One of the new entrants into the newspaper business in the country, Nigeria Today may soon be embroiled in copyright tussles.A press release emailed to Newsdiaryonline.com today has accused the new newspaper, which a Thisday report said is packaged by “Friends of the Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison Madueke” ,of “copyright infringement”.
Joel C. Dappa, Publisher, Nigeria Today Publications expressed shock that the new paper is using an already registered name .He in a statement also endorsed by Alh Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) who is Chairman, Board of Directors said “The Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today are shocked by this intended act of copyright infringement and or passing off by the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke”. We are equally shocked at the calculated attempt to bring the name and independence of Nigeria Today publications to disrepute.
“Nigeria Today publications which commenced operations in 2006 is published by Charlie Media Company Ltd, a limited liability company duly incorporated in Nigeria to carry on the business of Newspapers and magazine publishing amongst others” the statement said ,adding that “Nigeria Today is trademarked and copyright reserved with ISSN No. 0795-3119 and has since its maiden edition strived to promote a better Nigeria by contributing its quota towards Nigeria’s unity with a view to make Nigeria one nation.
Dappa said “The Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today therefore use this opportunity to warn the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” to desist from their intended act of copyright infringement and passing off. If they must commence their chosen act of gutter journalism of promoting selfish, personal and or ethnic interest they are free to do so in another name definitely NOT NIGERIA TODAY.
“In the unlikely event that the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” choose to heed to this warning in breach, the Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today have instructed their lawyers to be on standby to take all necessary legal action against these fraudsters once they unmask themselves”,the statement warned darkly.
Read the entire statement below:
PRESS RELEASE
The attention of the Board of Directors of Charlie Media Company Ltd publishers of “Nigeria Today” and the Management/Editorial Board of “Nigeria Today” has been drawn to a news item contained at page 82 of ThisdayNewspapers of December 30, 2012 wherein it waspublished thus-
“Friends of Diezani Allison-Madueke head For Newspaper Publishing.
Friends of the Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison Madueke are set to begin a publication of a National Newspaper. The newspaper will be called “NIGERIA TODAY”. Journalism is no stranger to rebellious or audacious moves, but in the case of Diezni friends, it will be a more of a defiance move.
It is set to be part of a bigger plan to carve a creative identity for their friends….The maiden edition of “NIGERIA TODAY”…….”
The Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today are shocked by this intended act of copyright infringement and or passing off by the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke”. We are equally shocked at the calculated attempt to bring the name and independence of Nigeria Today publications to disrepute.
Nigeria Today publications which commenced operations in 2006 is published by Charlie Media Company Ltd, a limited liability company duly incorporated in Nigeria to carry on the business of Newspapers and magazine publishing amongst others.
Nigeria Today is trademarked and copyright reserved with ISSN No. 0795-3119 and has since its maiden edition strived to promote a better Nigeria by contributing its quota towards Nigeria’s unity with a view to make Nigeria one nation.
Nigeria Today has been a monument for authoritative, factual writing rather than emotional journalism. The publication has been strengthened by its ability to provide a Nigeria perspective to events without downplaying the Country’s severe problems. The publication has been known for its balanced, indept and objective journalism.
Nigeria Today is a fully independent publication that has guarded jealously its editorial independence which is at the heart of the publication. It cannot therefore be used to promote selfish, personal, ethnic interest as the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” want to do.
The Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today therefore use this opportunity to warn the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” to desist from their intended act of copyright infringement and passing off. If they must commence their chosen act of gutter journalism of promoting selfish, personal and or ethnic interest they are free to do so in another name definitely NOT NIGERIA TODAY.
In the unlikely event that the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” choose to heed to this warning in breach, the Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today have instructed their lawyers to be on standby to take all necessary legal action against these fraudsters once they unmask themselves.
Finally we use this medium to categorically dissociate Nigeria Today publications from the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” and assure Nigeria Today’s numerous readers that the Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today has nothing to do with the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” or any publication by them and has not given any person or group of persons licence to use the name “Nigeria Today” to promote individual, sectional, ethnic, group interest or any other interest for that matter.
Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen.
Signed:
Alh Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) Joel C. Dappa
(Chairman, Board of Directors) (Publisher, Nigeria Today Publications)
