‘Nigerian Politicians Scared and Afraid of Social Media’–Samuel Andrew, Doctoral Student on Digital New Media, Digital Copyright, Nollywood &Films @Suffolk University Law School, Boston
*Says: “Nigeria Cannot Regulate Freedom of Expression under Any Guise”
*’AS an Intellectual Property Attorney, Nigerians Must resist Any Form of Censorship’
*States:“Nigerian Constitution have Enough Laws to Deal with Blackmail or Gutter Journalists”
*Explains: “Digital Media Must Report Corruption, Malpractices in Govt, Other Sectors”
* Revealed: “Plagiarism is STEALING, Ways to Curb Digital Copyright Infringement”
*Echoes: “ Nollywood on its Way of Positively Branding Nigeria’s Image Overseas”
*Boasts: “Nigeria Films can Rival Hollywood and Bollywood Movies only if…”
*PLUS Why Digital Media will Continue to Dominate the Space on Freedom of Expression
SAMUEL ANDREW is a graduate of Law from former University of Cross Rivers State (now UNIUYO), had a specialized degree LLM in Intellectual property law & policy, from University of Washington, Seattle, where he focused on copyright, trademark, trade secrets, entertainment law, Non-Disclosure/Confidential laws & Digital protection of copyrights in New Platforms and presently this Graduate Teaching Assistant, a Nigerian Bar Association member, and American Bar Association as a student-member is presently studying for his Doctorate degree on Digital New Media, Digital Copyright, Nollywood &Films at Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. In this revealing Exclusive Interview with CNNiReport Journalist, GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, he opened up on sundry issues relating to New Digital Media, Copyright Infringement, Government Roles, and how Nollywood (Nigerian films) can rival Hollywood (American movies) and Bollywood (Indian films). ENJOY:
Q: How will you describe the infiltration of Digital New Media in Nigeria on every available social media across the world?
A: It was bound to happen. I think Nigeria actually got to the digital era pretty much late. We are still grappling with ineffective Intellectual Property Regimes. Happily, the Nigerian Copyright Commission is pushing to review our old outdated Copyright Laws to conform with the global trend and pace. The infiltration (if that is used complimentarily) is a very good development.
Q: Do you think the advent of these Digital New Media platforms will outlive the Traditional Print Media outfits?
A: The traditional media platforms, print, electronic and others are still relevant in our information and communication industry. The reality is that digital media will continue to dominate the space because of its democratic nature, its easy access and innovative contents. Both traditional media and digital media will continue to tolerate each other.
Q: How can good censorship be provided for the Digital New Media to guide against libel, blackmail and gutter journalism?
A: I am very sensitive to these words, “regulate”, “censorship”, in fact it boils my inner core. What do politicians mean by regulate, censorship? Regulate what? censor what? Free speech? Freedom of expression? Hell No! Personally, I will do everything within my powers as an Intellectual property attorney to sensitize Nigerians to resist any form of censorship of the digital media, social media, blogs and all communication platforms. We have enough laws in our books in Nigeria to deal with STUPID. If any one writes stupid that’s the world we live in, people may do stupid. However, there is a responsibility in publishing anything on any platform. My take is sure let him do that, it is his or her constitutional right to write stupid. If in the process a law is offended or someone’s integrity or image is defamed or libeled there are laws in the books already to deal with these situations. If it is stupid against the state there are Sedition Laws in the books too, what the heck is wrong with these politicians? So there is no need for censorship for the digital New Media, and who has the authority to call people’s talent, “gutter journalism” what is that? If someone infringes on others’ copyright, the draft(new)Copyright Laws has made provisions for “Take down” and other remedies. So Nigeria has covered grounds or about to cover grounds on this new industry. It is not about censorship.
Q: How can Digital New Media serve truly as a check to malfeasance, corruption in governance?
A: The nature of the digital platform is freedom and visibility. It is cheap, not expensive any more to dissemination information. That is why politicians are scared and afraid of the social media. Remember, Egypt and Tunisia during the Arab Spring. Social media brought down a corrupt political system. So let players in the digital platform be responsible and alive to their civic duties of holding politicians to account in governance. My catch word is: “EXPOSE EXPOSE EXPOSE AND LET HELL FREEZE.” Digital media must report corruption and malpractices in government and all social sectors of Nigeria timeously and effectively. We mustn’t forget also to report the good and positive things going on now in Nigeria politically, economically and socially.
Q: What best ways can be used to curb plagiarism in Digital Copyright?
A: I earlier mention the Draft Copyright Bill of 2015 promoted by Nigerian Copyright Commission. I just sent my comments to the NCC on the draft bill. It is a great effort to deal with digital copyright infringement. It is actually difficult to eradicate plagiarism or prevent it on the digital platform because of the big and deep nature of the internet. However, with the global efforts, which Nigeria is a signatory to most of the digital era copyright treaties, one can fight and reduce plagiarism in the digital space. With our copyright law amended to deal with copyright infringement, now we must educate our people on copyright infringement. Simply put plagiarism is STEALING. Put that down in all vernacular and dialects in Nigeria. Sensitize the people. Orientation is one job the government is not doing well on Intellectual property rights in Nigeria. About time we started taking the next front of global wealth seriously.
Q: What do you think Digital New Media and Copyright have in common?
A: Copyright is digital New Media. In essence copyright drives, creates, and protects Digital new media. That is why most developed nations have created special copyright laws for the digital New media. For instance, in the USA, we have the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Q: What is the shortest ways Digital New Media can hold Nigerian leaders accountable if they deviate from their pledges to the masses and breach of their Oath of office?
A: Use your tools and blow them off…expose them. Set the twits on fire, publish their misdeeds on Facebook, announce their evil on Google+ and other platforms.
Q: Are there international bodies practitioners of Digital New Media can file petitions, query in case they are being threatened for exposing theft, non-performance and looting in governance?
A: Sadly there is non I am aware of. It is actually a local remedy issue. That is why the courts are there in every country to seek redress. Apart from World Trade Organization and TRIPS system of adjudication on intellectual property and international trade issue, there is no international body to deal with such situation. Even, WTO and TRIPS cases are brought by countries who are members of these bodies and are signatory to the treaties. Individual parties and non-state parties have tried to seek redress for violation of their IP or copyright under the treaties but haven’t been successful.
Q: How can Nollywood films be used as best vehicle to re-brand Nigeria’s tattered image Abroad?
A: Nollywood on its on is actually doing a good branding job. You know I am doing my doctoral research on Nollywood, that is part of my research work. I have noticed that Nollywood is doing more than we knew in terms of creating a unique creative cultural content industry, all what is needed is supporting infrastructure and real money investment so that the films produced by Nollywood can take on Hollywood and Bollywood.
Q: Why do you think the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is not supporting Nigerian Nollywood practitioners in this democracy?
A: I don’t necessarily think it is solely about President Muhammadu Buhari’s support for Nollywood. What happened to the last President’s supports to Nollywood? Where are all the moneys we heard was given or granted to Nollywood? What has it translated into? The way forward is to have a policy not driven by a political party in power. Private initiatives in my opinion will be the way to go. Create a conducive atmosphere by building systems to support Nollywood. Entice foreign direct Investments into Nollywood. How about making sure that film production is less expensive in Nigeria, by making sure power is constant, roads are motorable, security of artists are guaranteed, tax rebate for equipment are put in place. So it is not what President Buhari has done and not done but what policies Nigeria wants for this creative industry.
Q: How much do you think Nollywood films is losing to piracy as at today?
A: The consensus is a lot, but we don’t have agreeable statistics in Nigeria. It is enough that has done damage to the progress of creativity in Nollywood. Artist welfare have been affected because the pirates benefit while majority of them don’t get much revenue from their creative works. May be if you wait for my work, that am writing I will be able to publish the close figure.
Q: How can piracy of movies be reduced or extinct in Nigeria?
A: The first step is in progress, a new Copyright law is in the making. The most important one for me is that government must take the issue of Nollywood seriously. Oil and Gas damaged our ability as a country to be innovative, so now is the time for policy makers to redress their past mistakes. Copyright and all areas of intellectual property must be seen as a national resource just like OIL and GAS. Some resources that will earn Nigeria tremendous national revenue. So tell Nigerians ‘don’t steal what isn’t your creative work because if you do, we (government) will come after you, like you are stealing crude oil.’
Q: As at today, One United States dollar goes for over N400, gradually coming down, yet Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor said his economy policy is ‘Bitter Pill, Longer Benefits.’ What so you make of the Nigerian economy?
A: Professor Wole Soyinka said it is a national emergency and the President should call an emergency rescue operational project or whatever by Nigerian experts and find a way out. 16 years of corrupt and bad government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot be addressed in Eight or Nine months but we got no excuse., to be giving excuses that we as Nigerians can’t reinvent ourselves and make things better again.
Q: You are presently doing your Doctorate degree with Focus on New Digital Media, Digital Copyright, Nollywood & Films…” What do you intend to achieve at the completion of your program?
A: After practicing law in the commercial transactional world for more than two decades I intend to teach the young ones how to use law to create wealth, mostly how to position ourselves in the new era digital economy to developing the sub Saharan African region with our abundant creative skills and talents, kind of giving back to the society. Humanity has been good to me, God has been good to me, People from different race and tribe have loved me and blessed me.
Q: Finally, kindly take us through your biography….
A: I was off loaded in Lagos Nigeria to Mayen Andrew Ituen and Akpan Andrew Ituen, my lovely parents. My dad passed in 2014, They bequeathed the greatest treasure to him, good education and proper upbringing.
I went to elementary school in Lagos, Municipal primary school Obele Odan along Itire road, Surulere, in Lagos.In the early 1970s, I went to a secondary/high school in a little village, as a pioneer student at Secondary school Okat in Onna in Akwa-Ibom State of Nigeria.
Being a nomadic person…looks like I still have those traits till date, I moved over to the city because I did not enjoy being a local champion. In the city of Eket, I attended, St Francis Secondary school Ikot Ataku. The school was actually in the suburb of the city. I later made a stop at School of Basic School, Akamkpa, Cross River State, I was RAS, head of Reggae Club there. I still like Reggae Music.
My initial educational pursuit ended up at the University of Cross Rivers State (now UNIUYO) as a foundation student in the faculty of law. I became a lawyer, tried practicing generally all areas of law but felt that the way for me was specialized law practice. I left my practice of law in Nigeria, relocated to United States to fulfill that dream.
I have got a specialized degree; LLM in Intellectual property law & policy, from University of Washington, Seattle, where I focus on copyright, trademark, trade secrets, entertainment law, Non-Disclosure/Confidential laws & Digital protection of copyrights in New Platforms. I currently enrolled for my Doctorate Degree, SJD in Intellectual Property Law in Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA. USA, focusing on digital copyright enforcements in the entertainment & indigenous cultural Industries of emerging economies, Nollywood Industry, New Digital Media Contents & Entertainment Law. I now teach and also carry on my doctoral research in the Suffolk University Law School Boston MA, USA as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.
I live in Massachusetts. I love GOD, Good Music (Reggae, Soul, African Musk), Good Coffee, Red wine, Good writing Instrument(pen), Good wrist watch, analyzing politics, creating wealth & networking, dancing, teaching/lecturing, listening to talk radio, reading newspapers, golf, tennis, squash and traveling.
I founded and managed two closely held private corporations, which I formed in Nigeria in 1994; Samiai Ventures Ltd + Samiai & Samiai. These corporations dealt in maritime consultancy, investments, and general contracts. In 2000, I suspended the operations of these corporations to focus on my law practice, (Samuel Andrews & co). The law practice merged with another law practice in 2002 to form a new practice; ZFC, (Zealfirtfruits Chambers) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
I was the managing partner in a law firm with commercial practice focus, capital market & Banking practices, transactional law practices, due diligence undertakings, and litigation. Also, I did pro bono in criminal litigation for indigent people who got into relationships with crimes consciously and unconsciously. I left the practice in 2006, for other adventures still in the legal family, mostly doing consultancy & advisory work in Intellectual Property through his new consultancy firm; TeiSResources, the focus is protecting copyrights & other intellectual property rights, promoting innovation in emerging economies through Intellectual Property rights especially, in new digital platforms & monetizing creativity.
HOBBIES
I like visiting Rome, Paris, Dublin, London, New York, Seattle, San Francisco & Miami. I plan to visit all the continents of the world before he retires, he has just visited three continents.
I attended major legal conferences locally and internationally, presented papers in some. I am available for giving lectures and speeches on law and politics.
My desire is that all humanity will love each other and know God. It looks a tall desire though, but we can at least strive to do good. Just strive, do your part. I desire to set up a Foundation that will create a Learning center for youths (of developing countries) in Innovations & preparing them for the new digital age.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
Boy’s Scout (Early years); Rotaract Club International (College Years);
Student Union Government (Director of Socials -College Years), Public Relations Officer/Editor -In-Chief (Nigerian Law School (1989/1990).
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Nigeria Bar Association(member), Capital Market Solicitors Association(Ng), International bar Association(Member). American Bar Association (student member).
COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Member, Mount Paran Church Of God, Atlanta; Member, United States Golf Association (USGA, Member, National Rifle Association; Daddy & Coach of Two Precious Girl.
