A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Anti-Piracy Society of Nigeria (APSON), has identified the current education system which according to it placed more value on certificates than skills as the reason pirated and counterfeit products were making waves in the markets than original ones.
According to the Director General of APSON, Mr Frank Uduonu, people tend to cut corners and pursue negative practices to make ends meet “in the society of ours where meritocracy has become the order of the day and the challenges of the economy quagmire is rite.”
Uduonu said the NGO was not happy that people no longer care to think and work towards achieving edifying goals capable of making them outstanding as originators of enterprise.
“Foundation upon which Nigeria is built which is certificate driven has occasioned the quest for materialism and swept under the carpet, the need to possess the requisite genuine skills which drives industrialisation and usher in self-pride, integrity and the pursuit of goals that exemplify hardwork and epitomises integrity of purpose,” he maintained.
He sought collaboration with the government, individuals and media in the fight against circulation of counterfeit and pirated products in the markets and streets through quality education.
“The clarion call is for all arms of government, civil society organisations, security agencies, political office holders, private sector, the professionals, artisans and the fourth estate of the realm to join hands to fight the monsters of piracy and circulation of fake and counterfeit products.
“We have great role to play here because knowledge is power and half education is dangerous. We should be proud to be counted as collaborators and agents of change to redirect our people to the path of upholding the integrity of man through the pursuit of goals that are meaningful and worthy of emulation.
“The goals and aspirations of APSON are not only noble but novel in this part of the world. The drive to correct the mistakes of the past and direct our conscience towards toeing the path of rectitude and due process are paths that must be pursued vigorously.”
