EVENT CORA, Arterial Nigeria Boost Creative Industry with ESP Launch

CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria has launched the Enterprise Support Programme (ESP) in partnership with a leading full service commercial law firm, Ajumogobia & Okeke for professional legal advisory services to Nigerian creative industry entrepreneurs. The recent launch was one of the highlights of the organisation’s 2017/2018 General Assembly.

Anchored by Nollywood actor and producer, Francis Onwochei, the event was a rallying point for stakeholders to interact withAjumogobia and Okeke and seek clarifications on the programme’s plans on Intellectual Property (IP) protection, advice in contract negotiations, sponsorship deals, tours and agency.

Representing the law firm was itsAssociate Partner, Mrs EbunoluwaAwosika who explained the scope of pro bono professional services with regards to trademark registration and protection, copyright notifications, brand protection and licensing as well as how artists and creative entrepreneurs would be guided by the law firm in preparing legal documents required for processing credit facilities with banks.

In reaction to this initiative, the legendary flutist and Chairman, Entertainment Foundation of Nigeria, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli (MFR) praised CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria and Ajumogobia & Okeke for the collaboration.

“I think artists should also look into the issue of health insurance. I an being inundated on a very regular basis with artists having stroke, artists cannot walk and so on. This is an area we will appreciate ifArterial can take up,’’ he said.

The President of Society of NigerianArtists (SNA) Oliver Enwonwu also drew attention to some peculiarities in the visual arts that require attention. These include the issue of artists’s resale right which entitles creators of original works of art to a royalty each time one of their works is resold through an auction house or art market professional.

The President,Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Ralph Nwadike advised artists against the assumption that they are immune to legal actions when they are doing the right thing.