WIPO Nigeria host Poetry Slam for Secondary Schools in Abuja

May 24, 2023

To promote intellectual property awareness among students of secondary schools in Abuja, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Nigeria Office (WNO) held a spoken word poetry competition for secondary schools at the United Nations House, Abuja on May 13, 2023. Organized in collaboration with Nasara Creatives, the program created a platform for students to develop their creative and oratory skills while yet engaging in fun introductory and collaborative conceptual learnings on   intellectual property.  

The Poetry Slam commenced after an interactive exposition to various intellectual property rights facilitated by the WNO. Parents and teachers of students were also able to participate in the activities.

Subsequently, the shortlisted students competed across four stages under the overriding theme of ‘Intellectual Abundance’ to determine the winner. The students presented original poems, while yet demonstrating excitement and a good understanding of the importance of intellectual property through their engagement and spoken presentations prepared for the competition.

A total of 16 shortlisted students representing 11 schools participated in the poetry slam. At the end of the competition, the accomplished panel of judges, which included, Ms. Nadine Hakizimana (Youth Engagement Facilitator, WIPO), Mr. Bash Amuneni (Partner, Nasara Creative), Dr. Richard Ali (Lawyer and Co-founder, Parresia Publishers), Ms. Oreva Olujimi (Writer and Poet), and Dr. Kaltume Akubo (Writer and Poet), returned an overall winner – Ms. Bella Ogwuche (Jewel Model Secondary School, Abuja). In second and third places were Ms. Chenille Awele Agulu (Starville Secondary School, Jahi) and Ms. Joy Olanrewaju (Hearts Heartis Creative Centre, Abuja), respectively.

To support their growth in the field of IP, each of the participants received a scholarship to undertake a WIPO Academy DL Learning Course of their choice, while the teachers of the represented schools will benefit from WIPO’s IP4Youth and Teachers training program.  

Mr. Tonton Raymond was the Slam Master, while Mr. Bentex Torlafia anchored the event.