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‘The Musical controversy’ House of Oduduwa, Austen-Peters battle for Moremi soul
A controversy is brewing between the House of Oduduwa and Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions over the intellectual right to the Moremi the Musical.
Recall that Bolanle Austen-Peters, despite objections from the House of Oduduwa, announced the successful screen of the controversial stage play with almost about 40,000 views.
According to a statement signed by the producer of Moremi the Musical, Joseph Umoibom, while reiterating that it ownership belongs to BAP, stated that the stage play was its own contribution in ameliorating the effect of coronavirus lockdown.
“It was like our own CSR to Nigerians and, more importantly, a gift to our teeming fans all over the world and to the cast and crew of the play whose sweat and labour of love have once again been appreciated by the wonderful comments while the streaming was on.
“We have the right on the intellectual property ownership of the play, as the signed MoU is a legal document that clearly stipulates the rights and entitlements of the collaborating parties on the project,” he said.
But the House of Oduduwa thought otherwise.
The House of Oduduwa insisted that Bolanle Austen-Peters didn’t have the right to stream the stage online as IP right wasn’t part of the signed agreement.
“Mrs Bolanle Austen- Peters did not tell the world the full story of her infringement of Intellectual Property Rights in ‘Moremi The Musical’ written, produced and performed under an agreement between Bolanle Austen Peters Productions (BAP) and House of Oduduwa Foundation (HoOF).
“In September 2018, the two parties entered into an agreement where BAP was commissioned to adapt and deliver the Moremi script for stage performance of Moremi The Musical in Nigeria and abroad,” HoOF claimed.
It was also alleged that BAP was fully paid for delivering the stage performances including payment for the use of its TerraKulture venue.
“In due recourse to Mrs. Austen-Peters, the play was billed to continue in December 2019. However, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters refused to participate because she was busy with other plans. We pleaded with her to no avail. We had paid for the venue. She told us to cancel. We had no other choice than to commission another production company with their own choreography, music and direction to deliver the stage performance at InterContinental, at an additional huge cost to HoOF.
“The question we asked ourselves was; should we be stuck with Mrs. Austen-Peters’ personal programmes or preferences when we knew we own the intellectual property rights and we could commission new production, especially after her refusal?”
That was the disagreement HoOF had with BAP or so it thought it was the only disagreement.
“Little did we know she could go as far as embarking on streaming the play on YouTube when she knew that was far outside her domain because she did not own the IP rights.”
The HoOF lamented that it was unfortunate for a professional to act in such a way and unapologetically breach an agreement.
“It is unfortunate that those who ought to know better can chose to embark on actions in breach of the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, BAP does not own the intellectual property rights in Moremi The Musical and clearly she could not have owned the rights in the original script or the trademark – “Queen Moremi Ajansoro” belonging to the HoOF, neither does she have the right to exploit the work in the digital media as she has flagrantly done in what she has called her ‘version of the play’.
“No ethical entity in the creative or any industry at all would tread that path in infringement of Intellectual Property Rights if they are not under the impression that they are above the law.
“It is now her lot to rush to the public arena to justify her unlawful and illegal act.”
The HoOF threatened not to let such attitude fly by without due action.
“We promise every well-meaning lover of arts that we will not allow this unlawful act to stand, not to the utter disdain on the office of Ooni & the House of Oduduwa Foundation,” the statement read.
How this friction will pan out, the coming days is pregnant.
The House of Oduduwa Foundation in an ongoing commitment to relentless service to humanity, is a vocal advocate for the less privileged, driven by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Nollywood actress Arewa Bukky Amos-Bello has expressed her support for former Queen Naomi Silekunola, who is facing difficulties following a tragic stampede at a charity event she organized in Ibadan, resulting in the loss of young lives
A top Nollywood actress and movie producer, Arewa Bukky Amos-Bello, has joined numerous well-wishers who have expressed their support for former queen of Ife Kingdom, Naomi Silekunola, who is currently facing challenges following a tragic stampede at a charity event she organised in Ibadan, resulting in the loss of children’s lives.
The beautiful thespian, popularly called Ajitannawo, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, sent a message of encouragement, urging Queen Naomi to stay strong.
In her heartfelt message, Arewa Amos-Bello expressed sorrow over the incident and offered prayers for Queen Naomi’s courage and resilience in the face of the tragedy.
“Be strong and courageous; the Lord is with you. And He will never forsake you my Queen Silekunola. My heart goes out to you in this sorrowful time of yours. My prayer is with you always. God bless you in this difficult time,” Arewa Bukky wrote, while she offered her sincere condolences to families and parents of the victims.
Arewa Amos-Bello stated that she feels every bit of what Queen Naomi feels at the moment because she is also a philanthropist who understands that the former Ife Queen did what she did with good intentions.
She added, “I know she meant well because I’m also into charity. The Ibadan event was not her first nor was it the second. We can only pray that God help her and console the victims.”
“I want to assure her of my valid support; she is not alone. Her struggles are valid and real, and in acknowledging this, she finds our solidarity. When things like this happen, we may feel ashamed and find it hard to cope, yet even in such a dark time as this, we share our burdens, support one another, and find strength in our unity. She must not give up on her goal and she is encouraged to continue her philanthropic endeavours.”
South African TikTok star Beandri Booysen has passed away at the age of 19 following a valiant battle with progeria, a rare genetic disorder that caused her to age rapidly—eight years for every year of her life.
Her mother, Bea Booysen, announced the tragic news in a heartfelt post within a Facebook group dedicated to Beandri’s journey. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beandri Booysen, one of South Africa’s most beloved and inspirational young women,” the grieving mother shared.
Beandri, known for her uplifting presence and brave attitude, touched the hearts of many across the world. Her legacy as an inspiration to others facing adversity lives on, as she remains an unforgettable figure in the South African social media scene.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beandri Booysen, one of South Africa’s most beloved and inspirational young women,” the bereaved parent wrote.
Nigerian journalist Stephanie Busari celebrates 25 years in journalism by launching the Stephanie Busari Storytelling Academy, a pan-African initiative aimed at nurturing 100,000 storytellers over the next decade.
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian journalist Stephanie Busari celebrates 25 years in journalism by launching the Stephanie Busari Storytelling Academy, a pan-African initiative aimed at nurturing 100,000 storytellers over the next decade.
The academy, backed by a $100 million fund, will provide training, mentorship, and resources to aspiring journalists, filmmakers, and creators across Africa.
Busari, an Emmy, Peabody, and Gracie award-winning journalist, used the occasion to not only celebrate her achievements but also unveil her vision for the future of African storytelling.
“The Academy will equip a new generation of storytellers with the tools to share their truth,” Busari stated. “If we are to shift global perceptions and unlock Africa’s full potential, we must invest in the people who will shape how the world sees us.”
The academy is just one part of Busari’s broader vision. She also launched SBB Media, a consultancy focused on taking African narratives global.
SBB Media will offer a range of services, from documentary filmmaking and media training to public speaking coaching and strategic communications.
The launch event, held in Lagos, Nigeria, drew a crowd of dignitaries, media personalities, and supporters.
Tributes poured in from prominent figures such as Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the first female President of Mauritius, and Richard Quest, a renowned anchor at CNN.
Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, praised Busari’s career as a testament to the power of storytelling, while Olori Atuwatse III, a Nigerian royal, highlighted the cultural significance of Busari’s work.
The launch of the Stephanie Busari Storytelling Academy and SBB Media marks a new chapter in Busari’s career and a significant development for African storytelling.
By empowering a new generation of storytellers and ensuring their voices reach a global audience, Busari is committed to reshaping the narrative around Africa.
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