He reminded them that, “if your business is legitimate, we will work with you but when we have problem is where an organization believes in doing some things wrong”
He stressed the need for sensitization of printers to avoid being punished out of ignorance.
“Some people ask why government is interested in protecting people’s interest, this answer is simple, it is for the society benefit. We are what we are today because we are using other people’s materials to build our knowledge and whatever you do you have to reap from it. This will give you the zeal to continue.
If government does not interfere by way of protecting people’s interest/work, we would not have the opportunity to use some of these
written works. It is for people to have hope in what they are doing”
“In literary, if somebody expands money and energy to put something in order, at the end of the day the society will reap, there is need to protect it for the zeal to continue”
He commended the printers association for the role they play to the society stating that, “in line of distribution of books, without the printers, you can have the talents but their view has to be expressed to be seen by the printers. Printers are the chain in expression of these ideas”
In his response, the state SPPN chairman, Mr Obidinso, traced the history of SPPN adding that it was registered as part of Institute of Printing of Nigeria, IOPN. “IOPN used to operate when it came into amalgamation which was formed in 2007 and their responsility included, regulating, building and controlling who is to operate, and who is not to operate and areas of operation and publication”
He told the NCC Director that part of their visit was to help fight piracy and regulate the printing work.
“We are here so that in one way or the other work hand in hand so that every body will be acquainted with information, because a lot of people don’t know about NCC”
The Secretary of the SPPN, Casmir Emeka Igboanyika, in his speech said that the importance of the copyright organisation to the body would not be over emphasized stating that, “this Union and visit will pave way for many openings that will bring sanity into the profession of printing. Before you write a book, before a book will be approved, before you know it, the book is already everywhere, you will not reap anything” he revealed.
The Onitsha unit chairman of SPPN, Okey Akaneme, had in his speech earlier stated that the visit was aimed at knowing where the NCC office is located and, “ensuring sanity in people practising printing and our suppliers who go about supplying fake materials” warning that anybody breaching the law would be made to face the wrath of the law.
Welcoming them in his office, the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Mr. John Obuagbaka, said, “we need to work together, it is my duty to provide security to protect you and we in other hand need your services, it is also my responsibility to respond, which ever way you have challenges either in the business, family, you should let us know so that we extend our helping hands”, he said.
He also urged them to be conscious of what the law said and thanked them for robbing minds together.