Some of the awardees displaying their plaques
Photo: Juliet Onwurah/Radio Nigeria
As part of measures to groom indigenous creative talents in Nigerians and protect their intellectual property the Nigerian Copyright Commission(NCC) has awarded nine outstanding students for excelling in the 2023 National Essay Writing Competition.
At the award ceremony in Abuja, the Director General of (NCC) Dr John Asein said the idea of the competition was to bring to life ideas and protect the intellectual property of young Nigerians.
He said the country owed young creative thinkers a society where they could freely sell their ideas and grow their talents to enable them rule the world in whatever field they opt to follow.
”We promise to give you a country where you will be the very best. Where your dreams can be translated to bankable investments. A
A country where your natural endowment will not be allowed to waste. A country where we’ll continue to provide the grounds for you to grow the seeds of creativity.”
General Manger of the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) Louis Udoh commended the students and stressed the need for them to hone their creative skills and become wealth creators.
”I dare say that you should continue to create because that is the next oil you will see in Nigeria. He added.
On her part, the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed represented by her Special Adviser, Ms Aisha Augie urged the NCC to put stringent measures in place to tackle piracy and intellectual property theft which has had negative effect on the nation’s economy particularly on those whose ideas had been stolen.
One of the winners, 15 year Old Egwu Onyekachi appreciated the NCC for the initiative saying it will inspire him to do more in the areas of creativity.
Reporting by Juliet Onwurah; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade