By Henry Akubuiro
Chief Assin Godstime of the Edo State branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has made a case for the participation of writers in politics.
Speaking as the leader of the writers’ delegation during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Edo State Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu in Benin, Godstime urged the state government to appoint authors as Special Advisers or Assistant on Education, Library, etcetera.
Godstime, who thanked the Deputy Governor for supporting the association, asked for further collaborations with the state government.
He also highlighted the nagging issue of piracy affecting Nigerian writers. In his response, the deputy governor bemoaned the increasing rate of piracy in Nigeria and its adverse effects on the country’s book industry.
“Piracy is perhaps the most vicious obstacle today facing the book industry in Nigeria,” he said, emphasising that the activities by pirates had deprived writers and authors from making a profit from their creative works.
Shaibu noted, “The pirates are making more money than what you — the intellectual property owners are making — due to poor application of enabling law on piracy.
“I know how it pains to see people use your intellectual property without getting the due credit.”
Pledging the government’s support for the writers, the deputy governor remarked, “By the grace of God, we will do all we can in this State to fight piracy and ensure that writers/authors get reward for their labour.”
The event was hallmarked by the presentation of books written by different authors from the chapter to the deputy governor by members of ANA.
The delegation to the deputy governor included Chief Assin Godstime (author of Generation of Madmen and spokesman), Barr. Ovie Akhamie (author of Odume’s Choice), Rev. George Chima Uneze Jr. (author of Chemistry for Beginners), Mr Victor Oguejiofor (author of As You Go to College) and Efosa Godfrey (author of Mysterious Tears).
Others were Mrs Dumebi Anne Enakerakpor (author of Journey to Libya), Dr. Williams (author of English Language Professor), Prince Osahon Idemudia Agbai (author of A Child from Two Mothers) and Pastor Chibueze Okorie.