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I’ll do everything to ensure oil production increases – Tompolo
Dr Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo has pledged to do everything possible to ensure that the daily crude oil production output continued to be on the increase and boost the nation’s revenue.
Tompolo, who is also a High Chief in Ijaw land, made the promise on Saturday evening in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
He spoke shortly after receiving an “Internal Security Meritorious Award” conferred on him by the National body of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Addressing newsmen, Tompolo acknowledged the pivotal role of the media in promoting peace and stabilising democracy in the country.
“The only place I have to call my country is Nigeria, so I will do everything within my powers, to see that crude oil production increases.
“The critical role of the media in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Nothing reasonable can be achieved without the media, so, I want to appeal that they should be appreciated,” Tompolo said.
The Tide source recalls that Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. (TSSNL), a private pipeline surveillance security outfit was engaged by the Federal Government to curtail crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
NAN recalls that between January and February 2024,’the private security outfit in conjunction with Federal Government security agencies, impounded MT Kali and MT Harbor Spirit vessels while illegally siphoning crude oil in Bayelsa.
Consequently, two Federal High Courts sitting in Abuja, recently ordered the forfeiture of the heavy Ocean-going liner to the Federal Government.
The courts also ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), to sell the stolen crude oil contained in the vessels.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the President of the NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo lauded Tompolo’s contributions to internal security, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
He noted that the awardee had substantially helped the country to address the issue of crude oil theft which according to him, had overtime, occupied the national life of Nigerians.
Isiguzo said the issues of insecurity and economic sabotage in the country had been worrisome and of a major concern to Nigerians.
“But today, somebody has risen to the occasion and gathered an array of young men who have taken it upon themselves to help this country to continue to survive as a peaceful and united nation.
“By his commitment, dedication and diligence, Nigeria as a country has to a very large extent, reduced activities of men of the underworld consistently engaged in pilfering and taking our common patrimony for their selfish gains.
“We decided that we must accord the necessary recognition to the man who carries the flag, and birthed this organisation.
“A man who has exceptionally distinguished himself, and has been celebrated by Nigerians across all works of life.
“A general in his own right, who has distinguished himself, ensured and maintained an appreciable level of internal security.
‘We have come to Oporoza to confer on him, the Internal Security Meritorious Award of the NUJ,” he said.
Isiguzo, flanked by the National Secretary of the NUJ, Mr Shuaibu Leman and others said that the media remained the oxygen of democratic governance, noting that “if it collapsed, Nigeria will collapse”.
He said the issue of insecurity was a collective responsibility of Nigerians and not the government alone, urging all hands to be on deck to address the problems.
“In your neighborhood, if you provide intelligence information to security operatives and agencies to help achieve peace and tranquillity, you have made your contribution to solving the insecurity challenges.
“When there is peace in all parts of the country, it will give birth to development and take our country away from being a third world to second or perhaps first world country,” Isiguzo noted.
The Tide source reports that Tompolo also received an award from the Delta Online Publishers Forum.
Highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of awards, parade by the TSSNL personnel and traditional dance by the Ijaw people.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.