The representative of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, cutting the tape to commission the Press Centre on Friday
By Samuel Ogude
If there is any day one would forget in the history of the advancement of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Nigeria nay Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, not certainly the day the centre which was built and furnished by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited at No 3 Eburu Street, Off Ebor Road, Okumagba Layout, Warri, in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, was commissioned.
The much expected day- Friday, 27th June 2025 for the commissioning of the edifice which many of those who rented the air with different speeches described as the first in the history of NUJ in Nigeria if not West Africa, has come and gone but the memories linger on. It was a speech making day event not necessarily because the invitees liked to make speeches but the occasion demanded them as, if not for time frame, everybody would have been given the microphone to say something about the project.
Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom HRM Monday Obukohwo Whiskey Udurhe I, flanked by his Chiefs during his address on Friday
One could see joy written on the faces of everybody: the invitees and the hosts. All the speeches made including that of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who was ably represented by Executive Director, Project, DESOPADEC, Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo who was ably represented by the Executive Director -Operations and Technical, Captain (Dr) Warredi Enisuoh, the National President of NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, the two Royal Fathers of the day: Orosuen of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, HRM, Dr. Ogheneochuko Morris Eyekpemi Egbobonyen, and his counterpart, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Monday Obukohwo Whiskey Udurhe I, Chairman of Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Okies Okpomor, to mention but almost all, were the same with distinctive differences. They all expressed gratitude to God Almighty that Warri NUJ is privileged to have got this edifice just as they thanked Tantita for a good done in this regard. They did not fail to appreciate Asiwaju Shola Adebayo, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo and others for their support which paved way for the success of the edifice.
Group photograph of members of NUJ Warri Correspondents’ chapel
“I want to congratulate NUJ Chapter of Warri for the rare privilege of having a good structure like this as their office which National President and His Royal Majesty have acclaimed to be very rare feat. I am sure, there is no other chapter within the country that is privileged to have this type of structure…. And l must also thank immensely Tantita organization especially the Chairman, High Chief Ekpemupolo Government and also Managing Director, Engineer, Kestin Pondi and of course, Executive Director Technical for considering and also bringing to bear the fruit, this construction to be commissioned today” ,said Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State Governor. Governor Oborevwori let the world know that, it is not only there is a smooth relationship between the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state especially, the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel and the Delta State government but he is satisfied with the symbolism and partnership.
High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo was overwhelmed with joy. In his speech, he let the world know that, it was an act of necessity for his organization (Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited) to have partnered with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, that, it is because of the importance of Journalists in information dissemination. According to him, the good image of Tantita has been laundered across the globe courtesy of the NUJ.
His words:” When we got the contract to protect the pipelines of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we felt, protecting the pipelines was not enough and l am speaking the mind of my Executive, we felt the need for socio-ecomic project… Two things were key to that particular project: how do we tell our story? How do we get the message across to the society? This is where NUJ came in”.
High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo who said, the edifice is furnished with 20KVA Generator to supply power for the journalists, solar inverter which would serve the centre 24/7 with internet services, promised to look at the request of NUJ of having Journalists’ Village somewhere in Effurun. His words: The Chairman, we have also listened to your request, we are happy that you think we are capable. We have listened to your request to build barrack- village. But the way you described it shows like a barrack… We will not fail you and not fail ourselves..”. The National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya’s joy knows no bound because it is under his administration that the project which started under the watch of predecessor, Chris Isiguzo is completed. He expressed confidence that the project would be used judiciously by members to promote unity and oneness of the Union in particular and the nation at large.
The two Royal Fathers, the Orosuen of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, HRM Ogheneochuko Morris Eyekpemi Egbobonyen and Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom HRM Monday Obukohwo Whiskey Udurhe I added their voices. To the Orosuen of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, for the project to have been sited in his kingdom, it is a thing of joy and so, such project should be protected jealously.
His words:” This is a wonderful project and it is a project we will cherish for a very long time. For this project to be in our kingdom today, we are going to do everything necessary to protect this project here.” The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom HRM Monday Obukohwo Whiskey let the world know that the seed of the chapel he planted along with others namely: Elder Emmanuel Ogoigbe and National leader, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo many years ago, has borne fruits. He charged younger journalists to be focused, resilient as they would achieve success in life.
His words:” I want to advise younger journalists- colleagues- the greatest problem we have in life is to think you are nobody. Do not have self-defeat. With resilient, self-commitment, you can take yourself to any level in the media. Thirty years in the media, l am branching out to traditional institution, I have nothing to regret,. so you can also be where I am, just remain focused…” The Chairman, NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe did not fail to join others to thank the various stakeholders who made the edifice possible.
The Chairman of NUJ, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Okies Okpomor was and is much more happy. One could see the joy on his face as he delivered his welcome address. He did not stand on the existing protocol because he started the protocol. After he has appreciated all that are instrumental to the inception and completion of the edifice namely: Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, the MD, High Chief Kestin Pondi, Comrade Eddy Ogude, the Orosuen of Okere Urhobo Kingdom and his counterpart, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, Comrade Edeki Igafe, the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, among others, over the project, he climaxed his speech with the request of the establishment of Journalists’ Village in Effurun, Delta State.
His words:” We(journalists) have certain constraints, one of them is accommodation for media practitioners in Delta State particularly, Warri. We have agreed to establish Journalists’ Village which will be made up of 50 duplexes and bungalows with Police’ post, market, Nursery and Primary School…in Aziza Area,. we have got the location already. We solicit all-, every stake holders: State Governor, Tantita, NDDC,.Members of House of Representatives, and other stake holders…”.
The commissioning of this Press Centre was the climax of activities that were lined up to mark 2025 Press Week of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel which started with sensitization on the topic: “Say No to Crisis in Warri” and free medical tests by Lily Hospital and treatment for members and others in the host community of NUJ. The Press Week would ever be remembered, apart from its chosen theme:” Fight Against Oil theft: The impact of Private Security and Role of the Media, it featured awards.
Among the awardees are corporate organizations namely: Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Lily Hospitals Limited, and individuals: High Chief Kestin Pondi, Hon. Chief Thomas Ireyitomi, Prince Olusoji Olatunji, HRM Monday Obukohwo Whiskey(PhD), Peter Dunia Alias Peter Black, ACP Aliyu Shaba, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku among others. The ceremony climaxed with members hitting the floor of the building with dance as old school and modern music held sway in the air when the tape has been cut by Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who was represented by Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu amidst cheers
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