Ejiro Otarigho, a 46-year heroic tanker driver whose bravery averted an explosion which would have claimed thousands of lives in a Delta community has disclosed a national honour is not what he needs.

This comes after the Senate asked the President Buhari to confer the Delta-based driver with a “befitting national honour as he may deem fit for his extraordinary act of bravery, courage and skill that prevented the loss of human lives and property on a massive scale.”

Speaking with Punch, Ejiro stated the loss of his tanker translated to the loss of his only source of livelihood. He added a new tanker would simply suffice if the government must reward him.

Ejiro said;

“I have received calls from them (Delta state government) but I am not interested in any national honour of any sort right now.

“I know God has brought me to a good place where my story is now being told. All I want is a replacement for my burnt tanker so I can go back to my job.

“I have just been at home and truck driving was the only way I fed. It has not been easy for me since I lost my tanker.”

When asked if he would like to get a new job and abandon the dangerous business of tanker driving, he said;

“of course, I will. It is a risky job.

“Imagine if I had died that day, nothing would have been said of me. If the government has something better for me, I will do it without looking back. All I want is to be able to take care of myself and my family legitimately.”