Broadcasting
WIPO Nigeria Canvasses Integration of IP into National Planning Strategies

The Federal Government has been urged to fully incorporate issues of Intellectual Property (IP) within the country’s National Planning Strategies.

Counselor and Head of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Nigeria Office (WNO), Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, made the called in Abuja recently, as the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John O. Asein inducted 18 winners and finalists of the WIPO National IP Essay Competition 2021 as Copyright Ambassadors. The theme of the competition instituted as part of activities marking the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2021 is: “IP, SMEs and Economic Recovery in Nigeria”.
Representative of the Director-General, NCC and Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Mark Obasi, noted that the essence of the study visit of the finalists to the Commission was to advance the gains of the students’ IP knowledge beyond the essay competition. He charged the 18 National IP Essay competition finalists that, having been inducted as Copyright Ambassadors, they should actively promote copyright awareness in their institutions and respective communities.
Dr. Moody, who led the IP Essay winners and finalists on a study visit to the Commission’s Headquarters, commended the ongoing efforts of Nigerian Government towards the development of a National Policy on Intellectual Property.
He said IP was a growing field in Nigeria which should be invested in substantially considering its huge development potentials. He added that IP education should be actively driven in all the universities and tertiary institutions which should be encouraged to incorporate IP as a priority course on their academic curricula.
The WIPO counselor noted that efforts at entrenching IP in Nigeria were on course, with sensitisation being driven at various levels. “We are not there yet but we are understanding the issues and pushing out a lot of initiatives to ensure that people are aware of the opportunities in IP and how it can play a major role in driving Nigeria’s future”, he stated.
According to him, a total of 170 students of tertiary institutions participated in the IP essay competition from across the country.
He indicated that the price package for the winners comprised a capacity building process in IP, including facilitation of their study tours to national IP organisations like the NCC, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Trade Marks and Patents Registries; access to scholarships for WIPO Distance Learning courses; as well as international travels for IP development opportunities.
He commended the NCC for its supportive role and for hosting the finalists of the IP essay competitions in 2020 and 2021.
During their study visit to the NCC, the IP essay winners and finalists were exposed to knowledge of the regulatory and enforcement mandates of the Commission, and commercialisation potentials of copyright and IP rights.
Miss Oyin Komolafe, a 300 level law student of University of Ibadan, Oyo State, emerged as the overall winner of the competition while the two runners-up were Miss Honour Dahunsi, a 300 level law student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State and Miss Chimdiebere Anya-Awa, a 400 level law student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
Miss Komolafe said she was elated being adjudged as the best in the competition in view of the prize and opportunities that abound for the winners. “IP is a nascent area in the field of law and I feel that with the opportunities attached, I will be able to optimise my expertise to practise IP law upon graduation”, she stated.
The finalists, also inducted as Copyright Ambassadors, were Ms. Blessing Nwankwo, a 300 level law student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State; Ms. Queen Letam Nwibani, a 500 level law student of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Rivers State; Mr. Badrudeen Lawal, a 500 level law student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State; Mr. Moses Olanrewaju and Mr. Abdulrahman Adebowale Adetunji; both 500 level law students of University of Ibadan, Oyo State; Mr. Gesiye-emi Emiemokumo, a 400 level law student of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State; Ms. Chioma Janefrances Ibeh, a 400 level dentistry student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State; and Mr. Oludayo Olufowobi, a 400 level law student of University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State.
Others were Mr. Victor Fabarebo, a 300 level law student of University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State; Mr. Maduabuchi Kingsley Arinze, a 500 level mechanical engineering student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State; Mr. Joshua Chizoma and Ms. Priscilla Okiwelu, both 500 level law students of University of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, among others.
Mr. Mike Akpan, Director of the training arm of NCC, Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA), one of the resource persons that briefed the students, observed that a lot of people were getting interested in the field of IP and added that opportunities abound for IP scholars to explore the development potentials in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the finalists of the maiden edition of the WIPO National IP Essay Competition in 2020 were similarly inducted Copyright Ambassadors at the Commission’s Headquarters in April 2021.
Others in attendance included: Director, Administration, Dr. Idowu Ogunkuade; Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Bitrus Dauda; Director, Regulatory, Mr. Augustine Amodu; and Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Vincent A. Oyefeso.
Broadcasting
MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.
The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.
Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.
Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.
By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.
“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.
Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.
Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.
The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.
Broadcasting
IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.
Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.
According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.
He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.
Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.
According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.
He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.
Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.
IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.
Broadcasting
NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.
Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.
Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.
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