Chambers of Commerce Alleges Plot Against Planned Investment Summit

Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) says it has uncovered a plan by Mr Kenule Nwiya, the chief executive officer of Ken-Eva, to scuttle the forthcoming Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit, scheduled for September 2026.

In a statement issued by the secretary of NDCCITMA Board, Chief Solomon Edebiri, the chambers said it had resolved not to join issues with Nwiya over what it described as frivolous, baseless and misleading claims concerning the alleged indiscriminate use of his trademark.

Edebiri said it had become necessary to set the record straight and draw the public’s attention to the facts surrounding the matter.

“For the record, 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 read.

The chambers explained that following the conception of the name and acronym “Nige” Delta Economic and Investment Summit,” it “proceeded with the necessary registration process.

NDCCITMA said its application was received and approved by the relevant department of the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment on 16th August, 2025, while the application purportedly filed by Nwiya was received on 3rd September, 2025.

The Chambers therefore questioned the basis of the claimant’s claim, noting that, to its knowledge, there was no credible evidence of earlier approval or acceptance of the claim 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 claimant’s claims and assertions.

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 NDCCINDCCITMA’s indication and the acceptance document dated 16 August 2025.

The Chambers reaffirmed its commitment to successfully hosting the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit, describing the event as a collective initiative to advance the economic interests and development of the Niger Delta region.