It was a gathering of music stars as the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria launched its new office in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
Juju maestro and a former president of the association, Sunny Ade, aka KSA, led other music and film veterans to the formal opening of the building.
On his part, the incumbent president of the association, Pretty Okafor, expressed joy that PMAN now had a befitting office. He added that the building will be used as the association’s corporate office, and will also serve all performing artistes in the country, without any form of segregation.
Emphaising the need for new-generation artistes to join the association, Okafor said, “If artistes want to travel outside the country to perform at events, PMAN provides cover letters for them. I have written a lot of such letters for artistes.
“PMAN helps artistes with proper documentation, so that they can get work permits anywhere in the world.”
Meanwhile, KSA, who cut the tape to the edifice, commended Okafor and his team for what he described as a ‘perfect work’. He added that the edifice will play a vital role in taking the association to the next stage of its growth.
He said, “It is my delight that this is happening while I am alive. This edifice means a lot to the reputation of PMAN, under the administration of Mr President (Okafor). I was once a president (of the association) and I know what it entails.
This is a dream come true for many of us here today. I am happy this has happened, and I urge all warring factions (of the association) and those aggrieved to sheath their swords and come together in unity, so that peace can reign.”
Christy Essien-Igbokwe and Sunny Okosun founded PMAN in 1984 to guide, protect and promote the interests of musicians in Nigeria.
The PMAN president maintained that the decision to acquire a property in Lekki is borne out of good business sense.
According to him, it is to reposition and rebrand the union and bridge the gap between PMAN and the new generation of artists.
“We consider it necessary to have a business office accessible to the artist’s community and corporate sector in Nigeria. We want to ensure that musicians are receiving proper remunerations for their creative works both at home and abroad. Through the acquisition of this property, we are sending an important message to Nigerian musicians and the corporate sector that PMAN, the Nigerian music industry powerhouse, is back in business,” he said.
Mr Okafor explained that the National Working Committee (NWC) of PMAN deliberately chose Lekki for the new corporate office because it’s the new epicentre of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
“You know, our former rented office was in Ikeja, but we decided to acquire our property in Lekki. It’s a deliberate decision because Lekki is the new hub for the Nigerian music industry.
“It is the hotbed for the new wave of Afrobeats culture. Lekki is where the GenZs of Nigerian entertainment reside,” he noted.
Describing the newly acquired corporate office as a fully detached 5-bedroom duplex, the PMAN boss revealed that it is equipped with different ultra-modern facilities, including a digital music library, radio station, conference rooms, and VIP lounge, among others.
Authorised by the government of Nigeria under the Trade Unions Act, the organisation is also responsible for regulating music practices in the country.
As of the 1st of August 2022, the president of PMAN is Pretty Okafor, the 1st Vice President is Sunny Neji, and 2nd Vice Zaaky Azay; National Treasurer is Asha Gangali; Ruggedman is Chairman Media while Ital Bonnie Aka Boniface Itodo is the General Secretary.
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