E-Business
NCC, WIPO Organize Capacity Building Workshop on IP Rights for Judiciary
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in the thrust of its mandate to advance the growth of Creative Industry through strengthening of Institutional capacity has organized a train the trainers’ workshop for judicial training institutions in the country last month.
The capacity building training which was held at the National Judicial Institute, Jabi – Abuja in collaboration with the World Intellectual property Organization (WIPO) aims at equipping trainers with the necessary intellectual capacity to enhance the knowledge of Judges on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Delivering his keynote address, the Director-General, NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude stated that the training will no doubt enhance the knowledge horizon of Judges on matters of Intellectual Property (IP) in Nigeria.
Mr. Ezekude while appreciating WIPO for nominating Nigeria as one of the benefiting Countries for this laudable training initiative noted that the training will have a lasting positive effect on the nation’s jurisprudence as regarding IP.
The training was held in furtherance of WIPO’s project on ‘Development and Intellectual Property Rights Education and Professional Trainings with Judicial Training Institutions in Developing and least Developed Countries’.
According to the Project Manager, WIPO Academy and representative of the DG WIPO, Mr. Mohammed Aderaouf Bdioui, Nigeria, Nepal, Costa Rica and Lebanon are pilot countries nominated in the quest to build capacity for efficient and effective national IPR education and training programme for judges.
The training workshop anchored by the NCC Director of Regulatory, Mr. Mike Akpan, focused extensively on IP topics like Copyright and Related Rights, Trademarks, Patent and Industrial Designs, Trade secrets and Geographical location.
Other topics of IP such as traditional knowledge and alternative dispute resolution of IP, Discussions on Court cases were held as well as interactive sessions.
The recommendations of the sessions are as follows:
– That the training module on Copyright Education and Enlightenment should be simplified and well structured to serve the purpose of understanding the content and context by the intended audience
– That the rationale for protection of Trademarks, well known Marks and Passing Off should be fully explained in the modules for training as well as the differences.
– That there is need for urgent review of the Patent and Designs Act Cap P4 LFN 2004 which is now obsolete
– That the module for Confidential Information and Trade Secrets should include protection of Trade Secrets through the Constitutional Right to Privacy under section 37 of the Constitution, Freedom of Information Act and Cyber Squatting under the Cyber Crimes Act.
– That the Geographical Location Module should incorporate examples in Nigeria of Geographical indications and other examples in Africa.
– That the provisions of the Nigerian law on Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions should be brought out clearly in the Module and should consist of more Nigerian and African cases.
On the modalities to train judges it was agreed that they must be treated with utmost respect through appropriate choice of words and mode of delivery to ensure that there is highest regard for them while trainers must see themselves as discussants aiding the judges to widen their horizon.
The National Consultant of the Project, Mr. John Ohi Asein, stated that the objective of the program is to consolidate knowledge and expertise of the selected future trainers in IPRs in order to transmit the acquired skills to members of the judiciary in Nigeria.
Observations and recommendations of the participants through syndicated groups are to be forwarded to the national consultant of the project for incorporation into the modules to be adopted for the trainings.
The Administrator, National Judicial Institute represented by the Director of Studies described the workshop as a worthy exercise aimed at enhancing the quality of the nation’s judiciary in the quest to dispense equitable and fair justice.
Others at the training workshop include; Professor Bankole Sodipo – GO Sodipo & Co, Prof. Ben Shinaya- University of Nairobi, Prof. Oyewunmi Adejoke – University of lagos, Prof. Odunaike Dorcas – Babcock University, Mrs. Ojo Caroline Taiwo – NOTAP Abuja, Mrs. Usen Enobong – Patent, Trademark and Industrial Design office, Abuja, Mr. Ajala Oluwafemi O. Esq-NCC Abuja and 11 other resource persons were present for the event.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
CBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
Peter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
Luft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
INEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System
PremiumTrust Bank Reassures Customers of Continued Security after Cyberattack Foil
News2 days agoManager, Others Arraigned for Allegedly Hacking into Premium Trust Bank’s Server
Telecom2 days agoMTN Nigeria Drags 20 Banks to Court over N6Bn Debt by SleekChip
Telecom2 days agoAfrica Launches First Continental Space Agency
E-Business2 days agoCAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms
News2 days agoDBI Clocks 21, to Train 5m Workers
Broadcasting2 days agoHow Automated Payments Can Reshape Savings Beyond Local Cooperatives
General News2 days agoNITDA Takes IT Projects Clearance Campaign to Office of Accountant General, Others
Telecom2 days agoMinister Decries High Rate of Nigerian Women Access Gap to Smartphones