NCC urges better regulation to strengthen printing sector

For the sake of the book business, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has emphasized once more the necessity of increased cooperation between stakeholders in order to govern the printing and publishing sector.

During the International Paper, Printing and Publishing Expo (IPPEX 2024) opening in Abuja, Dr. John O. Asein, Director-General of the NCC, gave this statement as a Special Guest.
The organizers, DCS Integrated Media Limited, and their partners were also lauded by him for expanding the yearly event’s focus to include the global aspects of trade.

He acknowledged the benefits of new technologies in a society that is becoming more digital and knowledge-driven, but he also called attention to the disruption they are generating in the creative economy and the copyright ecosystem in a statement released on Friday.

Therefore, he gave stakeholders his word that the Commission will not back down from its pledge to create safer spaces for the creation, sharing, and commercial use of copyrighted works for the benefit of investors and authors.

The DG-NCC emphasized that in order to revitalize Nigeria’s paper and printing industry, we must give publishers the incentives they need to support local printers and authors the incentives they need to create.

Additionally, publishers and printers were urged to use more environmentally friendly materials in their productions by academia and other industry players.

Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan, the vice chancellor of Nasarawa State University, in the person of Dr. Hauwa V. Ibrahim, the deputy director of research and innovation, urged industry participants to think about how their operations affect the environment and collaborate with academia to improve university publishing standards.

The utilization of state-of-the-art technology, quality and innovation, and customized publishing solutions for cost and accessibility are some of the demands she listed for universities from the business.

As one of the nation’s largest employers of labor, the business has enormous potential, according to Mr. Alonge Kayode, CEO of Printway Limited, and government support and intervention are essential to its growth.

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Mr. Kayode urged industry professionals and regulatory bodies to work together more closely.

He noted that some of the issues that need to be solved to support the printing business are attracting additional investors, producing raw materials locally, and providing access to capital at a single-digit comparable rate.

The event brought together printers and equipment providers from the publishing and printing sector to present cutting-edge printing technology and exchange ideas about industry-changing prospects.

Additionally present at the event were stakeholders, including academics, government representatives, industry enthusiasts, and creators. Other notable attendees included the following: Mr. Innocent Agbanu, Chairman, FCT Branch of Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA); Comrade Babajide Salako, President/Chairman in Council, Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON); Mrs. Grace Samuel, Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC); and Mrs. Olumuyiwa Abosede Hayi-Ade, Deputy Director, Industrial Development, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.