The Nigerian Copyright Commission has raided two schools in Enugu State and seized pirated books worth over N7 million.
The schools inspected and raided are Marist Brothers Secondary School, Emene and Divine Love Secondary School Trans Ekulu.
Speaking on Wednesday’s operation, the Director, NCC, Enugu Office, Ngozi Okeke, said it was part of the commission’s effort to end piracy activities in Enugu and its environs.
Okeke added that the copyright officers, led by the Assistant Chief Copyright Officer, Ambrose Odoh, carried out the operation based on reliable information.
She listed some of the books confiscated as: Religious and National Value; Security Education WorkBook Compass edition (Revised), by Ebizie Anches Publishers; and Macmillan Brilliant English for Senior School School Book 3 by Macmillan Nigeria.
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Others are Basic Science Made Easier School Book 1 and Home Economics for Junior Secondary, by West African Book Publishers; and Business Studies WorkBook for Junior Secondary School, by Egbe.T. Ehiametalor, amongst others.
According to Okeke, the books from different publishing companies were confiscated as they were stocked in the school bookstores ready for distribution to the students.
She added: “The action is in continuation of the NCC Enugu office determination to sanitise and rid the state of pirated and substandard books in schools.
“The value of all the books seized is estimated above N7 million.
“What we have done is part of the commission’s mandate to protect and promote the rights of authors and other genuine investors in the book industries.
“It is our duty to ensure that authors get rewards for their creative endeavour.”
Okeke explained that the Director General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, has zero tolerance for piracy and infringement of copyright laws.
She urged the public to support the commission with credible information that would enable them tackle the menace of piracy in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the commission had on September 20, 2024 seized pirated books worth over N5.7 million from schools in Enugu State.
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