The new Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. John Ohireime Asein, has declared his commitment to the reconstruction and repositioning of the commission for effective regulation and development of the nation’s copyright industries.
A statement released by the Director, Public Affairs Department of the commission, Vincent A. Oyefeso, said that following Asein’s appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, the new DG made this declaration at a management meeting upon his assumption of office at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on January 17, 2019.
Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr. Dayo Apata SAN, who conveyed the President’s approval in a letter dated January 15, 2019 with Ref. No. MT:4511/T/106, stated that the appointment of Mr. Asein for an initial four-year tenure took effect from January 8, 2019.
Asein who had reported at the commission’s headquarters on January 16, called for dedication and team work among the management and staff of the commission.
Asein indicated that the commission under his watch would develop a comprehensive intervention strategy that would impact positively on every sector of the creative industries.
He assured that the commission would be proactive in the execution of its mandate under the Nigerian Copyright Act CAP C28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, adding that areas of its mandate like the visual arts and others which have not received sufficient attention would be covered.
“We must change the copyright narrative in Nigeria positively to impact the copyright-based industries to the benefit of all copyright stakeholders,” he stated.
He stressed the need for a cohesive management that would deliver on the mandate of the commission, adding that he would prioritise staff discipline, manpower development and institutional strengthening.
The former Acting Director-General, Mr. Kohol, in his remarks, underscored the need for all hands to be on deck to move the commission forward.
He noted the need to revive some laudable projects that earlier featured in the commission’s programmes.