Above and beyond the several accusations of plagiarism, the government must ensure that proper due diligence is done when it comes to creative work. Even though ideas are universal, we must ensure that our ideas represent as well as promote our heritage a

Level’, the Next Level logo was said to have been plagiarised, bearing similarities with the logo of a project by the Winthrop University-School Partnership Network in collaboration with Fort Mill School District (York 4), Lancaster County School District, and Rock Hill School District (York 3).

Not forgetting that in September 2016, Buhari’s ‘Change Begins With Me’ speech contained some sentences that were similar to some in Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech. Buhari said, “We must resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our country for so long.” In response, the president expressed regret over the incident. Also, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity at the time equally confirmed that the officer responsible was no longer in the State House.

Above and beyond the several accusations of plagiarism, the government must ensure that proper due diligence is done when it comes to creative work. Even though ideas are universal, we must ensure that our ideas represent as well as promote our heritage and culture. There is absolutely nothing wrong with incorporating a creative work done by someone else, but they must be acknowledged in such an instance. It is also germane to have a structured and efficient vetting system, especially for a creative work of such magnitude.

Ojebisi writes from Lagos