Uniben VC hails Igelige over emergence as leading global IP lawyer

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami, has congratulated Rockson Igelige on his recent selection by a London-based global research organisation, Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as one of the 156 leading Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers in the world and as a member of the “Global Elite Thought Leaders.”

The Trumpet reported that WWL identified two Nigerian lawyers, Ogaga Ifowodo and Rockson Igelige, both of Remedium Law Partners among its 2022 leading copyright lawyers in the world.

Ifowodo and Igelige were the only lawyers that made the list in Nigeria and the African continent among the 156 leading lawyers from 29 other countries of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and the USA.

Announcing the selection of Ifowodo and Igelige, WWL said, “Remedium’s Ogaga Ifowodo is a highly regarded practitioner with impeccable knowledge of IP rights, particularly when it comes to entertainment and sports law.

“Rockson Igelige is a leading IP lawyer who is regularly sought after by clients in the entertainment industry for his stellar practice.”

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Reacting to the development, Prof Salami, who is also a Co-Chair, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Vice-President, Association of African Universities, said the University is proud of Igelige.

In an official letter of congratulation to Igelige dated 25th July 2022 and obtained by The Trumpet on Monday, 1st August 2022, the VC said the selection of Igelige, which was based on his outstanding experience in advising domestic and international clients on copyright issues as well as his ability to secure landmark judgements against copyright violators, is highly commendable.

According to her, the success and accomplishment of Igelige is firmly rooted in the excellent professional knowledge, leadership ability, and good character he acquired from the University of Benin while studying Theatre Arts as a first degree.

“On behalf of the Management, Staff, and Students of the University of Benin, Benin City, I write to heartily congratulate you on your selection as one of the leading copyrights lawyers in the world and a member of the ‘Global Elite Thought Leaders.’ Most outstanding in your selection is the fact that you are one of the only two lawyers that made the list in Nigeria and the African continent.

“Your selection, which was based on your outstanding experience in advising domestic and international clients on copyright issues and your ability to secure landmark judgements against copyright violators, is highly commendable.

“As you already know, intellectual property rights are a crucial and critical aspect of an academic career and publications in tertiary institutions, as ‘plagiarism’, which is academic copyright infringement, is a ‘capital’ offence in the academic community.

“Your success and recognition in your field of practice cannot be separated from the excellent professional knowledge, leadership ability, and good character that you acquired from the University of Benin and have continued to display in your endeavours. The University is indeed, proud of you. May God grant you the strength to accomplish more.

“Once again, congratulations and best wishes in all your endeavours,” Prof Salami said.