By Amb. Anderson Osiebe<\/p>\n
A looming legal battle is taking shape in the Niger Delta following a formal warning issued by the promoters of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit (NDEIS) to the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture over an alleged trademark infringement.<\/p>\n
The notice, delivered through legal counsel representing Amb. Kenule Nwiya Junior and Ken-Eva Consult Ltd., accuses the Chamber of Commerce of planning an event under the same name\u2014\u201cNiger Delta Economic and Investment Summit\u201d\u2014which the NDEIS promoters insist is a legally protected brand.<\/p>\n
Amb. Nwiya, founder of NDEIS, maintained that the summit name and identity had been duly registered and trademarked as far back as 2023, well before the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce. He stressed that the platform has since evolved into a reputable forum for economic engagement and investment promotion across the Niger Delta.<\/p>\n
According to him, the project was formally unveiled in 2024 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, drawing participation from high-profile stakeholders, including former Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Zenith Bank\u2019s Managing Director Adaora Umeoji, and representatives from the United Bank for Africa (UBA), alongside key government officials.<\/p>\n
He further noted that the maiden summit, held in November 2024 with the support of the Rivers State Government, laid the groundwork for broader economic coordination in the region\u2014an effort he claims even contributed to discussions leading to the creation of the Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n
Citing official documentation, Nwiya asserted that the NDEIS trademark had successfully passed through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, including publication in the Trademark Journal without any opposition\u2014thereby granting exclusive rights to the name and its associated branding.<\/p>\n
He warned that the Chamber\u2019s planned event, reportedly slated for May 2026, could mislead investors, government institutions, and international partners by creating a false sense of continuity or affiliation with the established summit.<\/p>\n
Describing the use of both the full name and the acronym \u201cNDEIS\u201d as a calculated attempt to capitalize on an already established reputation, Nwiya demanded the immediate withdrawal of all promotional materials and a complete rebranding of the proposed event.<\/p>\n
The legal team has also issued a compliance deadline, cautioning that failure to adhere would result in court action, including injunctions to stop the event and claims for damages.<\/p>\n
In addition, the NDEIS promoters say they are prepared to notify relevant state and federal authorities to prevent any official recognition or endorsement of what they describe as a violation of protected intellectual property.<\/p>\n
As tensions rise, stakeholders across the region are watching closely, with the outcome likely to shape the boundaries of branding, ownership, and institutional credibility in the Niger Delta\u2019s evolving economic landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Amb. Anderson Osiebe A looming legal battle is taking shape in the Niger Delta following a formal warning issued by the promoters of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit (NDEIS) to the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture over an alleged trademark infringement. The notice, delivered through legal counsel…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[170,92,169],"class_list":["post-1024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-bishop","tag-niger-delta","tag-trade-mark"],"yoast_head":"\n