Broadcasting
NCC Partners ANA on Protection of Authors’ Rights
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has pledged it’s continued support for the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) towards ensuring adequate protection for the works of authors in line with the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Mr. John O. Asein, Director-General of NCC, gave this assurance during deliberations with the executives of ANA on a courtesy call at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja recently.
Mr. Asein charged ANA to reach out to other critical stakeholders to forge a formidable partnership to curb the prevalence of book piracy in Nigeria.
He also called for the review and adoption of the National Book Policy to address all aspects of the book sector, including rights management and protection.
The Director-General noted that the rights of Authors in Nigeria must be adequately protected to guarantee quality writing and sustain a book industry that would promote quality education.
The Director-General observed that most authors were either oblivious of their rights or were negligent in their dealings with other players in the book chain, thereby making it easier for pirates to have a field day exploiting their copyright protected works while they get little or no return from their intellectual investments.
He urged ANA to support the NCC in its bid to ensure that more authors understood the basics of copyright and how best to check the unwholesome practices of pirates and other parasites in the book industry.
The Director-General further expressed displeasure that despite the book industry being the very reason for the global emergence of the copyright system, “literary authors do not have much to show for their labour”.
He described the visit of ANA as a wake-up call for all stakeholder in the sector to pay more attention to the rights of authors in the country.
While thanking Yusuf Ali, SAN for his consistent support of authors and the activities of ANA, he called on other well-meaning Nigerians to support the association and join the renewed effort to make copyright work for the writer.
Dr. Camillus Chima Ukah, National President of ANA, who led the delegation of the Association’s Executives, solicited for the Commission’s support for the celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of ANA this year.
He commended the Director-General for his spirited efforts towards the fight against piracy in the country, the high point of which was the recent seizures of container loads of pirated books at the Tincan Port in Lagos, resulting from the proactive collaboration of NCC with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Dr. Ukah noted that the unwavering efforts of the DG and his team have impacted positively on the national anti-piracy campaign. He assured that ANA would intensify its collaboration with the NCC in the fight against piracy and other copyright abuses.
The Director-General gave assurance of the Commission’s support towards the success of the 40th anniversary celebrations, promising that “in view of the status of ANA as a critical stakeholder in the copyright industry, the Commission will continue to initiate relevant policies and programmes that would add value to the association.”
Some NCC Directors in attendance were: Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr. Bitrus Dauda; Director, Administration, Dr. Idowu Ogunkuade and Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Vincent A. Oyefeso.
Other ANA executives present were: Vice President, Hajia Farida Mohammed; Executive Secretary, Mr. Hycinth Obuseh; General Secretary, Mr. Maik Ortserga; FCT Chapter Chairman, Mr. Taiwo Akerele; Public Relations Officer North, Mr. Umar Yogiza, Jnr. and Secretary, Chinenye Nnadigo.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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