By Franklin Momoh
The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has urged the public, private establishments, Universities and Polytechnics to invest more on critical Research and Development in order to sustain the economic development of Nigeria.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the 64th Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, in Anambra State, the DG of the National NOTAP, Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim, represented by the Director Technology Transfer and Registration (TTR) department, Dr. Ephraim Okejiri, said that the establishment of IPTTOs in Nigerian knowledge institutions was to encourage demand and market driven research and inculcate the culture of intellectual property (IP) protection in our knowledge establishment.
While underscoring the import of the programme, he said it was initiated by the Office in synergy with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to encourage IP and expose Nigerian researchers to the financial benefits that can accrue from researches that directly impact on the industry and the society at large.
He stated that while knowledge institutions in developed countries are flooding African countries with goods and services from their research undertakings, Nigeria institutions, he added is waiting for government budgetary allocations for survival.
He added that the different between developed and developing countries is technology, hence the need for more funding to research to ensure that they come up with commercializabe R&D results.
He acknowledged that global index for measuring nations development had shifted from resource to knowledge based, hence the need to encourage IP development in Nigeria.
The DG further stated that a lot of researches are carried out in our Nigerian knowledge institutions but needs proper coordination with the deployment of IPTTOs, to ensure economic development of the Country.
He further stated that NOTAP has a way of encouraging patenting in Nigeria by assisting them in writing claims, file for patent and pay for patenting fees and only call the researcher for collection of the patent certificate.
“Through NOTAP, s intervention on IP development, even as he said that over 400 patent certificates have been secured with more awaiting approval. He urged researchers to contact NOTAP for assistance in patenting their inventions and innovations.
In her welcome address, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Francisca Unoma Nwafulugo, who was represented by the Deputy Rector academics, Dr. Uche Onyegbu said the school was renowned for research adding that the establishment of IPTTO in the institution will help the school to further consolidate their research undertakings especially as it affects shifting emphasis from researches for career progression to problem solving research.
She said that as a technical and vocational institution, establishment of IPTTO in Oko Polytechnic will be a great leverage for the institution in research undertakings.
Nwafulugo, opined that Intellectual Property which includes creative properties or creations of the mind such as designs and symbols, inventions, music, books, literary and artistic work, is easily prone to theft except when protected by law.
“it is therefore encouraging that the law has made provisions that guarantee the protection of our IP adventure.” she said
The Rector further stated that Intellectual Property was a natural endowment and a great asset which when properly harnessed, will lip frog not only researchers but the entire Country into economic prosperity. She promised that she will ensure the accomplishment of the aims to which the IPTTO was established.
She urged the staff and students of the institution to take the IP training delivered by NOTAP seriously as it will help in refocusing their research undertakings.
5 technical papers were delivered and notable among them was the Framework for Management of Intellectual Property in Tertiary Institutions, delivered by the Director Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination, Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu. She urged researchers to undertake researches that have industrial usefulness as such have potentials for commercialisation.