IN furtherance of Federal Government’s policy to diversify its revenue base and develop the creative sector in a digital environment, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) said it will continue to support the youths to realise their potentials and boost the country’s creative economy.
Director-General, NCC Dr. John O. Asein, who stated this at the presentation of prizes to the nine winners of the maiden edition of the National Creative Writing Competition for Secondary Schools, in Abuja, May 16, 2023, said the competition is part of the Commission’s efforts to nurture talents and skills amongst school children.
He further assured that the Commission will ensure that young creatives are properly guided and enlightened to explore the opportunities offered by the copyright system.
The National Creative Writing Competition for Secondary Schools is one of the series of programmes organised to celebrate the Commission’s Copyright Week in commemoration of the 2023 World Book and Copyright Day (April 23rd) and the World IP Day (April 26th).
Commending the creative spirit of the participating students, Dr. Asein described children as Nigeria’s future should be encouraged to attain lofty heights.
Pointing the children to the lyrics of the country’s National Anthem, he declared: “We will do everything to give you a country where peace and justice shall reign, where you can be your very best, where your dreams can be translated to bankable investments; a country where your natural endowments will not be allowed to go to waste; a country that provides fertile grounds for your seeds of creativity to flourish; a country where you can be the very best you can be in this world.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders have hailed the efforts of the Commission at repositioning the copyright ecosystem, describing the competition as another major stride that will further inspire children and the youth to maximise their creative potentials and contribute to national growth.
While applauding the Commission, the General Manager of Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) Mr. Louis B. Udoh, encouraged the students to continue to express themselves creatively and make the best of it.
Other stakeholders at the event include the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu represented by a Deputy-Director in the Ministry, Mr. Sobogun Oluwasegun, who endorsed the competition as an avenue to groom students as creative writers; President, Nigerian Deejay Association of Nigerian (DJAN), Mr. Tade Adeyemi; Director, Olumawu School, Abuja, Mr. Ola Garuba; the World Wrapperman, Mr. Adjarho David Obaro and others.
Delivering the keynote address, Special Adviser on Digital Communications Strategy to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ms. Aisha Augie-Kuta, spoke on the topic of the Competition “The Effect of Copyright Piracy on the Book Ecosystem”.
She explained that with the advent of digital media and technological advancement, piracy poses more challenge to the copyright system and that it is imperative for students to learn about their creative potentials and also contribute to curb the menace of piracy.
Ms. Augie-Kuta urged the students and all stakeholders to join the Commission in the campaign against piracy and support other efforts geared towards sanitising the copyright system.
The winners in the short story category of the competition were Miss Kamarachi Laura Ibeneme of St Augustine’s College, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State (first); Miss Bello Beraccah Moralayo of St. Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin (second) and Miss Sarah Egbung also of St. Augustine College, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State (third).
In the Poetry category were Master Kelsey Kalu Chibuike of St. Augustine College (first); Master Salihu Abdullahi of Essence International School, Kaduna (second) and Miss Sa’Ada Isa Yahaya of Jewel Model School, Kubwa, Abuja (third).
The winners in the Essay category were Miss Fridauous Ojutalayo Ikeoluwa of Muslim Model College, Ibadan (first); Master Egwu Favour Onyekachi of Government Secondary School, Kurudu (second) and Miss Angel Myra Mbaya of Olumawu School, Abuja (third).
The first, second and third place winners were presented with HP Laptops, Galaxy Tablets and Android mobile phones, respectively.
The event, which was attended by students from several schools, renowned authors, industry practitioners and NCC management staff was also streamed live.
Mary Avoswahi Adegbile
For: Director-General
