After over four decades of existing without a property, the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) finally unveiled its newly acquired corporate edifice on Tuesday December 13, 2022.
The multi-million-naira edifice located at 4b, Hammed Kasumu Street, Chevy View Estate, Lekki, Lagos, was declared open by juju music legend, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye popularly known as King Sunny Ade, who after cutting the tape, ushered into the new office the PMAN executives led by the president, Pretty Okafor as well as other stakeholders in the industry like Femi Lasode and Mayo Ayilaran.
The Nigerian Music House is a fully detached 5-bedroom duplex equipped with different ultra-modern facilities including digital music library, radio station, conference rooms, and VIP lounge. It also boasts other components like the president’s office, membership registration booth provided by Zenith Bank, and other necessary offices.
Speaking after declaring the mansion open, King Sunny Ade lamented the infighting and rancour that has bedeviled the music body. While urging for peace and unity, he said, “There is nothing wrong with PMAN, it is the infighting that triggered so many things, and I thank God that during the tenure of Pretty Okafor, the infighting is now behind us.
We must continue to pray for PMAN because every good thing needs prayers to be able to sustain it, just as bad things need prayers to be able to tackle them. I appreciate everyone that has made it to this level, now we are in our own house that we can be proud of. My royalty hasn’t been paid for the past 50 years by a body, but now I am in the house and I won’t be going to court alone, I have PMAN with me.”
Also speaking, entertainment entrepreneur and father to popular music producer, Don Jazzy, Collins Enebeli Ajereh, said: “I am happy to witness this occasion because I had looked forward to it over the years. A long time ago, when we were all aspiring within the creative industry space, I had absolute faith in what PMAN stood for and in line with that, I encouraged my children to be players within the sphere and made sure they underwent the tutelage to bring them to the market place where they can be successful. So, we must continue the current peace and move PMAN forward.”
In his remarks, Okafor said the decision to acquire a property in highbrow Lekki was borne out of good business sense, which is to reposition and rebrand the union as well as bridge the gap between PMAN and the new generation artistes. According to him, the PMAN House is the property for musicians by the musicians, as he’s going to serve his term and leave the younger ones with a goal. He added that the resources used in acquiring the building were proceeds from the annual dues of members.
“The PMAN corporate edifice is not by my making, it’s the work of the excos. I couldn’t have moved around to get the connection to where we are today without their cooperation. Other executive members like Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay, Ruggedman, Michael Stephen, Asha Gangali, and Boniface Itodo have worked tirelessly to ensure this.
“Since we got the last judgment on November 12, 2020, it has been a drive to prove a point. Our focus to bring out the association from the dungeon and set an example among our peers became a strong force and that is what birthed this edifice. 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 stressed.
On the benefits of PMAN to artistes, Okafor said: “If an artiste wants to travel outside the country to perform, it’s the duty of PMAN to provide a cover letter for such artiste. I have written lots of such letters for artistes. The same PMAN is the only organisation in Nigeria that will get documentation and give artiste a work permit anywhere in the world. No other association can do that.”
Highlight of the ceremony was the observation of one-minute silence in honour of gospel music singer, Sammie Okposo, who died recently.