THE Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC Port-Harcourt Office and the National Association of Private Proprietors (NAPPS) have resolved to canvass for patronage of only genuine books in schools in Rivers State.

This was disclosed during deliberations between the NCC State Coordinator, Port-Harcourt Office, Mrs. Nkechi Ezinma and the Association’s State Chairman, Dr. (Mr.) Roberta Dosunmu, when Mrs. Ezinma paid a courtesy visit to the NAPPS Secretariat, Port-Harcourt, on 27th January 2022.

According to the State Coordinator, the Commission and NAPPS have agreed to collaborate to create copyright awareness in schools in the state.

Mrs. Ezinma noted that the meeting was a platform of encouraging stakeholders in the book industry to always source books from genuine channels and to desist from patronage of illegally purchased books, stating that the NCC was determined to fight piracy to a standstill in the state in line with its zero-tolerance policy against piracy.

Speaking further, the State Coordinator informed the Chairman, NAPPS that the visit was also to encourage the creation of copyright clubs in schools to deepen copyright awareness among the youths in the state.

In her response, the NAPPS State Chairman commended the Commission for its concerted efforts in creating awareness on the ills of piracy and expressed NAPPS willingness to partner the NCC in its quest to curb piracy in Rivers State.

The State Vice Chairman of NAPPS, Hon. S. A. Jaja, in his remarks thanked the NCC for the visit while calling for deeper synergy between the NCC and NAPPS in the task of building a virile book industry.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of a copy of the Copyright Act to the NAPPS State Chairman on behalf of the Commission.