Reps Press Corps Honours Tompolo for Protecting National Assets
The House of Representatives Press Corps (HoRPC) has honoured Government Ekemepulo, popularly known as Tompolo, with its 2026 Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection, in recognition of his contributions to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical national assets and advancing national security and economic development.
Presenting the award to Tompolo’s representative, Hon. Donald Ojogo, 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 aimed at strengthening national security, protecting critical infrastructure and supporting economic development.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, which is owned by Tompolo is engaged by the Federal Government to provide security for oil and gas pipelines and related facilities, as Nigeria continues efforts to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.
The protection of such infrastructure is considered vital to sustaining production, preserving public revenue and strengthening confidence in the country’s capacity to secure its strategic economic resources.
Receiving the award on Tompolo’s behalf, Ojogo commended the Press Corps for recognising his principal’s contributions to national development, describing the honour as significant and consistent with the work Tompolo had been undertaking in the areas of national asset protection and environmental preservation.
“This award is very dear to our leader, Tompolo. It is not coming to us as a surprise, particularly 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 explained that Tompolo’s commitment to protecting the nation’s assets extended beyond oil and gas infrastructure to include the environment, which he described as a valuable resource that must be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.
“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,” he said.
According to Ojogo, the commitment was not driven solely by the desire to promote economic growth but also by patriotism and the determination to contribute to peace, stability and development.
He said Tompolo’s involvement in national development also demonstrated that stakeholders from the Niger Delta could play constructive roles in addressing the challenges facing the country, particularly in the protection of economic resources and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
“ 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,” Ojogo said.
He noted that Nigeria had faced considerable challenges in protecting its oil and gas resources, adding that sustained efforts to secure the country’s critical infrastructure remained essential to economic progress and national stability.
Ojogo expressed optimism that Tompolo would continue to contribute to the protection of national assets and the advancement of the country’s socioeconomic development.
Tompolo was recognised for his leadership in protecting the country’s oil and gas infrastructure against vandalism, crude oil theft and other threats that have historically affected petroleum production, government revenue and the nation’s economic fortunes.
The award underscores the importance of securing Nigeria’s strategic assets, particularly oil and gas infrastructure, which remains central to the country’s revenue generation, foreign exchange earnings and overall economic stability.
He prayed for greater wisdom, tenacity and capacity for the Tantita chairman to sustain his contributions to Nigeria 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.
He thanked the Press Corps for the recognition and reaffirmed Tompolo’s commitment to doing more for the country.
“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,” Ojogo added.
Tompolo was recognised for his leadership in protecting the country’s oil and gas infrastructure against vandalism, crude oil theft and other threats that have historically affected petroleum production, government revenue and the nation’s economic fortunes.
The award underscores the importance of securing Nigeria’s strategic assets, particularly oil and gas infrastructure, which remains central to the country’s revenue generation, foreign exchange earnings and overall economic stability.
