The Chairman and CEO of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has commended the Nigerian media for its role in boosting awareness of the company’s work in tackling oil theft and protecting the nation’s waterways.
Tompolo spoke over the weekend when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at his country home in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.

The NUJ leadership, led by its National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, was in the Niger Delta to express appreciation to Tompolo for Tantita’s support during the 2024 NUJ Triennial Delegates Conference held in Owerri, and for the construction of a new press centre for the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.

“The achievements of Tantita have been widely recognised due to the media’s coverage,” said Tompolo. “Globally, people know what we are doing here because of your work. What we contributed to the Warri press centre is modest compared to what you [journalists] are doing.”

He added that the fight against oil theft could only be won through collaboration and collective resolve. “We cannot do this alone. Journalists and security agencies must work together to make our waterways the most secure,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Comrade Yahya described the press centre built by Tantita Security Services as the first of its kind in the history of the NUJ. He said no other chapel in the country has ever had a permanent secretariat fully funded by a private company.

Yahya also noted that Tompolo’s intervention during the union’s national conference in Owerri came at a critical time and played a major role in its success.

“We are deeply grateful for your consistent support,” he said. “This is a landmark gesture that will strengthen journalism practice in Warri and beyond.”

The NUJ President pledged that the union would continue to report Tantita’s work with objectivity and professionalism.

Also speaking, the immediate past NUJ President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, and Deputy National President, Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, commended Tompolo’s support for journalism and national development.

The delegation included NUJ Zone F Vice President, Comrade Opaka Dokubo; Zonal Secretary, Comrade John Angese; Delta NUJ Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe; and Secretary, Comrade Victor Sorokwu.

Representatives from the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrades Sonia Unobunjo and Ruth Omigie, were also in attendance, as well as veteran journalist Asiwaju Sola Adebayo and Tantita’s Director of Media and Publicity, Dr Paul Bebenimibo.

Tompolo reaffirmed his commitment to supporting responsible journalism and sustaining efforts to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

“The media has been instrumental to our success, and this partnership must continue,” he said.

The Warri Correspondents’ Chapel press centre, now nearing full operational status, is expected to serve as a hub for local and national journalism in the region.