The Ondo State Government has taken a firm stance against book piracy in public and private schools as the new academic session begins.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the State Coordinator of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to his office on Thursday in Akure.
Ajibefun stated that curbing the circulation of pirated books was a top priority for his leadership in the ministry.
“Book piracy is a serious offence; it does a lot of harm to the authors, who invest significant effort, funds, and energy into creating their works, while those who contribute nothing reap the benefits,” he said.
The commissioner, therefore, warned public and private schools in the state, as well as bookshops selling pirated works, to desist, stressing that the government had developed strategies to combat the menace.
He added that the state would collaborate with the NCC and security agencies to inspect schools and carry out raids against piracy.
“As we sanitise the education sector in the state, we must also address the issue of book piracy. We will come up with strategies to combat this menace in our state as soon as possible,” he assured.
Ajibefun also advised schools, parents, and booksellers to always purchase books from authentic publishers to avoid embarrassment.
Earlier, the South-West Coordinator of the NCC, Mrs Oluropo Oke, described copyright as an exclusive right granted by law to authors, artists, writers, musicians, photographers, and architects to exploit and authorise the use of their works.
Oke explained that the NCC is empowered by law to enter, inspect, and examine buildings, premises, and schools once it suspects infringement activities.
“The commission has commenced inspection in the state, targeting schools and any locations where pirated works are suspected to be distributed or sold,” she said.
She urged the ministry to collaborate with the commission in warning schools against the act, noting that any school found culpable would be held criminally liable under the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Oke further advised proprietors, principals, and head teachers to ensure that all books supplied for students and pupils are legitimate copies sourced directly from publishers or authorised dealers.
She also called on parents, guardians, and the general public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of piracy or distribution of pirated works to the commission or the nearest police station.
