Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Tantita Security Services Ltd, in a commitment to fostering education and community engagement, awarded N2.5 million to students who excelled in the Delta State Inter-School Public Speaking Competition.
The event, a collaborative effort between Tantita Security and the Godfrey PondiBook Club, took place on Saturday and drew participants from 10 government-owned secondary schools.
The Competition Themed “The Impact of Technology in Combatting Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism,” challenged students to present solutions to the region’s pressing environmental issues.
Dom Domingos College, Warri, took home the top prize of N1 million, while Edjeba Secondary School and Ighogbadu Secondary School were awarded N800,000 and N700,000, respectively, for securing second and third places.
Originally, the prize fund was set at N1 million total, but Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director of Operations and Technical Services at Tantita Security, increased the prizes in recognition of the students’ exceptional efforts.
In his address, Captain Enisuoh praised the students’ insight into the topic, emphasizing that their proposals have the potential to influence real-world strategies in combating crude oil theft.
“First, I must commend those who came up with this very laudable idea. From all your performances, we can only say it will get better next time. It will get bigger next time; the prize money will also increase, and we will also introduce individual scholarships that will follow with assistance to the schools “
“It was not an easy topic, and I think only those from this area would have won if it was a national event. We sleep and wake up with this pollution from crude oil; we know it is not easy to survive in this region. Most of our land has been affected by the illegality of this problem. We are very happy to see these effects at a young age, as it shows there is hope for solutions,” said Warredi.
He commended the students’ insights, noting, “You have given us reasons to improve, and we appreciate your participation. One day, one of you will be a governor, another a deputy governor, and possibly even a president. It’s crucial to understand the problems of your country before becoming a leader.”
The competition not only underscored the importance of public speaking skills but also provided a platform for the youth to explore innovative solutions for addressing crude oil theft—a major issue affecting communities in the Niger Delta.
Teachers and attendees lauded Tantita’s support, noting how the event highlighted the importance of education and civic responsibility in the region’s development.
The event attracted guests from Tantita Security and other notable figures, further underscoring the need for youth engagement in combating environmental and economic challenges.