An annual run against piracy to boost awareness on the role of copyright as a tool for wealth creation and sustainable national development will soon be initiated by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in collaboration with key stakeholders in the creative sector.
Director-General of NCC, Mr. John O. Asein, disclosed this in his office in Abuja on 28 October 2019 while receiving the renowned WorldWrapperMan, Adjarhor David Obaro who recently embarked on a 660-kilometre ultra-marathon to draw attention to the ills of piracy.
The race, aptly tagged #Run Against Piracy, was the WorldWrapperMan’s effort to draw attention to the ills of piracy and celebrate the Commission’s 30th anniversary.
The anti-piracy race which tasked the WorldWrapperMan for 18 consecutive days was flagged off on 18th September 2019 at the NCC Lagos Operational Office at 16, Aloba Street, Ebute-Metta West and ended on 5th October 2019 at the Commission’s Office in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Director-General thanked the WorldWrapperMan for his patriotic spirit and for using his talent to raise public awareness on the importance of copyright and the negative impact of piracy.
He called on other talented Nigerians, particularly in the entertainment sector, to help in spreading the message against piracy.
The Director-General who presented some copies of an NCC awareness publication, What Is Copyright?, to the WorldWrapperMan, urged him not to relent in his philanthropic social campaign, assuring him that the Commission would support him in his bid to bring Nigerian culture to limelight across the world.
Mr. Asein noted that the anti-piracy run was in line with the Commission’s public enlightenment strategy, adding that it would serve as a good platform for copyright education and for rallying support for the fight against the menace of piracy across the nation.
Earlier in an interview, the WorldWrapperMan disclosed that he was a victim of piracy, having lost huge sums to pirates, adding that he was committed to supporting the Commission in fighting the scourge. “I have had some bad experience in this sector; some people stole my rights in 2003. So I know what it is when stakeholders talk about copyright. Hence, when I got the opportunity to serve, I was determined to collaborate with the Commission for a good course for my nation”, he stressed.
Commenting on what he perceived as a low level of awareness, he urged all stakeholders to support the Commission and help spread its anti-piracy message.
Speaking on the need for a more comprehensive copyright education and anti-piracy campaign, the marathoner described himself as a copyright stakeholder and called on intellectual property right owners, investors and government agencies to team up with the Commission to effectively check the menace of copyright piracy.
He implored Government to do more to protect the intellectual investments of authors.
Vincent A. Oyefeso
Director, Public Affairs
For: Director-General
