The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has accused Mr. Kenule Nwiya, CEO of Ken-Eva, of attempting to scuttle its 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit.

The summit is scheduled to hold in September 2026.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of the NDCCITMA Board, Chief Solomon Edebiri, and made available to newsmen.

Edebiri said the Chambers initially resolved not to join issues with Nwiya over what it described as baseless claims concerning alleged indiscriminate use of his trademark.

He, however, said it had become necessary to set the records straight and draw public attention to the facts surrounding the dispute.

“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,” he said.

According to him, following the conception of the name and acronym “Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit,” the Chambers commenced the necessary registration process.

He said NDCCITMA’s application was received and approved by the relevant department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry on Aug. 16, 2025.

Edebiri added that the application purportedly filed by Nwiya was received by the relevant agency on Sept. 3, 2025.

The Chambers therefore questioned the basis of Nwiya’s claims, saying there was no credible evidence of an earlier approval of his application by the relevant government agency.

NDCCITMA described the allegations as blackmail and an affront to the aspirations of Niger Delta people.

It said the summit was conceived to promote economic development, investment, trade and regional cooperation across the Niger Delta.

The Chambers further alleged that despite interventions by prominent personalities from the region, Nwiya had continued actions capable of undermining the summit.

It said such actions could weaken the collective aspirations of the people and derail efforts to attract investments and promote regional economic development.

NDCCITMA urged members of the public, particularly Niger Delta stakeholders, to disregard what it described as Nwiya’s claims and assertions.

The Chambers challenged him to produce valid documents establishing an earlier application and approval for the disputed name.

It said such documents must predate NDCCITMA’s application and the acceptance document dated Aug. 16, 2025.

NDCCITMA reaffirmed its commitment to successfully hosting the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit.

It described the summit as a collective initiative aimed at advancing economic opportunities, investment and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.