By Austin Ogwuda
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), will next month, confer a National Merit Award on the ex-Commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo in recognition of his immense contributions to the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta and the success recorded in the war against crude oil theft and pipelines vandalism.
This was disclosed on Saturday when the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo led a delegation on a visit to Tompolo at his Oporoza Community, Warri South West local government area of Delta State, Nigeria.
Isiguzo announced that the formal presentation of the award to Tompolo would take place during the forthcoming NUJ annual conference holding in Abuja, February, 2024.
The NUJ National President stated that through the instrumentality of his pipelines surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), the nation’s waterways have become a nightmare for criminal elements and economic saboteurs.
He recalled some giant strides recorded by TSSL under the leadership of Tompolo in the manhunt for the oil buccaneers and illicit oil barons along the nation’s waterways especially the recent arrest of MT Kali, illegally siphoning crude oil from Pennington Oil field of the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
Isiguzo admitted that with the patriotic zeal of TSSL in the pursuit of the oil thieves, the nation’s crude oil production was on steady rise, noting that this development “is ultimately pushing the nation on the path of sustainable economic recovery and prosperity”.
“Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the NUJ has profiled your activities and we are impressed by your patriotic zeal to ensure that Nigeria works again by your pursuit of those pilfering the nation’s oil wealth.
“The NUJ is glad to note that crude oil production is gradually on the rise and we can meet the OPEC quota with ease. With more revenue from additional crude oil production, we can have more money to run our money.
“The NUJ also acknowledges the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta for which you have played pivotal roles. For these significant contributions you have made towards the nation’s growth and development, the NUJ has decided to honour you with one of our prestigious awards.
“We are here to formally intimate you about the decision by the NUJ to accord you this well-deserved honour. To demonstrate the seriousness attached to this engagement, I have with me the National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman as well other leaders of the NUJ from the State council and Warri chapter of the association.
“We seize this opportunity to also formally invite you to the investiture and presentation of the awards during our national conference in Abuja in February,” Isiguzo added.
Responding, Tompolo, who was joined to receive the NUJ delegation by a former member of Bayelsa State House Assembly, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei and his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo expressed gratitude to the NUJ for the honour accorded him.
The ex-militant leader said he was elated that a strategic stakeholders in the Nigeria project such as NUJ has recognised and appreciated his contributions to national development and singled him out for the award and assured the NUJ and Nigerians that the award would spur and trigger him to do more for the country.
