NDCCITMA: No court order stopping

The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed claims that it appropriated the idea of the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS), insisting that it followed due regulatory process in securing acceptance for the trademark.

The Chamber also said there is no court order stopping the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit scheduled to hold from September 15 to 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In a statement ahead of the summit, NDCCITMA said it 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.

It rejected suggestions that it copied or appropriated another party’s idea in adopting the name and developing the summit.

According to the Chamber, the chronology of events supports its position that it had commenced and completed its application process and obtained the Trademark Acceptance Letter before the competing claim referenced in the dispute.

“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 Chamber said.

It argued that the expression “Economic Summit” is a generic and widely used description for platforms through which governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders deliberate on economic policy, investment opportunities and development priorities.

NDCCITMA said the use of such terminology does not, in itself, confer exclusive ownership of an underlying concept, maintaining that a concept must be distinguished from legally protected intellectual property rights.

The Chamber acknowledged that the dispute is already the subject of litigation at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, with further hearing scheduled for September 22.

It said the court had granted an interim injunction in the suit it instituted in connection with the controversy.

“There is, therefore, no court order stopping the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit scheduled for September 15–17, 2026,” NDCCITMA said.

The Chamber described suggestions to the contrary as misleading, maintaining that it would allow the courts and appropriate authorities to determine the outstanding issues while it continues with its activities.

It said it remained focused on promoting commerce, industry, trade, agriculture, investment and sustainable economic development across the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, NDCCITMA said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will declare the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit open today at the Obi Wali Conference Centre, Port Harcourt.

The summit has as its theme, “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.”