Renowned Niger Delta leader turned security strategist, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has been widely praised following his N10 billion donation to the Delta State Security Trust Fund, a move described as a historic commitment to peace, development, and national stability.
The donation was made during the official launch of the Security Trust Fund, organized by Delta State Governor H.E Sheriff Oborevwori, positioning Tompolo as the Chief Launcher of the event. The contribution, one of the largest of its kind by an individual in recent memory, has been welcomed across the Niger Delta and beyond as a game-changing intervention in Nigeria’s security and economic architecture.
In a statement issued yesterday, High Chief Hon. Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich, Paramount Head of the Da lke Group of Houses and Communities, lauded Tompolo’s action as “a profound demonstration of lasting commitment to peace, security, and progress.”
“As colleagues who once shared in the Niger Delta struggle, we are proud of what Tompolo is doing,” Jackrich said. “True leadership is measured by deeds that secure people, empower communities, and strengthen national stability.”
Delta State remains at the heart of Nigeria’s oil production, with over 99.9 million barrels of crude oil and condensate produced between November 2023 and September 2024. Together with Bayelsa and Rivers, Delta contributes to about 85% of Nigeria’s petroleum output which is the the backbone of the national economy.
“When insecurity chokes production, the whole economy suffers,” Jackrich noted. “But when stability is restored, oil flows, jobs return, and investor confidence rises.”
The positive effects of Tompolo’s involvement are already evident. Through Tantita Security Services Ltd, a private security firm under his leadership, Nigeria’s oil production has rebounded from a low of 650,000 barrels per day to over 1.8 million barrels, with a current daily average of 1.71 million barrels as of mid-2025.
What distinguishes Tompolo’s approach, according to Jackrich, is its inclusive, community-driven framework unlike other vendors, Tantita engages with a broad coalition of ethnic groups — including the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, and Isoko — ensuring representation and grassroots participation in security operations.
This participatory model, Jackrich said, has “helped heal divisions, improve efficiency, and foster unity in once-fragmented communities.”
Tompolo’s contributions are not limited to surveillance and pipeline protection. Tantita has implemented a range of community development projects focused on infrastructure, education, and empowerment:
“Ugborikoko Divisional Police Station: Fully constructed and equipped with modern facilities, vehicles, and renewable power systems to enhance law enforcement capacity. Warri Correctional Facility: Built an 8-classroom block for inmate education and reintegration.
“Delta State College of Nursing Sciences: Donated 98 solar panels, 40 computers, a 45 KVA inverter, and a 29-seater bus.
“Sustainable Rice Farming: Launched large-scale initiatives in Delta and Bayelsa in collaboration with development partners, creating alternatives to oil bunkering.
Student Empowerment: Awarded N10 million in grants to top-performing students at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE).
“These projects reflect Tompolo’s belief that peace is not just the absence of violence, but the presence of opportunity, dignity, and hope,” said Jackrich.
Jackrich also praised the recent Stakeholders Appreciation Lunch in Port Harcourt, themed “Stronger Together: Building Community-Sustaining Partnerships”, which was organized by Maton Engineering and Tantita Security Services.
He also commended Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, Chairman of Maton Engineering, and High Chief Keston Pondi, MD of Tantita, for their inclusive leadership style and commitment to youth empowerment and regional development.
“Through their hands-on engagement, they’ve weakened criminality and built trust across communities,” Jackrich said. “This is a model for others to follow.”
Tompolo’s donation and sustained efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes peace, security, and sustainable economic growth. Jackrich called on other stakeholders to abandon “sharp practices” and instead adopt accountable, inclusive approaches to national security.
“This is not just a donation — it is a symbol of faith in the power of communities to build peace from within,” he said. “Every kobo invested in peace creates ripples of progress; every strengthened community becomes a fortress for national stability.”
Reflecting on his shared past with Tompolo in the Niger Delta struggle, Jackrich issued a clarion call to fellow regional leaders: “Tompolo has shown that true warriors do not just resist — they build. Let us rise above division and embrace collective synergy to develop the region. His legacy is one of nation-building, not just activism.”
