Sunny Ade, Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay attend PMAN’s building inauguration in Lagos

The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has inaugurated its first corporate building in 40 years.

The official unveiling ceremony of the multi-million naira edifice situated in the Lekki axis of Lagos state took place on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Pretty Okafor, president of the association, said the project is in line with PMAN’s drive to promote the welfare of its members.

“PMAN’s major role is the welfare of its members,” he said.

On the benefits of PMAN to artistes, Okafor said: “If you want to travel outside the country to perform at events, PMAN provides cover letters for them (artistes). I have written a lot of such letters for artistes.

“The same PMAN is the only organisation in Nigeria that will interest you to get documentation to give you a work permit anywhere you are in the world. No association can do that.”

In his remark, Sunny Ade, the legendary singer, said the edifice shows the ongoing efforts by PMAN to provide an improved structure for artistes in the country.

“The structure of PMAN is to give manifest service to musicians. To make you have healthcare, pension schemes, and life insurance. In case anything happens to any musician because we all are musicians, we grew up as musicians,” he said.

“We can make videos today and in the next five years, you just have to stand strong. We are given an opportunity as a structure where musicians don’t lack. If anything happens, the union will take care of you but if you decide to retire from active performance, you will have a pension.

“But these are all put together by the structure and elements of the edifice you’re seeing because we’ve generated what you’re seeing and it’s going to go far. It’s not Uche Okafor’s property, it’s not Sunny Nneji’s or Zaaki the rocket man property.

“It’s the property for musicians by the musicians and I’m going to serve my term and leave the younger ones with a goal. We’re creating a better playing field.”

The inauguration ceremony of the building was also attended by Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay, and Ruggedman, among others.