By Richard Thomas:Ibadan
Corporate bodies and relevant authorities in the education sector of the country have been charged to invest in children in order to support and boost their academic skills in spoken words, poetry or in creative writing.
The charge was given by the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Dr. John Asein at a prize giving event for winner of the 2023 Creative Writing Competition -Essay Category held at Muslim Model College, Joyce B’ Road, Ibadan
Miss Firdaous Ikeoluwa, a Senior Secondary School (SS2) student of Muslim Model College, Joyce B’ Road, Ibadan had emerged winner at the 2023 Creative Writing Competition-Essay Category and was consequently honoured with Award of Excellence by the commission.
In his remarks, the DG who was ably represented by the Deputy Director Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike said the call on relevant authorities and corporate bodies became imperative in order to ensure that talents in children are being exhibited whether in spoken word, poetry or in any creative writing.
Dr. Asein who disclosed that the commission has commenced a series of public education and enlightenment campaigns as a prelude to a full scale said the commission is intensifying it’s proactive enforcement initiative as well as enhancing the collective management of rights to work with various stakeholders and relevant agencies.
“I am calling on relevant authorities in Nigeria as well as corporate bodies to start investing in children wherever they are and whenever their talents are being exhibited, whether it is in spoken word, poetry or whether it is in creative writing.
“We should support them, because if a child does not see that the society is encouraging writing, he or she may begin to feel that there is no future in writing.
“Let me use this opportunity to advise schools and their students to join in the fight against piracy by refusing to patronize pirated books or pirating other people’s works . Piracy is a cancerworm that eats up the very fabric of the nation’s economy as it steals from right owners and kills creativity”.
According to him, the NCC will publish the winning essays, poem and short stories to encourage the children, just as he assured that the competition has come to stay, urging children to continue to participate as this will help to nurture their talents.
The commission while congratulating and celebrating the winner, Firdaous Ojutalayo, described her victory as exceptional achievements, adding that it will no doubt leave an indelible marks on their hearts and minds.
He said her dedication to the craft of writing serves as an inspiration to other young students especially, those who have not been able to discover their talents.
In her address, the state coordinator of the commission, Mrs Olabisi Ogundiran said the competition which had Miss Firdaous emerged winner had 700 entries form across the country.
She urged the student not to relent in her ability to achieve excellence in her study, encouraging others to take a cue from the winner
Ogundiran said essence of every creative work is to make economic gains, saying it is bad for any other person to steal such property or creative work which does not belong to them .
She urged the people to always protect their intellectual works from being pirated or stolen.
In her address, principal of the school, Mrs Olabisi Fatimah Alao described the feat recorded by her student as a welcome development.
She commended efforts of the commission for organizing the essay competition for the younger generation.
“I hereby express our profound appreciation to the commission for their moral and financial support towards the success of this celebration.
Speaking, the Chairman of the school, Alhaji Olawale Gany described the feat recorded by the female student of the school as a welcome development, saying it would go a long way in encouraging other students of the school and the state in particular.
Also Speaking, the Board of Governors Chairman, Alhaji Kola Animashaun said the college is a baby of Muslim Association of Nigeria, established to provide quality and standard education for Muslim children in the state and the country as a whole.
He described the victory of the student as a thing of joy adding that it is a big challenge that will act as catalyst to encourage other students to improve on their studies.
In her speech, the winner, Firdaous Ojutalayo while thanking the commission for the honour and Award of Excellence presented to her said the development would encourage her in her studies.
“I really thank the management of the commission for the honour and I also thank you for the value you already instilled in me by organising the prestigious competition. This has really inspired the education prowess in me.”
In their speech, parents of the winner, Mr and Mrs Olusanjo Ojutalayo expressed their appreciation to the members of the commission and the school management over the development.
They described their daughter as a very humble and obedient child who is committed to her studies.
