THE CHALLENGES OF THE NIGERIAN COPYRIGHT COMMISSION (NCC) IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COPYRIGHT PIRACY IN NIGERIA (Published)
The dawn of information age and the advancement of technology in the reproduction of information and intellectual goods created a favourable tool for piracy; copying and selling of another’s intellectual works have become easy and less expensive; copyright theft; production of fake, sub-standard and unlicensed products are on the increase. Hence copyright piracy is a global problem, although more prevalent in developing countries like Nigeria. Copyright piracy has been recognized worldwide as an enemy of creative arts, intellectualism and creativity. It obstructs genuine investments and corrupts cultural value of a nation. Nigeria status as a favourable destination for foreign direct investment and a place where local creative talent can flourish is in jeopardy due to the activities of individuals who unjustifiably infringe on another’s copyright works. It is in recognition of the above fundamental facts that the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)which is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring, administering and enforcing copyright laws and ensuring proper implementation of set out rules and regulations on the citizenry in the case of default seeks to fight against piracy. In this fight, the NCC are faced with a plethora of challenges which include, poor financing, mobility, insecurity, favouritism, poor enforcement mechanism, poor information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge, poor equipment for the implementation of the anti-piracy policies and so on.
Keywords: Copyright Piracy, Nigeria, Nigerian Copyright Commission
NIGERIA, SHARIA PRAXIS AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION: ANY LESSONS FROM THE SUDAN EXPERIENCE? (Published)
This paper examines critically the implication of wide scale adoption of sharia in a multi religious and pluralistic Nigeria. Specifically, it studies the effect of the legal system on the national integration and unity which paradoxically constitutes mantra in the mouth of almost every Nigerian national. It is discovered that the entrenchment of the criminal and non-personal aspects of Islamic law by the core northern states had become a counter-point on the corporate existence of Nigeria. This is more so as the country’s Constitution had restricted the application of sharia to its personal regime. The Boko Haram menace that ravages the country and its environs may not be unconnected with the much dreamt of islamization of the whole sovereign enclave. Yet, it is further noted that the huge population of southern Christians that virtually constitute half of the nation’s population cannot be cowed into the proselytist agenda. This development is a threat to national unity. A comparative analysis of the socio-legal phenomenon in relation to Sudan before the emergence of South Sudan was a task before the writer, especially as the Muslim/Christian ratio in the pre-divided Sudan resembles that in Nigeria. More still, the comparison is ad rem as the north-south religious divide in both jurisdictions is almost coterminous. This study recommends national dialogue, religious toleration, patriotic spirit, avoidance of fanaticism, inter alia, as antidote to disintegration.
Keywords: Law, National integration, Nigeria, Sharia, South Sudan, Sudan
CHINA – NIGERIA RELATIONS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES (Review Completed - Accepted)
The study centred on China- Nigeria Relations. China-Nigeria Relation spans a wide spectrum of areas: politics, trade, investment, aid, technology, science, culture, education, health and military. The growing economic ties between China and Nigeria require detailed analysis to determine the prospects and challenges so as to ascertain the benefits on both sides. Qualitative analysis was the main anchor and its descriptive in nature, drawing largely from secondary sources from analytical standpoint. The prospects are: adequate infrastructure in Nigeria through China’s financial resources will improve investment climate in the country, ability to do quality work at a fast rate, simplification of their access to capital, strengthen infrastructure, revive the agricultural sector, china provide trade not aid, Nigerians could borrow from Chinese character of discipline, purposeful leadership and deliverability, China’s investment focus in agriculture, light industry, machinery, infrastructure, construction, information technology and tourism will be added impetus to Nigerian Economy. Nigeria may gain from technical assistance and scientific cooperation. The Challenges are: Domestic firms may lose as a result of lack of competitiveness, trade imbalance, stifles technological transfer, tax evasion, slave wages, poor working conditions, Economic inequality, uncoordinated leadership and policy. Strong pressure must be placed on Nigerian leaders to effectively balance Chinese engagement to maximize growth and opportunity.
Keywords: China, Economy, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Infrastructure, Nigeria, Relations, Trade