The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it is set to partner with relevant agencies, associations and industry practitioners to promote creativity in correctional centres across the country.
This according to the agency is in line with its statutory mandate and the renewed drive to encourage the use of copyright to grow the creative sector,
Director-General of the Commission, Dr. John O. Asein announced this initiative when he paid a courtesy visit to the Controller-General (CG) of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), Mr. Haliru Nababa, recently.
Elaborating on the initiative, the Director-General explained that the Commission had concluded plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) to facilitate the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates through creative activities.
According to him the drive will help keep the inmates constructively engaged, inspire hope in them, help to develop positive life-changing attitudes and hone their life-effectiveness skills.
In his words, “The programme will introduce inmates to new value systems and role models that would make them more mentally ready and less likely to become reoffenders after serving their terms.”
Dr. Asein stated that apart from strengthening the creative skills of inmates in various sectors, the Commission will also promote reading by working with Nigerian publishers and authors to donate books to the libraries of correctional centers across the country and that it will also collaborate with NPA and ANA to organize a creative writing competition with prizes and the prospect of getting the best works from the competition published.
In his response, the Controller-General (CG), Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) Mr. Nababa, appreciated NCC’s efforts at encouraging creativity, describing the Commission as an indispensable gem in the country’s economic growth.
The CG who was represented by the Deputy Controller-General (DCG) in charge of Inmates Training and Productivity (ITP), Sylvester N. Nwakuche, mni, expressed optimism that the partnership with the Commission will yield favorable results and further boost the redefined mandates of NCoS for the holistic reform, rehabilitation and reintegration of Inmates.
He noted that there are countless creatives in correctional facilities across the country that would benefit from the proposed partnership, adding that the NCoS has already put in place a Technical Team for the implementation of the partnership.
In attendance at the visit were top management staff of both agencies.