NCC implores Nigerians to embrace reading culture

• At Book Reading, Author Canvasses Thirst For Knowledge

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), yesterday, urged Nigerians to embrace reading culture and reverse the stereotype that “the best place to hide something good from black people is to put it in a book.”

Also, the co-hosts of the socio-political and current affairs show, “Your View” on Television Continental (TVC), Mariam Longe, has stressed the importance of continuous reading, saying “when people know better, they do better.”

While the Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, spoke in Ibadan at an event to mark the 2022 World Book and Copyright Day, Longe spoke at a “Book Reading with Mariam,” held in conjunction with the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association Ikeja, Lagos, to mark the day too, observing that reading would always break the chains of limitations and within a book, are various ways to access dreams, change mindsets, and provide opportunities for creativity, growth and development.

The 2022 World Book and Copyright Day is a yearly event initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to promote reading and celebrate authors and books. This year’s theme is: ‘Read…So You Never Feel Alone.

Asein, represented by the Ibadan/Southwest Coordinator of NCC, Mrs. Olabisi Ogundiran, said as the agency of government responsible for the promotion, regulation and enforcement of copyright, the NCC recognises the importance of reading as the bedrock of creativity.

Speaking in her new book, ‘Vultures to the rescue—The cleanup crew,’ Longe said as an ambassador for the “Save the vulture campaign,” vultures are helpful by keeping the environment clean.

She added that vultures are not evil and must be prevented from going into extinction.

According to her, “The book highlights the importance of vultures to our ecosystem and population. It also tells stories of misconceptions about vultures in this part of the world and encourages children and youths to take action to protect their habitat.

Across Africa, she said that vultures’ populations have significantly declined by 90 per cent over the last 50 years. The main cause of this, she revealed, is believed to be indiscriminate poisoning, poaching and use in traditional beliefs.

She also said in changing the narrative about vultures, it is important children are carried along so that they could become well-informed adults. She also advocated grassroots conversations on the environment at home, school and office.

On his part, Asein said: “The theme for this year underscores the importance of books to the acquisition of knowledge and catalysts for national development. With other agencies and stakeholders in the book and knowledge industry, we must put a lie to the stereotype that the best place to hide something from black people is in a book! 

“To this end, the NCC will be doing more to promote the culture of reading, as a pastime for entertainment, enlightenment and education. As we strive to protect copyright, we should also be committed to the sustainable use of copyright products, such as books to promote the values and aspirations of society.

“In promoting respect for copyright, we must also strive to maintain a congenial atmosphere for creative enterprises to flourish.”

The DG also disclosed that the NCC plans to revive the Copyright and Creativity Club in schools too, among other things, promote reading and respect for creativity. 

The NCC boss further said that the commission was championing the campaign to allow more blind children to have access to books and learning materials.

“Also, in the spirit of the Marrakesh Treaty and the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, the NCC is also championing the campaign to allow more blind children to have access to books and learning materials. 

“We call on publishers to embrace this initiative and make more books accessible to persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled. The new Copyright Bill that was recently passed by the Senate makes provisions for the domestication of the treaty. This further shows the Federal Government’s commitment to its policy of inclusiveness, equal access and non-discrimination against persons living with disabilities.

“As we celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, I enjoin Nigerians to embrace reading, support the creative industry and show more respect for copyright as a veritable tool for wealth creation and sustainable national development.”