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NCC, institutions’ synergy will promote better understanding of IP - Official

Katsina City News
22 Nov, 2024
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By Muhammad Muazu Hassan @ Katsina Times

Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in collaboration with relevant institutions has engaged with potential beneficiaries in the creative sector to promote better understanding of the intellectual property (IP)

The Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein, said this at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) project close and showcase event on IP for SMEs in indigenous Fashion and Craft industries project in Abuja on Wednesday.

Asein was represented by Mr Collins Nweke, Director Planning, Research and Statistics, NCC.

He thanked the Director-General of WIPO, Mr Daren Tang, for the opportunity given to Nigeria to be one of the pilot countries for its IP for SMEs in the Indigenous Fashion and Craft Industries project.

According to him, the project represents another milestone in our collaboration with WIPO and the symbiotic relationship between WIPO Nigeria Office and the NCC.

He said that this demonstrated shared commitment to the organic use of the intellectual property system for the benefit of nations and its people.

“More than ever before, in line with the Federal Government’s policy of empowering Nano, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), the Commission is consistently engaging with potential beneficiaries in the creative and innovation sectors.

“This is to promote better understanding of the intellectual property (IP) system and their relevance to the overall performance of the economy because MSMEs are the backbone of any economy.

“Fortunately, Nigeria has a flourishing indigenous creative and innovation sector that gives it a global competitive edge.

”Our crafts and other creative works are sought after across the world and if well managed would contribute more to our foreign exchange earnings.

“In today’s global market, IP is one of the tools that indigenous craftswomen and men can leverage to enhance their entry.

“The outcome of the project that we are showcasing today is possible under the WIPO Build Back Fund which focuses on three subsectors – adire/batik, leatherwork and raffia – with 22 MSMEs receiving specialised training and mentoring from experts,” he said.

The NCC boss commended the experts for volunteering their time and resources to the project especially their impactful learning method for the past three months.

“I am grateful to our experts for volunteering their time and resources to the project. I also commend the trainees for their patience and commitment to the goals set for them.

“You have all paid the price of success in the current process of hard work and commitment.

“Be rest assured that the Commission will build on the success of this pilot, to extend similar trainings to MSMEs, in other crafts such as wood carving, bronze sculptures, textile weaving, jewelry and fashion accessories among others.

“I hope I can count on our resource persons and mentors to continue the training as we propagate IP knowledge and its sustainable use.”

The NCC boss recalled that the commission had earlier called on tertiary institutions, as well as centres of learning and research to introduce their faculties and students to the subject of IP.

According to him, this will make our universities more globally competitive at the presentation of Model IP policy for universities.

“I also urged universities to adopt the WIPO Distance Learning (DL) 101 as part of their General Studies course to give students basic knowledge of IP.

“This is part of our broader policy of making IP work for all. Also in my message to mark the 2021 World IP Day with the theme “IP & SMEs: Taking your Ideas to Market”, he said.

He emphasised the importance of IP as a vehicle for moving raw ideas to the market which served as the backbone of the nation’s economy.

“We must use to help deliver goods and services; provide incubators for innovations and continue to thrive as wellsprings of creativity.

“Today, we renew that commitment to nurture, guide and enhance their value of our art and craft in the marketplace.

“Once again, I congratulate our first set of IP-empowered MSMEs under this WIPO initiative and look forward to more empowerment ahead.”

The NCC boss also commended Mrs Nike Davies-Okundaye, Nigerian Adire ambassador, for uplifting women and bringing dignity to the Nigerian fashion industry.

“I commend Davies-Okundaye for her immense contribution to the promotion of Nigeria’s culture, as we invite her to accept to be our esteemed We Win IP Ambassador.

”I also commend the practitioners for showcasing Nigeria’s creative industry to the world, and I thank you for making this project a huge success,” he said.

Mr Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director, WIPO Nigeria office, said that intellectual property refered generally to the creations of the mind, inventions, literary, artistic works, design symbols, images used in commerce.

Moody noted that IP really helps people to earn recognition of financial benefit from the things that they invent create.

“We know that intellectual property provides opportunities to such SMEs to promote the businesses associated with the commercialisation of such cultural expressions.

“It aims to strike the right balance between the interests of innovators and the broader public interest.

“IP is an important element that supports growth, along the lines of branding or protecting even the core aspects of one’s business”, he said.

Moody lauded NCC for working closely with WIPO right from the inception of the project to ensure its success.