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NCC Moves To Adopt Wole Soyinka’s Birthday As Nigeria’s National Reading Day
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has proposed that July 13, the birthday of the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, be recognized as Nigeria’s National Reading Day.
Naija Latest Gist reports that the commission appointed Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature, as the Copyright Change Champion.
This was declared by the Director-General (DG) of NCC, Dr John Asein, yesterday (Tuesday) during the 2024 World Book and Copyright Day celebration in Ibadan.
The theme for the year, “Read Your Way”, highlights the significant impact of reading in shaping character, stimulating the mind, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
To support the theme for 2024, the Nigerian Copyright Commission is initiating various programs throughout the year to encourage reading for pleasure and to promote respect for copyright.
These initiatives are part of the ABC Action Plan, which includes measures to make reading more enjoyable for everyone. He said this also includes bringing books closer to more children and Choosing change champions for books and copyright.
Asein said the commission had thus resolved to dedicate the 2024 World Book and Copyright Day to Soyinka.
“We also featured his works as part of the celebrations across the country in commemoration of his 90th birthday.
“Our Nobel Laurette in Literature, playwright, essayist, literary icon and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Professor Wole Soyinka, will turn 90 on July 13.
“He is, unarguably, the tallest living iroko in Nigeria’s rich literary forest and an advocate for books, reading and copyright.
“By this recognition, he becomes our first Copyright Change Champion,” he said.
The head of copyright mentioned that in addition to a fitting birthday tribute to the literary icon, the committee will be urging critical players in the publishing sector to acknowledge July 13 as Nigeria’s National Reading Day.
He said: “This is to encourage Nigerians to read for pleasure and draw attention to some of the values he advanced in the literary world.
“To bring books closer to children, the commission will, for a start, make copies of Soyinka’s books and other frontline titles available to 90 public schools and establish more Copyright and Creativity Clubs in schools.”
In her introductory speech at the event, the NCC Oyo State Coordinator, Oluropo Oke, highlighted the purpose of the event as a celebration of authors, promoting reading, advocating for equal access to knowledge, and increasing awareness about copyright issues.
She said: “Today, children will be going home with different story books in line with the NCC’s affirmative slogan, “Read My Way” to adopt measures to make reading fun for all, among others.
“This is not a one-off programme; we will extend this to other schools and ensure proper follow-up with copyright school clubs, reading and essay competitions.”
Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele is slated to be arraigned this Wednesday on charges of financial misconduct following the postponement of the originally scheduled court date of April 30, 2024.
Naija Latest Gist reports that this hearing is to take place before Justice Maryann Anenih at the FCT High Court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Emefiele with four counts, alleging he acted contrary to the law with intentions that could harm the public interest during the implementation of the naira swap policy by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Specifically, the charges accuse Emefiele of illegal financial activities, including unauthorized printing of currency and the misappropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
This arraignment marks the third set of charges against Emefiele, adding to the growing legal challenges he faces. Previously, on November 17, 2023, he was arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu on a six-count charge of procurement fraud, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Additionally, on April 8, 2024, Emefiele and one Henry Omoile faced charges before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, for alleged fraud involving substantial amounts in foreign and local currencies.
The fresh charges against Emefiele read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1,000, at the total cost of N11,052,068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.
“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 Notes, at the total cost of N4,471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.
“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 Note, at the total cost of N3,441,005,280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.
“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124,860,227,865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”
Melinda French Gates announced on Monday that she would be leaving the philanthropic foundation she founded with her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
The resignation will be effective on June 7, leaving Bill Gates as the only chair of one of the world’s most influential and powerful non-governmental organizations.
Melinda French Gates made a statement which she posted on social media.
“After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” she stated.
The statement gave no reason for her departure but noted that “under the terms of my agreement with Bill, in leaving the foundation, I will have an additional $12.5 billion to commit to my work on behalf of women and families.”
The couple got married in 1994, but they announced their divorce in 2021.
They continued to co-chair the foundation, which they established in 2001, with the vast wealth acquired through Microsoft’s success.
Bill Gates expressed his gratitude to his ex-wife for her “critical contributions” towards their organization.
“As a co-founder and co-chair, Melinda has been instrumental in shaping our strategies and initiatives, significantly impacting global health and gender equality.
“I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work,” Bill Gates said in a separate statement Monday.
According to the organization’s CEO, Mark Suzman, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be renamed the Gates Foundation.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said that Plateau State will experience permanent peace and regain its lost glory.
The clergyman, who revealed that he has not visited the state in the last seven years, stated that the devil kept him away, knowing that his presence would bring light to the state battling with incessant killings.
The general overseer stated this during a special combined interdenominational service with the theme “Promoted for a Purpose,” held at the Redemption Camp of the RCCG in the Kassa Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“The devil has a rough idea of the revival that is about to take place in Jos; he has kept me away from Jos for seven years, but I said no more. The fire that God is lighting in Jos will not go down,” Adeboye declared.
In his sermon, “Promoted for a Purpose,” with a Bible passage taken from Revelation 4:10–11, Pastor Adeboye averred that God has the absolute power to lift up any person from one level to another, adding that when God decides to promote, he can raise a person from a dunghill to the position of authority.
Addressing the congregation, Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State said the coming of the General Overseer of the RCCG to Plateau State was symbolic and a sign that darkness over the state was paving the way for light.
“Daddy, your coming is very symbolic. Before your coming, the testimony about Plateau State is that it is a no-go area, but we believe in God that the day of mourning in Plateau State is over. As our father steps into the land, it will be revived, and your coming has opened the gate of brass and cut the bars of iron, and the glory of the Lord is returning to the land.
“I want to thank you, sir, for coming to Plateau State, and we want to believe that the glory you brought will not depart from this land. Henceforth, nobody should be afraid of coming to Plateau State. Those that have been troubling us over the years, God is stronger than them, and God will secure our border. This year there will be an abundance of rain and food,” the governor said.
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