Dr. John O. Asein, the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), has restated the Commission’s commitment to supporting all sectors of the creative industry to reward creatives and boost the nation’s economy.

The DG NCC stated this while receiving 2024 finalists of the National IP Creative Essay Competition, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Nigeria Office who paid a study visit to the Commission recently.

Pointing to the issue of contracts as one area that is being looked into, he emphasized that contracts should be fair and transparent with terms that are not unreasonable, enslaving or unduly onerous.

While acknowledging the long and tortuous process of statutory reform, Dr. Asein assured right owners and other stakeholders in the creative industry that the commission has commenced the process of reviewing the recently passed Copyright Act with a view to identifying areas of improvement.

In the meantime, he announced that the Commission will be putting in place administrative mechanisms to help right owners, through the provision of model contractual clauses, better negotiate and conclude contractual terms.

The Director-General also informed the visitors that the Commission has Alternative Dispute Resolution facilities to help right owners settle copyright disputes.

Congratulating the essay finalists, Dr. Asein used the opportunity to announce their induction as Copyright Ambassadors and urged them to be good representatives of the Commission and the copyright industry.

Dr. Tobi Moody, Director, WIPO Nigeria Office and leader of the delegation, informed the Commission that a total of 256 students from 68 tertiary institutions in 27 States entered for the competition, with a winner and 19 finalists emerging.

Dr. Moody disclosed that the Competition is in line with WIPO’s policy of encouraging students to research and be actively involved in Intellectual Property (IP) matters. He assured that WIPO will support the finalists with capacity building prizes and opportunities to further strengthen their engagement in the field of IP.

The theme for the 2024 essay competition is “IP and Sustainable Agriculture: Combating Food Insecurity in Nigeria”.

Mr. Ikenna Mba, a year-four law student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged the overall winner of the competition while Mr. Chinonso Izundu, a year-five law student of the University of Port Harcourt and Mr. Adekunle Olajide, a year-four law student of University of Ilorin, were first and second runners-up respectively.

By Amber Thetford

As businesses seek to expand across African borders, cashless payment solutions offer a safer method of transferring money. One offering, prepaid debit cards, provides security while mitigating many infrastructure and regulatory challenges, writes Amber Thetford, Chief Product Officer—Card issuing and processing at Onafriq.

As the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCTA) increasingly moves into the operational phase, it is becoming clearer that part of its success lies in ensuring that entrepreneurs and small businesses can effectively trade and receive payments across borders.

As the African Union has noted, the trade area will be the biggest since the World Trade Organization was formed in 1995. Africa’s population is currently 1.2 billion people, a figure that is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.

South Africa took its first step in making AfCTA a reality, when the now-former Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, then Ebrahim Patel, launched the implementation of the start of preferential trade this year. The South African Revenue Service also certified two consignments to Ghana and Kenya.

Yet, with trade expected to grow among members from the current between 15% and 18%, a safe way of moving money is required given the risk that cash presents. Some nine-tenths of transactions in sub-Saharan Africa are, based on World Bank information, in cash.

The large amounts of cash involved in trade are also cumbersome and difficult to physically transport between markets. Card payments, part of the digital ecosystem, can enable efficient, secure, and transparent transactions that are essential for facilitating trade.

Card payments can eliminate the need for manual intervention and reconciliation when it comes to banking and bookkeeping. This, the World Bank states, makes them, on average, three times more cost-effective than conventional purchase order costs.

While mobile money payments have greatly improved Africa’s ability to make cross-border payments, they do not meet the full scope of needs of individuals or businesses. As the United Nations points out, there are regulatory bottlenecks, while a lack of interconnectivity among mobile transactions in some countries means that people cannot transfer money across borders.

Moreover, limitations of infrastructure, accessibility, and interoperability make it difficult for their users to access the global digital economy. As a result, this type of cross-border payment can be limited.

There are solutions to these dilemmas. Prepaid cards can enable businesses and individuals to transact with global institutions and marketplaces without the need to own a bank account.

This option removes a pain point for a business that would otherwise need to accept local alternative payment methods or cash. Navigating challenges like high fees, currency shocks and a lack of access to traditional banks can be simplified through prepaid cards. This makes them a pivotal instrument that enhances Africa’s connection to the global economy.

For example, one of our customers provides payroll solutions for seafarers and cruise ships, which frequently travel to different countries. Once the card is loaded, it is very convenient for a sailor to use it as one would a normal debit card and swipe to pay for purchases or transmit money across borders.

The beauty of this option is that whoever is loading the card with money, can be based anywhere in the world, with the same also being true of the person holding the card.

Prepaid cards can also be used to manage expenses because they can be provided to managers of, for example, a bookstore, who can then make independent decisions about business-related purchases, but only up to a certain amount.

This has the added advantage of speeding up operations as there are no lengthy delays across the company when it comes to acquiring stock, while it also goes some way towards eliminating fraud as the card has a set limit.

Larger companies with staff who travel extensively can also provide gratuities for their employees, who can then cover incidental expenses without having to dip into their own pockets or bring back paperwork to be reimbursed.

A platform that simplifies a user’s ability to transfer money to cards brings the AfCTA dream closer to reality.

The versatile power of prepaid cards can be used to promote free trade between countries and unite Africa’s fragmented payment landscape.

Prepaid solutions can aid businesses seeking to operate in other African countries to thrive – making AfCTA’s aim a reality and boosting economic growth for all.

Women Radio 97.1, in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, has made history by unveiling “NIM”, Nigeria’s first Women Radio Intelligent Virtual Assistant.’

The unveiling took place during the 2024 Women Radio Summit, signalling a transformative era for radio broadcasting in Nigeria.

The initiative, which integrates artificial intelligence into traditional radio broadcasting, represents a paradigm shift in how radio content is created, distributed, and consumed. In her welcome message, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO of Women Radio 97.1, shares her aims to inspire others into AI’s future, expand access to reliable information, and enhance the listener experience by blending advanced technology with human-centred communication.

The event featured some keynote speeches from:

Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, founder of Rise Network, emphasised the role of science and technology in empowering women and reshaping media landscapes.

Adedeji Adekunle, programmes director of the Nigeria Media Innovation Program, discussed the critical intersection of AI, innovation, and media development in Nigeria. As well as

Sam Onigbanjo, managing director of AI Academy for Beginners, enumerates ways to upskill for maximum integration.

The summit featured an insightful panel discussion on how artificial intelligence can enhance journalism and broadcasting while upholding ethics and professionalism. Esteemed panellists included:

Motunrayo Alaka, executive director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, stressed the need for maintaining ethical standards in AI-driven journalism.

Kayode Okikiolu, a Channels TV anchor, discussed the integration of AI in traditional media formats to engage broader audiences and highlighted AI’s potential in diversifying content delivery and improving inclusivity in media.

A highly recommended fact-checking resource was the Dubawa.ai chatbot, an app that was showcased at the summit to verify and debunk misinformation, analyse, transcribe, and document files in archives. It is the radio monitoring feature, an initiative of the Centre for Investigative Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

‘NIMI’, the Women Radio Intelligent Virtual Assistant, is the brainchild of technical engineer Tayo Kalejaiye.

This revolutionary AI radio host is designed to provide seamless interactions with listeners, offering valuable resources, news updates, and support for both on-air and online delivery. By combining AI with traditional broadcasting, ‘NIMI’ aims to enhance accessibility, ensuring that diverse voices are amplified and underserved communities are reached.