By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Press Corps (HoRPC) has honoured High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, with its 2026 Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection for his contributions to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical infrastructure and supporting national economic development. 
The award was presented to Tompolo’s representative, Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo, by the Chairman of the Press Corps, Comrade Gboyega Onadiran, in recognition of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited chairman’s leadership and efforts to protect the country’s strategic assets.
Onadiran said the award reflected the Press Corps’ appreciation of initiatives aimed at strengthening national security, protecting critical infrastructure and supporting economic development.
Tantita, owned by Tompolo, was engaged by the Federal Government to provide security for oil and gas pipelines and related facilities amid efforts to tackle crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.
Receiving the honour on Tompolo’s behalf, Hon. Ojogo thanked the Press Corps for recognising his principal’s contributions to national development, describing the award as significant and consistent with his longstanding commitment to national asset protection.
“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 emphasised that Tompolo’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s assets extended beyond oil and gas infrastructure to environmental preservation, which he described as a shared responsibility.
“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.
Ojogo maintained that the effort was driven not only by economic considerations but also by patriotism and a desire to promote peace, stability and development.
He said Tompolo’s involvement in safeguarding national resources demonstrated that stakeholders from the Niger Delta can contribute meaningfully to addressing Nigeria’s security and development challenges.
“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 persistent challenges in securing its oil and gas resources, adding that protecting critical infrastructure remained essential to economic progress and national stability.
Ojogo expressed confidence that Tompolo will continue to support efforts to protect national assets and advance the country’s socio-economic development.
He also prayed for divine guidance and greater capacity for Tompolo 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.
Ojogo thanked the Press Corps for the recognition and reaffirmed Tompolo’s commitment to making further contributions to 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.
The award highlights the importance of protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, which remains central to the country’s revenue generation, foreign exchange earnings and wider economic stability.
Crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism have historically undermined petroleum production and government revenue, making the security of critical energy infrastructure a major national concern.
