Tantita Coordinators, Urhobo Ethnic Nationality Disowns Olorogun Ese Gam Owe 

Tantita Coordinators, Urhobo Ethnic Nationality Disowns Olorogun Ese Gam Owe

By Our Correspondent

Coordinators of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) from the Urhobo ethnic nationality have disowned a recent advertorial published in Vanguard Newspaper, credited to one Olorogun Ese Gam Owe, Esq., who purportedly claimed to be the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide.

In a firm and detailed rebuttal released yesterday , the Tantita Coordinators described the publication as “fabricated,” “self-serving,” and “a gross misrepresentation of Urhobo values and interests.”

Speaking on behalf of the Urhobo ethnic nationality, Chief Ukpebitere Kenneth, who doubles as the Chairman of all Presidents-General (PGs) of Urhobo and Isoko, led the signatories in condemning the advertorial. He described Olorogun Ese Gam Owe’s statement as a divisive ploy aimed at pitching the Urhobo people against other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta, a region where cooperation and unity are vital to development and peace.

“Hobbies have always been major stakeholders in the Niger Delta and in Project Nigeria. Our contributions to nation-building through the UPU are anchored on the ideals of love, unity, and mutual respect — not division and ethnic bigotry,” Chief Ukpebitere said.

The rebuttal pointed out that the publication in question misrepresented both the name and the operations of Tantita, revealing multiple factual, grammatical, and constitutional inaccuracies.

Highlights of the Statement:

Misuse of UPU Name and Constitution:
The authors of the rebuttal questioned the legality of the so-called “General Assembly Conference” cited by Olorogun Ese Gam Owe, asserting that no such organ exists within the UPU Constitution. The only recognized forum is the Annual Urhobo National Congress, as per Article 5(a) of the UPU Constitution.

Misrepresentation of Tantita’s Work:
The statement clarified that every kilometre of pipeline within Urhobo territory is manned and protected by indigenes. Tantita employs over 3,500 Urhobo sons and daughters across 88 communities in 16 kingdoms, making it the largest employer of Urhobo labour.

Unjustified Attack on Inclusive Development:
The coordinators expressed disappointment over Ese Gam Owe’s ethnocentric rhetoric, questioning whether he wants hard-working Urhobo citizens employed by Tantita to be laid off for political patronage.

Tantita’s Proven Track Record:
Over the past two years, Tantita operatives in Urhobo land have helped significantly reduce oil theft, illegal refining, and environmental damage — with no complaints from any host community.

Condemnation of Extortion Attempts:
The statement accused the controversial advertorial of being driven by selfish motives, alleging an attempt to extort or blackmail Tantita under the guise of UPU authority.

“Ethnic entrepreneurship like this does not reflect the aspirations of Urhobo people. It defames our values and betrays the constitutional purpose of UPU — which is to promote peaceful coexistence, not ethnic exclusion,” the statement emphasized.

The rebuttal concluded with a call for all Urhobo people to resist such attempts to undermine unity and progress, warning that using sociocultural platforms for misinformation and extortion harms not only businesses like Tantita, but the integrity of Urhobo nationhood itself.

> “We will continue to uphold the values enshrined in the UPU Constitution and maintain peace and good neighborliness with all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria,” the coordinators resolved.

This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing conversations around ethnic relations, oil security, and the influence of sociocultural organizations in Nigeria’s evolving political economy.