MEND leader Tompolo donates desks worth millions of naira to Maritime Varsity

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The leader of the defunct Movement For The Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, and President/Chairman of Tompolo Foundation, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo on Friday donated 458 single- seater desks worth millions of Naira for students of the Nigeria Maritime University, (NMU) Okerenkoko in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Executive Secretary of Tompolo Foundation, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, who represented Chief Ekpemupolo, made the donation during the combined matriculation ceremony for the 2019/2020; 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.

It was learned Tompolo is a strategic partner of the NMU. Bebenimibo, while presenting the educational materials said he( Tompolo) is putting measures in place to enable the institution compete well with other world class universities.

“Tompolo’s Foundation is presenting 458 single desks(furnitures) worth millions of naira to the university,” he added. He thanked members and staff for cooperating with the management of the University.

While responding, the Vice Chancellor of the University (NMU), Prof. Emmanuel.M.Adigio commended High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo for the donation.

He said that he had great respect for Tompolo because of his desire to fulfil his dreams of educating his people.

According to Adigio, “He contributes to resolving all our challenges in the university. A lot of our chairs that we had, were brought in by him. Many of our chairs had gone. Within two weeks, he did it.”

The VC who maintained that Tompolo is currently putting up a structure which would soon be completed in the institution, added: “I want to thank him very much. We appreciate it. But just like Oliver Twist, we still ask for more.”

The Vice Chancellor who said the relevant government agencies had duly accredited all 13 programmes offered by the University, disclosed that pioneer graduates of the institution were currently in National Youth Service to their fatherland.

He urged the cadets to take their respective destinies in their hands, put their studies above anything else, remain undaunted and resilient in the face of challenges that may come in the course of their studies.

“They should be guided by the reality that the time spent in this first paramilitary university in the country is the springboard to greater life hereafter. On this note, let me congratulate our matriculating cadets. You are indeed our seed planted with the expectation to flourish.

“We have made great preparations to plant you. We have employed as our teachers, very capable scholars most of whom made first class and second class upper division in their first degree courses. A number of them already have advanced degrees. This is something we owe you.

“The government that founded the university considers you very important and has granted you this privilege. We pledge before you and before your wonderful parents that we will not fail to give you the best. Please don’t fail to touch the sky and beyond. It is my earnest desire that you all keep the sail steadily going throughout the university waterways,” he added.