CARNIRIV 2013: RIVERS PMAN PLANNED PROTEST AGAINST SAM DEDE AVERTED BY DANIEL WILSON
Planned protest by members of the Performing Musicians Employers Association, PMAN, Rivers state chapter against organizers of the Rivers state cultural carnival headed by Nollywood actor, Sam Dede was averted minutes to its commencement. Rivers born music prodigy and 999 croney, Daniel Wilson's intervention from Aso rock was instrumental to the settlement enjoyed by both bodies.
Daniel Wilson who is Special Adviser to the President on Technical media had personally spoken to Sam Dede who also doubles as the Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency to strive and harmonize with members of Rivers PMAN by granting them their legal demands.
He also asked the PMAN leadership to stall any protest pending his final discussion with Sam Dede.
The musician had planned to go viral with protest over the organizers refusal to pay the statutory performance levy as demanded for foreign and national acts invited from other areas to perform at the carnival among other demands.
Speaking to newsmen, the chairman of Rivers State PMAN, Lady Ibitoru Green (a.k.a Lady IB) after a two hours of closed door meeting with Sam Dede and other members of the Carnival committee, said the association had filed out in their numbers to protest against marginalization, disrespect for Rivers musicians, demand for legal payments and to have slots in the carnival music activities.
"As a body of entertainers wholly registered with the Federation of International Musicians, FIM, Trade Union Congress, TUC and various other advocacy body we cannot allow ourselves to be taken for granted or boxed into a corner by any individual or government against our association's laid down rules. This even causes more concern if you consider that our amiable governor had said Rivers money is for Rivers people. The governor's declaration should be reflected in situations like this. We are not against any government, neither are we partisan but all we are saying is that our right must be given to us and that includes right to collect our performance levy from artist coming from outside the state, right to have slots for our members to perform as the authentic indigenous music authority in the state among others" she said.
However\ the Rivers PMAN Chairman was full of gratitude:, “This morning, we are
grateful to Daniel Wilson and other stakeholders who intervened to stall our planned protest to give peace a chance, we must also appreciate Sam Dede our brother who incidentally is also a member of Rivers PMAN for listening to the voice of reason. Though what we were offered falls way short of our expectation, we are compelled to
accept it due to his explanation of constraints in budget allocation”, she averred.
Lady IB however told newsmen that never again shall Rivers PMAN be taken for granted or denied its statutory and legal right because the association is more than united and the era people take advantage of out division to undo us is over..
Meanwhile in his remark after two hours of showdown meeting with PMAN executives and stakeholders, Sam Dede had said PMAN is family to him and he doesn't intend to engage them but rather to seek for possible ways to settle whatever grievances amicably. He said he will always give Rivers PMAN a listening ear but however described as unfortunate Lady IB and her members decision to go on protest without duly presenting their case.
On the long run he said he was happy that PMAN has decided to sheath their sword and embrace peace with the progress made so far. He also acknowledged the fact that PMAN deserve to be carried along annually during the Carniriv and promised to work out modalities in the coming events.