By Temitope Ojo

The Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics based in Ghana has awarded Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Tony Okoroji, the distinguished Fellowship and Corporate Leadership Excellence Recognition Award.

Executive Director of the institute, Richard Ikpadakpodu, presented the award to Okoroji.

Speaking during the presentation, the director said that the institute held Okoroji in high esteem because of his leadership ethics and outstanding accomplishments in the field of intellectual property.

“Okoroji is a role model and deserves to be celebrated not only for this generation but by future generations as well.

“He is one of Nigeria’s transformational leaders and a first-class corporate technocrat of international repute.
“He has an enviable track record and has made considerable contributions to national development and for the peace, progress, and unity of one Nigeria,” he said.

Ikpadakpodu said that the institute carried out a five-year intensive research on Okoroji’s personality profile and was impressed with his vast managerial acumen and shrewd administrative capabilities.

“This award is, therefore, the result of your stern initiative of intellectual property which, you yourself and the entire board of COSON, have jointly revolutionised to meet up with global standards,” he said.

The director recalled that the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) was proficiently restructured as a result of Okoroji’s administrative prowess while he was the president, he said.

Okoroji in his response thanked the Institute for the recognition.
He said that he had visited Ghana, Liberia and South Africa on several occasions in the past to resolve issues based on copyright crises.
“I have never met with any of these men from the institute and in fact was resisting their efforts to get to me thinking they were trying to contact me for money.

“However, having investigated the track record of the institute, I discovered that it is a very honourable international institute.
“I thank you so much for the recognition that you have given to me because there is no difference among us as Africans.
“And we must work together to achieve our common goal.
“I drive on a full tank of faith, therefore, I do not believe in failure but believe that I can achieve anything that is possible, ” he said.
Okoroji said that he would continue to work assiduously to contribute to the development of the African economy.