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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has conferred its Internal Security Meritorious Award on the Chairman of Tantita Security Services (TSSL), Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo.
NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo, said the award was in recognition of the contributions of Tompolo and his firm, TSSL, to the critical campaign against crude oil theft in the country.
Recently, TSSL working alongside the Navy, the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others, has intensified the campaign against the theft of the nation’s oil resources arresting and ensuring the forfeiture of vessels used in the committing the crime.
Isiguzo led the national leadership of the NUJ to confer the award on Tompolo in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.
He said the country would have been in some trouble without the patriotic efforts of Tompolo.
Isiguzo said this was the first time the NUJ, in its history, would confer the Internal Security Meritorious Award of the union on anybody.
The NUJ leader explained that the Internal Security Meritorious was the only award approved during its National Security Conference in Abuja and it was given to Tompolo.
“Somebody has risen to the occasion and gathered an array of young men who have taken it upon themselves to help this country continue to survive as a peaceful nation, united and continue to fend for its people.
“And that is the man that has, to a very large extent, substantially, helped us address the issue of crude oil theft.
“That is one thing that has occupied our national life over time. By his commitment, dedication and diligence, Nigeria, as a country, has to a very large extent, reduced the activities of men of the underworld who have consistently engaged in pilfering, taking our common patrimony for their personal gains.
“The NUJ, having assessed the activities of TSSNL, has decided we must accord the necessary recognition to the man who carries the flag, birthed this security organisation that has exceptionally distinguished himself.
“The NUJ has come to the Oporoza community in Gbaramatu Kingdom to honour a distinguished son of the Niger Delta; a general in his own right who has distinguished himself, ensures and maintains an appreciable level of internal security.
“We have come to confer on him, the Internal Security Meritorious Award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
“In the course of the national security conference, held in Abuja, only one award had been approved and it was conferred on Ekpemupolo.
“I am also excited that I am doing this after 61 years of the existence of the NUJ, this award is coming up at this time.
“It is not just an honour to Tompolo but also an honour to me too. It is an honour to all of us and what that means is that the issue of insecurity is not just the responsibility of the government but of every Nigerian.
“When you provide information, and intelligence to security operatives and agencies, you have contributed to some measures to reduce the problem of insecurity in the land.
“So, it is a collective responsibility, and all hands must be on deck to ensure we address our problems.
“If Nigeria is peaceful, every part of the country, including your household, will be peaceful and that will give birth to development and progress.”
In his reaction, the Tantita Limited boss restated his promise to end the criminal theft of the nation’s crude oil resources in the Niger Delta region.
He said the country was in serious need of concerted support to stop the activities of those sabotaging the economy for personal gains.
The NUJ president had in his entourage, the National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, and Delta State Chairman, Churchill Oyowe.
