Headlines
Court adjourns alleged Coca-cola’s trademark theft to January 31
Nasiru Yusuf
The Federal High Court, Kano, presided over by Justice Muhammad Nasir Yunusa has fixed January 31,2022 for the continuation of trial between the Coca-cola company and Mamuda Beverages Nigeria limited, the manufacturers of Pop-Cola.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Coca-cola had sued Mamuda Beverages Nigeria limited for using a ‘RIBBON device’ trademark that is near identical to it’s ‘dynamic ribbon device’ trade marks as well as depicting it’s Pop cola product in a script that mimics and causing the mark to be confusingly similar to Coca-Cola trademark.
According to the motion filed by Coca-cola “the defendant (Mamuda Beverages Nigeria limited) is distributing and advertising it’s Pop cola products in get up that consists exclusively of a combination of all of the elements that comprise the applicant’s famous Coca-cola trade dress.
It argued that the defendant’s use of the trade marks ‘Ribbon device’ and ‘Pop-cola’ in special script amounts to an infringement of applicant’s right of exclusivity of use of the marks ‘Coca-Cola’ script and ‘dynamic ribbon device’ and is liable to create confusion to the general public, foreign and international, as to the likelihood of an association between the applicant and the dependant.”
The Coca-Cola claimed that it is the proprietor of trade mark ‘coca-cola (script)’ and ‘dynamic ribbon device’ both in Nigeria and worldwide, adding that the marks have been registered by the company in numerous countries across the world including in Nigeria.
It therefore seeks an order of interim injunction “restraining the defendant, it’s employees or agents from using, affixing or displaying on any beverage product, vehicle, stationery, advertisement, putting to commercial use in any manner or form for the purpose of commercial benefit or otherwise, the ‘ribbon device’ and the special script in which the ‘pop-cola’ has been depicted on its advertising materials that is similar to ‘coca-cola (script)’ and ‘dynamic ribbon device’ trade mark pending the determination and hearing of motion on notice.
In his response, counsel to Mamuda Beverages Nigeria limited, Offiong Offiong argued that under trademark law one can only register a word not alphabet, noting that the ‘C’ in cola is alphabet not word.
According to him spencerian writing in common law is ‘publici juris’ meaning it is a public right.
However, when the matter was called on Wednesday counsel to the defendant Offiong Offiong filed further better affidavit and amended written address.
Equally, counsel to applicant D. D Kili filed a motion to amend written address and pleaded for time to reply on point of law.
The trial judge Justice Muhammad Nasir Yunusa granted the application and adjourned the matter to January 31, 2022 for hearing of all amended applications.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal, Hasan Bala Abubakar has applauded the support of Kano state government under the stewardship of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf towards strengthening it’s operational mandate in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Air Marshal Abubakar made the commendation on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Yusuf at Government house in Kano.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature, the Chief of Air Staff said the joint force of his troops with sister security agencies in combating internal security in Kano yielded tremendous successes and maintained peace and stability in the state.
Air Mashal Abubakar noted the impact of Nigerian Airforce personnel in several operations that led to arrest of bandits and kidnappers on wanted list of DSS in Kano. He reassured the state government of NAF readiness to sustain internal stability.
The Kano born Chief however raised concern over encroachment of NAF land and re-allocation of its property. Abubakar pleaded for restoration of the land dedicated for its future expansion.
He also craved the Governor’s support in connecting the Kano state water facility to the NAF Base in the state for access to water supply.
Responding, Governor Yusuf pledged readiness to strengthen partnership with Nigerian Air Force in the discharge of its operational mandate of ensuring internal peace and stability in the state.
The Governor Yusuf disclosed the critical role of the Nigerian Airforce in securing the nation’s air security component and providing cover to the ground troops against the internal and external enemies.
The Governor appreciated the contribution of Air Force and sister military agencies in sustaining stability in Kano, reassured his administration’s commitment to build on the institutional relationship.
He however sought the consideration for Kano indigene in the recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Air Force, indicating the large percentage of youth population in the state.
The Governor equally requested for the establishment of Air Force Girls Comprehensive Secondary in Kano to complement the existing Boys Comprehensive Secondary School which is located in Kwa, in Dawakin Tofa, a long Kano-Katsina express way.
According to him, ” The government of Kano is proud of you and we are proud of your appointment which was based on professionalism and track record. Kano is also proud of your efforts to tackle the security challenges especially the menace of kidnapers, bandits and other criminals.
” Since we took over the mantle of leadership, the administration has enjoyed tremendous relationship and support from Air Force and sister security agencies and that was responsible for the peace and stability in Kano.
” We assured you, our administration will sustain support to the airforce in Kano especially in the area of operation and welfare of your personel for optimum performance of your statutory mandate. We also want to request for special consideration of placement into the air force consider our population which is estimated at 25 million.
” It is also noteworthy to request the reture of Girls Comprehensive secondary school to Kano. We are aware the girls were relocated due to the security challenge. We are also in need of more personnel to strengthen human capacity of the troops in Kano” Gov. Yusuf noted.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has organised a special training for newly-appointed education secretaries as part of a renewed effort to overhaul the sector.
KANO FOCUS reports that the training was conducted with the support of Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) in Dutse, Jigawa State.
Speaking at the occasion the commissioner of education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa urged the education secretaries to uphold the state’s education standards diligently, emphasising their pivotal role as government representatives in their respective areas.
He specifically cautioned against the arbitrary transfer of teachers to the state capital for personal reasons.
The commissioner identified inadequate teachers and learning materials as the primary challenges confronting education in Kano.
However, he assured that the government is fully committed to restructuring the sector to tackle these issues effectively.
In his address the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Yusuf Kabir, emphasised the urgency of addressing issues like low school enrollment, teacher and student absenteeism, and insufficient community involvement and support.
Kabir also acknowledged the shortage of qualified teachers and the lack of commitment among non-teaching staff at the Local Education Authority (LEA) headquarters.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has announced that his administration is set to initiate a housing scheme to provide decent and affordable shelter for workers in the state under the National Housing Fund Scheme.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made this disclosure during the International Workers’ Day celebrations held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on May 1, 2024.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Governor explained that the state government is ready to provide land for the construction of the houses as soon as stakeholders involved in the process conclude discussions.
In a press statement issued to newsmen by the Deputy Governor’s Spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, Governor Yusuf proudly declared Kano as the ancestral home of May Day in Nigeria, while assuring his administration’s commitment to pursuing policies and programs that motivate the working class to render quality service for the development of the state.
He highlighted several achievements of his administration, including:
– Prompt payment of salaries and pensions
– Release of Six billion Naira for settlement of workers’ Gratuities
– Renovation of offices
– Resumption/payment of monthly operational funds across government agencies
– Resumption of regular promotions
– Recruitment of fresh workers
– Screening and confirmation of 10,000 workers out of 13,000 employed by the previous administration
– Provision of 5 trucks of 25kg rice to civil servants as a Ramadan gesture to cushion the pain of global economic hardship
– Provision of sustainable basket funds for workers’ capacity building
– Provision of a sickbay at Audu Bako Secretariat for the well-being of workers and their families
While maintaining that his administration had accorded priority to the development of education, agriculture, and healthcare, among other services, the Governor appealed to workers to reciprocate the gesture through commitment and dedication to duty.
Earlier in his remarks, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, congratulated the Governor on his victory at the Supreme Court, which affirmed his election.
Comrade Inuwa, however, stressed that the NLC needs timely intervention on the issue of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organizations, with a staggering accumulation of over 75 billion as of May 2023, which poses a serious threat to the financial security of retirees.
He also requested that the payment of wage awards, which were only paid once, needs to be revisited, saying that workers rely on the awards to improve their standard of living, and that a consistent payment schedule shall be established to safeguard their welfare.
Comrade Inuwa emphasized the need to constitute a Governing Board for the state pension contributory scheme, implementation of local government autonomy, and reintroduction of vehicle loans for civil servants, among other demands.
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