The Director General, Nigerian Copyright Commisssion, NCC, Mr John Asein has appointed the 15 winners of the World International Property Organization (WIPO) National Intellectual Property Essay Competition, 2020 as ambassadors of the commission.
The appointment was done during the courtesy/study visit of WIPO Nigeria officials and winners of the WIPO National Intellectual Property (IP) essay competition to NCC in Abuja.
Asein who spoke on the theme of the WIPO 2020 competition, “Making Innovation Work for a Green Future in Nigeria” said the winners and finalists of the maiden competition represent the product of a new Dawn in the relationship between WIPO and Nigeria; a new beginning in the strategic dissemination of IP knowledge amongst students and young persons.
“You are bright hope of a better Nigeria where the value of IP as an inexhaustible national resource is well appreciated and accorded due respect at every level of society”.
“We see all around us a generation of vibrant, determined and committed young creators, innovators and enterpreneurs and it is my belief that with the appropriate support, they can use the intellectual property system to bring about rapid turn-around in the economic fortunes of our great nation”.
The DG urged the winners to be frontline stakeholders in their various institutions as they represent the millions of young and talented Nigerians on whose shoulders the enormous weight of national development would rest in years to come.
Asein said the ambassadors will assist in the dissemination of copyright knowledge and serve as liason between their institutions and the commission on matters of copyright and provide feedback to the commission on various aspects of intellectual property to assist in policy formulation and implementation.
The leader of the WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO) delegation, Tobi Moody, commended the leadership of the commission for hosting the winners stating that the competition was aimed at giving a spotlight on intellectual property, how it affects the society, creating opportunities to help youths grow, build capacities and advance their intellects.
The 15 winners of the WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition, 2020 organized by the WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO), emerged from 262 entries from all teritary institutions across the country.
Ms. Susan Chioma Omeh, a 500 level law student from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, emerged the overall winner with her essay on the theme. As part of her prize, Ms. Omeh’s essay will be published in the WIPO Magazine and she will receive a scholarship to participate in the WIPO Academy’s blended learning Advanced International Certificate Course on Intellectual Property Asset Management (AICC) PDF, title goes here in South Korea.
In an interview with journalists, Omeh said she is ready to initiate IP clubs across all institutions which will raise ambassadors in the Nursery and Primary schools.
The first and second runners up, Ms. Chantelle Chiwetalu, a 500 level law student also from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Mr. Olanrewaju Toheeb Balogun, a 300 level law student from the Lagos State University, Ojo, will each receive a WIPO Academy scholarship to participate in the WIPO Summer School in South Africa.
The winners are Susan Omeh, Chantelle Chiwetalu, Olanrewaju Balogun, Rotimi Owolabi, Chibuzor Paul Ndubisi, Habeebullah Asudemade, , Blessing Nwankwo, Rafiat Shittu, Abasi Edet, Victor Fabarebo, Oghosa Agnes’s Eghe-Abe, Ngozi Umeodinka, Sina Akinmusire, Adeife Omolumo and Amarachukwu Elekwa.
