“I have a dream…”
–Bolaji Rosiji, president, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN)
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan

Bolaji Rosiji

In the last few months PMAN has been going through some form of rejuvenation; can you tell us what it is all about?
First of all, let me describe the idea behind the development. This development in PMAN is mostly structures. We are trying to create a platform for the growth of the music industry in Nigeria, to show case the rising stars, which is a recent phenomenon in Nigeria. This is also to ensure that through partnerships we have sustained growth partnership with government, corporate Nigeria and with multilateral and bilateral agencies. The programmes specifically that we are putting in place include (1) To have secretariats of PMAN in 28 states. We have already accomplished half of that in the past six months (2) To install recording studios in 28 states of Nigeria. We’ve also already accomplished half of that (3) To provide studio bonanza for all artistes that are registered with PMAN. This is on-going in one of our studios and it’s going to be a nation-wide affair. Next, we have already launched what we call the ‘PMAN live’. It is a collection of live performing instruments and it is a seven-in-one package which includes a stage, instruments, public address system, lighting, special effects, generator and a truck with which to transport the instruments. This equipment has a market renting price of N500,000 but we are asking for 20 per cent of that (N100,000) from PMAN members. This same thing would be replicated nationwide also. The cost of hiring equipments in Nigeria is higher than that in the U.S or Europe and it is largely due to the kind of money equipment hiring companies get from governments or other companies. So when artiste or promoters come to hire it, they can’t afford it. Also, in a few days time, we are going to open the first-ever PMAN music shop. Here musicians can have all they need on their finger tips. A one-stop shop for all modern musical instruments especially those that most artistes do not have access to.
PMAN has had more than 10 presidents before you and none of this incentives had been initiated, do you have a particular reason for doing this?
I have a dream for the music sector in Nigeria and that dream can only be accomplished if we can get all artistes together. I am convinced that we are on track, because people are clamouring to get registered now not only in Lagos but in other states as well. So, people are beginning to see that PMAN is offering value now. The artistes now have reasons to join. I expect that in the next couple of months PMAN will have a record number of members as a result of what they can derive from their association.
Do you have anything lined up for the elders, I mean the older musicians?
Sure, like on the 5th of October we are having a legend event where the over-50’s in the industry will all be under one roof. Those who have contributed decades in the industry will be honoured. A welfare scheme will be designed to take care of them. We cannot bear to see our older ones, our parents retire into abject poverty. These are people who have changed the lives of millions of Nigerians and made the country proud the world over, so we are determined to affect their lives positively. Already, PMAN will soon have a handsome bank account and we will have priorities to settle. Really, I believe that unless we help and protect our parents, we can not progress as a new generations. That is just the basic spiritual reality.
I would like to know how all these projects are being funded.
For now, until money comes in and we expect that money will come in soon but until then, we are funding with our God-given resources.
You mean all of you?
Yes.
How long is your tenure expected to last in PMAN?
Four years.
Would you be seeking a re-election after this?
If they want me, I’ll continue and if they don’t, I’ll quit.
What becomes of all these things you’re putting in place now? That is if you are not re-elected?
'Am hoping that we’ll get the right people in PMAN. Not people who’ll come in for what they can get but for what they can contribute.
Would you call these gestures a donation?
Well, yes. ‘Am not saying PMAN should return the money I have put in. The important thing is that there were really not much on ground and since Charly Boy already sacrificed so much to put PMAN on the pedestal that it is right now, we have to equally sacrifice to take it further.
During Charly Boy’s era, you were somehow involved in the activities of PMAN. Why didn’t you set up some of these things then?
Charly Boy was working with a vision. The things I did at that time were in line with his vision. So now that I am here, in-as-much as we’ll love to continue with what he started, we also have our vision. We need to rebrand PMAN. We have huge future plans for this association but first of all, we need to get this house together.