NCC Boss, Asein Receives Thomas Sankara Leadership Prize

Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr John Asein and his team, have been praised for providing a safe environment for production of creative works and ensured protection of their copyrights.

Mr Kewul Suleh, the Secretary, Youths Partnership for Africa’s Development (YOUPAD) who made this known while presenting the Thomas Sankara Leadership Prize to Asien in Abuja at the weekend said that Asien was honoured with the Pan African Icon of Public Service Renaissance by the organisation, following his positive contributions to publishing and protection of copyright, intellectual property development in the country.

The secretary, describing Asein as a public office holder with zero tolerance to corruption, nepotism or favoritism, said that his charity to the less privileged and the downtrodden in the society was commendable.

“Your exemplary lifestyle which promotes the African Moral values and is worthy of emulation by the youths.

“Your integrity and 100 per cent open door policy and high administrative prudence also informed the presentation of this honour,’’ he said.

According to him, the Thomas Sankara Leadership Prize for Integrity and Transparency is strictly reserved to recognise and appreciate great African leaders of courage and integrity.

“The leaders, who have distinguished themselves by contributing, in their various fields of endeavour toward the development of their various countries, which will cumulatively contribute to building a prosperous and independent Africa of our collective dreams.”

While expressing delight on the honour, Asien said he dedicated the award to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing him as the NCC Director-General.

He called for collaboration between NCC and the organisation in areas of youths empowerment in the creative sector since campaign against drug addiction remained the core mandate of the organisation.

“Some people go into those unwholesome activities because their energy is being channelled to that areas.

“If you can channel energy of more youths to their creative abilities, you might be able to give some of them reason to stay out of drugs.

“This is because someone who is into poetry or drama knows that he needs to finish a play or the production and he will not use that time to go and start taking drugs because that will derail his taught.

“So, if you give them things that will make them to believe that using my brain to create will bring some rewards to me, then, it is likely you will take some out of drugs,’’ NCC chief said.

He also sought for the organisation’s partnership in the areas of campaign against copyright piracy, intellectual property and rewarding creative talents.

“The Edtech provided a bridge for students to continue their education and for teachers to continue teaching, even when they were physically apart.

“It allowed for virtual classrooms, access to learning materials and resources, and communication between teachers and students.

“But EdTech is not just a stopgap solution for the pandemic. It has the potential to transform education and make it more accessible, personalised, and effective for all students.

“It allows for the use of innovative tools and techniques that can enhance the learning experience and improve student outcomes.”

Olasupo, however, recommended among others the “training of teachers on how they could use EdTech tools in classroom activities. This should be a continuous process and should be incorporated into the teaching professional training manual.

“EdTech should be considered an effective mechanism for supporting learning, whether or not there is a pandemic. This will create a sense of familiarisation for the government, teachers and pupils. Schools should from time-to-time deployed EdTech in the day-to-day class activities” he stated.