By Francis Sadhere, Warri

Leaders from the Niger Delta region on Tuesday described Ex-Niger Delta warlord, High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (alias Tompolo) as a hero of the Niger Delta region.

The leaders who spoke in Warri during the occasion of the 3rd anniversary ceremony of Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper,  said Tompolo has contributed immensely to the development of the Niger Delta region.

The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who chaired the occasion, said Tompolo remains one of the selfless Niger Delta leaders who has continued to improve the lives of Niger Delta youths through education.

Uduaghan who was represented by Professor Patrick Muoboghare, wondered why Tompolo’s name was not among those to be given award by the Gbaramatu Voice newspaper.

“Tompolo is the hero of Niger Delta region. He has done so much for the region yet we have refused to honor him for all he has done for the region.

“Tompolo is one of the Niger Delta leaders who has impacted the lives of his people in a very positive way. Everything he talks about is Niger Delta. He does not care about what is happening outside,” Uduaghan said.

On his part, Professor Tosan Harriman, a lecturer at the Bayero University, described Tompolo as a man of the people who has been called all sorts of names even by the people he is fighting for.

“Tompolo is a true Niger Delta son who has done so much for his people. We all know that he has personally trained a lot of Niger Delta youths in the universities.

“He spent so much money to sandfill the area where we now have the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko. But the Federal Government today is hunting him for building that university.

“Tompolo is in hiding today because of the good things he has done for his people. We all know that today, national security interest supersedes the rule of law. The man felt that he cannot get justice in our country courts today,” Prof Harriman said.

Prof. Harriman who also called on the Niger Delta people to stand and support Tompolo in this critical time until he is finally vindicated from all charges, noted that it was high time the region began to value their heroes.

Former chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC) Chief Wellington Okrika, who also spoke at the occasion described Tompolo as one of the greatest men in Niger State.

Chief Okrika said Tompolo used all his life to fight for the people of the Niger Delta region even when so many people were against him, adding that the region should be proud of their son irrespective of what others are saying about him.

Earlier, publisher of the Gbaramatu Voice newspaper, Mr Jacob Abai said Gbaramatu Voice newspaper in spite of its efforts in advocacy for the betterment of the region, has not been able to end pollution in the region.

Those who received awards include: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Others were: Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pa Edwin Clark, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Chief Wellington Okrika Pastor Ebiyeomi David, etc.