By Angboro Berta Ogheneremu
Recently, the Association of Better Life for Authors and Publishers of Nigeria elected its first set of national executive council members. The NEC, led by Hon. Feyi-Abiodun Samson Oyeniyi, as the first national president for BLAPAN, was officially sworn in at a high-profile event on the 29th of May, 2025, at Moakland Plaza off Simbiat Abiola road, Ikeja, Lagos
It was formerly known as the Nigerian Council of Authors Against Piracy (NCAP) for over three (3) years, before it was finally registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) last year, precisely 5th December, 2024.
The swearing-in ceremony was done by Barrister Olatunde Shakiru Giwa, a Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in an epoch-making event witnessed by families, friends, and well-wishers who defied the rains to be there.
In his acceptance speech, President Feyi Abiodun Samson Oyeniyi promised to keep the team together, united, and attain success through various promotional programs that would empower members and improve their lives.
His words, “On my mind is the bitter experience and nightmares that pirates make authors and publishers suffer in Nigeria. I will seek help from friends in and outside government to ensure that piracy and its scourging effects are fought to the barest minimum by working with government and its agencies, particularly in Lagos State, to seek protection for members in the book industry”.
Barrister Olatunde Giwa, in his goodwill message, congratulated the new executives of the association for the feat of being sworn in. He urged them to stay united, focused, and pursue their set goals for collective growth.
“You may think what has been done today is a child’s play, something small, but if you work hard, you will see your world expanding, spreading everywhere, and before you know it, you will be known all over the nation and beyond the shores of Nigeria,” he said. Barrister Giwa concluded:
Once again, I congratulate you all and wish you all the best”.
Members of the new executive team took turns expressing their delight at the opportunity afforded them to serve in their capacities. They all promised to work hard for the benefit of all and Nigeria.
“I want to thank everyone and my Principal, Hon. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul, PhD, member of the National Assembly, Abuja, himself an author and actor, for his support and encouragement for me on this journey”, Oyeniyi noted
