Estate surveyors demand partnership for IP protection

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, (NIESV) has requested for partnership with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in the areas of Intellectual Property protection, training, determination of the market values of IP, advocacy for IP commercialisation and valuation.

The president of the institution, Sir Emmanuel Wike made the call in Abuja when he led a delegation of NIESV to NCC Headquarters. Wike stated that NIESV as a partner is seeking the encouragement of the creative process as well as promoting investment by ensuring that investors receive a return on their intellectual investment as well as alternative sources of revenue for the government.

He disclosed that the institution established by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria Act has a mandate for the landed profession and valuation of assets in all its ramifications in Nigeria.

Other delegates of the NIESV include the second vice-president, Victor Alonge; national secretary, Shola Abeji; executive secretary, Dr. Uche; council member, Emmanuel Alao; chairman, business asset and Intellectual Property Valuation, Lekan Akinwumi and a member, Adewale Adewusi.

NIESV and NCC agreed to formalise their cooperation through a memorandum of understanding with a joint commitment to undertake relevant training and studies to promote the use of IP as a tool for national development.

He commended the efforts of the Director-General of NCC in fighting piracy in Nigeria since his assumption of office, adding “I am firmly persuaded that the commission would continue to make impactful contributions to national development.”

The NIESV president reiterated commitment to support the government’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years by promoting the use of intellectual property (IP) as a tool for wealth creation, gainful employment, and sustainable growth in the creative industries.

Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. John Asein urged professional bodies with mandates of touching lives in creative and innovative sectors to assist Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to take full advantage of their IP rights.

“In today’s knowledge-driven economy, Nigerian youths have shown abundant skills and talents which they can turn into bankable assets. This is where professional bodies like yours can help by leveraging the IP system to nurture entrepreneurship.

Nigeria has huge IP export potentials in all the major creative sectors, especially film, music, literary and visual art. We, therefore, have an obligation as professionals to advise our clients appropriately and continue to strengthen the revenue potentials of IP in the country”, he stated.

Mr. Asein called for the creation of a national creative assets registry, which would help track the country’s IP assets and serve as part of a broader management system for maximising the gains of IP for Nigeria.

He told the delegation that an executive bill seeking to modernise the Nigerian Copyright Act has been transmitted to the National Assembly and urged NIESV to join in the advocacy for its speedy passage to improve the country’s copyright system for the digital environment.

Asein assured that the Commission would partner with the NIESV to develop standards, in line with global best practices, for the valuation of IP assets, adding that this would help their collateralisation and enhance the financing of SMEs.

NCC directors in attendance at the visit include the director of Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA), Mr. Mike Akpan; Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Vincent Oyefeso; and director, Legal, Mr. Emeka Ogbonna.