By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Press Corps has honoured the Governor Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago; Founder and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; and Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, for their contributions to national development.
The three Nigerians were honoured at the second Annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps at the National Assembly Library Auditorium in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bago received the “Legislative Legacy and Rural Development Icon Award”, Tompolo was presented with the “Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection”, while Nwawuba received the Icon of Legislative Research Award.
The lecture, themed, “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism,” was delivered by Nnadubem Moghalu, Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., who represented the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, presented the awards on behalf of the Press Corps.
While Nwawuba attended the ceremony in person, Bago was represented by the APC National Vice Chairman, North Central, Hon. Bawa Rijau.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the House Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, said the awards reflected the organisation’s commitment to celebrating individuals who have demonstrated excellence, courage, public service and dedication to national development.
Onadiran explained that the 2026 selection was deliberately extended beyond the National Assembly to recognise Nigerians whose work closely reflected the central concerns of the lecture.
“This year, the Corps decided to look beyond the chambers to honour three exceptional Nigerians whose actions and contributions embody the very essence of the theme of the lecture. They have, in different capacities, protected communities and strengthened federalism,” he said.
Onadiran said Tompolo’s recognition was based on his contribution to the protection of Nigeria’s critical national assets, particularly through Tantita Security Services’ activities in the Niger Delta and its efforts to combat oil theft and safeguard the country’s economic resources.
He said Bago was recognised for his background in the legislature and his commitment to rural development, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure and the expansion of economic opportunities for communities across Niger State.
The Press Corps chairman described Nwawuba as a deserving recipient of the legislative research award, citing his transition from the House of Representatives to his current position at the National Assembly Library Trust Fund.
He said Nwawuba had contributed to efforts to strengthen legislative research, documentation and institutional memory, which he described as essential to building a more effective and knowledge-driven legislature.
According to Onadiran, the annual lecture was established to provide a platform for discussing critical national issues while promoting stronger interaction among the legislature, media, civil society, security agencies and the wider public.
The event brought together lawmakers, senior government officials, security stakeholders, media executives, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to examine the proposed state police framework and its implications for national security, community policing and Nigeria’s federal structure.
Participants also commended the Press Corps for using the lecture and awards to spotlight Nigerians whose contributions support the protection of communities, national assets and democratic institutions.
