The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has conferred its Internal Security Meritorious Award on the Chairman of Tantita Security Services, Government Ekpemupolo, well known as Tompolo.

The National President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, said the award was in recognition of the contribution of Tompolo and his firm to the campaign against crude oil theft in the country.

Isiguzo, who led the national leadership of the NUJ to confer the award on Tompolo in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, stressed that the country would have been in some trouble without the patriotic efforts of Tompolo.

The NUJ President said this was the first time the union, in its history, would be conferring the Internal Security Meritorious Award on anybody.

He further stated that the award was the only award approved during NUJ’s National Security Conference in Abuja.

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Isiguzo said: “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 gain”

“The NUJ, having assessed the activities of TSSNL, has decided that we must accord the necessary recognition to the man who carries the flag, birthed this security organisation, who has exceptionally distinguished himself.”

In his reaction, Tompolo restated his promise to end the criminal theft of the nation’s crude oil resources in the Niger Delta region.

He stressed that the country was in serious need of concerted support to stop the activities of those sabotaging the economy for personal gains.

The Star