Encomium
For eight unbroken days at eight different venues across Lagos, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) held the people of Lagos spell bound with one dazzling event after another. Encomium Weekly was at each of the events and brings you a run- down of an unforgettable eight days in Lagos.
The COSON Week began with a grand roll-out at Trinity House, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, October 29 with the spectacular “COSON in the Church”, the red carpet national day of songs and prayer with the nation’s top nightingales and key ministers of the gospel coming together to sing and pray for the Nigerian nation. At COSON in the Church, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, a well-known Muslim, led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the never to be forgotten event, exemplifying the bridge building nature of the show. Earlier at Trinity House for COSON in the Church was the Hon. Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. ChibuikeRotimiAmaechi. Lagos State Governor, Mr. AkinwunmiAmbode, also sent a high-powered delegation to COSON in the Church.
Next day, Monday, October 30, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama engaged the nation’s intelligentsia, experts on intellectual property and drivers of the Nigerian creative industry at the 2017 COSON Lecture held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island.
Mr. Onyeama, who before being appointed Minister was Deputy Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Geneva based agency of the United Nations, spoke on “Intellectual Property Rights in the New Global Knowledge Economy”
Tuesday, October 31, the major streets in the Mainland of Lagos witnessed an incredible spectacle as a rainbow of Nigeria’s music stars swept the streets of the city and cleaned drainages and did various other under esteemed work as they gave meaning to the dignity of labour. The ‘COSON in the Streets’ train took offwith lots of music, mind boggling stunts and placards proclaiming the unity of the Nigerian nation. From the National Theatre, Iganmu through Surulere, Yaba and into Ikeja where a major music throw-down took place at the NdubuisiKanu Park, Alausa, the train thrilled and thrilled the people of Lagos.
On Wednesday, November 1, the nation’s crème de la crème, dressed to kill with a touch of green, walked the green carpet and enjoyed the finest entertainment and the choicest cuisine money can buy at the ‘COSON Green Ball’ which took placeat MUSON Centre, Lagos. Special Guest of Honour at the event was Senate President, BukolaSaraki. In his speech read by Senator Ademola Adeleke, Senator Saraki extoled COSON and the Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji for the work they have done to protect the rights of creative people in Nigeria.
The ‘COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out’ tookcentre stage at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba on Thursday, November 2 as Nigeria’s celebrities sweated and battled on the board.In the final match, showbiz man, Don Pedro Delphinus beat star singer, Solid Star to win the big trophy and the One Million Naira star prize.
The Surulere Central Mosque in Shitta on Friday, November 3, hosted Nigeria’s stars of music at ‘COSON at the Mosque’, a day of supplication to the Almighty Allah. Present at the prayer session was COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji and General Manager, Mr. ChineduChukwuji.
The bonus event of the 2017 COSON Week, ‘Children’s Day at COSON House’ took place on Saturday, November 4 as selected Nigerian children between the ages of ten and fifteen stormed COSON House in Ikeja and were hosted at the COSON Arena where they were introduced to the world of intellectual property, were entertained by some music stars and had a lot of fun.
After a lecture on patriotism and Intellectual Property delivered by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji,the children undertook a written examination and the best student, 13 year oldBickersteth Temiloluwa of Topmost International Comprehensive High School, Lagos, emerged as the ‘COSON Young Copyright Ambassador’. He scored 97 out of the highest possible score of 100. He was presented with a certificate and a cheque for One Hundred Thousand Naira by Chief Tony Okoroji.
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The COSON Week climaxed with the show of all shows, ‘the COSON Song Awards’ on Sunday, November 5 with the nation’s glitterati and paparazzi on parade at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island.
Before the big show, every guest at the COSON Song Awards had to present his specially designed COSON Song Awards passport to immigration at the specifically set up immigration stand at the awards. It was only after the guest had been issued with a visa on arrival and his passport stamped and signed by the gorgeous immigration officers, was he or she ushered into the glittering world of the “Red Carpet Fantastico” to enjoy choice drinks, finger foods and the ultra-beautiful hostesses and mingle with Nigerian stars of all callings dressed to finish with paparazzi firing and firing thousands of flash bulbs away! The only way to describe it is wow!
