The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.

In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.

According to NDCCITMA, 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.

The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.

“Economic Summit” is a generic expression

NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.

The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.

It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.

Court grants interim injunction

Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.

The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.

According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.

The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.

Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim

NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.

The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.

It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.

Summit opens September 15

Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.

The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.

The Lagos State Government has intensified security measures around the Badagry border as part of efforts to tackle child theft, abduction and trafficking in the area.

The government identified the border location as a factor that can make it easier for suspected traffickers to move children across jurisdictions and evade arrest.

The development has prompted increased attention to security coordination around Badagry, with authorities seeking to strengthen collaboration among security agencies and other stakeholders responsible for protecting vulnerable children.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Security and other officials have raised concerns about the vulnerability created by Badagry’s proximity to the international border, particularly in cases involving suspected child trafficking.

Authorities are also reviewing their approach to security meetings in the area. Rather than relying on less frequent engagements, meetings are being held on a bi-monthly basis to enable stakeholders to respond more quickly to emerging security threats.

The increased frequency is intended to improve information sharing, identify emerging patterns and strengthen the ability of security agencies to act before threats escalate.

Badagry’s geographical position makes it an important transit area between Nigeria and neighbouring Benin Republic. The area has long been connected to cross-border movement, making effective monitoring and inter-agency cooperation particularly important for law enforcement.

The renewed security focus comes amid wider concerns over child trafficking and the movement of vulnerable children through informal routes.

Government officials are expected to work with security agencies and relevant community stakeholders to improve surveillance and intelligence gathering around the border and surrounding communities.

The authorities have also stressed the importance of community participation in tackling child-related crimes, as residents are often in a position to identify suspicious movements and provide information that can assist security agencies.

The intensified measures are expected to complement existing efforts to protect children across Lagos and prevent criminal networks from exploiting the state’s border communities.

With security meetings now taking place more frequently, the government hopes to ensure that emerging threats in Badagry are identified and addressed promptly while strengthening coordination among the agencies responsible for security and child protection.

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Comrade Sola Adigun, has called for stronger collaboration among teachers, parents and government to address the challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector.

Adigun said improving the quality of education requires a united approach involving all major stakeholders, rather than leaving the responsibility for students’ development to teachers or schools alone.

The ASUSS president stressed that teachers play a critical role in shaping students, but said their efforts can only produce meaningful results when supported by parents and backed by appropriate government policies and interventions.

He described teachers as guardians and mentors who work alongside parents and government to nurture students and provide the academic and moral guidance required for their development.

According to Adigun, parents also have an important responsibility in monitoring their children’s progress, encouraging discipline and ensuring that students remain focused on their education outside the classroom.

He urged parents to maintain regular engagement with schools and teachers, saying stronger communication between homes and schools would help identify and address challenges affecting students before they become more serious.

The ASUSS president also called on government at all levels to provide the necessary support for teachers and schools, including policies and resources capable of creating a better learning environment.

He stressed that teachers must remain dedicated to their responsibilities and continually demonstrate professionalism, while students must also show commitment to their studies.

Adigun’s position comes amid continuing concerns over the quality of teaching, learning conditions, teacher welfare and other challenges affecting Nigeria’s education system.

ASUSS has previously advocated greater cooperation among teachers, parents, government and communities, describing collaboration among the stakeholders as essential to addressing problems within the education sector. The union has also raised concerns about teacher welfare and other issues affecting secondary-school education.

The union’s national leadership has maintained that improving education requires more than government intervention, arguing that the responsibilities of teachers, parents and students are interconnected.

Adigun therefore urged stakeholders to move beyond assigning blame and instead work towards a shared commitment to improving learning outcomes.

He said dedicated teachers, supportive parents and focused students remain essential components of a functional education system, while government must provide the policy direction and institutional support required to make quality education sustainable.

The ASUSS president’s call adds to growing demands for a coordinated approach to education reform, with stakeholders expected to work together to ensure that Nigerian students receive the skills, knowledge and support needed to succeed.