THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has celebrated and decorated its three retired Directors by appointing them as Special Copyright Inspectors at a ceremony held in its Lagos Office on 8th December 2022.
The former NCC Directors newly invested as Special Copyright Inspectors included Mrs. Loretta Chinwe Ezichi, nee Njoku who retired as Director of Public Affairs on 3rd May 2007; Mrs Doris Awele-Osahon, who retired as Director, Administration on 2nd July 2013; and Mr. Olatunji Babatunde Adetula who retired as Director, Legal on 2nd August 2017.
Speaking during the investiture, the Director-General, NCC, Dr. John O. Asein congratulated the retirees for their meritorious service to the Commission and to the society at large. He urged the retired Directors to get involved in productive activities in order not to be bored, as well as spend more time with family and friends.
According to the Director-General, the retired Directors were decorated as Special Copyright Inspectors due to their dedication and commitment while in service. “I want them to be Special Copyright Inspectors after their retirement at any point in time and in any place they find themselves. I want them to represent copyright reasonably, significantly and considerably anywhere they are in life. They have served the Commission commendably and they deserve to be decorated as Special Copyright Inspectors”, he said.
“The Directors were productive, resourceful and hardworking during their days in Service, so they deserve to be recognised and honored. For the ones that were unfairly treated while in Service, I use this medium to appeal for forgiveness of the past and appreciation of God for the present and the future,” he said.
He urged all the staff members in Service to be passionate and dedicated to their duties, so as to be remembered for their good and hard work when they leave Service.
“Please, remember that you are working for the society, not your boss. Therefore, do your best to serve your country for prosperity to smile at you,” he said.
In her response, Mrs. Ezichi, nee Njoku, a retired Director, applauded the Management of the Commission for the farewell ceremony organised for her and her retired colleagues.
She expressed her deep appreciation to the Director-General for his efforts in ensuring progress, peace and stability in the Commission and outside the Commission.
“I have known Dr. John Asein, the present DG, as a serious and outstanding staff while in Service. Now that he is the Director General, I know he is going to make history in the Commission,” she said.
While recalling her experience during her Service years in the Commission, she remarked: “I am so happy that the present DG deems it fit to remember and recognise my active role while in Service and decorated me as a Special Copyright Inspector. I am elated and will not take it for granted”.
Also, the former Director of Administration, Mrs. Doris Awele-Osahon, who was represented by Deputy Director/Head, Legal, Lagos Office, Mrs. Linda Alpheus, expressed delight and appreciation on the kind gesture of the Commission’s Management.
She pledged to be a good Special Copyright Inspector to the Commission anywhere, any place and anytime.
In his remarks, Assistant Director and Head, Operations, Lagos Office, Mr. Charles Amudipe, felicitated with the retired Directors and also appreciated their positive impact while in active Service. He noted that Mrs. Ezichi, nee Njoku was full of life during her Service years.
“She was hardworking, dedicated and committed to the progress of the Commission. She was a workaholic, always everywhere to ensure that things were properly done while discharging her mandate for the Commission. I personally learnt a lot from her and I thank God for the lessons learnt,” he said.
Mrs. Loretta Ezichi, nee Njoku joined the NCC in 1998 from National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO). In 2002, for a period of about four months (June-September), she was made to take charge of the activities of the Commission pending the appointment of a substantive Director-General. She also oversaw the activities of the Commission for two months from June to August 2004, during which she recorded tremendous success in the Commission’s anti-piracy operations.
The three retired Directors of the Commission, who were invested as Special Copyright Inspectors, were decorated with the Commission’s enforcement jackets and branded fez caps and presented with certificates by the Director-General. Mrs. Ezichi, nee Njoku was presented with a plaque for Special Award of Service by a member of NCC Governing Board, Rev. Bayo Awala. She was also presented with a 55-inch television set by the Director-General.
Olumide Oduntan
Assistant Director, Public Affairs
For: Director-General
