Broadcasting
Copyright Commission Plans New Regulations to Curb Book Piracy

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) will soon be deploying more proactive measures, including new regulations and anti-piracy devices, to guarantee sustainable growth in the different sectors of the creative industries.

Under the new regulatory framework, major players, including publishers, producers, importers, distributors, marketers and other intermediaries will be held to higher standards of respect for copyright to ensure that authors and investors are adequately rewarded.
Dr. John O Asein, Director-General, NCC, stated this while receiving the President, the Booksellers Association of Nigeria (BAN) and Chairman, Planning Committee of the Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF), Mr. Dare Oluwatuyi who paid a courtesy visit to the Commission recently.
While noting that there is need for publishers and booksellers to improve on the existing business models, he warned that the Commission will not sit back and watch the destruction of the book ecosystem.
“Destroying the book sector does not only affect the economy but is also a threat to the education system and the future of learning”, Dr. Asein, stressed.
He urged publishers to also improve on their dealings with authors, adding that the Commission is also concerned about the absence of contracts or proper licences between authors and publishers as well as the rampant cases of nonpayment of royalties to authors.
In his words: “We expect publishers to negotiate appropriate contracts with authors as evidence of authorization to reproduce and distribute their works”.
To address this situation, he promised that the Commission will be working with the Nigerian Publishers Association, the Association of Nigerian Authors and the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association of Nigeria to develop model publishing contracts.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Oluwatuyi explained that he was at the Commission to solicit the support and participation of the Commission at this year’s Nigeria International Book Fair, holding in Lagos on 10th to 13th May, 2023.
He thanked the Director-General for his participation at the 2022 edition and for the various policies and activities that the Commission has introduced to strengthen the copyright system.
He congratulated Dr. Asein on the extension of his term as Director-General of the Commission and assured him that members of BAN and the other associations represented on the NIBF Trust will continue to support the efforts of the Commission to address copyright piracy and other challenges in the book sector.
As President of BAN, he expressed readiness to sign Memorandum of Understanding with the NCC to enhance the Commission’s mandates and invited the Commission to partner with the NIBF Trust in organizing this year’s edition of the book fair.
The Director-General reaffirmed the Commission’s belief in the NIBF and gave the assurance that it will, as usual, participate at the Book Fair to promote copyright awareness, ensure respect for copyright and encourage the use of the copyright system to grow the creative sector.
The meeting was also attended by the Director Operations, NCC, Mr. Obi Ezeilo.
Broadcasting
MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.
The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.
Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.
Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.
By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.
“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.
Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.
Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.
The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.
Broadcasting
IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.
Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.
According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.
He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.
Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.
According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.
He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.
Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.
IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.
Broadcasting
NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.
Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.
Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.
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