Pipeline Surveillance Contract: An X-ray of Guardian Newspaper’s apology to Chief Tompolo
By GbaramatuVoice Editorial Board
The recent apology tendered by the Guardian Newspaper to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, over a libelous editorial comment by the newspaper on the N48 billion pipeline surveillance contract recently awarded Tompolo by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has again vindicated, and confirmed as true GbaramatuVoice’s long held position about the credibility of Tompolo.
Recall that the Guardian Newspapers Limited on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at page 12, in its editorial, among other things stated that “The award of a N48 billion-a-year contract to protect pipelines bearing petroleum products to a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a. Tompolo) may be convenient for the Federal Government but adds no value to the esteem of an administration that had promised not to reward criminality with medals.”
Going by the content of Guardian Newspaper’s apology which was in response to a letter by Chief Tompolo’s lawyer, Eric K. Omare, Esq. LL.M (Aberdeen, UK), it is now evident that the Guardian Newspaper just like the generality of right thinking Nigerians are now in agreement with GbaramatuVoice that High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (A.K.A. Tompolo) of Oporoza Town, Gbaramutu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, is not a criminal but a reputable community leader and holds one of the highest traditional titles in Ijaw nation known as the ‘Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation’ – and as Global Ambassador of the Ijaw people, displayed honesty, truthfulness and sincerity in all his dealings.
GbaramatuVoice is particularly happy that Guardian Newspaper admitted and recognized chief Tompolo as a leader of Niger Delta fighting for the control of the region’s resources and a reversal of the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
While the GbaramatuVoice thanks and appreciates the erudite Eric Omare, Chief Tompolo’s lawyer for his prompt and brilliant intervention, the Newspaper however, appreciates Guardian Newspaper’s humility in this regard.
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