Customs Partners Copyright Commission to Combat Piracy

Customs Partners Copyright Commission to tackle Piracy

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to combat piracy of intellectual and creative property in Nigeria.

This was made known by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Tuesday, 21 November 2023, while receiving members of the Commission at the Customs Corporate Headquarters, Abuja.

The CGC noted that the collaboration with NCC would create opportunities for the two parties to establish a significant legacy that will end the menace of piracy in the country.

He explained that the Nigeria Customs Service had concluded plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, enhancing its programs in all aspects through creative activities and training of its staff.

Speaking on the need to organize training for the Service's officers in combating piracy, the CGC said, “The program will introduce officers and men of the Service to new values and expertise that would enhance their capacity and morale to fight piracy.”

The Comptroller-General of Customs conveyed his profound gratitude for this collaboration, underscoring how protecting creative and intellectual property significantly contributes to the country's economic growth.

 Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation and Director-General of the organization, Dr. John Asein, expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for its ongoing efforts and emphasized the importance of addressing piracy of intellectual and creative property.

He disclosed, “The idea behind paying this courtesy visit to you, Comptroller-General CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was to congratulate you on your appointment and to extend our hands for collaboration to end piracy.”

The DG further explained that “apart from strengthening the creative skills of officers and men in various sectors, the commission would achieve its mandates by working with the Nigeria Customs Service."

Why FG Embraces PPP model to revitalize Marine and Blue Economy Sector- Oyetola

Why FG Embraces PPP model to revitalize Maritime Sector- Oyetola

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to create avenue for local industry players of the Marine and Blue Economy Sector- to extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs, the minister of the industry, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said the ministry is set to embrace the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to transform the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

The Minister disclosed this on Tuesday at the ministry’s first Stakeholders’ Roundtable meeting held in Lagos on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy sector.

Oyetola said the initiative is not to impede the growth of local industry players but to create more avenue for them to extract more values from the sector.

He explained that the Round Table was convened to bring together players in the sector to discuss and chart a roadmap that will advance the industry’s potential, promote sustainable Blue Economy investments, and ensure global competitiveness within the sector.

To him, the model is a collaborative synergy between the private sector’s efficiency and the public sector’s oversight which will bring about a transformative impact on the marine and blue economy as well as boost the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, reinforcing the ministry’s collaborative and forward-looking approach.

Discussions at the Roundtable focused majorly on strengthening Blue Governance; Transforming Port Operations; Enhancing Port Infrastructure; and Promoting Blue Economy Investments.

Speaking further, the Minister stressed the need for  a collaborative effort to brainstorm and devise strategies to leverage marine resources for the betterment of the economy and safety of the planet. 

His words, "We must come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our Inland Rivers, Lakes, and Waterways are well utilised for cargo shipment and passenger transportation.

“This Engagement Forum is crucial to the development of the sector as it offers an opportunity for us all to collectively contribute our perspectives, ideas and offer relevant inputs that can propel the sector to the trajectory of success necessary to support the development of the economy as well as meet the expectations of Mr. President who took the courage to open up Nigeria to focus on the Blue Economy Value Chain.

“The zeal for a better life for Nigerians propelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recently unveil 8 Presidential Priorities to address critical national challenges. These priorities are to be delivered through 8 focus areas, namely: economic growth, food security, energy and natural resources, infrastructure development, security, healthcare, education, improved governance, and job creation.

“Our Ministry though new, is not resting on its oars and has continued to foster Inter-Agency collaborations and implement initiatives to promote Port efficiency, cargo shipment, maritime security and tap into the resources of the Seabed.

“The ministry’s decision to consider the re-establishment of a National Shipping Line, through a strategic PPP arrangement, is borne out of our desire to capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country."

He added that, “This initiative will not seek to impede the growth of local players but rather to provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs. This would enable our local businesses to better leverage the Carbotage Act, which gives Nigerians the exclusive right to control locally generated seaborne trade.

“Other anticipated outcomes include the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, reinforcing our collaborative and forward-looking approach”.

The Minister who assured his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians a better sector than he met it, said he is acquainted with the sector’s challenges, but will deliver more than expected.

He assured that the Stakeholders’ Engagement will be a continuum saying, "since we must normalise this harmonious synergy and work together to ensure that our industry is safe, reliable and sustainable then this will be a continuous process."