By Chinenye Offor

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, banks and other financial institutions to collatarise Intellectual Property (IP) stuffs in the country.

The Director General of the commission, Mr John Asien, stated this on Monday in Abuja in commemoration of the world Intellectual Property day themed IP and SMEs: Taking your ideas to Market.

He said that collatarising IP works would help the creative industry and creative talent to have value for their talents.

Asien added that financial institutions embracement to the collatarisation of IP would support SMEs in the creative sector and also enhance their contribution to the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

According to him, creating the right ambience will also help showcase the nations talents to the world in terms of music and movies, among others.

We need to grow SMEs, encourage their works, protect and make their works assets bankable.

Nigerian Copyright Commission owe the creative industry a duty to ensure and provide a safe corridor for the ideas to be good, nurtured and taken to the market.

And in providing those safe corridors, we must also encourage them to use the facilities under the copyright system and exploit the licencing regime.

We encourage them to get the value of licencing, use them and also the right owners to use the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems instead of going to court and get lockdown by the court system.

They can use the ADR better and these are ways of helping them take their ideas to the market safely.

The commission will also find a solution to any form of copyright to ensure that right owners are given the facilities needed to enable them create, grow ideas and exploit their ideas to compete favourably in the market place, Asien said.

The director general reiterated the commitment of the commission in ensuring that people were sensitised and well informed.

He, however, advocated for collatarisation of IP stuffs to help the SMEs showcase their talent, move their ideas to the market, adding that is the value of intellectual property.

Asien therefore called on all and sundry to help grow the IP system in Nigeria in order to maximise its potential

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission used the day to sensitise the public on copy right issues and how to shun pirated works. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Cricket is the first discipline to announce qualifying teams for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as the sport makes a landmark re-entry to the prestigious multi-sport event.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) made the announcement on Monday in a statement on the CGF website.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that womens cricket is featuring in the Games scheduled for July 28 to Aug. 8 in 2022 for the first time in 22 editions.

Cricket is featuring for only the second time ever, the first occasion being a mens ODI competition in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, which was won by South Africa.

The six qualifiers who join home team England in the eight-team Twenty20 competition are Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and a country from the West Indies.

They have secured qualification as a result of their standings in the MRF Tyres ICC Womens T20I Team Rankings on 1 April 2021.

As per the qualification process, the winner of a designated qualifying event will determine which country from the Caribbean region gets to participate as athletes will be representing their individual countries and not the West Indies as they would at ICC events.

The last participating team will be decided through a qualifying tournament to be held by Jan. 31, 2022, details of which will be announced in due course, the statement read.

NAN reports that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will see 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories compete across 11 spectacular days of sports.

Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men.

The Commonwealth Games cricket tournament will take place at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium, with tickets set to go on sale later this year.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Awayi Kuje

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Nasarawa has commenced training of 100 unemployed youths in sustainable agricultural development for wealth creation and food sufficiency.

The acting Coordinator of NDE in the state, Mr Rotgak Goden-Goar, said this on Monday at an orientation exercise for participants of the 2021 Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS), in Lafia.

He said that the programme was organised to sensitise the new trainees on what they were going in for.

The acting coordinator said that the orientation exercise was also an opportunity to inform the participants on the various programmes of NDE to enhance accessibility and self-reliance.

It is also to educate the participants on the code of conduct, the dos and donts while on the training as well as general counseling.

This scheme was carefully crafted to attract youths into agricultural production, using modern methods.

It will provide more profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship and enhance quality of life for families.

The training is in line with Federal Governments policy on agriculture for empowerment, wealth creation and food sufficiency, he said.

Goden-Goar stated that a total of 100 participants were engaged for the training, with the first phase scheduled to take two weeks.

The second phase is practical, which involves establishment and maintenance of two model demonstration farms in livestock and crop production, he said.

Goden- Goar commended the acting Director-General of NDE, Mallam Nuhu Abubakar-Fikpo, for being up and doing in tackling youth restiveness in the country.

He also thanked the Provost, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Dr Yahaya Maikeffi, for providing land for the schemes practical demonstration.

The acting coordinator expressed NDEs readiness to partner individuals, organisations and government to tackle youth restiveness and unemployment in the state.

Also speaking, Dr Yahaya Maikeffi, Chairman of the occasion and Provost, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, called on participants to take the training with all the seriousness it deserved.

Maikeffi, represented by Dr Peter Aboki, assured of the institutions commitment to boosting food sufficiency in the state.

A participant, Pius Utime, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked NDE for the gesture, promising that they would take the training with all seriousness to enhance food sufficiency in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma and Victor Nwachukwu

Measures initiated by security agencies to beef up surveillance in Owerri have resulted in traffic gridlocks in major roads in the state capital and its environs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the traffic situation in the city on Monday, reports that the roads leading to the state Government House, Custodial Centre and Police Headquarters were barricaded by security operatives.

The measures were taken in the wake of successive security breaches in the state, including the attacks on police formations, Gov. Hope Uzodinmas home in Omuma on Saturday and Sundays robbery attack on motorists in Orji Owerri.

The development left many commuters and motorists stranded in the different parts of the city.

Some motorists, who spoke on the situation, said the measures were necessary to enable the security agencies to contain the rising wave of insecurity in the state.

A teacher, Mr Charles Iwuchukwu, said the recent security challenges had led to fear and panic among residents of the state.
Iwuchukwu commended the intitiatives by security agencies to beef up security for lives and property of the people.

He appealed to the heads of security agencies in the state to embark on more actions to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.

Also, a motorist, Mr Obinna Azubike, said the heavy traffic was expected because of the security situation in the state.

Azubike advised residents of Owerri to cooperate with the security agencies and avoid suspicious association.

A seamstress, Mrs Amarachi Akachukwu, also advised residents, especially the youths, to avoid large gatherings and mind the type of company they keep.

NAN recalls that the police command on Saturday urged residents not to panic but remain law- abiding, saying that the situation was under control. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Agro Ranger Special Unit, Kwara Command, has resolved a conflict between a farmer, Yusuf Igboona, and a herder, Tijani Dogo.

The commands Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, in a statement on Monday in Ilorin said the conflict occurred at its outpost station in Banni.

On April 24 around 1:20pm, a case of mischief was reported at our Divisional office by one Yusuf Igboona of Oke-Igbona against one Tijani Dogo of Banni.

According to the complainant, cows belonging to the suspect grazed and destroyed his yam farm on Banni road worth 40,000.

He was able to catch one of the cows and brought it to NSCDC DHQ Banni, Afolabi said.

He added that the suspect was invited and upon interrogation he confessed to have committed the offence.

The complainant demanded for 40,000, but the suspect pleaded to pay 25,000 which the complainant later agreed upon.

After our mediation between the two, the suspect paid the said 25,000 and the case was resolved amicably, Afolabi said.

He explained that the Agro Ranger Special Unit was created to protect farmlands and farmers against bandits.

Also, mediating in the recurring farmers/herders conflict in the country would be part of their duties, Afolabi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

No fewer than nine people were killed on Monday when hoodlums invaded Ukpomachi Village, Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The state police command confirmed the deaths in a statement, saying that detail of the invasion was still sketchy.

The statement was signed by the commands Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga.

It said that some other people were injured during the attack and property and livestock destroyed.

The command said that identities of the deceased had yet to be known, adding that the incident was under investigation.

It said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Kuryas, had ordered immediate deployment of an operational and intelligence team to identify and apprehend the killers.

It said that the killers were armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons.

A crack team of operatives of the command led by an assistant commissioner of police have visited the scene and conducted on-the-spot-assessment of the incidence.

Normalcy has been restored to the area and adequate security put in place to forestall a similar occurrence.

The assailants, said to be armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons, invaded the village in their numbers and attacked the residents, resulting in the death of nine persons whose identities are unknown, it said.

The police urged residents of Anambra, particularly those living in the community to be calm, assuring them of the commands resolve to get to the root of the incident.

It said that the residents should give to police, information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday in Abuja, said it would not allow some persons and interests to turn Imo to a killing field.

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement while condemning the attacks on lives and property in Imo.

He said the APC had closely monitored developments in the state which culminated in Saturdays brazen and gruesome attack on the residence of Gov. Hope Uzodimma.

Akpanudoedehe said the attack on the country home of Uzodimma was an attack on democracy and constituted authority.

He added that the party had since learnt that there were fatalities with others injured and maimed during the attack.

He further added that while the APC was still in shock over the ugly turn of events in the state, it sympathised with Uzodimma and all those affected by the attack.

The party and indeed our security services will definitely not watch helplessly as some persons and interests attempt to turn Imo to a killing field.

The party equally condemns the wanton attacks on police personnel and formations in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Rivers.

We stand with the Nigeria Police Force and families of the victims in this difficult time as we mourn the deaths of innocent and dedicated security personnel carrying out their duties of protecting lives and property.

In Imo, the attack on the governors residence is an attack on democracy and constituted authority, serving the interest of the good people of Imo, he said.

Akpanudoedehe, however, called on the good people of Imo to go about their legal activities without fear and to resist the enemies of the state.

He said security services must fish out the perpetrators of the attacks and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law.

This, he said, was critical to restoring dignity to the citizenry and confidence in the system, particularly democratic and security structures. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has disclosed that Boko Haram members were responsible for the attacks on communities in the state.

The governor told newsmen that the Boko Haram elements had taken over Kaure axis in Shiroro Local Government Area in the state.

Bello spoke to newsmen when he visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at IBB Primary School in Minna on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 3,000 IDPs from Kuchi, Kabula, Kazai Guni, Gini, Fuka Dan Daudu and Chiri in Munya and Shiroro local governments areas are taking refuge in the camp.

Bello said Boko Haram elements had hoisted their flag over Kaure axis, forcing women from communities around the areas to be members of the terrorist group.

The implication of that is that the territory now belongs to them, he added.

The governor said action must be taken to dislodge the insurgents otherwise with the way things are going, not even Abuja is safe.

We have been saying this and no action has been taken, the boko haram element are trying to see this place as their home, just like they did in Sambisa.

Kauri is less than two hours drive to Abuja, nobody is safe not even Abuja, he said.

According to the governor, he had engaged the Federal Government several times, but no action was taken to address the insecurity challenges bedeviling the state.

He expressed optimism that the resurgence of banditry would lead to coordinated military action to confront the severe and very serious situation.

He directed the IDPs who abandoned their communities out of fear to return to their homes, while those who were attacked should remain in the camp.

One of the IDPs, Mr Bulus Yusuf, from Kuchi in Munya LGA, said communities around Kuchi have witnessed several attacks and abduction of their women, with the whereabouts of many still unknown.

These bandits attack us, take away all our belongings including our women. Some of our women were raped, and abducted and we had to pay ransoms amounting to millions for their release, he said.

He called on the Federal and state governments to deploy a strong military presence to the area to dislodge the insurgents, so that they could return home.

Another victim, Mary Dauda, also said the bandits had invaded their community on several occasions.

At first, when they came, we thought they will not come back, but the attacks became a daily affair which forced us to run for our lives, she told the governor. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Government says it will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on the fight against human trafficking.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State gave the assurance on Monday, when NAPTIPs Director-General, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, led members of the management team on a courtesy visit to the State House, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said that the unabated trafficking in persons presented a threat to the country, hence, the state would lend more support to NAPTIP to rehabilitate victims and prosecute traffickers.

He said the state would be reaching out to the agency for support in human capital requirements and operation space to boost the agencys response to the crime.

The governor said that the government had strengthened social awareness in communities to discourage trafficking and other forms of human rights abuses.

According to him, Lagos has raised its investment in attending to psychosocial needs of victims of abuses and granting them protection from their abusers.

Human trafficking indeed presents a deadly trend in our society and we need to protect our citizens, especially the vulnerable in our communities. For those who have fallen victims, we must stand up and protect them.

The support and collaboration which the NAPTIP has enjoyed from Lagos State government can be strengthened. through the Ministry of Woman Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

We have rendered support to NAPTIP in terms of human and material requirements for your zonal office, he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos was ready to boost its collaboration with the agency in other areas of support, adding that the state government would work closely with NAPTIP to rehabilitate victims and equip them with skills that would make them self reliant.

Earlier, Suleiman-Ibrahim said that Lagos state remained strategic to the fight against human traffickers, because of its proximity to international borders, which made the state prone to trafficking activities.

She said that Nigeria remained a fertile ground for recruitment of trafficked persons, adding that victims had been turned to commodities.

We cannot fight traffickers from skeletal locations; this is why we are deepening our engagement with states to stop trafficking and those behind the dehumanising trade, Suleiman-Ibrahim said.

The NAPTIP director-general said that in spite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 300 people were rescued from being trafficked, with about 50 cases still pending in court. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) has launched a new capacity building programme for correctional officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The programme targeted at rehabilitating and possibly reintegrating alleged Boko Haram insurgents who are being remanded in NCoS facilities is sponsored by the German government.

Speaking at the launch on Monday in Abuja, Dr Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria said that the move became even more necessary in view of the number of inmates held since 2016 for alleged links to the insurgents.

According to him, the newly launched programme which will be executed through the NCoS will focus on providing detainees with social reintegration support including education, vocational training and other constructive activities.

New Partnership forged with the Nigerian Correctional Service and the government of Germany in close coordination with other relevant stakeholders.

We are gathering to launch a new programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of the NCoS to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners held for alleged association with Boko Haram.

Based on our extensive experience in the field of prison reform, UNODC will seek to improve prison conditions while providing detainees with social reintegration support including education, vocational training and other constructive activities.

We will be doing so not directly but through the Nigerian Correctional Service.

This type of support will be embedded in capacity building aimed specifically at the correctional staff to further strengthen compliance with prison management in line with international standards, he said.

He pointed out that a visit by the UNODC to the Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison showed that there were over 1,200 people including 12 females, held for alleged involvement with Boko Haram.

He said that of the number, only a handful had been tried while a vast majority of them were just being held on remand.

Stolpe therefore stressed that the new programme will also strife to advance the de-radicalisation drive of the NCoS while ensuring that the prisoners were treated with human dignity.

Through the de-radicalisation programme of the NCoS, there has been measures introduced to facilitate the treatment of violent extremists in Nigeria.

While many of the detainees may be eventually discharged, the need for social integration and support is obvious in light of the extended time period of detention and their poor economic social background.

The stigma of having allegedly been associated with Boko Haram further aggravates the obstacles they will face in rebuilding their lives after their release.

It is exactly on this point that this new partnership is focused on, he said.

For the Acting Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service, John Mrabure, he said that support from the UNODC backed by the German government was indeed commendable.

He said that coming at a time when the nation was grappling with diverse security challenges; the programme would indeed enhance the capacity of the correctional officers.

At this sad period in our history any assistance that comes with genuine intentions to ameliorate any form of insecurity is a step in the right direction and deserves commendation.

NCoS by virtue of its mandate and mode of operation is designated as the lead agency for the de-radicalisation of violent extremist offenders, a programme which has recorded success.

It is heart warming that this support is geared towards strengthening the capacity of the NCoS to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders.

This intervention will go a long way in enhancing the technical depth of the de-radicalisation programme, he said.

Explaining the cause of delay in trying the alleged insurgents, Justice Ishaku Bello, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Correctional Reform Decongestion said that a lot of hitches were being experienced.

He said that to on the issues were that family members were unwilling to be associated with the detainees, therefore leaving the buck of legal representation with the Legal Aid Council.

He added that even witnesses refuse to come forward despite assurances of witness protection while judges are also overwhelmed.

As a solution, he called for the donation of judicial competence to other high courts to facilitate trial of the allrged insurgents.

He also called for the construction of more Juvenile facilities across the country for proper remand of juvenile offenders. (NAN)

Source: NAN News