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IP: Secret Ingredient to Economic Growth -HP Conference

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A HP roundtable discussion has emphasized the vital role of intellectual property (IP) as a catalyst for economic, social and cultural prosperity as diverse panel urges consumers to respect innovation and reject counterfeits

Panelists agreed that more people would respect IP and avoid counterfeits if they had a better understanding of how trademarks and copyrights drive economic innovation and enhance personal lifestyles in areas such as health care, technology and leisure.

In addition to improving the quality of life, IP-protected music, medicine, print cartridges and other everyday consumer items inspire others to innovate and create with the hopes that they, too, can enjoy the rewards that come from original thinking.

Speakers provided these insights at the ‘Be Original conference on Intellectual Property & Innovation: A Virtuous Cycle organized by HP to mark World Intellectual Property Day, celebrated on April 26.

The participants included, Dr. Isah Momoh, the former Business editor, Guardian Newspaper and also former News Editor Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Mr. Kenneth Esere a lecturer of New Media, Visual Communication and Graphics design in the School of Media and Communications, Pan African University and Mr. Chude Jideonwo, a lawyer, television personality, youth advocate, media entrepreneur and founder/creative director of RedSTRAT.

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“Few people talk about IP or are aware of just how ingrained and important it is in our lives, which is why it’s the ‘secret ingredient’ to a modern society in which innovators thrive under the protection of comprehensive IP law,” said Rita Amuchienwa, Channel Development Manager, HP IPG English Africa, “Stopping the unauthorized use of IP, whether it’s pirated movies, fake handbags or counterfeit print cartridge technology tells the next generation of visionaries that their work will flourish and be respected.”
Amuchienwa further stated that, “HP is committed to the protection of IP, not just in relation to HP products, but also other people’s creative works. A society free from counterfeit products is not of benefit to us alone- it benefits the economy in the long run and creates a viable, sustainable environment for people to practice their craft knowing they are protected.”

Panelists noted that while it’s important to promote the benefits of a robust IP system, it’s equally crucial to educate society on the threats of counterfeit products.

Most fakes are made with inferior raw materials and components and don’t perform as well as brand-name goods backed by decades of research and development and testing.

“The understanding of IP protection begins with a consciousness. We, as a society must begin to understand that counterfeit products destroy innovation and drive the economy down. We must push government to introduce stiffer penalties to protect IP and make government to realize that it is the wealth of the Nation. We must all stand up for what is right,” said Dr. Momoh.
Chude Jideonwo, a youth advocate, magazine publisher and serial media entrepreneur pointed out that the role of law enforcement is critical. He said that greater prosecution of IP infringement including tougher sentencing will send the right message.

Jideonwo argued that, “The government’s enforcement of laws regarding copyright infringement and intellectual property theft is still rather abysmal. Until government steps up to its responsibility and provides the adequate legal framework necessary for the protection of people’s creations, we are going to continue to battle with IP theft.”

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Nigeria is among the countries where the manufacture and distribution of fake printing supplies and other illicit merchandise is widespread. According to the World Economic Forum, Nigeria ranks 104 out of 142 countries in the protection of IP rights.
HP is one of the biggest owners of intellectual property, with a portfolio of over 37,000 patents. Many of these are held by PPS which manufactures not just printers and scanners but the ink and toner to supply them.

Through its Anti-counterfeiting Program, HP actively educates its customers and partners to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. It also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.

Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) over the last four years, HP has conducted nearly 1,000 investigations, resulting in over 600 enforcement actions (raids and seizures by authorities) and nearly 8 million units of counterfeit products and components seized, thus preventing them from being sold in the EMEA marketplace and beyond.

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Dangote Plans to Donate One-Third of Wealth to Charity as Legacy

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Aliko Dangote
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Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, plans to dedicate one-third of his wealth to charity as part of his succession plan, Halima Dangote, his daughter, has revealed.

Dangote Plans to Donate One-Third of Wealth to Charity as Legacy

Aliko Dangote

Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed this in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday, saying the billionaire had secured the support of his family to commit 33 per cent of his estate to philanthropy.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current wealth would be worth about $11.7 billion if his fortune remains at that level.

Halima explained that her father views philanthropy as a key part of his legacy and has incorporated it into the family’s long-term succession plans.

She said Dangote had structured his estate to ensure that charitable giving continues across generations, particularly in areas such as healthcare and education.

“He sort of put all the structure in place whereby we focus a lot on health and education. He actually donated 25 per cent to the foundation. If you look at it, it is what we call in Sharia Code in Islam; it means he has donated 33 per cent of his whole inheritance to his foundation,” she said.

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Halima added that Dangote believes giving back is central to the success of his businesses and the family’s values.

She said the billionaire asked her, her two sisters, and his mother to sign the agreement allowing 33 per cent of his inheritance to be dedicated to humanitarian causes.

The planned donation builds on Dangote’s longstanding philanthropic activities through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which was established in 1994.

According to Halima, the foundation received an endowment of $1.25 billion about a decade ago and has since received an additional $700 million in funding.

She said about 70 per cent of the foundation’s spending goes to programmes in Nigeria, while 20 per cent supports projects across Africa, with the remaining funds directed to initiatives in other parts of the world.

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The foundation’s interventions focus on healthcare, education, nutrition, and humanitarian support, including partnerships that contributed to the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa.

Dangote’s planned charitable commitment adds to increasing global attention on billionaire philanthropy.

Although the proposed 33 per cent allocation is below the 50 per cent commitment associated with the Giving Pledge, it would rank among the largest philanthropic commitments announced by an African billionaire.

Earlier this year, Dangote was named among the world’s most influential philanthropists by TIME magazine’s inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognising the impact of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which reportedly spends more than ₦50 billion annually on programmes across Africa.

 

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Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission Seeks Collaboration on Power Plants

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Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), has said that there are plans for Nigeria to begin to generate electricity from nuclear sources.

Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission Seeks Collaboration on Power Plants

Mr Anthony Godwin Ekedegwa, chief executive, NAEC stated this when he recently visited Mr Umar Yusuf Girei, acting managing director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA),in Abuja.

He was at NIWA’s office to solicit the support of NIWA in achieving the numerous advantages of using nuclear energy technology in the country.

According to him, the partnership of critical stakeholders in Nigeria will position the country well in developing and maintaining its nuclear power plant.

The NAEC chief said Nigeria intends to begin the generation of electricity from nuclear sources instead of fossil-based power plants and hydro-based power plants, stressing that for Nigeria to develop, there is a need for the country to diversify its energy needs.

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In his remarks, Mr Girei assured NAEC of his agency’s readiness to collaborate on the advancement of a nuclear power plant in Nigeria.

He promised the full support of NAEC for the success of a nuclear power plant in the country, saying that as the organisation saddled with the responsibility of regulating and developing Nigeria Inland Waterways, his entity is strategically positioned to play a critical role in the federal government’s quest for sustainable energy through the new technology.

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Pan-Africanism: Why Integration is Non-Negotiable for Africa’s Future

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In a powerful call for continental solidarity, Ralph Mupita, Group CEO of MTN, has asserted that the future of the African continent depends on the dismantling of xenophobic barriers.

Pan-Africanism: Why Integration is Non-Negotiable for Africa’s Future

Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF) Winter Seminar, Mupita framed migration as a fundamental characteristic of the African identity, urging South Africa and other nations to embrace integration over exclusion.

He emphasised that the survival of African enterprises depends on a borderless approach to trade and talent. “The digital economy we’re fast moving to knows no borders.” Mupita declared, noting that the mindset of exclusion is an outdated relic that hinders the continent’s ability to compete globally.

He argued that for Africa to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the psychological barriers of xenophobia must be eradicated.

Providing a stark financial justification for this stance, Mupita highlighted MTN’s own operational reality as a blueprint for Pan-African success. “We earn about 80 to 82% of our earnings from outside South Africa,” he revealed, illustrating that the prosperity of South African-born entities is inextricably linked to their success across the rest of the continent. This figure underscores the interdependence of African economies and the danger of isolationist policies.

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Mupita’s stance was strong advocating for unity: “The future of Africa will not be determined by the borders that separate us, but by the economic opportunities that connect us. Governments must set predictable policy and regulations.

Businesses will follow and allocate resources and capital. Together, we can build a continent where opportunity is more evenly shared and prosperity is more widely created.”

Analysts observing the seminar noted that Mupita’s remarks come at a critical juncture where economic volatility often fuels nationalist rhetoric. By tying the fight against xenophobia to the balance sheet, MTN is positioning Pan-Africanism beyond the moral imperative to its function as a business necessity. The CEO stressed that “Migration is part of who we are,” suggesting that the movement of people is the primary engine for the movement of capital and innovation.

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