IN line with its mandate of nurturing and protecting creativity, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has disclosed readiness to create a platform for the proliferation of copyright works of talented Blind and Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs) creatives across the country.
Director-General NCC, Dr. John O. Asein who stated this while delivering a lecture at the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), North Central Zonal Youth Conference, on the theme: Unlocking the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities, in Abuja, 17th August 2023, emphasized the need for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) to groom their creative abilities into profitable enterprise.
Meanwhile, Virtually Impaired Youths have called on the Federal government and other stakeholders in the educational sector to commence full implementation of the provisions of the Marrakesh Treaty and other Legislations that will improve the living conditions of PWD.
Dr. Asein stated that the Commission will partner with NAB, and other stakeholders to help talented VIPs realise their full potential. “We are going to work with the NAB, Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) and others to promote and get people like you on board to identify your talents and how to show case them in music, literary works, poetry, acting, arts, or any other, because I will want to see more VIPs creating in these areas than in making baskets and shoes” he stressed.
“You must break away from the negative mentality that your opportunities are limited, people are making good income from music, writing and other forms of creativity. Whether it is one or ten talents, you must allow that talent to prosper so you can become a major contributor to the creative industry in Nigeria” the Director-General enjoined the VIPs.
Recounting the achievements of some famous VIPs who have passionately employed their creativity, he said with the evolving technology as an added advantage, there is no excuse for mediocre for anyone.
The Director-General, further gave assurances of the Commission’s commitment to provide mentorship and institutional support to VIPs and to continue to advocate for policies that will engender Accessible Written and Learning Materials for the Blind Community.
While exploring the opportunities the Marrakesh Treaty and the provisions of the Copyright Act 2022 afford the VIPs in making alternative reading material accessible, he explained that the NCC is pushing for an inclusive overhaul of the book publishing Policy.
“The Commission is trying to see how we can push for the Federal government to have a Policy that will say that any time government is sponsoring any book or paying for any book, a percentage should be made available for the Blind to be able to read.
“I don’t see why the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) will make funds available for books for a University and Visualy Impaired University Students will still be relying on tape recordings, It shouldn’t be so” Dr. Asein stressed.
He also called on all to support the efforts of the Commission to strengthen the Copyright Ecosystem and ensure an all inclusive creative society.
Chairman, organising committee, of NAB North Central Zonal Youth Conference, Mr. Joseph Ogaba relating the stand of the Youths at the Seminar urged the stakeholders to uphold and comply with the provisions of Laws that were passed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for PWDj.
“The Law should be fully implemented to give PWD a sense of belonging. All that pertains to the educational pursuit of PWD, VIPs should be given due consideration.
Educational materials should be in alternative accessible formats so that VIPs can read without necessarily having to depend on anybody to read to their hearing” he stressed.
Mr. Ogaba further explained that the theme of this year’s Conference, A Chance to Prove Our Worth, captures the community’s quest for Inclusion and relevance.
Also speaking at the event, Founder, Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE), and an Advocate for PWD, Dr. Chike Okogwu encouraged VIPs to be courageous in seizing every opportunity to responsibly empower themselves positively rather than to embrace the pity party stance, to rise above it and find ways to add value to the society.
The highly interactive Seminar was attended by several Young VIPs from all the North Central States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Mary Avoswahi Adegbile
For: Director-General.