Nnamani wants urgent measures against piracy
September 27, 2006

Speaking when he received the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. Adebambo Adewapo, at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Nnamani noted that piracy also had very negative effects on the social and economic wellbeing of nations.

He stated that if the originality of thought and effort of the product or work of art were adulterated, it would affect the economy motivation and inspiration of the original owner of the product, adding that urgent mearsures were necessary to fight the malaise.

According to him, "if you adulterate the original of thought and effort, you have created not just economic problems in terms of motivation but also in terms of inspiration and skill.”

The Governor explained that copyright entails the preservation of originality of thought and efforts and, commended the Director General for his sensitization and relentless war against piracy and adulteration of other peoples" works.

He noted that the work of the commission was a new area of development which his government and other well-meaning Nigerians were very much interested in and pledged to give them all the needed support to enable them carry out the assignment.

In his speech, the Director General, Mr. Adewapo told the Governor that the Commission is responsible for corporate administration and enforcement of laws against piracy and adulteration of other peoples work.

Mr. Adewapo announced that within the first quarter of the year the commission impounded pirated works worth over a billion naira from the market.

According to the Director General, the works impounded included books, video tapes, cassette tapes, among others, adding that a lot more needs to be done in this regard.

In his words, "a lot needs to be done in this regard because the more we carry out our enforcement mandate the more we are creating room for industry to prosper in terms of revenue and collection of taxes by government".

He observed that the potentials of the copyright community in Nigeria can playa vital role to the current economic reform programme of the Federal Government in terms of value and revenue allocation and thanked the Governor for his special interest and support to the commission.

“We are aware that you have great interest to the development of this sector.. It is in this context that we came to appreciate you and thank you for what you have done so far and also for more support in every area including technical assistance,” he said.