Mohbad
By Sehubo Festus
Reps invite NCC on Mohbad’s rights on songs
The Nigeria Copyright Commission has been requested by the House of Representatives to protect the rights to the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad’s songs and lyrics.
Following a motion by Hon. Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu federal constituency, this decision was made on Tuesday at the plenary session in Abuja.
During the plenary session, Benson emphasized that Mohbad’s untimely death on September 12 sparked a lot of discussion and outrage.
According to him, the youth have been screaming his name and demanding an investigation, culminating in a memorial performance attended by many singers. He added that Mohbad’s fans are clearly struggling to comprehend his untimely death.
Mohbad, also known as “Imole” (meaning “light” in Yoruba), was an artist who used his music to promote peace and positivity, according to Babjimi Benson.
He stated that Mohbad’s departure from Naira Marley’s Marlian Records in 2022 was mostly due to many issues, including unpaid royalties. Benson stressed that this scenario reflects light on an ongoing industry issue in which artists face difficulties upholding their rights.
Furthermore, Benson highlighted that it shows a disturbing industry practice that exposes the difficulties that young musicians face in Nigeria. He explained that many of them become engaged in abusive agreements and face intimidation while attempting to exit these agreements.
He furthered that Mohbad’s case is not an isolated incident, as many artists in the country find themselves caught in unfavorable contractual arrangements.
According to Benson, the lack of creative freedom and financial growth for artists can lead to disputes and even violence. He explained that many Nigerian artists are forced into unfair contracts due to the absence of substantial institutional funding in the music industry, stating the importance of addressing this issue for the industry’s growth and sustainability.
Benson expressed concern that most of the late artist’s earnings were going to the Marlian Music Group, and there has been no effort to protect his estate, despite being a globally recognized digital artiste.
The House paid tribute to Mohbad and emphasized the need to protect the rights of young artists in their contracts with record labels. They called for close monitoring of the investigation into Mohbad’s death, particularly regarding allegations of harassment and unpaid royalties.
The House also urged the NCC to collaborate with record labels, artists, legal experts, and industry associations to establish and enforce industry-wide guidelines.
The guidelines should guarantee fair treatment, transparent contracts, and adequate compensation for artists. They should also assess current copyright and contract laws in Nigeria to identify areas that require reform.
Additionally, the House has tasked its Committee on Justice and Legislative Compliance to ensure that these guidelines are followed.