The Nigerin Copyright Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the visual arts sector and guarantee adequate protection and reward system for creators and other stakeholders in the insdutry.
Director-General NCC, Dr. John O. Asein stated this while receiving the Society of Nigerian Arts (SNA) Honourary Fellowship in Abuja on November 9, 2023.
Dr. Asein acknowledged the significant contribution of the sector to Nigerian history, culture and economic development. Recounting some of the recent initiatives of the Commission, including the Women Empowering Women in Intellectual Property (We Win IP) programme, he called on visual art practitioners to familairise themselves with their rights under the new Copyrigh Act. He also announced the Commission’s intention to visit tertiary institutions across the country to propagate copyright knowledge and sensitise them on safeguarding their rights.
The Director-General thanked the Executive Committee of SNA for the honour bestowed on him and other awardees, saying that it was a wake up call for him to devote more time to art as a hobby.
Speaking earlier, the SNA President, Mr. Mohammed Sulaiman noted that as the umbrella body for all Nigerian professional visual artists, art groups and business associations in the country, SNA will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism to promote the sector and its contributions to national development.
Mr. Sulaiman commended the laudable efforts of the NCC, particulalry under the leadership of Dr. Asein, stating that “SNA has never had it so good.” He thanked the Federal Government for the new Copyright Act and reassured the Commission that the Society will collaborate with it to ensure that the objectives, as far as the visual art sector is concerned, are met.
Awards were also presented to distinguished individuals and institutions, including: Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya, MFR who was conferred with the Lord of the Arts Award; His HRH Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano (Grand Patronship Award); Prof. Abba I. Tijani, Prof. Sunday Enesi Ododo and Dr. Simon Ikpakronyi (Distinguished Service Awards). The youngest fellow, Master Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, received a special Award for his

outstanding performance in the field of visual arts while the United States Embassy, the Embassies of the Republic of China and Spain also received Awards of Outstanding Cultural Diplomacy.