Broadcasting
COSON Calls for Removal of Jijiwa, VON Boss over Threat
Board of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has demanded for the removal of Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, director general of Voice of Nigeria (VON) over the recent threat by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) to ban the broadcast of music of Nigerian artistes on Nigerian radio and TV stations.
The board which rose from a meeting in Lagos reassured all members and affiliates of COSON that Nigeria is not a banana republic and that no one can stop them from being heard in their country.
Present at the meeting which held at the board room of COSON in Opebi were Mr. Obi Asika of Storm 360, Mr. Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Music, Mr. Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, Mr. Banky Wellington (Banky W) of Empire Mates Entertainment, Mr. Dare Fasasi (Baba Dee) of Naija Ninja Entertainment and Ms. Azeezat Allen of More Money Music.
Also, present at the meeting presided over by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, were Hon. John Ewelukwa Udegbunam, National President, Music Label Owners & Recording Industries Association of Nigeria, Mr. Joel Ajayi of Gospel Choral Records and COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji.
They reiterated the commitment of the society to using the instruments of the law to fully defend the rights of creative people in Nigeria and to promote the Nigerian nation to the world.
Saying that COSON will not be intimidated and will never act outside the law, it declared that COSON will work night and day, without fear or favour, to continue to promote the spirit of the COSON slogan, ‘Let the music pay!’ and that COSON will not relent in its effort to ensuring that musicians walk tall in Nigeria and earn a decent living for their work.
On the repeated BON broadcasts that COSON has been engaged in incessant and continuous harassment, intimidation, blackmail and attack on broadcasting stations over un-negotiated payment of licensing fees, the Board directed that COSON solicitors be instructed to demand an immediate retraction of the blatantly false and unfounded broadcast aimed at tarnishing the image of COSON, from Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria and Chairman of BON, failing which legal action should be commenced against Malam Jijiwa.
The Board recalled its earlier request upon the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate how the leadership of BON led by a paid employee of the Federal Government, Jijiwa, is taking active steps to truncate the criminal trial of the unapproved MCSN and six of its officials which trial is being conducted by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), an agency of the Federal Government.
The COSON Board decided that the time has come to ask Jijiwa to step aside as Director General of VON as his open affront on the policies and decisions of the government paying his salaries are baffling and inexplicable and the fire he is allowing himself to be used to stoke can lead to consequences that the Nigerian nation will regret.
The board also reassured all public and commercial users of music in Nigeria that they have nothing to fear from COSON as long as they take the necessary steps to pay royalties for the music used in their operations just as it reminded the public that COSON does not have the power to impose a tariff on anyone and asked everyone who may disagree with any tariff issued by COSON to apply to NCC to set up a panel to review such tariff in accordance with the provisions in the Copyright (Collective Management Organization) Regulations, 2007.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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