By Taiye Agbaje

A Nigerian, Mr Chianugo Peter, on Monday disagreed with Google LLC, an American multinational technology company, over allegation that his 150 million dollars suit is frivolous and unmeritorious.
Peter, through his counsel, Emmanuel Ekpenyong Esq. of Fred-Young & Evans LP, told Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja in his reply to Google’s statement of defence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company, in its statement of defence dated Nov. 9, 2023 and filed Nov. 10, 2023 by its lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, urged the court to dismiss Peter’s suit for being unmeritorious and unworthy.
Peter had sued GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as 1st and 2nd defendants over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTubeAudio.com domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing works.
Google, in its defence, averred that Peter did not own the YOUTUBE trademark nor did he have a bona fide claim to use or register any mark that incorporates or is similar to the YOUTUBE trademark.
According to the company, the plaintiff was aware of his lack of bona fide claim because he approached it before he commenced operation “and acknowledged the 2nd defendant (Google)’s rights.
But in his response dated Feb. 7 but filed Feb. 8, Peter argued that “though it is a common knowledge that Google owns the YouTube trademark, the plaintiff’s YouTubeAudio.com domain and business name is different and distinct from the YouTube trademark.”
According to him, the followers and users of YouTubeAudio.com know that it is different and distinct from YouTube and it is not calculated to deceive them.
He said the 1st and 2nd defendants, as well as the relevant regulatory authorities, acknowledged that his YouTubeAudio.com domain and business name is different and distinct from the YouTube trademark.
“The 1st defendant being a domain registrar who works hand in hand with the 2nd defendant, has been in the domain hosting business for more than 2 (two) decades and has a database of existing domain names and domain names likely to infringe existing domain names.
“Upon a compulsory search, the plaintiff lawfully purchased and acquired YouTubeAudio.com domain name from the 1st defendant without any caveat or objection that the domain name is similar or infringes the YouTube trademark or any of the 2nd defendant’s trademarks.
“The plaintiff approached the Corporate Affairs Commission (“CAC”) and upon conducting the compulsory search, reserved and registered YouTubeAudio.com as a business name for the plaintiff’s business without any caveat or objection that it is similar or infringes the YouTube trademark or any of the 2nd defendant’s trademarks.
“The plaintiff approached the Trademark, Patents and Designs Registry, Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade And Investment, Abuja, Nigeria (“the Trademark Registry”) to register the YouTubeAudio.com trademark with logo No. 173554 in Class 16.
“And after the compulsory search, the Trademark Registry accepted the same for publication without any caveat that it is similar or infringes the YouTube trademark or any of the 2nd Defendant’s trademarks.
“The 2nd defendant only has exclusive right over its trademarks registered in Classes 9, 41, 38, 35, 42 as listed in Paragraphs 9.1 to 9.8 of its Statement of Defence.
“None of the 2nd defendant’s trademarks is registered in Class 16 where YouTubeAudio.com trademark and logo is accepted for registration before the Trademark Registry.
“In 2021, the plaintiff approached the 2nd defendant to hoist YouTubeAudio.com application as “YTAudio” and its website youtubeaudio.com on the 2nd defendant’s Google Playstore.
“And the 2nd defendant duly approved the name and the website and hoisted the same on its Google Playstore without any caveat or objection that it is similar or infringes the YouTube trademark or any of the 2nd defendant’s trademarks until 25th December 2023 when it unilaterally removed the plaintiff’s application on its Google Playstore in reaction to the plaintiff commencing this suit.
“Upon clicking the application on the 2nd defendant’s Google Playstore, users are seamlessly redirected to the website youtubeaudio.com which was duly approved by the 2nd defendant.
“The YouTubeAudio.com website functioned as the application’s engine room on the 2nd Defendant’s Google Playstore,” he said.
He said in 2021, Google also duly approved and registered YouTubeAudio.com on its Google AdSence program with publisher ID pub-4279408488674166 without any caveat or objection that YouTubeAudio.com infringed its YouTube trademark.
He said the 2nd defendant would not have registered the YouTubeAudio.com domain name on its Google AdSense and Google Playstore platforms in the first place if it infringed on its YouTube or other trademarks.
Upon resumed hearing on Monday, Ekpenyong informed the court that a reply had been filed on Feb 8 in response to the statement of defence and that Google had been served.
The court, then, regularised the plaintiff’s reply to Google’s statement of defence.
The lawyer equally informed the court of their intention to amend their statement of claim and writ of summons
Oluwaseyi Ogundiran, who appeared for Google, responded that the plaintiff had just served on them the motion to amend their writ of summons and statement of claim on Friday.
She said the application was not ripe for hearing.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the matter until April 18 for mention.
NAN reports that GoDaddy.Com LLC, the 1st defendant, had neither been represented in court nor filed any application since the commencement of the case.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===============
Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Patricia Amogu

Mr Chukwuemeka Okoye, Managing Director, Vegas Homes, a real estate hub in the FCT, says curbing the current security challenges in Abuja will be easier with accessible road network and other infrastructure.

Okoye, who is also a real estate consultant, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said that aside from checking the growing security challenges in Abuja, a good road network would reduce the pressure of settling within the city.

According to him, good roads have the ability to reset security and end the recent kidnappings that are happening all over the country, mostly in the FCT.

“One thing that has made FCT very attractive all these years was the top-notch security advantage which is now a far cry from what it once was.

“Most of which happens where the roads have failed.

“Right now, you can drive 10 minutes conveniently to the office from most of the new layouts close to the FCT but not from around the farther areas around the outskirts.

“This is very important because a lot of those houses and layouts without good road networks are easy prey for armed robbery attacks because there are no road networks to catch up with them due to the bad roads.’’

He said he preferred living in the outskirts and also in places like Orozo and Karahi but those areas lacked infrastructure and once could spend a lot of time coming to the office in town every day.

Okoye said that in Dubai, people took 15 minutes by train to work in places around the outskirts because it was convenient and the roads were good and they had adequate infrastructure.

“Wike’s coming has brought a lot of hope to the business; he has promised all lands in Abuja will have Certificate of Occupancy; and a lot of impactful changes he has already made.

“I believe he will do more to check the security concerns in Abuja.

“So, many people cannot buy land directly because of allocation; so, we are bridging the gap between buyers and the government.

“A lot of residents complain about the hike in house rents in Abuja. Instead of renting, you can acquire your personal property.

“This brings me to the land banking project; we have adjustable payment plans for government workers and even business people.

“I was 18 years-old when I bought my first land; I bought it for N350,000; it is now worth about N80 million.

“Vegas homes has a 5000 housing units housing project for everybody and we are coming up with a three year plan for people to pay and start building.

“You can pay as low as N50,000 ,100,000 to N250,000 monthly and the land appreciates in the three years to your advantage giving you greater value for your money.

“With N1million, you can buy a plot of land and within the three years you will finish building and become a homeowner,’’ he said.

He added that the move would bring more development to Abuja and decongest cities like Lagos and surrounding cities; thereby, making FCT the biggest real estate hub in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Emmanuel Antswen
An Aide to Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue,  Mrs Bridget Ikyado, has commended the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for the quality and authenticity of its news content.

Ikyado, who is the Principal Special Assistant, Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications to the Governor, made the commendation on Monday, when she visited the Makurdi office of the agency.

She said, “the governor appreciates the quality and content of the news items published by the agency on a daily basis.“

She also said that the governor appreciated the level of support his administration was receiving from the agency and pledged to strengthen the existing relationship.

Ikyado, who is a staff of the agency on secondment to Benue Government, promised that the government would strengthen its  collaboration with the agency on public awareness to drive the governor’s ‘Greater Benue Agenda’.

“NAN is my home. My everything. I have come here to say thank you for your continuous support to me and my governor.

“If not for NAN, I wouldn’t be in the office I’m occupying today.

“NAN gave me the platform to showcase my capability and I’m very grateful to the agency.

“My boss, Gov. Alia, appreciates NAN news content very much,” she said.

Ikyado said that in less than one year in office, the governor had started the implementation of all his seven strategic plans for the state.

She listed some of the projects being executed by the governor to include the Makurdi township roads, construction of flyovers in high-level parts of Makurdi, remodelling of  the 42-year-old state Secretariat and the revival of  the health sector, amongst others.

Ikyado further said that the government was also motivating the workers by prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity, training and retraining of workers.

She also said that the governor was also training at least 10,000 youths in different aspects of ICT and other areas of technology.

Earlier in a remark, the Head of NAN Makurdi, Mr Philip Dzeremo, said that the governor had been quite remarkable since he left the pulpit to serve as governor and “has so far been getting it right”.

Dzeremo, an Assistant Editor-In-Chief, congratulated Ikyado on her appointment, describing her appointment as well deserved.

He said that her appointment and a few others from the agency across the country was a clear indication that society was beginning to recognise what NAN stood for.

“God has decided in his infinite wisdom to reward NAN staff in this dispensation.

“It is our prayer that this should be replicated all over the country.

“Always do your best to represent the agency well.

“This is your home. And on our part, we will partner with you to ensure that you succeed.

“You have a very strong background, so work with us and we will give you the necessary backing that you need to succeed,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Sam Oditah

By Ibrahim Kado

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) says plans are underway to install mega waste recycling centre in Yola in order to foster a clean and safe environment in Adamawa.

The Senior Manager, Environment and Natural Resources of the commission, Mr Sufiyan Mallum, disclosed this at the opening of a five-day training workshop for 100 stakeholders on climate change in Yola on Monday.

Mallum said that the recycling plant would collect 100 tonnes of waste a day and would be handed over to the state government, when installed.

”This is part of the contributions of the commission to protect the environment, create employment opportunities for the youth and develop the state and region,” he said.

He said that the programme would enhance campaign on recycling of  plastic waste and also train 100 women on the use of energy stoves.

According to him, the women will be presented with starter parks after the training.

The senior manager called on the participants to step down the knowledge acquired on the effect of climate change to people in their environments.

A resource person at the workshop,  Mr Ahmad Abbah, said that Nigeria was one of the countries mostly affected by climate change due to human and natural factors.

Abbah urged the participants to acquire proper knowledge from the training “so as to sensitise the public on the need to abide by environmental laws and plant more trees like other countries”.

Also, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mohammed Sadiq,  described the training as timely, going by the current challenges being experienced as a result of climate change in the state.

Sadiq, represented by a Director of Administration in the ministry, Mr Hosea Jime, said that all hands should be on deck to save the environment.

He commended NEDC for the training and urged the participants to actively participate and contribute their own quota to the fight against the climate change phenomenon.

Mr Innocent Ishaya, who spoke on behalf of the participants, thanked NEDC for giving them the opportunity to be trained on climate change and its negative impact on the environment.

Ishaya gave the assurance that they would step down the knowledge acquired to their respective communities and social media handles. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Sam Oditah

By Deborah Coker

The Open Arms Outreach International, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), says no fewer than 4,200 women and children benefited from its empowerment programmes in 2023.

Its founder, Mrs Princess Onovakpuri, disclosed this on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Onovakpuri said that the beneficiaries cut across five states which included Delta, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She said that women and children benefited from food and clothing items during the year under review.

According to her, these include footwears, beverages, food, medicines, toiletries (sanitary pads, diapers, soaps, cleaning agents), educational materials

She also said that medical services and counseling were provided for the sick and depressed while cooking gases were provided for women with special needs in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

“We also rehabilitated some homeless teenagers and supported more than 100 LEA Primary School students with writing materials in partnership with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc.

“Communities in the five states and the FCT, where the outreach impacted on women and children include Kubwa and Baragoni both in the FCT, and Kumgbo in Taraba.

“Others are New Karishi in Nasarawa state, Uragbsa in Delta, and Naka and Tavaku both in Benue, and One man Village in Niger,’” the founder said.

According to her, the vision of the organisation is to be at the frontier of improving the lives of women and children, especially girls.

“This is done through physical and economical empowerment, healthcare intervention and creating educational programmes for improved livelihood as well as helping them to alleviate poverty.

“Also our mission is geared towards the transformation and rehabilitation of vulnerable people especially women, young girls, their families, and children in general, targeting rural areas, suburbs and schools.

“We are also concerned with organising skill acquisition for them and building their capacity, which in the long run will improve their standard of living and be beneficial to their families and society at large”, she added. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Victor Adeoti

The Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association says it is targeting N1 billion for the development of the school.

Dr Wale Bolorunduro, the Chairman of the organising committee of the 90th Anniversary of the school, announced this during the banquet and endowment fund of the association in Ilesa, Osun.

Bolorunduro said that the money, when realised would be spent over the next three to four years for the development of the school.

He said the association had realised N200 million out of the money.

Bolorunduro said that the objective of the anniversary was to elevate the school to the national consciousness and to rethink the way the school would be managed in a public-private partnership mode.

He said it was also to galvanise the old students toward bringing back the old glory of the school.

In his remarks, Gov. Ademola Adeleke said the state government would continue to collaborate with stakeholders for the developing of education sector in the state.

Adeleke, who was given an award of the “Most Benevolent Leader in Nigeria” by the association, said that the state government would also embrace the idea of public-private partnership for the development of quality education.

He said that the state government would create a standing government alumni partnership board at all levels of education.

The governor said that the board would exist at local and state levels with focus on harnessing developmental support from governmental and non-governmental sources for the development of the schools.

Dr Akin Fapohunda, who delivered a lecture at the event, said that the best of education had to be paid for in order to guarantee sustainability.

Fapohunda spoke on the theme: ”Stakeholders Involvement: Shaping the Future of Learning, Towards the Future of Work”.

He said that subsidies through bursaries, grants and scholarship had to be instituted by the government in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to assist brilliant, but needy students.

“It was common practice in the 1970s for commercial entities of the government such as the then Western Nigeria Cocoa Marketing Board to grant annual scholarship to students of the region.

“There are also the German Government scholarship for Western region students in Nigerian universities.

“These are instances of a very proactive action by the then government to mobilise financial resources from other stakeholders in aid of needy students”, he said.

Fapohunda, however, said that due lack of jobs after school, there had been massive movement of the very best in the country to other parts of the world.

”There has been massive movement of the very best of our society in recent years by air, land or sea to just anywhere in the world. It has been an exodus of our most educated.

”With pension no longer of value to the retired aged, and the youths and middle aged families existing by the droves, the Yoruba society is haemorrhaging, and the dreams of our founding fathers have now unravelled before our very eyes”, he said.

Dr Obisesan Daramola, the President of the association, said the alumni would continue to give their best towards the development of the school. (NAN)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Seun Osiyemi, and the leadership team of the Lekki Estate Resident and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), have taken steps to address the transportation challenges across the Lekki peninsula.

The President of LERSA, Alhaji Sulyman Bello, on Saturday in Lagos, said the development would enhance the quality of life for residents in the axis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LERSA is the umbrella association for businesses, residents and stakeholders from 1004 axis to the Epe corridor.

Bello said the meeting was critical to addressing and proposing solutions to the transportation challenges affecting the area.

He outlined key areas for improvement in traffic management and enforcement to mitigate traffic offences and enhance overall transportation efficiency.

Mr Femi Oke, Chairman of the LERSA Transportation Committee, emphasised the need for specialised enforcement teams in construction zones and peak time management squads.

Oke also called for the deployment of monster trucks for towing obstructive vehicles, especially in strategic areas like the Lekki Port and Refinery.

Additionally, he urged for zonal patrol units, an increase in transportation personnel, and the exploration of alternative transportation methods such as rail and water transport.

“It is also important to have the installation of truck barriers on the Jubilee bridge and the use of technology, such as cameras, to monitor and penalise traffic violators,” he said.

In response, the Commissioner provided insightful feedback on each issue, detailing the state’s efforts to address these challenges and improve the living standards within the Lekki Peninsula and Lagos at large.

He restated his commitment to providing actionable solutions in line with the Governor of Lagos’s drive to making Lagos a model state for others to emulate.(NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Angela Atabo

The Women and Girl Child Development Initiative (WGCDEI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has granted scholarships to 50 indigent students of Junior Secondary School (JSS) Kabusa in the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Godwin Ogunsanya, Programme Manager at WGCDEI, announced this during a ceremony in Abuja on Friday to mark the presentation of the scholarships.

Ogunsanya mentioned that the gesture aimed to assist the beneficiaries in completing their education and was part of WGCDEI’s efforts to commemorate World Education Day.

“Our scholarship program aims to provide financial assistance to deserving students, enabling them to access quality education and achieve their academic goals.

“It will assist students who may otherwise struggle to access quality education. By investing in education, we are investing in the future of these children and their communities.

“We believe that education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering individuals to reach their full potential,” he said.

Ms. Favour Ogechi, the Administrative Officer at WGCDEI, stated that the scholarship had provided financial support for the education of students and called on philanthropists to offer additional support to the students and their families.

“We invite organisations focusing on sickle cell disease and nutrition to join us in supporting these beneficiaries and their families.

“Empowering the parents of these students is also crucial in ensuring their long-term success, so we welcome partnerships with organisations that specialise in parent empowerment programs to complement our efforts,” she said.

Ogechi emphasised that a holistic approach was necessary to address the challenges faced by the people.

Dr Safiya Tamanuwa, the Deputy Director of Placement and Gender at FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), commended WGCDEI for the scholarship.

“Education is a tool for development, and WGCDEI has succeeded in making it available to students,” she said.

Tamanuwa encouraged the students to use the opportunity wisely and be of good character to achieve their ambitions.

She also urged the NGO to extend its support to other schools to benefit more children.

Responding, some students told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the gesture came at a time when it was difficult for them to pay their school fees and the Junior West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Miss Ruth Sunday, a JSS three student at JSS Kabusa, thanked the NGO for helping her pay her Junior WAEC fees, mentioning that her father had been sick for a long time.

Miss Fatima Mohammad, a JSS two student at the same school, shared that she almost dropped out of school as she couldn’t raise money for school fees.

“If not for WGCDEI giving me a scholarship to continue school, I would have been at home like my other friends.

“So, I would like to call on other Nigerians who can help to assist more children in school, just like WGCDEI is doing, so that other children outside school, like some of my friends, can return to school,” she said.

Mr Mohammad Ali, a JSS1 student at JSS Kabusa, expressed happiness for receiving the scholarship and mentioned that with the scholarship, he would be able to finish his education. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Diana Omueza

Mr Abdulhamid Haliru, the newly elected Sarkin Samarin of Nigeria, has outlined a vision focused on unity, peace, and harnessing the creativity of the youth for the country’s sustainable development.

In an inauguration ceremony held on Friday in Abuja by the Council of Traditional Youth Chiefs Forum of Nigeria, Haliru acknowledged the weight of his new role.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sarkin Samarin is the leader of traditional youth chiefs.

“This is a heavy burden, and a heavy responsibility that I have looked forward to and am excited that with God’s grace and all the support of the people and the government, I will succeed.

“Part of my plan is to see that the council is fully recognised, structured and institutionalise with the commissioning and running of all its activities.

“I also hope to bring enlightenment that those other councils like the National Youth Council of Nigeria have not been able to bring.

“But first it is very important for the youth to be creative, supportive, positive, hopeful, and learn to be good followers,’’ he said.

Haliru said that leadership was not just about the character or capacity of a person, but creativity was the only sustainable tool to lasting quality leadership.

He expressed a commitment to diligently carry out his responsibilities with a primary focus on youth development.

Emphasising the significance of creativity in leadership, he asserted that sustainable and quality leadership relies on fostering innovation among the younger generation.

“I aim to see the council fully recognised, structured, and institutionalised, surpassing the achievements of other councils like the National Youth Council of Nigeria. It is crucial for the youth to be creative, positive, and learn to be good followers,” said Haliru during his inaugural address.

The Sarkin Samarin pledged to facilitate dialogue among experienced traditional leaders, stakeholders, and youth to address the pressing concerns facing Nigeria.

He called upon his executives to contribute ideas for nation-building, emphasising the need for unity and collective effort.

Alhaji Sani Daura, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the council, expressed confidence in the new leader and advised him to remain focused on his goals.

The Sarkin Samarin of Lafia Nasarawa State, Mr Aliyu Yusuf-Shehu, applauded the election of a dynamic young leader, emphasising the crucial role of youth in achieving economic and political progress.

The Sarauniya Matase Mata of Nigeria, Mrs Hauwa Gidado, urged the Sarkin Samarin to ensure fair representation of women in his leadership, emphasising priorities such as empowerment, addressing gender-based violence, and advocating for women’s rights.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola