NCC Appoints Essay Competition Winners as Copyright Ambassadors

AS part of efforts to encourage creativity, strengthen IP and deepen Copyright knowledge in higher institutions, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has appointed winners of the 2023 World IP Day Essay Competition, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as Copyright Ambassadors.

Twenty (20) winners emerged from this year’s Essay Competition which was on the topic “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity in Nigeria” held to commemorate this year’s World IP Day.

Addressing the newly appointed Copyright Ambassadors, the Director-General NCC, Dr. John O. Asein commended WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO) for the initiative and congratulated the winners, noting that the issues raised will continue to encourage more women to participate in the IP space.

He explained that as Copyright Ambassadors, the winners were expected to help the Commission in the formulation and implementation of policies that would engender better use and administration of the copyright system in and outside their Universities.

The DG, NCC who was represented by Mr. Mike Akpan, the Director, Regulation and Compliance, outlined the responsibilities of a Copyright Ambassador to include: assisting in the dissemination of copyright knowledge; initiating relevant programmes and activities to promote respect for copyright and other forms of IP.

According to him, other responsibilities include serving as liaisons between their institutions and the Commission on matters of copyright; providing feedback for the Commission on various aspects of intellectual property; assisting in policy formulation and implementation; and carrying out other assignments that the Commission may from time to time require.

Leader of the delegation and Director WNO, Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, gave assurances of the commitment of WNO to advance IP capacity in the country. He indicated that the office would award the winners internship and scholarship opportunities within and outside the country.

While appreciating the DG, NCC for hosting the finalists, he assured the NCC that the WNO would continue to work with the Commission and other IP-related agencies to strengthen IP and Copyright knowledge in Nigeria.

The event was attended by the overall winner of the Competition, Mr. Farinmade Adedoyin of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; first runner-up, Mr. Balogun Olanrewaju; second runner up, Miss Mariam Akinola; other finalists, Management staff of the Commission.