U.S. Mission promotes intellectual property rights protection in Nigeria
By Abimbola Abatta
The U.S. Mission in collaboration with the American Business Council, hosted the second edition of its Intellectual Property (IP) Symposium on “Intellectual Property and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future,” the theme for World IP Day 2022.
Held in Lagos, the two-day symposium was led by the United States Department of Justice’s INL-funded Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT)’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Attorney Adviser (ICHIP).
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that the symposium is part of the U.S. government’s commitment to promote public awareness of the importance of protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights (IPR) as a strategic resource for bolstering economic growth in Nigeria.
Delivering remarks during the opening ceremony of the symposium, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said protection of intellectual property rights is critical for any economy that wants to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Information Specialist, Public Affairs Section (PAS), Temitayo Famutimi, in a press release issued to Nigerian NewsDirect on Tuesday, quoted Ambassador Leonard, saying strong intellectual property rights protection is essential to creating jobs and opening new markets for goods and services.
She encouraged stakeholders in the intellectual property space to shore up Nigeria’s IPR legal framework and lay a solid foundation for youth to drive innovation and engender a more prosperous Nigeria.
“Nigerian youth are an incredible source of ingenuity and creativity.
“A strong system of intellectual property rights assures inventors, industrial designers, musicians, and artists alike that their creative content will be protected and valued,” she added.
Meanwhile, the symposium featured a plenary session, thematic panel discussions and exhibitions with particular focus on Nigeria’s burgeoning entertainment and creative industries.
Participants discussed how intellectual property rights can support their goals, transform ideas into reality, generate income, create jobs, and make a positive impact.
The symposium also featured a secondary school debate on the relevance of IPR protection for Nigeria’s better future, as well as thought provoking art performances to spotlight the place of creativity.
