Youths, major drivers of creative, innovation sectors – NCC
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says the country’s youth are major drivers of its creative and innovation sectors.
The Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein said this at an event to mark the “2022 World Intellectual Property Day” with the theme “Intellectual Property (IP) and Youth: Innovation for a Better Future.”
Asein, in a speech presented by the State Director, Mrs Ngozi Okeke said the commission placed the youth population as major players in the IP ecosystem and their strategic position in achieving a better future for humanity through innovation and creativity.
He said Nigeria is very fortunate to have a very talented, innovative and energetic youth population that has excelled in virtually all spheres of endeavours.
“With a demographic profile in which 50 per cent is below 19 years old and about 17 per cent is between 15 and 35, Nigeria has a strong and fast-growing youth population.
“If properly harnessed, it will guarantee the nation’s enduring strength and secured future.
“As we mark this year’s World IP Day, therefore, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) salutes the country’s youth as major drivers of its creative and innovation sectors,” Asein said.
He explained that most young persons were concerned about the happenings around them and were often driven by altruistic motives and a desire to bring about positive change to their environment.
According to him, they strive to address unmet needs, survive extreme conditions and willing to face challenges and seize opportunities where the older population is constrained by their aversion for risks.
Incidentally, he said, their entrepreneurial success could have been hindered in spite of social backgrounds, financial constraints, market barriers or low level of education.
Asein stated that innovation and creativity could be a panacea to the involvement of youth in social vices, help solve the rural-urban drift, encourage more youth to contribute to the development of their communities.
This, he said, would lift many out of poverty and make them nation builders and agents of sustainable development.
“The success of the Nigerian youth has been phenomenal in the copyright sector. Whether it is BurnaBoy, Whizkid or Davido in the field of music or Njideka Akunyili Crosby or Toyin Ojih Odutola in the area of visual art.
“These creative young persons are leaving their marks on the international scene.
“A recent global report shows Nigeria amongst the top five African countries having the most developed startup ecosystem while Lagos was named as the number one startup city in Africa.
“The country also has the highest number of ranked cities in Africa. This again confirms the potentials that exist in all parts of the country, thanks to a vibrant, ingenious and resilient youth population.
“In order to help these young persons turn their raw talents to protected innovations and creativity, it is important that they understand the technology, the business and the legal framework, especially the benefits of the intellectual property system.
“They must imbibe a culture of respect for the rights of others, use the IP system as a catalyst for growth and enforce their rights against predators,” the Director said.
The director added that the Commission had sustained its campaign to help SMEs use the IP system as a vehicle for taking their ideas to market.
He said the Commission would continue to encourage the youth population to establish innovation and creativity hubs in order to harness opportunities and leverage available mentoring and peer support facilities.
The Commission took the campaign across different locations in the state.
