THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has commended The Nation Newspaper for its contributions towards the enactment of the new Copyright Act, 2022, the fight against copyright infringement as well as promoting the creative and culture sector.

This commendation was given by the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. John O. Asein during his visit to The Nation Newspaper Head Office in Lagos, 4th May, 2023. He made special mention of the efforts of The Nation, through its Entertainment and Arts Desk, in putting the creative sector, particularly copyright issues, in the front burner.

Also speaking on the Commission’s plans, the Director-General announced that it will be championing a campaign to draw attention to plight of blind and visually impaired persons many of whom are denied access to over 90% of the reading materials available to the sighted.

According to him: “It is lamentable that less than one per cent of learning materials is available in accessible formats in Nigeria. To reverse this trend, the NCC will, in October, begin its ‘Let the Blind Read’ Campaign to foster the reading culture among the virtually-impaired.” As a first step in this direction, he explained that the new Copyright Act has provided for special exceptions allowing books and learning materials to be made available in accessible formats and sent across borders.

Responding, The Nation’s Editor, Mr Adeniyi Adeshina commended the Commission for its fight against piracy and congratulated the Director-General on the signing into law of the Copyright Act, 2022. He urged the Commission to ensure proper implementation of the Act in order to end copyright piracy and to better protect the interests of right owners.

The Director-General NCC was received by the Editor, Adeniyi Adesina; Online Editor Sunday Oguntola; Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme; and Senior Correspondent (Arts) Evelyn Osagie.

Olumide Oduntan

For: Director-General