Abuja: The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) recently hosted a send-off and appreciation ceremony to honor its former directors-general and retired directors, recognizing their significant contributions to the organization over the years. The event was organized to pay tribute to five former directors-general and 12 retired directors who played pivotal roles in the growth and development of the commission.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the ceremony acknowledged the efforts of former directors-general, including Mr. Moses Ekpo, Dr. Sylvester Williams, Prof. Enyinna Nwauche, Prof. Adebambo Adewopo, and Mr. Adam Ezekude. The retired directors honored at the event included Mr. Williams Aniche, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, Mrs. Loretta Ezichi, Mr. Samuel Udowo, Mr. Stephen Aiyegbusi, among others. The current Director-General, Dr. John Asein, was also recognized for his prior contributions to the commission.
Dr. John Asein, speaking at the event, highlighted that the honorees’ ideas and contributions continu
e to be part of the commission’s institutional memory. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging those who helped build the institution and noted that the ceremony was a family gathering to honor their legacy. Asein also expressed regret that previous directors-general did not receive formal send-offs and apologized for the delay in recognition.
Asein remarked that many of the honorees served during challenging times when resources were limited and copyright was not widely understood. He praised their efforts in laying the groundwork that the current generation benefits from and emphasized the importance of remembering those who contributed to the commission’s foundation. Asein disclosed plans to document the contributions of former leaders and introduced initiatives such as the NCC Moses Ekpo Prize and the Williams Prize.
Pioneer Director-General Moses Ekpo expressed gratitude to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Gen. Sani Abacha for their support in developing Nigeria’s copyright system
. He also commended the current leadership for recognizing the contributions of past leaders. Mr. Olatunji Adetula, speaking on behalf of the retired directors, expressed appreciation for the recognition and highlighted the sacrifices made by the honorees.
The event concluded with the presentation of plaques to the honorees as a token of appreciation for their dedication and service to the commission.