The Ondo State government under the leadership of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has threatened to take drastic steps on the spread of pirated books in schools across the state.
This was made known by the commissioner for education, Prof Ajibefun during a meeting with the State coordinator for the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in his office.
He reveled that the Ondo State government is taking a firm stance against book piracy in public and private schools in the state as schools are set to resume for a new session.
Prof Ajibefun stated that fighting the circulation of pirated works is a top priority for his administration as he described book piracy as a serious offense, emphasizing that it harms the authors who invest significant effort, funds, and energy into creating their work, while those who contribute nothing reap the benefits.
He therefore issued a note of warning to public and private school in the state including the bookshops selling pirated works to fully desist as the government is bringing up strategies to combat the menace.
Prof Ajibefun announced his support to stop the works of book pirates in the state stating that the state would work together with the National Copyright Commission and security Agencies to move round schools to raid.
In his words” as we sanitize the education sector in the state we should also address the issue of book piration. We will come up with strategies to combat this menace in our state as soon as possible”.
He therefore advised schools, parents, booksellers to always purchase their books from authentic publishers to avoid any embarrassment.
The South-west State Coordinator for Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mrs Oluropo Oke, explained that the Commission is a government agency responsible for all copyright matters in Nigeria including the administration, regulation, enforcement and prosecution under the Copyright Act and its statutory authority includes all matters affecting copyright in Nigeria as provided under the law.
She described copyright as a exclusive right granted to an author, artist, writer, musician, photographer and architect by law to exploit and authorize the exploitation of their work
She explained that the NCC is empowered by law to enter, inspect and examine building, premises, schools once they suspect infringement activities.
She announced that the commission has commenced taking their inspections in Ondo State to schools and anywhere they suspect works where copyright works are being distributed and sold.
She sought for the collaboration of the Ministry to warn schools perpetrating this act to desist from the crime as any school found wanting would be held criminally liable in accordance with the provision of the copyright Act.
She advised all proprietors of schools, principals, head teachers to ensure that books supplied for use of the students and pupils are legitimate copies sourced from the publishers or authorized dealer of such books.
She called on parents, guardians and the general public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of piracy or distribution of pirated works to the commission or the nearest police station.
