Tag: Tompolo

The Tompolo Foundation has launched a training programme for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the Warri Zonal Area of Delta State to enhance their “teaching skills, strengthen the broader education system, and contributing to national development.”

The programme which was flagged off Tuesday, had over 50 corps members in attendance.

Chairman and founder of the foundation, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, said the Foundation remained steadfast in its commitment to initiatives that promote quality education.

Tompolo, who was represented by his Media Adviser, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, posited that education remains the foundation for social transformation, emphasizing the crucial roles of teachers in shaping the society’s future.

According to him, growing up in the creeks of the Niger Delta and serving as Chairman of the Tompolo Foundation, he had witnessed firsthand, the challenges being faced by corps members in effectively teaching students, particularly in rural and riverine communities in Delta State.

Read Also: Niger Delta women condemn ‘campaigns of calumny’ against Otuaro, Tompolo

Recognising the role of corps members in bridging the gap of insufficient teachers in rural and riverine areas, he however pointed out that they lack the basic pedagogical skills needed to carry out teaching activities effectively, hence the partnership between the Foundation and Delta State chapter of the NYSC, “to equip the corps members serving as teachers with the basic skills to engage the students effectively and inspire critical thinking among the learners.”

The former freedom fighter also informed the foundation had been assisting corps members with stipends, accommodations and other incentives to encourage those of them teaching in the riverine and rural areas.

Commissioner for Basic Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, while commending the Tompolo Foundation and Delta NYSC for the official launch of the training programme enjoined other stakeholders to emulate the gesture .

 Ezewu, who was represented by Chief Ejiroghene Erifevieme, stated that she looked forward to seeing the impact the training on pedagogical skills will have on the NYSC members and schools.

Chief MacDonald Igbaduwei commended the Tompolo Foundation for training corps members posted to rural areas, noting that the gesture will enhance and sharpened their teaching skills thereby making learning more interesting for the pupils and students.

A lecture titled “Pedagogical skills: A key imperative for enhancing quality education in Nigeria” by Dr Oghenevwede Oyovwi x-rayed the importance of training corps members posted to both public and private schools in the riverine and rural areas .

Dr Oyovwi listed the benefits of enhancing pedagogical skills to include increased confidence and effectiveness, better classroom management, improved community engagement amongst others.

The Director of Education Projects,  Tompolo Foundation, Dr Job Bebenimibo, revealed that the training programme will kick off officially on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, with the training of 50 corps members in the first batch.

Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has extended warm congratulations to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo acknowledged Kyari’s transformative leadership, which has “remarkably transformed NNPCL to the acknowledgment and admiration of the doubting Thomases.”

Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of the Ijaw Nation, commended Kyari’s patriotic commitment and alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Tompolo, “Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, in sustained strides, has succeeded in putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development in tandem with the developmental blueprints and economic recovery plans of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Recalling the dire state of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation before Kyari’s intervention, Tompolo noted that the successes recorded under Kyari’s watch have earned widespread recognition.

He highlighted Kyari’s achievement in reviving two major refineries, saying, “This has led to the unlocking of a total refining capacity of 117,000 barrels per day (bpd) with the operational take-off of both the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries in November and December 2024, respectively.

Read Also: Tompolo lifts Ijaw service volunteers with New Year’s palliatives

“The Port Harcourt refinery, which resumed production on November 26, 2024, after extensive rehabilitation, currently operates at 70 percent, accounting for 42,000 barrels per day capacity. Meanwhile, the Warri refinery restarted operations on December 30, 2024, at 60 percent capacity, translating to 75,000 barrels per day. This revival is expected to enhance Nigeria’s energy security and reduce reliance on imported refined products, marking a significant step in the country’s refining sector transformation,” he said.

Tompolo, whose company plays a pivotal role in combating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, also commended Kyari’s strategic approach to securing Nigeria’s oil pipelines.

“When the production of crude oil was threatened, you responded with unwavering resolve and developed the right security architecture, which culminated in the involvement of non-state actors, including Tantita, in the task of policing oil pipelines and tackling crude oil theft,” Tompolo stated.

He credited Kyari for the restructuring of NNPCL into a profit-making entity and the increase in crude oil production. “It’s to your credit that you evolved and restructured the dysfunctional NNPCL into a profit-making model, using sanity and efficiency as the watchwords. This has resulted in a steady increase and a quantum leap in crude oil production from an abysmal 600,000 barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels per day, with indications that production is edging towards 2 million barrels per day,” Tompolo added.

While wishing Kyari a long life and robust health, Tompolo reaffirmed Tantita’s commitment to collaboration with NNPCL and other stakeholders in driving Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

“I, Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on behalf of the management and staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), congratulate the indefatigable GCEO of NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, on his glorious 60th birthday today, January 8, 2025,” Tompolo declared.

“As we pray that the Almighty Allah continues to grant you sound health, wisdom, and strength in the task of nation-building, Tantita seizes this medium to renew its loyalty and commitment to sustaining the milestones being recorded under your watch,” he concluded.

The Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC), inspired by the leadership of Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has donated New Year’s palliatives to over 500 persons including members and coordinators of the newly-inaugurated Izon Community Service Volunteers (ICSV).

As part of their ongoing commitment to supporting the community, the ICHC at the weekend donated a large quantity of essential items to assist those in need, particularly during the festive season.

Among the donations were numerous bags of rice, including 325 bags of 25 kg, 40 bags of 10 kg, many 50kg bags and other categories alongside chickens and other essential provisions.

The Chairman of ICHC, Apostle Bodmas Prince Kemepadei, said the initiative led by ICHC and supported by Tompolo’s dedication to alleviating the suffering of the people, reflected a deep sense of unity, care, and community spirit.

Apostle Bodmas said the donations were made possible through the efforts of Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi, the General Manager of Operations and Technical at Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Chief of Staff to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo). He said the aim was to ensure that even those in remote areas, who might otherwise miss out on the joys of the festive season, could partake in the celebrations.

Read Also: Oil cabal sponsoring blackmails against Tompolo, Otuaro, Kyari, say Ijaw youths

He stated: “The ICHC and ICSV’s initiative serves as an example of how community leaders and the elite can work together to support the less privileged, fostering a sense of brotherhood, unity, and shared responsibility for the well-being of all.

“The initiative’s goal is to promote unity, peace, and love. The volunteers serve as a bridge between the elite and the masses.

“While the Izon Community Service Volunteers themselves do not have the resources or capacity to distribute funds, they connect those who could provide assistance with those in need.”

Stakeholders under the Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) have alleged a well-coordinated international blackmail campaign against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman of Tantita Security Services; Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL); and Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

In a statement issued on Sunday by its President, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the IYN accused a cabal of oil thieves of sponsoring the campaign to undermine the successes of Tantita Security Services and other security outfits in combating oil theft.

The group specifically condemned a staged protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, describing it as a smear campaign filled with false criminal allegations against Tompolo, Kyari, and Otuaro.

The IYN called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and others entrusted with the nation’s security to ensure a thorough investigation of persons behind the blackmail and bring them to justice in the interest of national security.

The stakeholders also urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to be resolute in sustaining the reversal of the evils of oil theft against Nigeria and her citizens.

The IYN stressed that oil thieves and their operatives armed with billions of ill-gotten resources were funding the recurrent attacks on Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro.

The youths insisted that a virulent cabal of oil thieves with a vast network across international boundaries was on the  rampage to orchestrate the campaign targeting the economy of the country and its leadership.

The IYN said that the oil thieves were pooling resources together with their international collaborators to undermine the President, national security and the nation’s economy.

The group said that it was not unexpected that the deadly cabal that almost ruined the economy of the country by stealing billions of petro dollars would not give up their lucrative crime without a fight.

The IYN said that the achievement of the Tinubu Administration which had been able to attain 1.8m barrels of crude oil per day, after serious efforts into the battle against oil thieves should be protected from such influential, deadly gang.

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The IYN added some of those fighting Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro were persons, who pressed to be appointed Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme without success.

The Ijaw youths groups said that the antecedents of Otuaro and his capacity to deepen consultations and sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta might be hurting those behind the campaign of calumny in the region.

The group called on all sister organizations in the Niger Delta to support the campaign against oil theft, Tantita Security Service Limited, the NNPCL and the PAP leadership.

The group said: “We are shocked at the extent to which this deadly cabal of oil thieves can go to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against hardworking people carrying out their lawful responsibilities in the Niger Delta. 

“Of course, nobody expects a group of extremely wealthy, connected and influential people who has been involved in oil theft, stealing billions for years to go away without resistance. 

“The show of shame in front of the UN headquarters is a most reprehensible attack on the country image, the President, national security and our economy. 

“The unpatriotic characters are conniving with enemies of Nigeria in their criminal bid to bring back the dark days of oil theft and its impact on the nation’s economy.

“We call on the President, to be firm in sustaining what is good for Nigeria. Tompolo, and Tantita have shown that it is not impossible to stop the menace of oil theft as shown by the daily production of oil to 1.8 million barrels per day,

“We also urge the Mr Kyari and Dr Otuaro to be firm in carrying out their official responsibilities to this great country. That oil thieves are focusing attacks on the, shows in clear terms that their actions are suffocating their evil activities in the region.”

The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty King Monday Arthur Whiskey, Udurhie I, has called for former Niger Delta freedom fighter and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, to be awarded a national honour by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to reporters at his palace in Idjerhe, Ethiope West Council area of Delta State on Sunday, King Whiskey highlighted several reasons for the recognition, including Nigeria’s increasing oil output and the gradual restoration of natural habitats in riverine oil communities.

The monarch attributed the rise in Nigeria’s crude oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day, as reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to the unwavering efforts of Tantita in fighting oil theft. 

He commended Tompolo and his team for their continued success in safeguarding critical national assets in the region.

King Whiskey also reiterated the need to expand the scope of pipeline surveillance, urging that TSSNL be entrusted with broader responsibilities to further secure Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

“From every available fact, it is now very clear that only the section being handled by Tompolo and his Tantita group are performing exceedingly well. So we can say that Tompolo is not only protecting national installations, but that Tompolo has gone extra mile to take the highest risk that any Nigerian man will take.

Read Also: With Tinubu, a greater Nigeria possible, by Sunday Dare

“The situation today is that Tompolo is singlehandedly fighting the oil cabals, the oil cabal that were siphoning the country’s oil. And if we look at it very critically, there are three major things that Tompolo’s Tantita is achieving today.

“One, the firm is working very hard to increase oil and gas production output to the Nigerian government. Before this job was given to Tantita, Nigerian production was less than 1m barrel per day, and to bring on board extra 800,000 barrels on board, and still working hard to get it to 2 million barrel per day.

“Secondly, Tompolo is helping to restore our environment that has been criminally degraded from its natural state that today is supporting aquatic life and the growth of this environment, especially cleaner water.

“If you are used to this area before Tantita was given this job, you barely can not see the water content, because everything was covered in black oil. But today, that the aquatic lives are returning to their natural habitat,  it is as a result of the hard work of an individual.

“Thirdly, this Tantita Security Project is creating very serious employment opportunity to youths in the entire Niger Delta area and is exposing our youth to the deployment of high tech facilities because they are not using manual technology”.

He added, “I want to seriously appeal to the federal government to increase and expand this project. Because if you look critically, it is only the areas where Tantita is working that you have this very noble achievement.

“So there is no reason why I should not advocate for the expansion of the project so that we can get more able bodied youth from the streets, they need to work. The federal government should, as a matter of urgency, begin to fund Tantita very regularly, because, you know, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

“Now that Tompolo has used his native sagacity to bring together most dreaded youths in the region to be part of this programme, there is no reason why salaries should not be regular.

“Increase the workforce, regularize the workers’ salaries, the security contract has enhanced oil production and sustained environmental protection of the Niger Delta people, Tompolo deserve a national award for the feat he has achieved so far”.

…seeks support of security agencies, NBA

Amid celebrations of Nigeria’s increased crude oil production reaching 1.8 million barrels per day, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has expressed concern over a recent confrontation between his security team and Nigerian Navy personnel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the interception of a vessel.

Tantita Security, a private firm contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), is tasked with safeguarding oil pipelines from theft.

Tompolo raised the issue during a visit by the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, to Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State.

The NBA delegation was on a fact-finding mission to address oil theft and challenges faced by oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.

Accusing the Nigerian Navy of complicity in oil theft, Tompolo alleged that Navy personnel fired shots at members of his security team, along with officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He disclosed that his efforts to combat oil theft have antagonized powerful individuals involved in the illicit trade.

Tompolo appealed for the support of Nigerians and government security agencies in backing President Bola Tinubu’s drive to revitalize the economy by curbing oil theft.

Warning of dire economic consequences if oil theft sponsors are not stopped, Tompolo also called on the NBA to assist in providing legal representation for apprehended suspects, stressing the importance of collective action in addressing the issue.

“What we want is for you to support the President of this country and Tantita Security services because while doing this work, we are stepping on a lot of toes who are the big boys over there in Lagos and Abuja. Most times, you see that Tantita Security now have confrontations with the Nigerian Navy and all that.

Read Also: 2mbpd crude production target achievable – Tompolo assures

“Every well-meaning Nigerian knows the function of the Nigerian Navy and Tantita now, but nobody wants to come out to say the truth. If we happen to arrest anybody now, we would have to get a lawyer from Abuja, Lagos or Ibadan to do the case very well.

“Now that you are here, NNPC GMD said production has increased to 1.8mbpd. Some few days back, our people intercepted a vessel in Port Harcourt, where the Nigerian Navy was shooting at Tantita Security, with Police, DSS and Civil Defense.

“We want to implore and beg, that you must play in this present situation because if we are not careful in this country, maybe we will not have money to do any reasonable thing.

“All of us here know that Nigeria is facing hardship. A bag of rice is over N100,000. We are going to do our part locally. But you are there at the top. If we arrest today, lawyers would stand on the other side and this side.

“But once we do reasonable arrest, what I want to appeal is that you need to help us. If somebody is coming to load a vessel of 500 metric tonnes, in this community, nobody has that. The person would have to come from either Lagos or neighbouring countries or Abuja. The man here would be a water boy for the people at the head. That is the one we would arrest. So, we have stepped on a lot of toes.

“As I am here, I cannot travel anywhere because of the key people fighting this battle. If I want to travel to Abuja to visit the President or to visit you, I have to go with security men. Some security personnel are not happy with Tompolo and they are now even working with people that are top players of oil theft,” Tompolo stated.

In his speech, the NBA president stressed the need for all Nigerians to work towards the betterment of the Nigerian economy, calling on legal practitioners in the area, to see how they can work in this regard.

“As Nigerians, our fates are tied together. We have a common interest in seeing that the Nigerian economy works, a common interest in seeing that the commonwealth of Nigeria is protected for the well-being of every person and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the economic loss we suffer as a result of oil theft, is combatted.

“We also call on our colleagues in this community and, indeed, other communities to join hands with the NBA to see in what way, we can contribute in this regard, in getting a better Nigeria”.

He said that the NBA at their recent National Executive Council meeting, took interest in the issue of oil theft because of its negative impact on Nigeria’s economy, the government’s inability to deliver the dividends of democracy, its impact on foreign reserves and Nigeria’s ability to meet its minimum Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota.

“We know that Gbaramatu Kingdom plays host to a company called Tantita Security Services which has been working with the NNPCL and the Office of the National Security Adviser and has done a lot of good work on the issue of pipeline protection and oil theft. We thought that it would be a good place for us to come first to get first-hand knowledge of how this battle has been fought, the challenges approached, and how the fight has helped improve the Nigerian economic standing,” Osigwe stated.

Sharing the hopes of Nigeria hitting two million barrels per day oil production by December, he added: “Our understanding of the economy is that, if the country earns more from oil which we produce, we would be able to borrow less and the government will be able to do some of the developmental activities and put infrastructures in place as expected”.

Earlier while receiving the team at his palace, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Majesty, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, described the government’s presence in the oil-bearing communities as “far” from them, despite being host to Nigeria’s major source of revenue.

“I want to let you know that the presence of government is even far from us. All these you are seeing are from the efforts of our elites. So, we are also calling on the government, we produce the oil, and from our territory, we feed the coffers of this country. So they should draw closer to us, do the needful for us to also reciprocate.”

Speaking on the safety of the creeks, he said: “We are working for the peace of Niger Delta, extending hands of fellowship to other kingdoms. Ijaw people stand for truth. We are a peaceful people. We need people like this to come to see for yourselves, this is Gbaramatu. Before now, people were making all sorts of allegations against Gbaramatu Kingdom, but now you are here.

The monarch appealed for the establishment of a magistrate court in the area, just as he advised: “As the chairman ( referring to the NBA president) here, I want to extend this to you, before concluding your judgments, par adventure, a land case, you should come to see for yourself before the final judgment.

Niger Delta leader and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Tantita Security Services Limited, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, has backed the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited’s target of 2m barrels per day of crude oil target by the end of 2024.

It would be recalled that the NNPCL recently announced that Nigeria’s crude oil production hit a recent high of 1.8mbpd in October (rising from 1.2mbpd at the start of 2024), promising to hit 2mbpd by the end of 2024.

Reacting to the lofty goal by NNPCL yesterday, Ekpemupolo, whose TSSL is playing a key role in the oil and gas sector resurgence through pipeline and oil installations security, said the directive was one that it is determined to achieve.

Speaking through Media and Public Communication consultant, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo said: “This milestone, as you know, was achieved in collaboration with NNPCL, security forces and of course, Tantita, which has been at the forefront of oil pipelines protection in the Niger Delta.

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“We are determined to take it to 2mbpd before the year runs out as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“All the needed machinery has been put in place to ensure that the target is achieved. No effort will be spared to ensure that the economy of Nigeria is galvanised.”

“This will lead to a boost in the government’s revenue, thereby making more funds available for the President and his team to run the country effectively. I am assuring you that we are not going to rest on our oars until the target is achieved and even exceeded.”

“New technologies were being deployed to monitor the facilities to ensure that there won’t be any disruption and that the theft of Nigeria’s commonwealth is halted.”

“So the 1.8mbpd that it has got to, certainly by the end of the year, by God’s grace, we will work to get it to 2mbpd and even exceed. We are working towards that.”