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ECOWAS Launches AfricDeezayn App to Boost Creativity and Talent in West Africa
ECOWAS Launches AfricDeezayn App to Boost Creativity and Talent in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
AfricDeezayn application has been officially launched in West Africa to provide a virtual online space for designers in the subregion to showcase their creativity and talent and interact as a community.
The project, which is a creation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is supported by Japan and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Tuesday, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse said AfricDeezayn (a digital tool) will enabled talented designers in West Africa to contribute to the region’s industrial development by stimulating innovation.
Toure-Litse, who was represented by Dr. Anthony Elumelu, said “a design is the intentional creation of solutions with a focus on aesthetics, functionality and user experience. It goes beyond visual appearance to include usability, ergonomics, accessibility and other aspects that influence the way we, as users, interact with a product or service.”
She explained that it can be applied to a range of fields, including graphic design, industrial design, user experience design, user interface design and service design, all with a view to seducing consumers and maintaining their trust.
She noted that AfricDeezayn application developed in collaboration with WIPO and funded by Japan is closely aligned with the vision of ECOWAS to promote technological innovation, job creation and creation of an appropriate environment which will lead to wealth and economic and social progress.
She said the project was in line with ECOWAS Commission’s aims of promoting sustainable and inclusive agricultural, industrial and intellectual productivity, adding that: “This is an opportunity for us to call on the private sector players in our region, particularly those in the Design Community, to take ownership of this tool and use it as a potential vector for innovation and improved productivity.”
On his part, the Senior Director, Department for Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (DTIDGI), Brands and Designs Sector (BDS), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Mr. Marcus Hopperger, said “AfricDeezayn is a bridge between us and the people that are at the core of our institutional efforts. We represent organisations committed to promoting IP as a tool for development and growth. AfricDeezayn opens to us the virtual world of communication, helping our outreach to key stakeholders of the Design ecosystem – designers, small and large businesses, IP practitioners and agents, the academe, women and youth groups – to more effectively address their information needs so that IP rights over designs are protected and the resulting benefits are fully enjoyed by their creators.”
He added that: “They will find in AfricDeezayn an educational hub for learning about design laws, with guides in navigating the process of applying for and registering designs to obtain their protection.
“AfricDeezayn does more than inform. It also shares the stories of many designers, whether young and mature entrepreneurs – their struggles and rewards, their aspirations and journey – these are well-springs of inspiration and motivation for fellow West African artists and design enthusiasts.”
He noted that: “AfricDeezayn is the first platform in West Africa (and most likely the African continent) that is not only dedicated to Designs-related information, it also offers the Design communities in the ECOWAS countries a forum to connect with each other. AfricDeezayn honours the creative spirit of West Africa and its rich cultural heritage – and the men and women forming part of these communities. They deserve a platform through which they can easily get in touch with each other on any design-related issues while being supported in their communication needs.
“Better still, AfricDeezayn allocates space for designers to showcase their creations for optimal online visibility, empowering them to thrive in the competitive world of business and potentially generating commercial possibilities.”
He added that: “As the design communities in West Africa flourish, AfricDeezayn is their get-go tool throughout their creative journey. AfricDeezayn’s strength lies in its ability to enable designers across West Africa and beyond, transcending geographical boundaries. The prevalence of mobile phones in the region and the African continent makes AfricDeezayn a vital resource accessible to all. Recent statistics highlight the remarkable growth of IP activity in West Africa. According to World Intellectual Property Indicators [published by WIPO], the annual growth rates for the number of designs in 2022 were particularly high at the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) with a growth rate of 49.4% and at the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) with a growth rate of 8.8%. We are confident that progress will continue and that the advent of AfricDeezayn will contribute to the efforts in the region, especially through ECOWAS and its Member States.”
“I encourage everyone to download AfricDeezayn on Google Play and to spread the news. Let us usher in a movement where creativity is celebrated, protected, and empowered, while leveraging available technologies in the process. Today, we are not just launching an app, we are embracing the vast possibilities of virtual communication in mobile form to best serve our design stakeholders,” he said.
Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi said AfricDeezayn will create great opportunity for development in West Africa, noting that with resources like AfricDeezayn, designers in the ECOWAS region
can achieve great wealth.
He said: “This app isn’t just about information, it’s a catalyst for connection within the global design community.
This innovative platform, the first of its kind, connects designers with
opportunities, funding and businesses, fostering collaboration and a
robust design ecosystem in the ECOWAS region and beyond.”
He added that: “This initiative, born out of the joint efforts of the ECOWAS region
and WIPO, is revolutionising the way intellectual property is understood and used around the world. Its impact extends beyond the region and promises to raise
awareness and practice of design throughout Africa.”
ECOWAS Launches AfricDeezayn App to Boost Creativity and Talent in West Africa
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Four persons have been killed and three others injured following an attack by unknown gunmen at an illegal mining site in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on May 2 at Mazat mining site, where the victims were reportedly engaged in unauthorised mining activities.
The sources disclosed that the assailants opened fire on the victims, killing four on the spot while three others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
According to the sources, the injured victims—two females and one male—were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment.
They added that the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
The sources further noted that security operatives were mobilised to the scene, while additional deployments have been made to track down the perpetrators.
They reiterated that night mining activities remain prohibited in the state, stressing that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
Security Operatives Repel Attack in Benue Community Over Land Dispute
By Zagazola Makama
Security operatives have repelled an attack on Okpute Ainuette community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State following a renewed land dispute with a neighbouring community.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:15 a.m. on May 2 when armed men, suspected to be from a community in Obi Local Government Area, invaded the area.
The sources disclosed that operatives swiftly responded to a distress call and mobilised to the scene, where they engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
According to the sources, the assailants fled into nearby bushes after being overpowered by superior firepower.
They added that no casualty was recorded during the encounter.
The sources further said security teams have commenced combing operations in surrounding bushes to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
They noted that additional deployments have been made to reinforce ongoing operations in the area, with efforts focused on restoring calm and preventing further clashes between the communities.
Security Operatives Repel Attack in Benue Community Over Land Dispute
“Act Now or Lose the North”: KACRAN Issues Stark Warning as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control
By: Michael Mike
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on Northern leaders to set aside political differences and take decisive, collective action to address the worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions.
In a strongly worded press statement at the weekend signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, the association expressed deep concern over the prolonged crisis, which it said has led to the deaths of thousands of innocent citizens, the destruction of property worth trillions of naira, and the widespread rustling of livestock—the primary source of livelihood for millions of families.
KACRAN described the situation as both tragic and avoidable, warning that continued inaction could inflict irreversible economic and political damage on the region.
The association particularly highlighted a disturbing report by Amnesty International concerning an incident in Kwara State, where several pastoralists—including women and children—were allegedly detained at a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp. According to the report, more than 150 detainees reportedly died due to disease and poor living conditions.
KACRAN called for a full, transparent investigation into the incident and demanded the immediate release of innocent individuals still in detention.
Central to KACRAN’s message is the assertion that Northern Nigeria possesses the resources and leadership required to end insecurity if there is genuine commitment. The group pointed to the region’s pool of experienced leaders—including former Heads of State, military officers, traditional rulers, and business figures—as critical assets that must be mobilized.
“The solution lies with us,” the statement emphasized, urging Northern stakeholders to take ownership of the crisis rather than shifting blame.
While calling for regional responsibility, KACRAN acknowledged efforts by President Bola Tinubu noting key security appointments and significant budgetary allocations—reportedly exceeding ₦5 trillion—to the defence sector as evidence of federal commitment.
However, the group cautioned that relying solely on the Federal Government without complementary local action would delay meaningful progress.
KACRAN also underscored the importance of dialogue, citing relative peace achieved in areas such as Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State and parts of Katsina State as proof that collaborative engagement among leaders can yield results.
Despite the reported incident, the association praised the Kwara State Government for its efforts in livestock development, particularly the creation of a dedicated ministry. It said these initiatives demonstrate goodwill toward pastoral communities, while urging authorities to ensure justice and prevent future occurrences.
KACRAN stressed the enduring unity of Northern Nigeria, warning against allowing political divisions to undermine shared heritage and coexistence.
“The North must not allow politics to destroy a house we all inhabit,” the statement read, calling for urgent action to restore peace, mutual respect, and stability across the region.
The association expressed hope that its appeal would galvanize leaders into coordinated action capable of ending the cycle of violence and rebuilding trust among communities.
“Act Now or Lose the North”: KACRAN Issues Stark Warning as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
Security Operatives Repel Attack in Benue Community Over Land Dispute
“Act Now or Lose the North”: KACRAN Issues Stark Warning as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control
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