Niger Delta activist and leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has promised to do more in the fight against oil theft in the region and in the country.

Tompolo reinstated his commitment in the war against oil theft in the country when the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by its National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, paid him a visit in Oporoza community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, at the weekend.

Among NUJ members in the entourage include the National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman; the immediate-past Chairman of Delta State Council, Comr. Michael Ikeogwu; a Senior Journalist, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo; Chairman of Warri Correspondent Chapel, Mr. Okies Vicky-Okpomor; one of his predecessors and Vanguard's correspondent, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire; ThisDay newspaper Senior Correspondent, Mr. Sylvester Idowu; Mr. Gbenga Ahmed of Independent Television, Benin-city.

The NUJ National President Isiguzo, during the visit, disclosed that the NUJ is set to confer a National Merit Award on the Niger Delta activist and leader in its forthcoming national conference holding in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in February.

Isiguzo, while briefing Tompolo, said that in arriving at the decision, the NUJ profiled the activities of the former militia, especially his involvement in the restoration of a lasting peace and in the hitherto war-ravaged oil-rich region.

He said, "Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the NUJ has profiled your activities and we are impressed by your patriotic zeal to ensure that Nigeria works again by your pursuit of those pilfering the nation's oil wealth.

“The NUJ is glad to note that crude oil production is gradually on the rise and we can meet the OPEC quota with ease. With more revenue from additional crude oil production, we can have more money to run our money.”

"The NUJ also acknowledges the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta for which you have played pivotal roles. For these significant contributions you have made towards the nation's growth and development, the NUJ has decided to honour you with one of our prestigious awards.

"We are here to formally intimate you about the decision by the NUJ to accord you this well-deserved honour. To demonstrate the seriousness attached to this engagement, I have with me the National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman as well other leaders of the NUJ from the state council and Warri chapter of the association.

"We seize this opportunity to also formally invite you to the investiture and presentation of the award during our national conference in Abuja in February," Isiguzo added.

In his response, Tompolo said he was elated that a strategic stakeholder in the Nigerian project such as the NUJ has recognised and appreciated his contributions to national development as well as single him out for the award, just as he assured the association and Nigerians that the award would spur and trigger him to do more for the country.

Among those who joined Tompolo to receive the NUJ members include a former member of the Bayelsa State House Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei, and Tompolo's Media Adviser, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo.

#penglobalcommunity #Tompolo #Tantita #NUJ