The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has conferred a special award on Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) for his giant strides in securing the Niger Delta region.
Presenting the award to Tompolo on Saturday evening in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, NUJ president Chris Isiguzo noted that the awardee had substantially helped the country to address the issue of crude oil theft.
“But today, somebody has risen to the occasion and gathered an array of young men who have taken it upon themselves to help this country to continue to survive as a peaceful and united nation,” the NUJ president announced.
“By his commitment, dedication and diligence, Nigeria as a country has to a very large extent, reduced activities of men of the underworld consistently engaged in pilfering and taking our common patrimony for their selfish gains.
“We decided that we must accord the necessary recognition to the man who carries the flag, and birthed this organisation.
“A man who has exceptionally distinguished himself, and has been celebrated by Nigerians across all works of life.
“A general in his own right, who has distinguished himself, ensured and maintained an appreciable level of internal security
‘We have come to Oporoza to confer on him, the Internal Security Meritorious Award of the NUJ,” he said.
Isiguzo, flanked by the National Secretary of the NUJ, Shuaibu Leman, and others said that the media remained the oxygen of democratic governance, noting that “if it collapsed, Nigeria will collapse”.
He said the issue of insecurity was a collective responsibility of Nigerians and not the government alone, urging all hands to be on deck to address the problems.
“In your neighbourhood, if you provide intelligence information to security operatives and agencies to help achieve peace and tranquillity, you have made your contribution to solving the insecurity challenges.
“When there is peace in all parts of the country, it will give birth to development and take our country away from being a third world to second or perhaps first world country,” Isiguzo noted.
Receiving the an “Internal Security Meritorious Award”, Tompolo pledged to do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria’s daily crude oil production output increases.
Tompolo, who is also a High Chief in Ijaw land, acknowledged the pivotal role of the media in promoting peace and stabilising democracy in the country.
“The only place I have to call my country is Nigeria. So I will do everything within my power to see that crude oil production increases.
“The critical role of the media in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Nothing reasonable can be achieved without the media, so, I want to appeal that they should be appreciated,” Tompolo said.
Recall that Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. (TSSNL), a private pipeline surveillance security outfit, was engaged by the federal government to curtail crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
