The family of the late Kola Muyi, former Deputy Director (Internal Audit) of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lagos, has donated the deceased’s extensive music collection – comprising vinyls, VHS and cassettes to the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN), thus enriching the archival library of the organisation.
The materials were formally presented to the collecting organisation by one of the deceased’s daughters, Mrs. Kemi Muyi-Adeniyi, director of Content and Operations at Lagos State Television (LTV).
Speaking on behalf of the family, Muyi-Adeniyi stated that the family believes MCSN, being an institution dedicated to music and musicians, is the most appropriate custodian of the collection. She added that it was the family’s wish that the materials be preserved for the benefit of the younger generation and generations yet unborn, rather than be lost to the elements.
In his response, MCSN’s CEO, Mayo Ayilaran, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Muyi family for finding the organisation worthy of giving such significant and historic musical collections.
He assured that the materials would be preserved and made accessible to the public, to support education, research and historical appreciation of Nigerian music.
“MCSN, as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO), remains firmly committed to protecting the copyright in the works of Nigerian musicians – both dead and alive. In accordance with the Nigerian Copyright Act, musical works enjoy copyright protection throughout the lifetime of the author and for 70 years after their death. Consequently, the children and legal estate of such creators are entitled to continue receiving royalties wherever those works are exploited or infringed upon anywhere in the world,” he asserted.
Ayilaran emphasized MCSN’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting Nigeria’s musical heritage, while extending an open invitation to other individuals and families who may wish to contribute to the Society’s archive.
“As we continue to connect creativity with prosperity, such donations will help preserve the legacies of our music pioneers,” he said.
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