The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has announced that this year’s World Book and Copyright Day, observed annually on April 23 by UNESCO, will be dedicated to celebrating the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
This dedication is in honor of his upcoming 90th birthday on July 13, 2024. John Asein, the Director-General of the NCC, highlighted Soyinka’s significant contributions to literature and emphasized his advocacy for books, reading, and copyright.
To mark Prof. Soyinka’s 90th birthday, the NCC has declared July 13 as Nigeria’s National Reading Day, urging stakeholders in the book industry to recognize and celebrate this day. This initiative aims to encourage Nigerians to cultivate a habit of reading for pleasure and to promote the values advanced by Prof. Soyinka in the literary world.
The theme for this year’s World Book and Copyright Day is ‘Read Your Way,’ emphasizing the importance of allowing individuals to read in their preferred manner and location.
In his message to mark the occasion, Prof. Soyinka emphasized the significance of intellectual property rights for authors and the need for concerted efforts to protect these rights. He expressed concern over the prevalence of pirated copies of authors’ works and urged governments to better understand and enforce copyright laws.
To broaden the audience and promote reading, the NCC emphasized the importance of publishing more books in indigenous languages and leveraging modern technology through digital platforms.
The commission also announced its year-long intervention programs to promote reading for pleasure and build respect for copyright through its ABC Action Plan:
**A: Adopt measures to make reading more enjoyable for all.
**B: Bring books closer to more children.
**C: Choose change champions for books and copyright.
Through these initiatives, the NCC aims to promote a culture of reading, protect intellectual property rights, and raise awareness about the importance of copyright in the global intellectual landscape.
