The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has raised alarm over plans to destabilise the forthcoming Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit scheduled to hold in September 2026.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary of the NDCCITMA Board, Chief Solomon Edebiri, and made available to newsmen, the Chambers said it had discovered the alleged plan by Mr. Kenule Nwiya, Chief Executive Officer of Ken-Eva.
The Chambers said it had initially resolved not to join issues with Mr. Nwiya over what it described as frivolous, baseless and misleading claims concerning the alleged indiscriminate use of his trademark.
It however, said it has become necessary to set the records straight and draw the attention of the public to the facts surrounding the matter.
“For the records, it is pertinent to state that, contrary to an advert placed on AIT and circulating on some media outlets , NDCCITMA did not at any time approach the claimant to seek permission to use the purported trademark name,” the statement said.
The Chambers explained that following the conception of the name and acronym “Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit,” it proceeded with the necessary registration process.
According to NDCCITMA, its application was received and approved by the relevant department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry on 16 August 2025, while the application purportedly filed by Mr. Nwiya was received on 3 September 2026.
The Chambers therefore questioned the basis of the claimant’s assertions, noting that, to its knowledge, there was no credible evidence of an earlier approval or acceptance of the claimant’s application by the relevant government agency.
NDCCITMA described the allegations as an attempt at blackmail and an affront to the aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta, stressing that the proposed summit was conceived to promote economic development, investment, trade and regional cooperation in the Niger Delta region.
The Chambers further stated that, despite interventions by prominent personalities from the region aimed at resolving the disagreement amicably, Mr. Nwiya had allegedly continued along what it described as a path capable of undermining the summit and weakening the collective aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta.
NDCCITMA consequently urged members of the public, particularly stakeholders in the Niger Delta, to disregard what it described as the claims and assertions of the claimant.
The Chambers also challenged Mr. Nwiya to produce valid documentary evidence establishing an earlier application and approval for the use or registration of the disputed name, predating NDCCITMA’s application and the acceptance document dated 16 August 2025.
The Chambers reaffirmed its commitment to the successful hosting of the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit, describing the event as a collective initiative aimed at advancing the economic interests and development of the Niger Delta region.
