NDCCITMA will not succumb to cheap blackmail over its own trademark; Says Summit opens Tuesday September 15 in Port Harcourt
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has firmly rejected insinuations and claims that it appropriated the idea of the “Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS)” from Mr. Kunle Nwiwa Junior, describing the allegations as cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous, provocative and a misrepresentation of the facts.
A statement by its management said that “for the avoidance of doubt, NDCCITMA applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name ‘Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS)’ in August 2025, under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284, after following the appropriate regulatory process.
“NDCCITMA therefore rejects any suggestion that it copied, appropriated or relied upon another party’s pending application in adopting the name and developing the Summit.
“The chronology of events does not support the claims being circulated by Mr. Nwiwa Junior. While his application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities in September 2025, NDCCITMA had already commenced and completed its own application process and obtained its Trademark Acceptance Letter in August 2025.
“Furthermore, the expression ‘Economic Summit’ is a generic and widely used description for platforms through which governments, investors, businesses, development institutions, professionals and other stakeholders deliberate on economic policy, investment opportunities and development priorities.
“The use of such terminology, in itself, does not confer exclusive ownership of the underlying concept on any individual or organisation. A concept must also be distinguished from legally protected intellectual property rights, including a duly registered trademark or other enforceable proprietary rights.”
NDCCITMA stressed that it is also aware of ongoing legal proceedings concerning the dispute. “The matter is currently before the courts, with September 22, 2026 fixed for further hearing. In Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, filed by NDCCITMA at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, the Honourable Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants, Mr. Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd., from further interfering with the planned Summit by NDCCITMA.
“The order further directed the defendants to take down and remove statements allegedly made against the integrity, name, activities and reputation of the Plaintiff/Applicant in publications, circulars, notices, petitions, social-media publications, correspondence or directives, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Motion for Interlocutory Injunction.
“There is, therefore, no court order stopping the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit scheduled for September 15 – 17, 2026. NDCCITMA considers any attempt to create the contrary impression through media publications or other channels to be misleading and an attempt to interfere with the lawful activities of the Chamber.”
NDCCITMA further stated “that it has on record a previous demand attributed to Mr. Nwiwa Junior for ₦500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as a condition for abandoning his claim. The Chamber states unequivocally that the demand was rejected.”
NDCCITMA also stated that, “following what it regarded as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials, it petitioned the Inspector-General of Police for appropriate intervention, including inviting Mr. Nwiwa Junior for questioning and caution.
“The Chamber remains committed to allowing the courts and appropriate authorities to determine all outstanding issues while it continues to conduct its affairs. NDCCITMA remains focused on its mandate of promoting commerce, industry, trade, agriculture, investment and sustainable economic development across the Niger Delta region,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, NDCCITMA said, “the much-awaited 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will be declared open by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on Tuesday September 15, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The theme of the summit is, ‘Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.’”
