•••Says Urhobo nation will not be used, silenced, or misled for selfish interest, you did not speak for Urhobo nation
By Matthias Ogbagah
UGHELLI – IRKED by the reckless outburst of the President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) worldwide, Chief Ese Gam, the concerned Urhobo Zeal from pipeline-bearing communities slammed Chief Ese Gam, describing his press release as unguided, misleading, and a betrayal of development in the state and the country at large.
While passing a unanimous vote of confidence on Tantita Security Services and its management, in a press release signed by Chief Godwin Okporoko, Cassidy Eni Christian, Power Enerho, Princewill Ruona Ujeyah, Comr. Austin Omokpe, Pst. Austin Ejenavi, Comdr. Lucky Ofomukoro, Etarighobe Thompson, Mr. Panama Victor, Comr. Augustine Erigbare and Gen. Felix Esquire, the concerned pipeline communities condemned the publication chief Ese Game and his cohorts, noting that the publication is not only misleading and divisive but a calculative attempts to cause choa, ethnic crisis in peace loving Niger Delta region.
The Oil and Gas Pipeline host communities of the Urhobo nation vowed that the Urhobo nation will not be used, silenced, or misled for selfish interest, saying that Chief Ese Gam did not speak for the Urhobo nation.
“We, the hardworking Urhobos of Urhobo land, say this emphatically:
We are not pawns. We are not tools for selfish individuals seeking contracts or attention. We are the true custodians of our future.
“All pipeline host communities in Urhobo land vehemently reject the publication signed by Chief Ese Gam and his co-travelers. Your press release was a betrayal of the development we have fought for and a shameful attempt to discredit a structure that is working.
“You do not speak for us. You speak only for yourself and your ambitions. Your claims are hollow, divisive, and rejected in full.
“While some speak from air-conditioned offices and cozy hotels, we are in the trenches, in the creeks, on the frontlines ensuring oil flows and Nigeria survives. We know firsthand what Tantita has done. And we will not allow anyone to misrepresent our story.
The press release read in part:
“We, concerned Urhobo Zeal contracted under the Tantita Security Surveillance Structure, are compelled to respond with deep disappointment to the misguided, selfish and utterly misleading press statement recently issued by Chief Ese Gam, the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (Worldwide) and Co, calling for the removal of Tantita Security Services from Urhobo land.
“We state without ambiguity. That publication does not represent the collective voice, interest, or lived reality of Urhobo pipeline host communities.
“Rather, it is an embarrassing display of elitist detachment, personal agenda, and a gross misrepresentation of the truth. It is both irresponsible and disheartening and we rise today to set the record straight”.
According to the press release, Tantita is more than a company; it symbolizes transformation.
“Tantita Security Services is not just a company. It is a lifeline for peace, a pillar of security, and a catalyst for national economic recovery.
Since its inception, Tantita has reduced oil theft to the barest minimum, restored sanity to the creeks and pipeline routes, created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, boosted national oil production, thereby increasing Nigeria’s GDP.
“These are not assumptions or praises born of sentiment. They are facts on the ground, visible, measurable, and life-changing.
“Many Urhobo sons and daughters have been empowered through Tantita, not only with employment but with restored dignity and purpose”.
The press release in detail:
PRESS RELEASE
RE: MISGUIDED REJECTION OF TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES BY THE URHOBO PROGRESS UNION (UP)— OUR RESPONSE IN DEFENSE OF TRUTH, DEVELOPMENT AND COLLECTIVE INTEREST
We, the Concerned Urhobo Zeal from pipeline-bearing communities contracted under the Tantita Security Surveillance Structure, are compelled to respond with deep disappointment to the misguided, selfish and utterly misleading press statement recently issued by Chief Ese Gam, the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (Worldwide) and Co, calling for the removal of Tantita Security Services from Urhobo land.
We state without ambiguity. That publication does not represent the collective voice, interest, or lived reality of Urhobo pipeline host communities.
Rather, it is an embarrassing display of elitist detachment, personal agenda, and a gross misrepresentation of the truth. It is both irresponsible and disheartening and we rise today to set the record straight.
TANTITA IS BEYOND A COMPANY — IT IS A SYMBOL OF TRANSFORMATION
Tantita Security Services is not just a company. It is a lifeline for peace, a pillar of security, and a catalyst for national economic recovery. Since its inception, Tantita has:
Reduced oil theft to the barest minimum, Restored sanity to the creeks and pipeline routes,
Created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, boosted national oil production, thereby increasing Nigeria’s GDP.
These are not assumptions or praises born of sentiment. They are facts on the ground, visible, measurable, and life-changing.
Many Urhobo sons and daughters have been empowered through Tantita, not only with employment but with restored dignity and purpose.
FROM THE PALACES TO THE STREETS — TANTITA’S IMPACT IS UNDENIABLE
Tantita’s presence is felt from the palaces of our traditional rulers to the smallest hamlets in our oil-producing communities. They have built roads, constructed police outposts, helped rehabilitate infrastructure, supported local contractors, and uplifted the vulnerable.
To dismiss such a positive legacy as a “profit-driven mission” is not only intellectually dishonest, it is offensive. It shows a shocking disregard for the sacrifices being made by field workers risking their lives daily to safeguard critical national assets.
ON THE PIA AND THE DANGEROUS POLITICS OF EXCLUSION
We acknowledge the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and its intent to empower host communities. However, let it be clear:
The PIA does not promote ethnic monopoly or exclusion. It champions competence, efficiency, and partnership.
Tantita is not an outsider, it is a tested and trusted partner, operating within the legal framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No law forbids national contractors from operating across ethnic lines, especially when delivering results.
To use the PIA as a political weapon to foster division is to twist the law into a tool of sabotage.
URHOBO NATION WILL NOT BE USED, SILENCED, OR MISLED
We, the hardworking Urhobos of Urhobo land, say this emphatically:
> We are not pawns. We are not tools for selfish individuals seeking contracts or attention. We are the true custodians of our future.
While some speak from air-conditioned offices and cozy hotels, we are in the trenches, in the creeks, on the frontlines ensuring oil flows and Nigeria survives. We know firsthand what Tantita has done. And we will not allow anyone to misrepresent our story.
CHIEF ESE GAM AND CO— YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR US
All pipeline host communities in Urhobo land vehemently reject the publication signed by Chief Ese Gam and his co-travelers. Your press release was a betrayal of the development we have fought for and a shameful attempt to discredit a structure that is working.
> You do not speak for us. You speak only for yourself and your ambitions. Your claims are hollow, divisive, and rejected in full.
WE PASS A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES
We, the undersigned Urhobos from the frontline, hereby pass a firm and unanimous vote of confidence on Tantita Security Services and its leadership.
We are grateful for the employment, security, infrastructure, and opportunity they have brought. We pray for greater wisdom and expansion in all their operations.
Signed,
Gen. Johnny Obas
Chief Godwin Okporoko
Cassidy Eni Christian
Power Enerho
Princewill Ruona Ujeyah
Comr. Austin Omokpe
Pst. Austin Ejenavi
Comr. Lucky Ofomukoro
ETARIGHOBE Thompson
Mr Panama Victor
Comr. Augustine Erigbare
Gen. Felix Esquire
Cc:
The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU)
Tantita Security Services
NNPC Limited
Ministry of Petroleum Resources
Delta State Traditional Rulers Council
Office of the National Security Adviser
All relevant stakeholders and civil society partners.
