THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command, Rivers State for its support to NCC on joint inspection of shipping containers with copyright content at the Onne Seaport in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Director, NCC Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Collins Nweke (DPO) made the commendation during his courtesy visit to the Comptroller of Customs, Area 2 Onne Seaport, Mr. Awwal. Mohammed on 25th October 2022.
The DPO used the occasion to recall the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in the past between the NCC and NCS with a view to stemming importation, and transborder movement of pirated copyright works while highlighting the negative impact of copyright piracy on the economy.
He called for stronger collaboration between the NCC and the Customs to check the influx of pirated copyright works into the country through the Onne Sea Port.
The Comptroller, in his response, thanked the DPO for the visit while pledging to direct his officers to ensure that every shipping container with copyright protected content would be promptly reported to the NCC for joint inspection.
The DPO Port Harcourt Office was presented with a branded plaque by the Comptroller of Customs in appreciation of the partnership between the two organisations.
MEANWHILE, the NCC, National Gallery of Art (NGA) and University Press (UP) have agreed to partner towards curbing piracy and boosting copyright awareness in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Director, NCC Port Harcourt Office (DPO), Mr. Collins Nweke disclosed that the Commission reached the partnership agreement with University Press, Rivers State at NCC Office on 31st October 2022 while the collaboration agreement with NGA was concluded during his courtesy visit to the Curator of the Gallery in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 3rd November 2022
The DPO and his team were received by the Curator, NGA, Mrs Ideli-Agudosi Uwama who expressed delight at the visit of the NCC to her Organisation during which, the two bodies agreed to promote creativity in Rivers State through information sharing, awareness creation and joint training of visual artistes and students on areas of their respective mandates.
The DPO used the event to provide a basic copyright sensitisation to the Curator and his team while also promising to organise a more elaborate training for staff of the NGA for enhanced knowledge on copyright, particularly as it affects their mandate and profession.
Earlier, the State Representative, University Press (UP) in Rivers State, Mr. James Emeka had paid a courtesy visit to the NCC Port Harcourt Office on 31st October 2022.
The UP Representative said the visit was to enable him partner with the NCC to curb book piracy in the State. Mr. Emeka commended the Commission for work done so far and sought for more collaboration between the NCC and the UP.
The DPO assured the State Representative of the Commission’s collaboration with his organisation which was also one of the critical stakeholders of the NCC.
