Former Niger Delta militant commander, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over his battle against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering along the waterways and creeks of the region.

Tompolo, in an open letter of commendation to President Muhammadu Buhari, acknowledged Nigeria’s current hiccups as “challenging”.

He declared that the President has made personal sacrifices and contributions in the course of nation-building in the last sixty years.

Tompolo, in the self-signed letter, said, “We greet you with utmost respect and salute your courage in the last eight years in steering the affairs of this nation with great potentialities.

“Nigeria is a work in progress but should not be limited by the challenges we face today as a developing nation, as we all must play our roles in rowing the nation to the desired destination of the overwhelming majority, who yearns for a functional society where all would be equal stakeholders.

“It is our firm belief that Nigeria will ultimately take its proper seat in the comity of developed nations.

“Thank you Mr. President for the personal sacrifices and contributions you have made in the course of nation-building in the last sixty years. Our gratitude to you will always be assured.”

He also congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his election victory.

According to him: “We, like millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, whose expectations are high of you, use this medium to again express our support and partnership with you to build a prosperous and peaceful nation.”

Tompolo also acknowledged and applauded the management team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), ably led by the Group General Manager (GMD), Mallam Mele Kyari, as well as the Niger Delta royal fathers, communities, youth leaders and women groups, for their support to the workload of Tantita Security Services.