Broadcasting
Asein, DG NCC Urges Young Lawyers to Tap from the Opportunities in IP
Dr. John Asein, the Director–General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, has encouraged young lawyers in the country to tap from the rich resources offered by IP in the evolving world.
The DG made these remarks during his address at a Capacity Building Training on Copyright organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) Unity Branch Abuja for members of Young Lawyers Forum Unity Branch FCT, held at the JK Gadzama Court in Abuja.
Speaking further, the DG explained that such training is the Commission’s focused attempt at ensuring that adequate knowledge was acquired on copyright and IP in general.
He said the training platform was one of such collaborations with critical stakeholders to enable individuals and organisations understand the workings of the copyright eco-system and how it can be explored for economic benefits.
According to the DG ‘’The NCC is interested in having a pact with all persons and organisations interested in IP so we can mentor them to boost knowledge on the operations of the Copyright System.’’ adding that ‘Copyright law is a good entry point into IP and other areas of technology and all that the digital environment is bringing.’’
Commenting on the recently signed Copyright Act 2023, the DG assured that the Bill has much to offer to the development of the Copyright Industry and would propel interest and growth in different sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the event, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Unity Branch, Mr. Afam Okeke commended the Commission for the initiative to train young lawyers on copyright stating that the training was conceptualized during the courtesy visit of the Unity Bar to the NCC recently.
The Chairman assured the lawyers that the event was intended to impart knowledge on copyright and IP emerging aspects of the Legal profession with huge economic benefits. According to him ‘’IP and copyright are a goldmine that when fully harnessed has the potentials of satisfying the economic needs of law practitioners and boosting the economy in general.’’
The Bar Chairman urged members to use the training as an opportunity to explore and interrogate issues and potentials in the fast-growing field.
He expressed optimism that the presentations would do justice to many areas of copyright which would add value to their knowledge of the field.
The first presentation was done by the Director, Nigerian Copyright Academy, Mr. Collins Nweke who looked at the topic “General Overview of Copyright and Related Rights in Nigeria”.
Mr. Obi Ezeilo, Director Operations, NCC presented a paper on the topic, “Understanding Infringements, Actions and Remedies under the Copyright Act”; A presentation on “WIPO Services and Capacity Building Opportunities for Young Lawyers” was handled by head, WIPO Nigeria Office, Oluwatobiloba Moody; while the last presentation on “Copyright Issues in the Digital Environment: Challenges and Opportunities” was presented by the Director, Regulatory and Compliance, NCC, Mr. Mike Akpan.
The Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum, Mr. Ambaleze Okeke in his vote of thanks appreciated the NCC and WIPO Office for the presentations on copyright and related issues noting that the training he believes has significantly exposed members of the Forum to different issues of Copyright.
He commended the resource persons for their excellent presentations while also expressing the profound gratitude of the Chairman, FCT Unity Branch to all organisations involved in the collaboration.
The Meeting had over fifty young lawyers in attendance with an interactive session where a number of issues based on the four presentations for the day were reviewed.
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over a recent directive to broadcast stations, describing it as a threat to free speech and press freedom.
In a press release signed by Achike Chude, national secretary, the union said it viewed the NBC’s notice released on 17th April with “grave concern and utter disappointment.”
It said the directive, which warned broadcasters to ensure “strict and uncompromised compliance,” was “nothing short of a veiled attempt to gag the media and institutionalise censorship.”
The union argued that the NBC’s warning against anchors expressing “personal opinions” interferes with newsroom decisions.
“Journalism, particularly in the realm of current affairs and political analysis, requires robust engagement,” the NUJ said.
It added, “To strip presenters of their right to analyze and contextualise news is to reduce the Nigerian media to a mere mouthpiece.”
The NUJ also faulted what it called vague rules and harsh penalties.
It said classifying such actions as offenses punishable by fines or suspension creates “a chilling effect.”
According to the statement, “This regime of fear encourages self-censorship, where journalists are too afraid to ask tough questions.”
Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, the union stressed that freedom of expression includes “the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
It added, “The NBC Code cannot and must not be used to override the supreme law of the land.”
The NUJ called for dialogue instead of threats and urged journalists to remain “resolute, professional, and fearless.”
It said, “The media is the watchdog of society, not the lapdog of the government.”
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, simply known as Fela, legendary Nigerian musician, has made history as the first African artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Fela
This is coming after he was posthumously honored with the 2026 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to receive this prestigious special merit recognition.
Fela will be honoured in the early influence category this year, along with Queen Latifah, rapper MC Lyte, country rocker Gram Parsons, and Cuban singer Celia Cruz at this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame event.
The honorees were revealed on Monday night in the US, during an airing of American Idol.
Sade Adu, Nigerian-born British singer, will be honoured in the performance category.
However, Shakira, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, New Edition, and Pink, missed out on the final cut despite being nominated.
Over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals voted to decide the honorees.
The induction ceremony will be held on 14 November at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is set to launch so-called FreeTV, with over 100 channels for news, sports, education, entertainment and children’s programming in multiple Nigerian languages.
The launch is scheduled for May 15.
Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC, who disclosed this, said the new platform will offer free-to-air access with no carriage fees, leveraging hybrid satellite and internet delivery via NigComSat-1R.
The new plan is not an upgrade, the NBC stressed. This is a rebuild, according to Ebuebu .
FreeTV will be true free-to-air – no encryption, no set-top box barrier.
Any DVB-T2/S2 television will work. A mobile app will extend reach to phones and tablets.
The platform will launch with over 100 national, regional and state channels across sports, news, children’s programming, education, entertainment and cultural content in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Ijaw, Edo, Fulfulde, Ibibio, Efik and Nupe – all in HD.
Crucially, the NBC has partnered with a Bulgarian firm, GARB (operating since 2006 and recognised by the European Broadcast Union), to deliver a 94 per cent-accurate audience measurement system using return-path data, app analytics, demographic panels, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
To qualify broadcasters, must commit their channels, produce a minimum of 60 per cent local content, and promote FreeTV until January 2029.
After that, a regulated tiered rate card takes effect.
According to NBC, the strategic rationale is simple: build viewers first, monetise later.
The document further revealed that six regional production hubs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin would function as local content factories, expected to generate 500 to 1,000 jobs per zone within two years.
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