LAGOS/Nigeria: Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, owned by High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has been awarded the Vanguard Crude Oil Infrastructure Security Award for 2023.
The prestigious event took place at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, drawing a notable assembly of celebrities, politicians, business moguls, and other dignitaries.
The Vanguard award ceremony is renowned for recognizing distinguished Nigerians who have excelled in their respective fields. The 2023 edition celebrated Tantita Security Services for its significant contributions to securing Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
In response to Nigeria’s struggles with pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have severely impacted oil and gas output, President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the Pipeline Security Contract to Tantita in 2022. This move came after the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reported massive losses of 42.248 million barrels ($2.772 billion) in 2019 and 53.056 million barrels ($2.21 billion) in 2020.
The contract has yielded impressive results. Nigeria’s average rig count, a key indicator of upstream sector activity, increased by 62 percent year-on-year, rising to 15 between June and October 2023, compared to 9 in the same period of 2022. This success has prompted President Bola Tinubu to renew Tantita’s contract, ensuring continued security operations in the oil-rich region.
Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media consultant to Tantita, accepted the award on behalf of the company, expressing that the recognition would inspire even greater achievements. “We are elated, and it’s a call to service. We are poised to do our best in sanitizing the crude oil industry,” Bebenimibo stated. “Our message has always been that illegal bunkerers and those involved in such activities should keep clear. They don’t have any place to hide, and Tantita will come after them to ensure our production peaks and generates more revenue for the country.”
Former President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, highlighted the importance of recognizing Tantita’s achievements.
“Every Niger Deltan is very proud of what Tantita is doing. Its role in the security industry has helped to secure Nigeria’s oil installations, proving to be a game changer acknowledged by the Federal Government and everyone.”
Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, also commended Tantita’s impact. “Tompolo’s organization has significantly increased oil production and Federal Government revenue by protecting the nation’s oil against theft. Anybody who brings value to our society is commendable. Executives from Shell and other companies appreciate his work, and production has notably increased as a result.”
In his welcome address, Vanguard Newspapers’ Editor, Eze Anaba, praised the awardees for their contributions that have advanced their fields and inspired those around them.
