The Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG) has called for stronger protection of intellectual property rights to promote creativity, innovation and sustainable growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.
The call was made at a South-East zonal advocacy and sensitisation programme on copyright protection and the responsible use of intellectual works held on Thursday at Amadeo Recreation Centre, Enugu.
Speaking at the event, Uchenna Cyril Anioke, Chairman of the Programme Planning Committee, highlighted REPRONIG’s role in protecting authors and publishers against the unauthorised reproduction and secondary use of printed and digital materials.
He explained that the organisation collects royalties on behalf of authors and publishers and distributes the proceeds to rightful copyright owners, ensuring that creators receive financial benefits from their intellectual works.
Anioke urged participants to deepen their understanding of the Copyright Act 2022 and collaborate with REPRONIG to safeguard their intellectual property rights.
He also encouraged them to disseminate the knowledge acquired at the programme to their institutions, professional associations, departments and publishing houses to promote wider awareness of copyright protection.
He stressed the need for collective action to build an academic and creative environment where intellectual property is respected, protected and appropriately rewarded, particularly in the South-East and Nigeria at large.
Anioke commended the resource persons, including Macfoy Akachukwu, Sam Owokoniran, Sunny Udeze and Mary Oyesola Adewumi, a REPRONIG administrative officer, as well as members of the planning committee and participants who attended physically and virtually.
The programme attracted librarians, publishers, academics and representatives of corporate organisations from Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra and Imo states.
Also speaking, Sunny Udeze of the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University, explained the role of academia in REPRONIG’s activities and called on academics and other stakeholders to register with the organisation.
Udeze emphasised the importance of institutional participation in promoting respect for copyright laws and ensuring that authors and researchers benefit from the use of their intellectual contributions.
In his remarks, Owokoniran, who described Udeze as intellectually sophisticated, said the programme was designed to sensitise stakeholders to opportunities provided by the government and REPRONIG for the protection and responsible use of intellectual property.
He commended the organisers for the programme, noting that REPRONIG had been conducting advocacy activities across the country.
‘We have been doing advocacy around the country, but I tell you, this is the largest media crew I’ve ever seen,’ he said.
Owokoniran explained that the programme sought to improve understanding of Nigerian copyright law and promote the responsible use of intellectual works, particularly within the South-East’s academic and professional communities.
He noted that copyright protection was relevant to universities, lecturers, researchers, students, authors, polytechnics, colleges of education and other knowledge-driven institutions across the country.
He condemned the practice of individuals reproducing and profiting from books and other intellectual works without the permission of their creators, describing such activities as unfair to those who invest their time, resources and expertise in producing original materials.
According to him, the objective of copyright protection was not to discourage education or restrict access to knowledge, but to establish a sustainable balance between access to information and fair compensation for intellectual work.
The programme was therefore aimed at encouraging stakeholders to understand their rights and responsibilities under Nigerian copyright law while fostering a culture that recognises and rewards creativity, research and innovation.