On Monday, April 27, 2015, the Intellectual Property Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment hosted the 2015, World Intellectual Property Day Celebration, themed “Get Up, Stand Up, for Music” at Chelsea Hotel, Central Business District, Abuja.
The event was well received and had in attendance Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Afam Nwokedi, Managing Partner, Stillwaters Law Firm and Chairman, Intellectual Property Committee of the NBA, Allan Tousignant, Counsellor for Affairs, Embassy of the USA (representing the US Ambassador), Mrs. Nima Salman-mann, Registrar General of Trade Marks, Patents and Design, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, CEO, Copyright Society of Nigeria who delivered the keynote address, Engr. Umar Bindir, Director General of NOTAP, Mr. Joel Kopp, Economic adviser, US Embassy, Mr. Agada Elachi (who represented the SBL,NBA Chairman) as well as other industry practitioners and government agencies.
The keynote address focused on the relevance of IP to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy and the need to continuously sensitize the general public and stakeholders on the importance of Music, as a tool for re-engineering relationships, promoting cooperation amongst individuals and nations; a money earning venture.
The Honourable Minister, Dr. Aganga clearly acknowledged the pivotal role played by the NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) in the development of IP in recent years and thanked the leadership of the Council and IP Committee for a job well done. In conclusion, he urged his Ministry and SBL to develop robust and comprehensive strategic plans to transforming the IP sector for sustainable contributions to the nation’s GDP. He also promised to include in his hand over note, the need to establish an IP Charter within the Ministry of Trade and investment.
The high point of the event was the award of Face of Intellectual Property Nigeria 2015 to iMike, winner of MTN Project FAME Season 2 and crooner of the hit song Adaure.