BY AJUWA VICTOR
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has restated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure while promoting peace, development, and youth empowerment across the Niger Delta.
The company’s Managing Director, High Chief Keston Pondi, made this pledge during the official commissioning of the Isoko Youth House, also known as the Fred Obe Secretariat in Ozoro, Delta State.
Speaking at the event, Chief Pondi highlighted that Tantita’s federal mandate extends beyond oil pipeline surveillance.
While the protection of critical oil assets remains its core responsibility, the company also prioritises initiatives that foster long-term stability by empowering local youths and supporting sustainable community development.
The newly inaugurated Isoko Youth House, situated along the Ozoro/Kwale Road opposite the Southern Delta University Gate, stands as a testament to these efforts.
Officially commissioned by Chief Pondi on behalf of the Tantita Chairman, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), the facility was described as a fulfilled promise to empower, organise, and amplify the voice of Isoko youths.
Delta State Commissioner for Youths, Hon. ThankGod Harry Frakriowei, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the event, described the youth centre as a “symbol of hope, opportunity, and progress.”
He noted that the facility equipped with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools will serve as a skills acquisition hub and innovation centre, aligning with the state government’s MORE agenda, which prioritises youth development and empowerment.
Also speaking, Comrade Eniwake Orogun, President of the Isoko National Youths Assembly Worldwide, praised the youth house as a lasting monument to the collective struggle of the Isoko people.
He noted that naming it after Chief Fred Obe was a tribute to his pioneering role in advocating for the rights of the Isoko nation during the Niger Delta struggle for equitable oil revenue and political recognition.
In his remarks, Chief Fred Obe expressed profound gratitude for the honour and reflected on the history behind the project, which dates back to the struggles of 1997 and 1998.
He recalled the collaborative efforts with fellow activists like Tompolo and Asari Dokubo, which drew national attention to the plight of oil-producing communities and led to significant policy shifts during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Chief Obe also commended Chief Pondi for his instrumental support in bringing the long-anticipated project to completion, reaffirming the historical and cultural ties between the Isoko and Ijaw peoples.
Constructed at a cost exceeding ₦200 million, the fully equipped Isoko Youth House is expected to play a central role in youth mobilisation, training, and leadership development. Guests at the commissioning were urged to safeguard the facility through responsible use and maintenance, ensuring it serves generations to come.
