The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has won the 2023 Sun Newspaper (Courage in Leadership) Award.

The Sun Newspaper Limited said that the Tantita Chairman won the award because of his effective execution of the oil pipeline contract awarded to his company by the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.

The organizers of the 21st edition of the Sun Awards which held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday night said that Tompolo has shown demonstrable commitment in the fight against the theft of the nation’s crude oil resources.

In a short video released at the venue, the company said that since the contract was awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited, the company has put up a sterling performance recording major breakthroughs in the fight against oil theft.

The Sun said that Tantita has not only shown dedication in fighting the "virulent cabal" stealing the nation’s oil resources but has also ensured increased daily crude oil production in the country.

Tompolo was among thirty-four Nigerians who received various awards on the night.

These are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (Man of the Year). Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State are Governors of the Year. Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Awa Kalu, and Rev. Uma Ukpai received Lifetime Achievement Award). Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri (Most Impactful Royal Father), Mr. Robert Azibaola, Founder, Zeetin Engineering Limited; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); and others.

The Tantita Chairman, who was represented at the event by his Media Aide, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, thanked the Sun Newspaper for recognizing the sustained efforts of TSSL in protecting the nation’s pipelines and intensifying the fight against the theft of the nation’s crude oil resources.

He said that the award will further encourage him to put more efforts in the ongoing effective collaboration with the Armed Forces and security agencies to protect the nation’s pipelines and prevent its crude oil resources from being stolen by a cabal of unpatriotic Nigerians and their foreign allies.

He said: “Tantita is not the only one involved in the prosecution of the campaign against the mindless theft of the nation’s resources, the firm is carrying out the job in collaboration with the Nigerian military.

“I must say that the Nigerian military is doing its best and there has been effective synergy between the military and Tantita, the civil Defence and other security agencies. This productive synergy would continue in the interest of our country.

“We discovered a lot of points where illegal oil bunkering activities were taking place. We arrested several vessels and in this year alone we have arrested three vessels involved in the criminal theft of the oil resources in this country. I can assure you that High Chief Timpolo will build on this achievements and ensure noticeable improvement in daily oil production for Nigerians and Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Sun Newspaper Publishing Limited, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, said that the 34 awardees made serious silent contributions to national development in their respective areas in spite of the challenges of the year.

He described the awardees as a people who demonstrated uncommon capacity to confront the odds to succeed in their respective areas.

“We are here to honour 34 great Nigerians whose works and achievements in 2023 stood out. The awardees are a blend of unassuming young Nigerians, some whom may not have been heard of but who are silently making waves in their various endeavours, and also established citizens who have been steadfast, dogged and consistent in their efforts at contributing to national development.

“The year 2023, for Nigeria as a nation and Nigerians as a people, was remarkable and challenging. It was a year of politics and elections. It was a year when Nigerians went to the polls to choose their leaders. It was a year when Nigerians tested their God-given ability to decide their fate and fully realised that they have the inherent power to make things happen the way they would want, for the good of the nation and the people.

“It was a year when political power changed hands, from a President, who had completed two terms of eight years in office, to a new president. It was a year when petroleum subsidy was finally removed. It was a year when the exchange rate crossed the threshold of N1, 000 to one dollar. It was a year when the country grappled with insecurity and other sundry challenges. It was indeed a year to remember.

“In the midst of all these, there were Nigerians who withered the storm and stand tall today to be counted. They were resilient, determined, and courageous to confront obstacles and to succeed.

“They used their ingenuity very well and made astonishing successes in their various fields. They are a toast to resourcefulness.

“We are here to celebrate and honour them. We are here to tell a success story, to the effect that with the excellent use of our human and capital resources, something good will come out of Nigeria.”

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