Business

NCC Seizes N2m Pirated Books In Omoku

Published

25 seconds ago

September 21, 2026

The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, has reiterated the Commission’s determination to enforce zero tolerance for piracy in all its forms, warning that anyone found reproducing or selling pirated books would face the full weight of the law.

Asein, who spoke through the Director of the NCC Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Abdulsalam Babatunde, gave the warning during an enforcement operation at Omoku Main Market in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers state over the week, where pirated textbooks worth over N2 million were confiscated.

He urged members of the public, particularly schools, tertiary institutions, booksellers and other users of literary works, to patronise only authorised authors and publishers and refrain from purchasing pirated publications.

The NCC Director-General said the Commission would continue to execute its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act, stressing that persons involved in the reproduction and sale of pirated books would be dealt with according to the law.

The operation, conducted last Thursday, involved personnel of the NCC and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), resulting in the arrest of two suspects.

Babatunde equally warned persons involved in the sale of pirated materials in Rivers State and neighbouring states to desist from the practice, stressing that the law would catch up with those who violate copyright provisions.

A publisher, Mr. Friday Ijere, decried the losses being suffered by publishers and authors as a result of piracy, noting that pirates were making unscrupulous gains from intellectual works belonging to others.

Ijere called for sustained sensitisation campaigns to enlighten booksellers, schools and other users of literary works on the dangers and consequences of patronising pirated publications.

He said piracy was seriously affecting the publishing industry, as the practice deprives publishing firms and authors of legitimate income and undermines the efforts invested in producing literary works.

The two suspects arrested during the operation claimed they were unaware that the books they had purchased were pirated, insisting that they had bought them believing they were genuine copies.

One of the suspects said the arrest had become eye-opener, explaining that they would not have knowingly purchased books they suspected to be pirated.

They subsequently promised to desist from patronising pirated publications and ensure that they purchase books only from authorised sources in the future.

The enforcement operation underscores the NCC’s renewed efforts to curb the circulation of pirated literary works and protect the rights and economic interests of authors, publishers and other copyright owners.

King Onunwor

Business

Ranchers X-ray Tinubu’s Economic, Business Policies

Published

29 seconds ago

September 21, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Cattle Dealers and Rearers Association(BCDRA), have commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic and business policies.

Chairman of the association, Alhaji Ali Maiwada who spoke with newsmen at the weekend in Yenagoa, the State capital said prior to the Tinubu’s administration, prices of foods and commodities, including maize and other items needed for their business where expensive.

He noted that upon assuming office, the President’s economic policies have reduced inflation.

According to him, due to the business friendly policies of the Tinubu’s administration, the association is partnering other stakeholders in working for his reelection, come 2027.

The BCDRA helmsman charged members of the cattle and livestock market union to eschew bitterness and show solidarity with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President.

“President Tinubu’s economic policies and business incentives have put more funds in State Governments coffers.

‘His policies have enabled State Governments to execute gigantic infrastructural projects for the rapid socioeconomic transformation of their states.

“As an association, we’re partnering other key stakeholders to work for Mr President’s reelection, because his economic policies have positively impacted our businesses.

“Before the coming of President Tinubu, staple foods like rice, bean, maize and sundry commodities needed for ourselves and for our businesses were sold and bought at exorbitant prices, but upon his election and swearing-in just in three years down the line, prices of commodities and inflation have reduced.

“I urge members of BCDRA to be tolerant of one another. Let’s eschew bitterness and acrimony and continue to work together and return the President to office so that he can continue with business and economic friendly policies and programmes for all of us to continue benefitting like we’re now”, the association leader said.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Business

CILT VOWS TO Raise Contributions Above 4%

Published

40 minutes ago

September 21, 2026

The Tide

The Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics (CILT) has set its target on raising the transport sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) beyond 4 per cent, calling for a more integrated transport system to drive economic growth.

Speaking at Pre-Conference briefing in Lagos Friday, the Chairman Central Planning Committee for the 2026 conference, Dr. Kayode Oyesiku said that transport and logistics are not merely sectoral concerns adding that they are the circulation system of the national economy.

Oyesiku who was represented by Prof Ogochukwu Ogomma, Dean School of Transport and Logistics at the Lagos State University, also said that when that system is fragmented, unsafe, costly, or unreliable, every household and enterprise pays the price.

“When it works efficiently, the benefits spread through lower costs, stronger productivity, wider market access, simpler job, and business opportunities.” He stated.

According to Oyesiku, Nigeria therefore needs more than isolated projects. We need an integrated system in which road, rail, aviation, maritime transport, inland waterways, ports, terminals, logistics hubs, and last-mile services reinforce one another.

“We also need infrastructure that can withstand climate change, institutions that coordinate effectively, technology that improves visibility and accountability, and a skilled workforce that can manage a rapidly changing industry.”

He explained that the conference with the theme “Transforming Nigeria’s Transport and Logistics system for shared prosperity and sustainable Infrastructure” has been designed for solution, adding that the 2026 National Conference, has been deliberately structured as a solution-focused gathering as It will bring policymakers into direct conversation with regulators, with the operators, with the investors, the academia, technology providers, development partners, students, and young professionals.

Business

Access Bank Targets Students In Financial Crime Prevention Drive

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2026

The Tide

Access Bank Plc has unveiled a financial crime awareness initiative to educate young people on scams and fraudulent activities.

Chief Conduct and Compliance Officer, Access Bank, Solomon Abiakalam, said this at a news conference on the bank’s “Spot-The-Scam” campaign in Lagos.

Abiakalam said the initiative targets students aged 12 to 16, with a goal of reaching 30,000 young people in Lagos State.

He said the programme was designed to help young people identify scams and avoid becoming victims or unwitting perpetrators of financial crimes.

He recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested about 792 young people during a raid in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Dec. 10, 2024.

He said the incident highlighted the need to address financial crimes through early education, alongside regulatory and banking controls.

He said the bank had strengthened internal controls but decided to “go upstream” by educating potential victims and perpetrators.

Abiakalam also called for scam awareness and prevention to be incorporated into school curricula, saying banks, schools, parents, government agencies and telecommunications companies must collaborate to tackle financial crimes.

He said the bank regularly trained and assessed its staff on financial crime prevention and operated an “always-on” fraud awareness campaign.

He advised customers to pause and verify suspicious messages or requests, especially those creating urgency, fear, threats or undue excitement.

The Head, SME Banking, Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan, urged parents to create an environment where children could report suspicious online experiences without fear of punishment or shame.

The Acting Group Head, Marketing and Retail Analytics, Access Bank, Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu, said early financial education would help children recognise scams involving fake rewards, games, celebrity profiles and other online content.

She said the programme would initially focus on students but would subsequently expand to children, parents and teachers.

The representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, urged students to report suspicious activities to teachers and guidance counsellors.

The Head, Regulatory and Financial Crime Compliance, Access Bank, Inyang Etim, urged adults to adopt a non-judgmental approach toward young people already involved in financial crimes.

Etim said creating safety bespaces for young people to speak openly could encourage them to seek help and provide information that could expose criminal networks.

She also urged parents to instil ethical values in children, noting that incentives alone could not replace proper moral upbringing.