News
LawyersWant NCC To Protect Property Rights
Some lawyers in Lagos last Thursday said that the Nigerian Copyright Commission had not done enough to protect the rights of owners of intellectual properties in the country.
The lawyers spoke to the newsmen on the occasion of the Intellectual Property Day.
Intellectual Property is celebrated on April 26 yearly to encourage creativity.
In separate interviews with The Tide source, the lawyers called on the commission to put in place a mechanism for the proper enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR).
A member of the Africa in Democracy and Good Governance, Mr Edwin Nebeolisa, said that lip service was continuously paid to IPR protection.
He said that people’s work were replicated without caution by various persons or set of individuals, and that rights infringement was not being addressed.
Nebeolisa said that in developed countries, the reverse was the case as most of the works were computerised or Internet- based and were not available for plagiarism.
He added that if Nigeria had attained a higher level of technology, cases of copyright infringement would be reduced.
A Lagos-based lawyer and author, Mr Joseph Agbo, said that Nigeria, like several other developing nations, was facing new challenges associated with globalisation.
He said that the major concern should be in the area of strengthening IPR laws in the country.
Agbo added that there should be the establishment of an appropriate legal and institutional framework, which would create awareness on the importance of IPR.
‘’When intellectual property rights are protected, rights are conferred on their owners to enable them to derive maximum benefits from the products of their labour,’’ he said.
He said that a major aspect of intellectual property, which was constantly abused, was the copyright which deals with literary, musical and artistic creations such as books, music, arts, films and broadcasts.
He said if a check was not placed on the infringement of IPR, there would be a major drawback in creativity and invention.
Another lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, said that laws should be reviewed to reflect new modalities, sanctions as well as protection of IPR.
He said that in Nigeria, IPR was governed by the Trademarks Act, the Patents and Designs Act, 1990 and the Copyright Law of 1990.
Ataene said that the issue of enforcement of IPR was a challenge to developing countries and that Nigeria must evolve strategies to deal with piracy, counterfeiting and faking of products.
He said that if the laws were to be reviewed, adequate attention must be given to the rights of individuals, as well as sanctions for those guilty of piracy.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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