverse professions and backgrounds, this special celebrity edition according to the organizers will precede the regular edition which normally holds in the third quarter of the year and which feature youths selected from a rigorous endurance test across the country.

The show which will be anchored by Genevieve Nnaji will include top musicians such as Dare Art Alade, Weird MC, Obesere, Muma gee, and Daddy Showkey. Others who will be lighting up the show include standup comedian, Princess and A list nollywood actors among them Funke Akindele, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Chioma Chukwuka – Akphota and Emeka Ike.  For their participation, the organizers have promised the ten celebrities whose exploits will be shown once every week on major television channels including the NTA, AIT and African Magic for eleven weeks “more fame and more fortune for the last celebrity standing”.

It was revealed at the venue of the unveiling ceremony of the celebrities held on Friday in Lagos that unlike the regular edition when participants are engaged at no cost, the participating celebrities will each be paid a sign-on fee to take part in the adventure while they will also receive an unspecified fee upon eviction. Just like in the regular edition, only one celebrity will win the ultimate price. Also, managing director of Nigerian breweries, Mr. Michael Herkenij assured that fans would for 11 weeks be treated to exciting, fun filled, intriguing and entertaining original Nigerian adventure programme with international standards.

PMAN & NUJ PARTNER ON SOUNDPEN ESTATE

Journalist and practitioners in the entertainment industry are to acquire property in the first ever collaborative estate project between journalists and musicians in Nigeria. The estate project situated at owode egba, Ogun state – about 30 minutes drive away from Lagos, known as soundpen estate, offers about 3000 plots to journalists and all engaged in entertainment – related business.
    According to the national media officer, performing musicians association of Nigeria (PMAN), Shola Oyeyipo, the collaborative project which is supported by NUJ & PMAN, is part of the on going efforts by the current executive of both unions to ensure better living standard for their members, and to foster a lasting relationship between the media and the entertainment industry.
    He added that at the completion of the project, musicians and journalist will live together in about 3000 plots that will be well planned with world class facilities. Expressing optimism about the project, the Lagos state chairman of NUJ, comrade wahab alabi oba, noted that despite the fact that the lagos state NUJ had embarked upon three previous estate projects. The soundpen estate was unique due to the partnership with PMAN.
    Similarly PMAN president, admiral Dele Abiodun has described the project as a “purposeful partnership”. He insisted that his regime was concerned about leaving legacies for which it will be remembered by Nigerian musicians. Stressing that housing is very important to everyone, hence the estate project.

TERRY G TO BE SUED FOR N20 MILLION.

The management of options entertainment in Ibadan, Oyo state is set to slam a N20m lawsuit on Terry G for an alleged contract breach. Shef, owner of the exclusive 24/7 nightclub in ikolaba, GRA, Ibadan said he had paid Terry G the sum of N100,000 as part payment for his appearance at the club’s four years anniversary in December but was surprised that the “free madness” crooner refused to show up as agreed.
    “We had agreed on N150,000 out of which I paid him N100,000, while there was an understanding that he will collect his balance in Ibadan on the day of the event. From what I gathered, he had collected money from another promoter in the east, while he made me suffer financial and emotional losses for his absence. I have asked my lawyer to handle the matter; I will sue him for nothing less than N20m”.
    Apart from a copy of the bank PHB teller used to pay in the money by one Hassan Akintola into Gabriel oche’s account number – 2047762335. Shef averred that “Terry G’s mother was at the meeting they held somewhere in fagba, Agege, on how the money would be paid.”
    “I am not one to be taken for a ride by any artist in this country, least of all Terry G. These are the little things that make people not to trust these artists anymore”. Terry G’s spokesperson, Tijahn, promised that the artiste would make it up to the management of options entertainment soon enough.