Yemi Obafemi
The Nigerian Copyright Commission has called on stakeholders in the book industry to recognise July 13 as the National reading day to mark the birthday of the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The Director-General, NCC, John Asein, made this known in statement dedicating this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to mark Prof. Wole Soyinka 90th birthday.
World Book and Copyright Day is a day set aside by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to focus on books, celebrate authors, promote reading, encourage non-discriminatory access to knowledge and raise copyright awareness.
Asein said: “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 theme for this year’s celebration is “Read Your Way.” the DG stressed the importance of allowing individuals to read in their preferred manner and location.
