The Nigeria Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has expressed its gratitude to the foremost Niger Delta leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, with a presentation of an art portrait and an award plaque, over his laudable contributions to the establishment, growth and development of the maritime institute.

The NMU gave the commendation when a delegation from the maritime institute, as led by Ebike Iseru, a lecturer from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, paid a commendation visit to the High Chief, who was represented by his media aide, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, in Warri, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Other members of the delegation are: Engr. Tamaragaibi Elijah (Mechanical Engineering Dept.), Dr. (Mrs.) Jennifer Ebogbo (Entrepreneurship), Mr. Ejor Ebullient (Works & Services Dept.), Orumgbe Chuks (Mechanical Engineering Dept.), Etuwa Efe (Procurement Unit), Engr. Godstime Ayetan (Mechanical Engineering Dept.), Eromhonsele Joshua (Senior Auditor, Internal Audit Dept.), Carter David (Bursary Dept.), Ogoba Wilson (Health), Mr. Emmanuel Toruosei (Transport Dept.), Dr. Arisabor Lucky (Meteorology & Climate Change Dept.).

The members of the delegation, who were entertained by Dr. Clarkson Agagha, in their commendation speech, described the Chairman of TSSNL as its "biggest benefactor" who has taken it upon himself to render unparalleled assistance as well as embarked on numerous intervention projects for the advancement of the NMU and staff alike.

"You are our single biggest benefactor and we shall continue to hold you in high esteem," said the team lead, Iseru. “Your foresight and futuristic thoughts are the birth pangs that brought our dear university into life in the first instance.”

Iseru then went down memory lane and recalled how Tompolo invested in his diving institute, Mieka Dive, which he later gave up for the kick-off of the Maritime varsity, and against all odds endured persecutions from his foes who attempted to discredit the institution, adding further that contrary to earlier speculation of insecurity, the NMU since its kick-off has not recorded any incident of kidnapping or criminal activities.

"It is on record that you offered the Mieka Dive facility, including a fully functional Olympic sized pool, to the Nigerian government for only a fraction of its cost just for the desire to ensure the smooth take-off of the first ever and only federal university in an Ijaw riverine community. Posterity will remember you kindly for your altruistic action.

"When your detractors, in a fit of conspiratorial gang up, vowed to erase your good deeds from our collective memories, their first point of attack was the only federal university that you were instrumental in attracting to a riverine Ijaw community. They did everything possible – legal, political and otherwise, to bring you down but the God who sees the hearts of men protected you from their evil snares. Like with the Biblical Job, the enemies didn’t only want to harm you physically but they also went after everything that they perceived had ties with you. The Nigeria Maritime University, along with others of your interested ventures became victims of their vindictiveness.

"They sneered derisively at the Ijaw nation, saying: 'How many parents will allow their children to go to such a place?', referring to the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, where this premier maritime institution is sited. But thanks to you, today we are witnessing the smooth operation of academic and other activities in the university. Almost six years after its take-off, no single incidence of kidnapping or any other crime has been recorded anywhere even remotely close to any of the campuses of the university. You have provided a safe place for us to live, work and learn. We say thank you GOC!" he revealed.

The delegation also praised praised Tompolo for looking out for the welfare of staff and boosting their morales in times of challenges through his personal undertaking of viable projects in the NMU, and for his contributions to the oil sector through its security outfit that has curbed oil theft.

"There is no doubt that you are the single most impactful benefactor of our dear university. You have deployed your personal resources to execute projects for us at critical junctures in the life of our university. In the uncertainty that pervaded during the relocation of some faculties from Kurutie to Okerenkoko, you stepped in strongly to boost morale and put some certainty into the process.

"You have donated furniture worth millions of naira to the university for the benefit of staff and students on both campuses. You have numerously intervened in the provision of medical stationeries for the benefit of the university community. You are presently handling the renovation and retrofitting of the university pavilion. It is doubtful if any single individual has ever had such huge impact on the life of any institution anywhere in Nigeria. High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, you have brought so much good to our university. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Iseru added.

Speaking further, they appealed to the Niger Delta leader to continue to use his influence to build on his legacies and to attract more development to the NMU and Gbaramatu Kingdom at large especially as challenges which they said include offices that "are grossly inadequate, accommodation is near nonexistent, transport and other living costs are going off the roof" as well as other challenges that are "having their effects on the economic activities around the communities" still abound. 

In his response, Dr. Bebenimibo, on behalf of Tompolo, thanked the delegation for recognising the efforts of the foremost leader and for deeming it fit to express their gratitude by honouring him with a portrait and plaque, while assuring them that the Niger Delta leader, who received the divine call, will not let down his oars to see to the continuous development and growth of the NMU.

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