Printers advocate for national printing policy to drive industry growth

The Gutenberg Printing Association of Nigeria (GUPPAN), has stated that a National Policy on Printing would help address some core issues of standardization, technological investment that have over time impeded the growth and development of the printing industry.

President of the Association, Mr Adekunle Adebambo, who said this during a press briefing Friday in Abuja, added that the policy if it is introduced would enhance the development of a sustainable workforce in the sub-sector.

According to him, “the policy would lay the groundwork for a coordinated approach in the industry as well as ensure alignment with the country’s broader economic growth.”

Adebambo further stated that the introduction of degree programmes in printing technology would allow professionals advance their education, drive innovation, and uphold industry standards, “fostering a future-ready work and above all, remove the concrete ceiling of career progression of HND holders in printing.

“By focusing on developing local printing infrastructure and encouraging local sourcing for print needs, Nigeria can reduce reliance on foreign printing services, saving foreign exchange and creating domestic employment opportunities.

“Stakeholders should explore public-private partnerships to establish printing facilities equipped with modern technologies that meet global standards.”

The GUPPAN President further assured that the Association is committed to the development of a professional, regulated, and sustainable printing industry in the country.

“The time has come for concerted action to correct past missteps, uphold the standards set by Act 24, 2007, and restore integrity to the Nigerian printing industry,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPN) has warned members of the public to desist from doing business with the factions of the CIPPN led Omoniyi Samson Adesoye and Babajide Salako saying they are not empowered to act on behalf of the Institute.

According to a statement signed by National Secretary of CIPP, Raymond Nwagwu, the body is yet to put in place any legal or valid Council Members of the Institute.

“It has come to our notice that some groups of different individuals as led by Omoniyi Samson Adesoye on one side and Babajide Salako on the other side are on rampage pretending and laying claims to be the President & Chairman-in-Council and Council Members of Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria CIPPN by not only making illegal contacts and but also by issuing different License Certificates to governments, agencies, corporate organizations, printing establishments and persons of interest to them like Independent Electoral Commission INEC, Universal Basic Education Council, specifically Nigeria Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to mention a few.

“We therefore strongly advise governments at all level, agencies, corporate organization, printing establishments to be wary in according any recognition or professionally associate with these self-acclaimed and warring President & Chairman-in-Council and Council Members as represented by Omoniyi Samson Adesoye on one side and Babajide Salako on the other side as they do not possess the minimum certification to be full members not talk of Council Members that ought to qualify them as President & Chairman-in-Council of CIPPN. 

“These assertions are based on the provision of Act 24, 2007 which happened to be in the same standard with other institutionalized professional bodies in Nigeria like Institute of Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria COREN coupled with self obtained Court judgments in suits from different Federal High Courts,” the statement further said