THE Nigerian Copyright Commission has dedicated this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and named July 13 the National Reading Day to mark the 90th birthday of the literary icon.


This was disclosed by the Director-General, NCC, John Asein, in a statement, wherein he also stressed the importance of allowing individuals to read in their preferred manner and location.

“Our Nobel laureate in Literature, playwright, essayist, literary icon and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Prof Wole Soyinka, will turn 90 on the 13th of July, 2024.

“We are pleased to dedicate this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to him. He is unarguably the tallest living iroko in Nigeria’s rich literary forest and an advocate of books, reading and copyright.

“Beyond a befitting celebration of the literary icon on his 90th Birthday, the commission is calling on stakeholders in the book industry to recognise July 13 as Nigeria’s National Reading Day to encourage Nigerians to read for pleasure and draw attention to some of the values that he has advanced in the literary world.

“By this recognition, he becomes our first Copyright Change Champion,” the NCC DG announced.

The commission urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s book industry to recognise July 13 as Nigeria’s National Reading Day, coinciding with the 90th birthday celebration of the literary icon.

The World Book and Copyright Day is set aside every April 23 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to focus on books, celebrate authors, promote reading, encourage non-discriminatory access to knowledge and raise copyright awareness.

The theme for this year’s World Book and Copyright Day is ‘Read Your Way.’

In his goodwill message to The PUNCH to mark the World Book and Copyright Day, on Tuesday, Soyinka stressed the importance of intellectual property rights for authors.

The renowned playwright said the prevalence of pirated copies of authors’ works reflected poorly on society and governments’ understanding of copyright.

Source:

https://punchng.com/copyright-commission-names-soyinkas-birthday-national-reading-day/

What other day should be National Reading Day than the birthday of an ICON?

Nigeria's FIRST and ONLY Nobel Laureate (the first African to win the Nobel prize in Literature)!

Congratulations Omoluabi!

JohnAOne:
What other day should be National Reading Day than the birthday of an ICON?

Nigeria's FIRST and ONLY Nobel Laureate (the first African to win the Nobel prize in Literature)!

Congratulations Omoluabi!

You bet.