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E-Business

NOTAP Extends IPR Awareness Campaign to Gombe, Commissions 56th IPTTO

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R-l: Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, Director General of NOTAP; Prof. Aliyu Usman El-Nafaty, the Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University; Mal Hadi, the inventor of water stove in Gombe State; Dr. Aisha Umar Maigari, the Commissioner of Science, Technology and Innovation, Gombe State, and Gazzali Abba Dandago, the Bauchi State liaison Officer of NOTAP, recently.
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The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) in her continued awareness creation on the importance of Intellectual Property Right (IPR), in Nigeria, recently commissioned the 56th Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) in Gombe State University.

Speaking at the Commissioning ceremony, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr.DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim said that the establishment of IPTTO in Gombe State University was to ensure the documentation and processing of inventive and innovative activities in the region for Patenting and Commercialization.

He described Intellectual Property (IP) as the creation of human intellect, adding that it needs to be protected to enable the creator or the inventor enjoy the financial benefits of their inventions for a period of 20 years.

He said that Nigeria has a weak intellectual property culture but the introduction of IPTTO in some Nigerian knowledge institutions is to create the awareness on the importance of protecting our IP. Dr. Ibrahim stated that inventions and innovations were products of research and researches are conducted in knowledge institutions therefore it was imperative to ensure that University and Polytechnic researchers were aware of the benefits that awaits them for engaging in researches that have potential of translating into tangible goods and services.

The DG further stated that for a nation to be recognised in the global technology arena, it must have a vibrant Science, Technology and Innovation system. He noted that no Nigerian University is ranked among the top 100  Universities in the world because of weak culture of innovation. He added that innovations coming from Universities in the developed Countries translate into goods and services that generate income for such universities.

Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University, Prof. Aliyu El-Nafaty said that the newly established IPTTO would assist the University Community in harnessing the innovative potential in the State to fast-track technology development of the State.

He commended the Director General of NOTAP for the numerous projects targeted at bridging the gap between the academia and the industry, adding that it will be difficult for innovative activities within the knowledge institutions to strive if the industries are not collaborating with the academia. He further stated that the industries are the major consumers of research and development (R&D) result therefore there must be collaboration between the two for effective development of the country.

According to the VC, there were so many indigenous inventors and innovators within and outside the university community within the state that requires clear direction on how their innovations could benefit them, adding that with the establishment of the Office, the university will collaborate with them to ensure that their inventions are patented and Commercialized.

He regretted that prior to now, the university had lost a lot because there was no deliberate attempt to collate and promote the various innovative activities occasioned by weak knowledge of the benefits accruing from intellectual property protection.

In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Gombe State who was acknowledged as being the brain behind the location of the office at Gombe State University, Dr. Aisha Maigari said that the office would provide an opportunity for researchers to excel.

She said that a lot of artisans and professionals have engaged in various innovative activities but they needed to be guided properly on the kind of research that will be beneficial to them and the larger society. She added that the establishment of IPTTO will streamline their research undertakings to engaging in market driven research as against conventional research.

In her words, “going forward as a Ministry, we are going to have a data bank of our innovators and inventors within the state to ensure that they are properly guided in their research undertaken in order to engage in researches that will transform into goods and services for the benefit of the citizenry”.

She therefore expressed appreciation to the Director General for the support and pleaded for continuous support and collaboration whenever the opportunity calls.


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E-Business

Amazon CEO Says AI will Reduce Number of Workers Needed

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Amazon’s management on Wednesday said that it expects that artificial intelligence software will reduce the number of office workers at the world’s largest online retailer.

Amazon CEO Says AI will Reduce Number of Workers Needed

Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon

“We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today and more people doing other types of jobs,” Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon  wrote in an email to employees.

He said it was difficult to predict how the overall workforce will evolve, but in the next few years, it is expected that AI efficiency gains will lead to a reduction in the number of office workers.

According to earlier reports, Amazon employed around 1.5 million people worldwide, with approximately 350,000 office employees in various roles.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the company does not anticipate further large-scale layoffs, as seen in 2022 and 2023, in the near future.

Instead, it expects that vacant positions will not be refilled.

However, layoffs are not ruled out, according to sources familiar with the matter.

“Amazon is focusing on so-called AI agents, software capable of independently performing tasks. These agents could, for example, summarise information from the web and data sources, write software, translate languages and automate many time-consuming tasks,” Mr Jassy explained.

“Agents will be teammates that we can call on at various stages of our work,” he added, urging employees to experiment with AI whenever possible.

The impact of AI on the job market has been a concern for many years.

Recently, Spotify, the leader in music streaming, announced that teams requesting additional staff would first need to prove that AI could not perform the tasks.

The creators of the language-learning app Duolingo plan to gradually replace external workers with AI.

 

 

 

 


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BPP Partners NDPC to Strengthen Data Protection

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Dr Adebowale Adedokun, director-general, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to data protection in Nigeria.

BPP Partners NDPC to Strengthen Data Protection

He disclosed this in a statement at the weekend by Zira Nagga, head of Public Relations, BPP, following a courtesy visit by a delegation from the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

Adedokun stressed that data protection is vital to Nigeria’s economy and development, particularly in areas such as demography, health, education, and other key sectors.

He emphasised that no country should leave its data unprotected, as it plays a crucial role in future planning and national development.

“Data governs the world. It is essential to technological progress and must be protected for a country or business to be taken seriously,” he said.

Adedokun described the visit, aimed at fostering partnership on data policy implementation and protection, as timely and aligned with national goals.

He said the BPP would collaborate closely with the NDPC to boost data development, capacity building, and enhance the procurement system.

“The BPP will support compliance as part of the ‘Nigeria First’ Policy, although it is not a core procurement eligibility requirement,” he explained.

He suggested a hybrid training model to help build strong capacity in data protection, privacy awareness, and policy understanding.

According to him, a dynamic training approach will reduce logistics costs and improve public confidence in data safety and privacy.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, CEO, and national commissioner, NDPC, praised Adedokun and the BPP for supporting data protection initiatives.

He said the partnership supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision and will strengthen data privacy across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“The collaboration will create awareness and train BPP staff to ensure a firm grasp of data protection principles and policies,” he stated.

Olatunji said the NDPC would establish a working group to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding beneficial to both institutions.

He added that President Tinubu signed the NDPC into law on 12 June 2023 to uphold citizens’ rights and protect national and business data.

Olatunji also noted that strict legal measures were in place to enforce data protection and ensure full compliance nationwide.

Both agencies agreed to form a team to sign the MoU and focus on capacity building and data management in procurement and beyond.

 

 


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FG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps

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President Bola Tinubu said that his administration has initiated a project to install fibre optic cables across the country, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

FG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps

His plans were contained in a speech he delivered at a joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12.

He said the fibre optic layout is part of other projects being embarked on.

“In addition, we have embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation, a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity.

“This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected,” Tinubu stated.

He maintained that by extending this critical infrastructure, his government is empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world.

In a most recent report on Internet connectivity, The ICIR pointed out how Nigeria has faced setbacks in its deployment of fibre optic cables and needs a transformation.

The challenges revolve around vandalism, inadequate coordination between road construction and telecom infrastructure, and varying right-of-way (RoW) charges across states.

Among industry experts, these issues impact network outages, increase repair costs, and hinder broadband expansion efforts.

It has also further threatened the digital economy, leading to slower Internet speeds, dropped calls, and unreliable connectivity among others.


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