The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has urged both public and private establishments to invest more in critical Research and Development in order to sustain the economic development of the Country.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the 64th Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, in Anambra State, the Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (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.
He said that the programme 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 research that directly impacts the industry and society at large.
He stated that while knowledge institutions in developed Countries are flooding African countries with goods and services from their research undertakings, Nigerian institutions wait for government budgetary allocations for survival. He added that the difference between developed and developing countries is technology, hence the need for more funding to research to ensure that they come up with commercialize R&D results. He added that the global index for measuring a nation’s 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 the economic development of the Country.
He further stated that NOTAP has a way of encouraging patenting in Nigeria by assisting them in writing claims, filing for patents and pay for patenting fees and only calling the researcher for collection of the patent certificate.
” Through NOTAP, s intervention in IP development, 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 that the school was renowned for research and 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, establishing IPTTO in Oko Polytechnic will be a great leverage for the institution in research undertakings.
Engr. 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 under her watch as the rector of the institutions, she will ensure the accomplishment of the aims for 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.
Five technical papers were delivered and notable among them was the Framework for Management of Intellectual Property in Tertiary Institutions, delivered by the Director of Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination, Mrs Caroline Anie-Osuagwu. She urged researchers to undertake researches that have industrial usefulness as such has potential for commercialisation
