The Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John O. Asein has assured authors, stakeholders of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the protection of their rights in Nigeria.

Represented by the NCC Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Uyo Office, Mr. Elijah Akpan, the Director-General disclosed this in his goodwill message during the 1st National Conference of Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters in Nigeria held at Watbridge Hotel, Uyo on 17th September 2021.

Dr. Asein commended the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the Deputy Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo and other stake holders for the support given to the Book Club. He also lauded the initiative of the founder of the Uyo Book Club, Dr. Udeme Nana, for efforts at restoring the reading culture in the State.

The Director-General informed participants that the Commission was working to ensure effective protection of the rights for authors. He added that the Nigerian copyright Law was being reviewed to, among others, cover regulation and enforcement of copyright in the digital environment and for stiffer sanctions against piracy. According to him, the Executive Copyright Repeal Bill 2021 was before the National Assembly awaiting passage.

The conference, with the theme: The Place of Public Libraries in the Age of E-Books and the Challenges of Social Reading, was attended by authors, publishers, booksellers, media practitioners and students, among others.
Dignitaries inducted during the conference included the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the Grand Patron and the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Moses Ekpo as Patron of the Uyo Book Club, respectively. Others honoured at the event were Mr. Ray Ekpu, Managing Editor of the Newswatch Magazine and Mr. Nyakno Osso, Editor of Who Is Who in Nigeria.