A member of the House of Representatives Hon Donald Ojogo said that High Chief Government Oweizide Ekemepulo popularly known as Tompolo was driven to safeguard national assets not only by economic considerations but also by patriotism and a determination to change perceptions of the Niger Delta and its people.
Speaking while receiving an award of excellence on behalf of Tompolo from the House of Representatives Press Corps Ojogo added that Tompolo’s patriotism extends beyond protecting oil installations to safeguarding the environment.
Ojogo described the recognition as a validation of Tompolo’s commitment to protecting the country’s economic resources preserving the environment and promoting peace and stability.
Ojogo who represents the Ilaje/Ese Odo federal constituency of Ondo State said ‘A greater part of it is the patriotism and also to give a fresh breath of perception to our people that we are always agitators. But this is a man who has come to contribute to peace and development.’
Tompolo is the chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited which the Federal Government engaged to provide security for oil and gas pipelines and related facilities amid ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.
Ojogo said the recognition was particularly significant because the activities for which Tompolo was honoured were not new but reflected his sustained commitment to national development.
‘This award is very dear to our leader Tompolo. It is not a surprise to us especially me standing in for him to receive this award. It is a matter of privilege for me and we say this with all emphasis that it is not a new thing that he has been doing’ Ojogo said.
He stressed that Tompolo’s commitment to protecting national assets extended beyond oil and gas infrastructure to environmental preservation which he described as an important responsibility shared by all Nigerians.
He added ‘The same zeal with which he protects the national assets the same zeal with which he protects the environment. The environment as it is dear to him is also an asset to all of us even Nigerians.’
According to Ojogo protecting the environment and securing the country’s economic resources were essential to the wellbeing of present and future generations.
He added that sustained efforts to protect oil and gas infrastructure were crucial to addressing crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism which have historically affected petroleum production government revenue and the nation’s economic fortunes.
Ojogo also noted that the recognition demonstrated the capacity of stakeholders from the Niger Delta to contribute meaningfully to addressing national challenges particularly in security economic development and peaceful coexistence.
He expressed confidence that Tompolo would sustain his contributions to national development while praying for greater wisdom tenacity and capacity for the Tantita chairman to continue serving the country and humanity.
‘I can only pray for him for God to give him more wisdom more tenacity more capacity to be able to deploy the wisdom that God has given him for the benefit of Nigerians and humanity in general’ he said.
Ojogo thanked the Press Corps for the recognition and reaffirmed Tompolo’s commitment to doing more for the country saying ‘We want to appreciate you. I thank you on his behalf and to also say that we are always proud to do better and to do more for humanity and Nigerians in particular’.
The award highlights the strategic importance of securing Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure which remains central to government revenue foreign exchange earnings and the country’s broader economic stability.
Presenting the award to Tompolo’s representative Chairman of the HoRPC Gboyega Onadiran said the recognition was in appreciation of the Tantita chairman’s exceptional leadership strategic vision and contributions to protecting national assets.
Onadiran said the award titled Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection (2026) reflected the Press Corps’ recognition of efforts to strengthen national security protect critical infrastructure and support economic development.
The protection of such infrastructure is considered vital to sustain production preserving public revenue and strengthening confidence in the country’s capacity to secure its strategic economic resources.