urges AEDC to replace damaged facilities

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has been asked to replace the electrical equipment damaged as a result of windstorm, without further delay or withheld sharing of April bills to part of Gbeganu community in Chanchaga local council of Niger State.

Residents of Gbeganu community lamented that the area has been thrown into darkness over two weeks as a result of windstorm that destroyed electric polls.

They added that the management of AEDC could not replace the damaged polls for over two weeks, the situation they said is unacceptable.

According to them, every household in the area paid monthly bill adequately, insisting that they want to enjoy the value for their money.

It could be recalled that part of Gbeganu community has been thrown into darkness for the past two weeks which has crippled the social and economic activities in the area.

The source also said the attackers left many residents with various degrees of injuries while several other persons are still missing.

The incident came barely two weeks after a similar attack on Ugbobi community claimed the lives of the traditional ruler of the community and several others and one week after Olijamu village was raided by the marauders also.

The source said, “the attack, like others, was unprovoked, the victims were returning from a funeral in Ugbokpo when they ran into the ambush by armed Fulani herders in Ankpali.

“They opened fire on the mourners killing four of them and injuring some others. As we speak some persons are still missing.

“Though the youths of the community are searching for them but the people in the village are fleeing to adjoining villages for fear of being killed by the attackers.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, said she has not received report of the incident.”

World Book/Copyright Day: NCC intensifies antipiracy drive

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it is intensifying antipiracy drive and enforcing stiffer penalties for copyrights infringement and abuse of all literary works in the country.

Dr John Asein, the DirectorGeneral, NCC, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja in commemoration of the World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated every April 23.

Asien, while lamenting over the cases of piracy in the country, added that the new Copyright Act 2022, will improve author’s rights and address the challenges of digital transmission and online exploitation of works.

“To guarantee adequate return on intellectual and financial investment in all creative sectors, the Commission is intensifying its proactive enforcement initiatives as well as enhancing the collective management of rights.

“Working with various stakeholders and relevant agencies, the Commission has commenced a series of public education and enlightenment campaigns as a prelude to the full scale national antipiracy drive.

“With the stiffer penalties available in the new Act for criminal infractions, the public is therefore advised to desist from all forms of copyright infringements and abuses,” he said.

He also called on authors and other stakeholders to join the commission in telling the copyright story and drawing attention to the ills of piracy and other copyright abuses.

He stressed the need to recognise linguistic diversity and the importance of preserving, promoting and encouraging the use of indigenous languages in literature and other creative works in line with 2023 theme, “Indigenous Languages!”

” Together, let us, in our literature, music, performances and movies explore alternative languages and give voice to indigenous communities,” he said.

He explained further that with the over 600 indigenous languages in the country, Nigeria has a lot to offer to the world through its indigenous languages and the associated knowledge.

The NCC boss said they had consulted with relevant stakeholders to formulate the needed Regulations and Guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of the Act on the protection of expressions of folklore. NAN