By Zainab Olufunmi
Alhaji Sani Ahmed, the Kano State Acting Coordinator of the Nigerian Copyright Commission(NCC) has called on school proprietors to promote reading culture in their institutions.
Ahmed, made the call on Tuesday during an event to commemorate the World Book and Copyright Day with theme: “Read Your Way”.
Periscope reports that the World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by UNESCO celebrated April 23 in over 100 countries around the globe to honour the great works by authors around the world.
Speaking on the importance of the day, Ahmed said it was to celebrate and appreciate work of authors worldwide.
“Children are no longer reading books like before, it is important to revive, inculcate and encourage reading culture back into our children.
“Schools should focus on the way they will encourage their pupils, students to read, the primary aspect of opening school is to read,”he said.
The coordinator also urged school proprietors and proprietress to always patronise original books for their students.
“Some schools are in the habits of patronising quacks, to purchase pirated copies, which are not good, because it kills creativity, economy and reading culture.
“We are ready and determined to collaborate with libraries, bookshops, owners and writers to ensure that original books are purchased and other publisher to continue to educate people on the ills of purchasing pirated books.”
He advised parents to always check the textbooks provided for their wards by their school and make sure they are original.
“Our doors are open for parents and guardians to report to us if they discover that the books given to their wards are not original for immediate action,” he said.
He noted that from January to date the commission has apprehended three schools for reprinting textbook without the author’s consent and they are currently under investigations.
