NCC boss urges Nigerians to embrace studying tradition, uphold copyright legal guidelines
The Director-Common of the Nigerian Copyright Fee, NCC, Dr. John Asein, has urged Nigerians to domesticate a powerful studying tradition and respect copyright legal guidelines.
In keeping with a launch issued Friday by the Director of Public Affairs, Ijeoma Egbunike, the DG gave the cost as a part of the actions to mark the 2026 World Ebook and Copyright Day.
Asein stated, “Books are very important instruments for information, cultural preservation, and nationwide growth,” noting that this yr’s theme, “Learn Books, Respect Copyright,” highlights the significance of studying alongside defending mental property.
He acknowledged the numerous development of Nigeria’s guide trade, from its post-independence roots to a contemporary, digitally pushed ecosystem, with Nigerian authors gaining rising world recognition.
He stated regardless of this progress, piracy stays a significant problem, including that it continues to undermine respectable companies and cut back the {economic} worth of artistic works.
He additionally blamed poor distribution programs and restricted entry to books as constraints to increasing readership.
The NCC boss added that Nigeria’s literary contributions stay globally related, and that defending mental property is important, not solely as a authorized responsibility, but additionally as a technique for {economic} development and cultural sustainability.
He recommended the federal authorities for introducing the Nationwide Mental Property Coverage and Technique, applauding it as a key step towards repositioning the artistic sector.
The DG burdened that the Copyright Act, 2022, helps the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty, permitting the production of accessible codecs reminiscent of Braille, audio, and digital textual content.
He assured that the Fee would proceed to work with libraries, colleges, and different stakeholders to increase entry to studying supplies and promote inclusive studying.
He additionally pledged to accentuate anti-piracy operations nationwide and urged Nigerians to assist the guide trade by buying books solely from authorised sellers and distributors.
He due to this fact known as on college students, dad and mom, educators, and guide lovers to play their half in constructing a tradition that values studying and respects creativity.
“Allow us to construct a nation the place studying is a behavior, creativity is revered, and our authors are justly rewarded,” he stated.