STOP PRESS: OKOROJI WINS AGAIN AS VANGUARD NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES APOLOGY
Vanguard Media Ltd, owners of Vanguard Newspaper have published an unreserved apology to the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji. The apology is with respect to an article titled Onyeka Onwenu explodes: Okoroji must account for N3m of Essien-Igbokwe Burial Funds published in Vanguard Newspaper of October 14, 2011 and on http://www.vanguardngr.com/, the website of Vanguard.
In the apology published in Vanguard Newspaper of November 19, 2012 and signed by the editor, the newspaper wrote, ‘On October 14, 2011, we published an article titled Okoroji must account for N3 million for Essien-Igbokwe Burial Funds on our internet site, www.vanguardngr.com and on page 31 of Vanguard of the same date. We have since discovered the publication as incorrect and as such retract the said news publication in its entirety.
‘We therefore tender an unreserved apology to Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and regret any injury the said publication must have caused him as we hold him in high esteem’.
It will be recalled that the publication of Ms Onwenu’s allegation against Chief Okoroji shortly after the burial of late Christy Essien-Igbokwe, caused enormous uproar across the country and beyond. Chief Okoroji remained emphatic that he had nothing to hide and that the publication had been actuated by malice. He stated that at no time did he take any penny that did not belong to him as alleged and instead had worked diligently and made enormous personal and financial sacrifice to ensure the nationally celebrated burial of a dead colleague as he had earlier promised. He also stated that at no point did anyone contact him nor seek any information from him before the damaging article was published. Chief Okoroji in separate suits took Vanguard and Onyeka Onwenu to court for gross libel and defamation of character.
Chief Okoroji’s lawyer, Mr Justin Ige has stated that having investigated the matter for several months and having come to the conclusion that there was no basis whatsoever for the publication in its newspaper, Vanguard Media Ltd has decided to publish the said unreserved apology to Chief Tony Okoroji, pay his legal fees and settle the matter out of court.
Reacting to the development, popular actor and broadcaster, Mr Patrick Doyle who came to Chief Tony Okoroji’s defence when the offending article was circulated said, ‘When I went public to defend my friend, Chief Tony Okoroji, it was because I know the man, I know his values and I know that his integrity is unimpeachable. I know of no Nigerian who has worked as relentlessly and given of himself so selflessly towards the progress of all creative people in our country. Chief Okoroji continues to succeed where others have failed because unlike the typical Nigerian, he has never been driven by love of money but by the love of country and the well-being of all. With his intellect, creativity, unsurpassed contacts and unparalleled work ethic, he can be a millionaire in any currency several times over but chooses to donate much of his effort to the public good.
‘Look at how he took a little known PMAN and in no time, turned it into one of the nation’s most vibrant and richest associations. Everyone must ask: where is PMAN today? The agitators simply took over the association, fought over the money left by Okoroji, destroyed the association and turned it into a joke! Just look at what Okoroji has done with COSON in less than two and half years. Is it nothing short of a miracle? Two years ago, no one had heard of COSON. Today, COSON is distributing several millions of naira to musicians across the country. So many people had sworn that collective management of copyright could never work in Nigeria. Has Tony Okoroji not proved all of them wrong? Have you read Tony Okoroji’s internationally celebrated book, Copyright & the New Millionaires? The depth of the book defines the man.
‘Tony Okoroji is an unusual Nigerian. His personal discipline, unquenchable self-belief and never-say-die spirit can be intimidating and threatening to small people. Whatever he touches seems to turn to gold and for this, the young people in the industry celebrate him. Fuelled by envy, small minded people never stop trying to cut him down. They tried to do it with THISDAY and Okoroji went to court and got a N40 million judgment against THISDAY. Charly Boy tried it and Okoroji got judgment against him. Femi Lasode got into the game, not only did Okoroji get judgment against him, his entire possessions were confiscated by court bailiffs. They even tried to use The Sun newspapers to damage the man. When Okoroji sued The Sun, they had to settle out of court. Vanguard has now done the honourable thing. You recall that I told everyone how this will end but will others learn?
‘The movie industry is today harnessing the talents of Chief Tony Okoroji to stop the bleeding in the industry. Tony Okoroji is Nigeria’s undisputed no. 1 expert on the intricate subject of copyright, a subject which he continues to work on with so much passion. Please ask anyone who has worked with him in the on-going movie industry process about this man’s incredible work ethic and ability to bring diverse people together for the public good. His work is very important for the future of a lot of young Nigerians and indeed the country. I beg lazy people to please find something to do and leave my friend alone’
No comments:
Post a Comment