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NOTAP Restates Commitment To Protection Of Intellectual Property Rights

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The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has restated its commitment to uphold intellectual property rights as a tool for economic advancement and nation building.
Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, the Director-General (D-G) NOTAP said this yesterday in Abuja in celebration of the African Day for Technology and Intellectual Property.
Ibrahim told newsmen that in realisation of the importance of intellectual property to national development, NOTAP was committed to protecting the latent creativities and inventive spirit of young inventors and innovators.
“Intellectual property is one of the ways through which rapid development of a nation can be achieved.
“Promotion of the development of indigenous technology will further help in sensitising and facilitating domestication and development of intellectual property right (IPRs) system in the continent.
“It will reawaken the creative ability of the people in the continent to eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.’’
The D-G highlighted the correlation between invention, innovation and development of societies and economies adding that a nations that concentrates on inventive talents becomes potential sources of high innovation and modern technology.
Ibrahim said that the agency was able to stop capital flight and strengthen the weak IP culture through its refusal to approve the importation of technological services that could be rendered by Nigerian technologists.
“Most times, when Nigerian entrepreneurs enter into technology transfer agreements with their foreign counterparts, the agreements are drafted in such a way that indigenous technologists/service providers do not benefit.
“Rather expatriates will be deployed to execute jobs that Nigerian technologists are competent enough to handle.
“Through NOTAP’s interventions, poorly drafted patents are not approved unless redrafted to take care of indigenous technologists/skills and strengthen our intellectual property culture,” he stated.
Ibrahim said that the office was actively involved in patent protection from filing, examination, granting and publication; and ensured the conditions were favorable to indigenous inventors.
To further strengthen intellectual culture, the D-G said that NOTAP had embarked on establishments of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) in tertiary and research institutions across the country.
“NOTAP currently has over 50 IPTTOs that will spur the inventive and innovative prowess of researchers in the institutions and strengthen the poor innovative and intellectual property protection culture.
“IPTTO will facilitate the galvanisation of research results for onward commercialization and bridge the gap existing between the academia and the Industry.
He explained that the establishment of IPTTOs was in order to link education to industry due to the disconnection between both, which had led to shelving of research efforts with little or no contribution to industrialisation.
“Through IPTTOs, we have promoted Intellectual Property (IP), innovation and demand driven research in knowledge based institutions as we as contribute to the needs of industry through the technology value chain,’’ Ibrahim said.
He promised to continue to work closely with other government agencies and private bodies to ensure intellectual property was respected.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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