Several top personalities gathered in the North West geographical zone of Nigeria on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, as Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) Nigeria’s sole copyright collective management organisation for audiovisual works successfully held another stakeholders’ meeting with users and owners of audiovisual works in Kano. The forum provided users of films, movies, television programmes as well as documentaries and copyright owners the opportunity to understand the concept of copyright and the role of collective management organisation, and their importance to the survival of the creative enterprise in Nigeria. The AVRS Stakeholders’ forum has been held several times in the past at locations in Lagos, Benin, Asaba, Abuja and Abeokuta.
The forum which was held at the prestigious Kannywood Hall, Kano, the Kano State capital was massively attended by operators of hotels and similar establishments, television stations and filmmakers in the North West region.
Also in attendance were top government functionaries, including Mallam Khalid Musa, Senior Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Kannywood; Alhaji Aliyu Shehu, Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), the Federal Government agency that regulates copyright and collective management organisations in Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Fagge, Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Kano.
Speaking during the forum, chairman of AVRS, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun said, “The Stakeholders’ Forum, as usual provides us a platform for AVRS to continue to interact with organisations who deploy our creative works in their businesses and facilities. We are determined and razor focused in ensuring that our members derive utmost benefit from the exploitation of their works and that no organisation using our creative contents successfully escapes payment.” He stressed that AVRS is a bridge between the users and content owners that is ready to make the relationship beneficial to both sides.
Speaking also at the forum, the veteran Nollywood actor and AVRS Director, Mr. Sani Muazu who compèred the whole proceedings of the forum, took participants through the frequently asked questions (FAQ) as it concerns the operations of AVRS and called on all users to be alive to their copyright responsibility. He informed participants that actors and producers like him depend on the work that AVRS do, to make a living.
The General Manager of AVRS, Mrs. Olubukola Adeyemi whilst giving the vote of thanks, said AVRS is committed at ensuring that users and right owners are properly educated on the subject of copyright and the role of AVRS in the society and that they begin to understand the importance of the respect for copyright.
Other key personalities that attended the forum included Dr. Ahmad Sarari, AVRS Director and Dr. Chinedu Chukwuji, AVRS Consultant.
