Following the successful and peaceful conclusion of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria-PMAN National Delegate Conference, 2016 held at Devine Hotel & Suits Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos and also the successful election of new officers to run the affairs of PMAN for the next four years, the following National Officers were duly elected and unanimously adopted and returned unopposed by the House. The said National Officers elected are:
- Pretty Okafor as PRESIDENT, MR. Sunny Neji as 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, MR. Zaaky Azaay as 2ND VICE PRESIDENT and Mr. Tolu Obe-Fabiyi as NATIONAL TREASURER. Others are MR. Felix Duke Osagie, MR. Ruggedman Stephen, MR. Asha Gangali, MR. Arthur Pepple, MS. Elvina Ibru, MR. Benny Paladi Edoga and MR. Kofi Idowu as EX–OFFICIALS.
The delegates also resolved and agreed that henceforth the tenure of PMAN National Executive shall be four years as against the current two years’ tenure.
The House unanimously adopted the approval given by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Honourable Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to the effect that all musical and films products produced and sold in Nigeria must be bar–coded henceforth. The house also unanimously calls on the Federal Government through the Honourable Minister of Information & Culture for the Gazzetting and Publishing of Regulation Guiding the bar–coding regime in Nigeria.
It was also agreed and resolved by the house that Chairmen and Members of National Committee of PMAN i.e. National project committee and National Disciplinary committee be constituted.
City People Showbiz Reporter, DANIJI EMMANUEL unveils and brings you a brief profile of the newly inducted PMAN President, Pretty Okafor and the 10 Showbiz personalities who run the union alongside him.
PRETTY OKAFOR
Pretty Okafor- a fine arts major graduate of Yaba College Of Technology who together with Junior pioneered afro hip-hop music in Africa with the duo- Junior & pretty in late 80’s. He is a light, sound, set & stage engineer/ Event producer, trained under RED 14, a British based Event Company where he served as Events anchor, Events Manager/ Producer.
Pretty Okafor was one half of the famous “Junior & Pretty” group which rocked the music industry in the 80s thruogh the 90s.
SUNNY NEJI
Sunny Neji is an MGN Productions Nigeria, Blue Pie and Perfect Pitch artist. He was born on October 24, 1965 in Lagos to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Neji, Sunny, the youngest of five kids (three boys, two girls) had his primary education between 1972 and 1978 in Ogoja, Cross River State, his home town. He completed his secondary education at Government, College, Ikorodu, Lagos in 1984 and proceeded to Yaba college of Technology where he obtained a Diploma in fashion design.
An amiable and clean-living gentleman, Sunny Neji spends a great deal of his time writing, playing, performing and recording music. His scandal-free image is not contrived. His major pre-occupation is making music and attending his regular Christian fellowship services.
ZAAKY AZAAY
Zaaki Azzay, The Pioneer of Hiphop Music in Nigeria, Started out his career in 1993. He has successfully carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian Music Industry since the inception of his career and has since then been toping the charts even till date. He has recieved countless awards and several nomination and is highly respected, from the young to the old across Nigeria and Africa at large. Zaaki Azzay as an artiste is largely and easily recognized by his striped black and white head gear and significantly remembered as a torchlight/flashlight bearing artiste. The torchlight symbolizes that Zaaki Azzay is a source of light, positive values and attributes.
TOLU OBE-FABIYI
Tolu Obey is the son of the legendary juju musician, Chief Ebenezer. Having started his musical career back in the days as a choir member and understudying his father for many years, he started his band in 1990. Tolu, a chip off the old block, sees himself as not a copycat of his father’s music and legacy but a product of it. Tolu Seats as the National Treasurer of the newly revamped PMAN.
FELIX DUKE OSAGIE
Nigerian born Felix duke in the late 60s began his music career in 1986, performing in student’s concert at Baptist High School, Benin. Influenced by the likes of reggae artiste Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor and U Roy and I Roy. Felix developed his musical skills playing the drums. The bass guitar and any musical instruments he could lay his hands on. Then in 1987, he got the chance to major as a drummer for Actor Segun Alile and his band, which toured the state of Edo playing at various events.
Two years later Felix began to feature on many demo-track as his unique style of playing became the “Must have” for any up and coming artiste. No content to remain the support act for long, Felix produced his own eight- track demo tape.
RUGGEDMAN STEPHEN MICHEAL
RUGGEDMAN whose real name is Michael Stephens is a graduate of political science from Lagos State University, Ọ̀jọ́. Ruggedman started exploring music in 1999. He produced his own songs and released two tracks in 1999, both which were well-played on radio. Ruggedman launched himself into the music industry in 1999, eventually becoming the most featured rapper in Nigeria. His albums are all released on his personal label, Rugged Records. Ruggedman has performed worldwide alongside international acts like KC & Jojo, Guru, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Wayne Wonder, Ja Rule, Kevin Little, Maxie Priest, Kanye West, LL Cool J, T-Pain, Nas, and Nelly. Ruggedman also owns a clothing line called “20th Sept” Wear, named after his birthday and he is a United Nations Peace
ASHA GANGALI
Asha Gangali, a Nigerian born African hip hop Crooner, started music back in 2002 as a local promoter in DC. He brought Acts like TI, Young bloods for the first time to DC and later returned to Nigeria to further his career. Asha has built a reputable mark for himself in Nigeria with his executive role and participation in the Music industry.
ARTHUR PEPPLE
Arthur W. Pepple, Jr. is a musician who is based in Rivers state. He was a past chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of PMAN. He resumed office immediately after the impeachment of Muma G from the board due to misappropriation of funds. Records of how long Aurther stayed in power is unknown as very little is known about is reign. Aurther still does music as he performs at selected functions.
ELVINA IBRU
Elvina Ibru is a compelling figure. Born with a silver spoon but grew up with a sense of humility and generosity. Down-to-earth and refreshingly humorous, Elvina Baby Ibru was born on the 22nd of May 1972 in Lagos, Nigeria. Her love for the arts started as far back as she can remember, due to the fact that her late mother Mrs. Elsie Nelly Michael Ibru was an avid fan of the arts as a whole and introduced her child to the magical world of musical theatre at a very early age. Throughout her career in Nigeria, she has been involved in broadcasting, performance in music, theatre and film and eventually she opened her own production house called 2wice As Nice limited.
BENNY PALADI EDOGA
Benny Paladi is the C.E.O of Reggae Nation Africa. He is a Ragga/dancehall maestro who over the years has been letting out pure reggae music and fusing it with other genres by featuring prominent names in the Nigerian industry. Benny who is a must see at Reggae functions and events in Lagos and an avid promoter of the genre was elected as an Executive Officio of the newly revamped PMAN for his dedication to the growth of music in the country.
KOFI IDOWU
Koffi Ayinde Idowu Nuel professionally known as Koffi, is a Nigerian entertainer, comedian, Musician and Actor. Born 11 March 1977 to a Togolese Mother and a Nigerian Father from Ibeju-Lekki.
He joined Theatre 15 in 1998 and trained as a stage actor, dancer, and comedy opening act. His first major television breakthrough was as a feature on the hit comedy campus sitcom “Twilight Zone” popularly referred to as “shake body” where he reinvented the Dauda character. As a standup comic, he hosted events regularly about school and opened up before plays ran to a paying student audience and in 2003 he auditioned for the famous Nigerian comedy event “Night of a thousand laughs” where he got chosen as one of the four qualifiers to perform at the annual concert from a total of thirty-four talents. He also delivers in his native Yoruba language.
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