The director general of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. John Asein has charged staff of the agency to uphold the public service ethics of transparency, accountability, integrity and professionalism for efficient service delivery.
The director general gave the charge in Abuja at a recent inauguration of the commission’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
He explained that the inauguration of the Unit was in compliance with the guidelines of the Independence Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to promote transparency in governance and check all forms of corruption.
He charged the Unit to develop a system for also monitoring the activities of the Commission’s operatives across the country to check operational lapses.
“The Commission exists to serve the interests of authors, copyright owners, users and society as a whole. As we develop zero tolerance for piracy, we insist on prompt and quality service from all operatives,” he said.
He said the ACTU members were appointed based on their integrity and tasked them to show loyalty to the country and be truthful, dedicated and professional in the discharge of their functions.
Asein also used the opportunity to disclose that the NCC would soon be introducing a whistle-blowing policy to complement the work of the ACTU while secured channels would be provided for confidential reports.
In his remarks, the director of administration, Dr Idowu Ogunkuade, counselled ACTU operatives to live above board adding that every one of them was being watched.
“Your work is not restricted to monetary issues alone but covers any act of misconduct that contravenes the public service rules,” he said.
Ogunkuade noted that although the tenure of the UCTU is fixed, “this is not sacrosanct as any act of misconduct on the part of any member would lead to appropriate sanctions in line with the protocol established by ICPC.”
Responding on behalf of the ACTU members, the assistant director and head of NCC Audit Unit, Mr. Babatunde Abdulsalami who doubles as chairman of ACTU, thanked the director-general for the confidence reposed in them.
He pledged the Committee’s commitment to integrity and accountability in the interest of the country and the copyright system.
Other members of the ACTU, drawn from different departments of the commission were the assistant chief copyright officer, regulatory, Mrs. Oludayo Folarin; assistant chief administrative officer, Mrs. Nelly Ayua; senior copyright officer, public affairs, Mr. Amos Abutu; and chief clerical officer in the office of the director general, Mr. Johnson Ogwu.
