World Book Day: NCC to intensify war against piracy – D-G

Ikuru Lizzy

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed readiness to tackle the menace of piracy in the country.

Director General of the commission, Dr John Osien, restated the commission’s resolve during a programme to commemorate the 2024 World Book and Copyright Day on Tuesday in Port-Harcourt.

Represented by Mrs Nkechi Ikechukwu, State Coordinator of the commission, the DG noted that the commission would redouble efforts towards curtailing piracy in the country.

“Recently, the Nigeria Customs Service at Onne in Rivers, intercepted three freight containers loaded with pirated copies of books worth about N30 million, which belongs to Nigerian Copyright owners.

“This is a clear indication of the enormous threat of piracy to the publishing industry. We will continue to hold publishers, book printers, booksellers, book importers and librarians to the highest standard,” he said.

The DG also called on authors, book clubs and corporate individuals to engage in in book -related activities as part of corporate responsibilities so as to inculcate reading culture amongst youths and persons living with disabilities.

Mr Adi Wale, the State Chairman, Nigerian Publishers Association, urged the Federal Government to further strengthen the NCC to enable it nip the problem of piracy in the bud.

“It is sad that a publisher will sweat to put together a book and somebody from somewhere will eventually reap the benefits using pirated copies.

“Piracy is an intellectual corruption, which has effected education and the economy. We urge the government to strengthen the NCC to enable it salvage the creative industry, he said.

On his part, Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, lecturer, English Department, Rivers State University of Education, urged parents to inculcate reading habits in their children through bedtime story reading.

She also urged students to adopt the 2024 theme of World Book Day “Read Your Way” to further expose themselves to books and improve their reading skills.

The event was graced by students from various schools in the state and book publishers

The programme featured a reading competition on a book “More than Aesthetics” written by Prof. Wole Soyinka. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Buhari Bolaji