The spectacular COSON SONG AWARDS formed the climax of the recently held COSON (Copyright Society of Nigeria) Week in Lagos Nigeria. Despite the massive expectation, it is safe to say that no one was ready for what they saw. From the themed red carpet ‘fantastico’ to the show itself, it was pure magic. Many marvelled at the huge theatre of the COSON Song Awards, knowing that they had been part of genius and history. No one left the event without saying ‘wow!’
COSON Chair, Chief Okoroji and Mrs. Olsen at the special recognition ceremony for Mrs. Olsen at the COSON Green Ball
The first spectacle that hit everyone who attended the event was the opulence and sheer splendour of the red carpet fantastico themed in crème silk at which Nigeria’s glitterati mingled and sipped cocktails while a thousand flashlights exploded from the paparazzi. Then the guests were ushered into the huge events arena by the beautiful hostesses selected after several weeks of a major series of contests of beauty and brains conducted by a celebrity cast made up of rap icon, Ruggedman, Queen Ure, Kween Onakala and Aisha Joy.
L-R, Sir Shina Peters, Queen Ure and Bright Chimezie at the COSON in the church
Everyone held their breadth when the lights went down in the auditorium. Without any announcement, Segun Obe, came on stage and took the audience through a sonorous rendition of Nigeria’s national anthem. The curtains opened, the insignia of the COSON Song Awards rose majestically on the stage crafted by the master of set designs, Italian trained Pat Nebo and the real magic began. On the huge screen, a golden bird appeared, searching in the deep forest of creativity. When the bird found what it was looking for, it took off on a historic journey, flying and meandering through the streets of Lagos and the major landmarks of the city, dodging the vehicles in traffic. Nothing could stop the golden bird until it found its way into Victoria Island at nightfall and then flew into Oriental Hotel. Unto the stage of the New Ballroom, it perched on a metal gong, the musical instrument common to the peoples of Nigeria. Awoko, the nightingale had arrived!
Queen Ure and Actress Oge Okoye at the COSON in the church
The special bird, Awoko which had been sculpted as the distinct plaque of the COSON Song Awards by a young Yaba College of Technology graduate, Dare Adenuga, is the leading singing bird celebrated in many songs of Yoruba master songwriters. It is reputed to have out-of this-world lyrics and singing talent. In Yoruba mythology, when Awoko shows up, every other bird bows. What the audience had just seen of Awoko was video animation at its best. The animation was carefully executed over a month of day and night creative effort by another young Nigerian, Ademola Tajudeen. When Awoko perched on the gong, the audience responded in thunderous applause.
Talented saxophonist, TJ Sax and BOUQUI at the COSON in the Church’s red carpet
Onto the stage came the host of the night, debonair Frank Edoho, the very popular host of TV quiz programme, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? When Frank walked in, the auditorium was practically on fire as the audience went into rapturous applause. Then on to the giant screen, the story of Nigerian social culture from the 60s woven delicately into the music of the times unfolded with nostalgia in an unforgettable way and everyone in the auditorium knew that they were part of history. The ten most memorable songs of the 60s were played back and the presenters, A list actor, Segun Arinze and FRCN’s Cordelia Okpei dramatically appeared from the bowels of the stage in a 60s Chevrolet Impala to present the Song of the 60s award won by Victor Uwaifo’s Joromi. The audience was clearly in awe. Once again, Tony Okoroji who one spectacular day in Nigeria’s showbiz history arrived the stage of the National Theatre from the roof, had wrought magic again!
The panelists at the COSON Lecture
Actor Kalu Ikeagwu and fast rising singer, Seyi Shay who presented the award of the Song of the 70s won by Prince Nico Mbarga’s Sweet Mother arrived in style in a Citroen D Super.
There were earth shattering performances by top artistes like Sunny Neji, 2Face Idibia, Solid Star, Seyi Shay, Iyanya and Majek Fashek. At the star studded event which will be talked about for many months were Sir Victor Uwaifo, Mike Okri, Pa Chris Ajilo, Orlando Julius, Victor Uwaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, Bright Chimezie, Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye, Dizzy K. Falola, Sunny Neji, Flavour, Righteous Man, Bracket, Zakky Adze, Queen Ure among many others. Also in attendance were Nollywood stars including Fred Amata, Segun Arinze, Patrick and Iretiola Doyle Jennifer Eliogu, Fidelis Duker, Kalu Ikeagwu, Beautiful Nubia, Annie Macaulay Idibia, newlywed Femi Brainard and media personality, Prince Bisi Olatilo among several others.
The Rainmaker Majek Fashek and Prince Bisi Olatilo at the COSON SONG AWARDS
It was a night that set a new bar for the organization of entertainment events in Nigeria, a night not to be forgotten in a long time.
COSON SONG AWARDS – NOMINATIONS
Song of the 60s:
Victor Olaiya – Baby Jowo
Bobby Benson -Taxi Driver
Victor Efosa Uwaifo – Joromi
Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson-Love Adure
Celestine Ukwu – Ijenu
Isaac Kehinde Dairo – Mo Se Orire
Stephen Osita Osadebe – One Pound, No Balance
Fela Ransom Kuti – Oni Dodo
Chris Ajilo – Eko Gbagbere
Fatai Rolling Dollar – Won Keresi
Song of the 70s:
Ebenezer Obey -Board Members
Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Shakara
Bongos Ikwue – Still Searching
Prince Nico Mbarga – Sweet Mother
Oliver De Coque – Identity
Raphael Amarabem- Eddie Quansah
Sonny Okosun – Help
Cliff David – Beautiful Woman
Sunny Ade – Syncro System
Dan Ian – Fuel for love
Song of 80s:
Kris Okotie – I Need Someone
Majek Fashek – Send Down the Rain
Felix Lebarty – Ngozi
Shina Peters – Ijo Shina
Ras Kimono – Rumba Style
Bright Chimezie – African Style
Sikiru Ayinde Barrister – Fuji Garbage
Christy Essien – Seun Rere
Victor Essiet – Rat Race
Sunny Okosun – Which Way Nigeria?
Song of the 90s:
Lagbaja -Coolu Temper
Baba Fryo – Denge Pose
Daddy Shokey- Diana
Eddy Brown -Sha komo?
Wasiu Ayinde – Baby me Show Colour
Femi Kuti – Wonder Wonder
Oritz Wiliki – Heart of Stone
Sunny Neji – Mr Fantastic
Pasuma Wonder – Orobokibo
Adewale Ayuba – Mr Johnson
Contemporary Afro Song in the New Millennium:
Lagbaja – Konko Below
Timaya – Dem Mama
9ice – Gongo Aso
Mad Melon & Mountain Black -_ Danfo Driver
Jeremiah Gyang – Na Ba Ka
Kehinde Akinbode – Olorioko
African China – Crisis
Duncan Mighty – Port Harcourt First Son
Contemporary Pop Song in the New Millennium:
T. Y. Bello – Greenland
Paul Play Dairo – Angel of my Life
Asa – Jailer
Dare Art Alade – Not the Girl
Tunde Akinsami/Shifi Emoefe – Olufunmi
2 Face Idibia/Black Face – African Queen
Peter, Paul & Jude Okoye – Bizzy Body
Banky W – Strong Thing
M.I. – Number One
Contemporary Highlife Song in the New Millennium:
Sunny Neji – Oruka
Bracket – Yori Yori
D’ Banj – Mo Bo Lowo
J. Martins – Good & Bad
Mike Abdul & Patricia King – Igwe
Princess Annie Inyang – Akanamkwe
Flavour – Oyi NaTumu
Contemporary Afro Song in the New Era:
Wiz Kid – Pakurumo
Olamide – First of All
Omawumi – If you Ask Me
Tiwa Savage- Kele Kele
W4 – Gba Control
2face Idibia- Ihe Neme
Cobams Asuquo – Kedike
D’Banj – Oliver Twist
Iyanya – Ku Kere
Jaywon – This Year
Brymo – Ara N’be
Contemporary Pop Song in the New Era:
Davido – Dami Duro
Asa – Be Mine
Ice Prince – Oleku
Vector – Angeli
Bez – Stupid Song
Dammykrane – My Dear
Solid Star – omotena
Chuddy K – Gaga Crazy
May D – Ile Ijo
P-Square – Chop My Money
Seyi Shay – Irawo
Contemporary Highlife Song in the New Era:
Bracket/Wizkid – Girl
Wizboy – Infinity
J Martins – Fine Fine Love
P-Square – . Beautiful Onyinye
Flavour – Baby Oku
A Trendy Africa Nigeria Report.
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