By Lawrence Nwimo
Non -governmental organization, Anti-Piracy Society of Nigeria (APSON) has, Saturday, unveiled an application software known as TAVBT APP for tracking piracy and spread of fake products in the Nigerian market.
The App was unveiled at an event marking the inauguration of the Anambra State APSON chapter and the induction of 115 new members into the organisation in Awka, the State capital.
Speaking at the occasion, Director- General of APSON, Frank Uduonu said the development of the APP was sequel to the challenges experienced in the process of tracking piracy and fake products that littered the Nigerian market space.
According to the DG, over 60% of products circulating and consumed in the country are products of piracy and lack of knowledge of the original products had pitched Nigerians into buying products that are hazardous to their body systems.
“We are taking the campaign of piracy down to the grassroots because they are the most vulnerable groups affected by piracy. Imagine fate of a grandmother at the village who do not know how to read or write buying products that may have been counterfeited.
“We would also take the message to tertiary institutions where plagiarism is rife. When we talk about plagiarism, the students of tertiary institutions are known to indulge in practices of photocopying other people’s intellectual artworks in the name of producing research work and without proper permission of the owner.”
The DG blamed the country’s reliance on certificate for the quest for materialism, which according to him, has swept the urge for requisite skills, reputation which drives industrialization and self pride under the carpet.
At the induction, Uduonu who congratulated the new 115 members said it would usher in the sensitization and social campaign programme against piracy, counterfeiting and plagiarism in Anambra State.
While the DG called for collective effort in eliminating monsters of piracy and circulation of counterfeit products, he maintained that APSON has remained resolute in its drive to correct the mistakes of the past and direct the conscience towards toeing the path of rectitude and due process.
He also said the new APSON members are well trained and have passed through rigorous trainings with NAFDAC, SON, Copyrights commission and the National Orientation Agency to carry out the duty fishing out the fake products dominating the Nigeria markets.
The TAVBT APP developers in their brief lecture, expressed displeasure at the magnitude of shortage and loss of income of manufacturers in the hands of piracy and noted that the new APP would restore the lost integrity of the manufacturers.
According to them, the special Application was designed to the understanding of an average man and does not involve rigorous protocols that may be considered challenging to a common man.
They however urged manufacturers and producers in the state to key into the App and save themselves numerous revenues that are lost in the hands of piracy and fakery on a daily basis.
Responding on behalf of Manufacturers in Anambra state, CEO Aliban De Great Industry Ltd, Alih Barnabas thanked APSON for the timely APP, adding that its introduction alongside the new inductees would help the manufacturers maximize the gains of production.
In their separate goodwill messages, representatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Civil Defense Commission commended the new inductees an charged them to be at alert in the course of their duties to deliver effective service.
Award presentations to deserving personalities, cutting of inauguration cake formed the highlight of the event.