By: Kevin Nengia,
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has announced plans to revive Copyright and Creativity Clubs in schools across the country.
Director General of the commission, Dr. John Asein gave the indication in his speech during this year’s World Book and Copyright Day marked at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
Speaking through the Rivers State Acting Coordinator of NCC, Mr. Joseph Ojika, the director general stated that the plan is geared towards promoting reading and respect for creativity.
Besides that, he further hinted that the commission will strive to incorporate persons with disabilities into its programs and policies in line with the Marrakesh Treaty and Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities.
He said, “the commission is also championing the campaign to allow more blind children have access to books and learning materials”.
The NCC DG called on publishers to embrace the initiative to make more books accessible to those who are blind and with various disabilities.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s resolve to encourage those with disabilities to contribute to national development, he assured that the new bill passed by the Senate will further strengthen efforts for inclusive programmes amongst all spheres of society to benefit from intellectual property.
On his part, Deputy Director, National Library in Rivers State, Mr. Kingsley Egbulonu, while delivering a paper on, “Impact of Book Piracy in Nigeria” disclosed that the national library is working with stakeholders in the book industry towards improving on intellectual resource.
Egbulonu decried the impact of book piracy in the industry, as he stated that the national library is evolving measures to curb the menace.
He urged authors to always make legal deposits of their works with the library, so as to have legal protection in in case of infringements.
Also, South -South and South- East Coordinator of Booksellers Association of Nigeria, Odidika Okechukwu commended NCC for their efforts towards checking the activities of pirates.
He noted that activities of NCC have engendered synergy between authors and book sellers, while stressing the need for all stakeholders in the industry to cooperate towards ensuring harmony and growth in the sector.
