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The Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mariam Yalwaji Katagum has said that Intellectual property is helping young people to step up to the challenge of innovation and creativity.
The Minister said this in her address commemorating the World IP Day which is focused is on intellectual property and youth.
In her speech delivered to an audience ably led by the Registrar of Trademarks, Shafiu Adamu Yauri, Hajiya Katagum accorded due recognition to young people who are steering the course towards a better future for mankind, through their energy, ingenuity, curiosity and creativity aided by intellectual property.
The event also witnessed the formal launching of Trademarks Ambassadors Project and Emblem by the Trademark Registry.
“It should be recalled that in the year 2000, Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization formally designated 26th April, (which is the Day on which the World Intellectual Property Organization Convention came into force in 1970) as World Intellectual Property Day,” said Hajiya Katagum.
So, every April 26th, the World Intellectual Property Organization celebrates World Intellectual Property Day to promote the role that intellectual property (IPRs) plays in encouraging creativity and innovation. This year, the World Intellectual Property Day spotlights the enormous potential of young people to develop solutions that support the transition to a sustainable future.”
“Around the world” Katagum stressed, “young people are harnessing their invaluable curiosity, creativity and energy to design innovative products and services. Young people can benefit from protecting their products and services through different types of IPRs including patents, copyright, industrial designs, trademarks, geographical indications, plant variety rights and trade secrets.
“The World Intellectual Property Day 2022 themed “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future” offers a platform for young people to find out how IPRs can support their goals, help transform their ideas into reality, generate income, create jobs and make a positive impact on the world around them. With IPRs, young people have access to some of the key tools they need to advance their ambitions.
The Minister continued that “Nigeria’s youth, along with others in Africa and around the world are innovative, using their energy, ingenuity, curiosity and creativity to create a better future. Young people in Nigeria are the innovators, the creators and the entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow.
“Through their creativity and ingenuity, young people in all regions across Nigeria are driving change and carving pathways to a better future. In the FinTech space for instance, Flutterwave, a Nigerian FinTech recently raised an additional $250million investment, taking its valuation to $3billion and making it Africa’s biggest start up. We also have Flutterwave, Opay and Interswitch as current African Start-ups that are valued at above $1billion, making them unicorns. In the technology driven sector alone, Nigeria boasts of six Start-Ups that have become unicorns!”
“World Intellectual Property Day 2022, therefore celebrates this exciting generation of change-makers using their energy, ingenuity, curiosity and creativity to create a better future for all.
“In line with the foregoing, this year’s World IP Day emphasizes the contribution of the Youth in creativity and innovation and how this role supports a sustainable future for our environment.The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment congratulates all our partners and pledges its support to all our youth on this very important occasion.
I wish us all a happy celebration of the World IP Day 2022.” Katagum added.
More photos from the event
