By Palma Ileye
Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, has formally acknowledged the contributions of the past and present leadership of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, as key stakeholders in the copyright system and partners in the dissemination of copyright knowledge.
This in a press release issued by Amos Abutu, For: Director-General, was made known by the Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein at the Award Night during the 43rd Annual Convention of ANA held at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Abuja.
In recognition of their contribution to the development of copyright and the creative industry in Nigeria, Asein presented all past and present Presidents of ANA, alive, with commemorative plaques, certifying them as Special Copyright Ambassadors.
The DG commended the strategic partnership that exists between NCC and ANA and the association’s contribution to building a viable book ecosystem.
He also applauded the leadership of ANA over the years for making ANA one of the most stable associations in Nigeria’s creative sector and for faithfully discharging its mandate of promoting reading and writing.
Commenting on the award, a former President of ANA and founder of the Orpheus Literary Foundation, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, who has been advocating for more copyright awareness among writers and authors, noted that such awareness will empower creatives in their creative pursuits.
In his keynote address at the Convention, Prof. Joseph Akawe Ushie, a Fellow and member of the Board of Trustees of ANA and Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo reflected on the theme of the Conference: The Nigerian Writer and the Creative Economy at Convention.
While noting the adverse effect of piracy on authors and writers in the book value chain, Prof. Ushie acknowledged the robust relationship between ANA and the NCC under the leadership of Dr. John Asein and argued that with the needed support, efforts of the NCC would improve the well-being of the nation’s creative economy.
He therefore enjoined ANA members to step up their collaboration with the agency to alleviate the plight of authors.
The 2024 Convention also witnessed the commissioning of the ANA Residency Building named after late literary icon, Ken Saro Wiwa by the DG NCC, Dr. John Asein.
Again saluting ANA on the project, the DG noted that Nigerian writers, like the late Ken Saro Wiwa, have contributed immensely to national development.
Reflecting on the circumstances that led to the death of the iconic writer, he prayed that the teeth of this generation of Nigerians will not continue to be on edge on account of the sour grapes that our past leaders had eaten.
“I hope we will all find a place in our hearts to forgive the sins of the past and through the Residency, write our story as a people united in our common pursuit of peace, unity and a prosperous nation.”
The ANA President, Dr. Akanbi, commenting on the idea behind the Residency said it is a project executed with the intention of hosting at least a writer from each continent of the world and also a writer from each of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria once a year to have a feeling of the comfort of the writer’s village as a creative abode.
The awardees included: Emeritus Prof. Femi Osofisan; Mr. Odia Ofeimun; Prof. Olu Obafemi; Dr. Wale Okediran; Prof. Remi Raji; Mallam Denja Abdullahi; Mr. Camillus Ukah and Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi.
Highlights of the Convention were panel discussions, drama presentations and the award night. Another major feature of the event was a Copyright Clinic which was mounted by the NCC to interact with participants and enlighten the public on copyright matters.