His Serene Majesty King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom has passed on
In
a statement titled “The King has departed, long live the Kingdom”
signed by his son, Prince Tonye Princewill, on behalf of the family
said, “It is with a very heavy heart that I am formally announcing the
departure of my father, our King and His Serene Majesty, King Prof.
T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari
Kingdom. He was not just my father; he was also my best friend.
“Earlier
today, the Buguma Council of Chiefs and the Kalabari Council of Chiefs
were formally briefed, all in accordance with Kalabari tradition,
thereby opening the door to our now officially informing the world, as
the cart cannot be put before the horse.
“Further announcements
will follow in the days and weeks to come, but we call on you for your
prayers and your well wishes, not just for the family, but for the
entire Kalabari Kingdom. He’ll truly be missed. “
Brief Biography:
His
Serene Majesty King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, JP, CFR, Amachree XI, The
Amanyanabo & Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom was born on the 4
January, 1930 in Buguma City into the Royal Family of King & Queen
Jacob Tom Princewill, Amachree the VII.
Academically, he attained
his professorship in the year 1984 at the University of Port Harcourt.
He was the first Head of Department of Microbiology, the first Professor
of Microbiology and the first black Professor to be Dean, Faculty of
Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology where he
finished his stint with academia.
Traditionally, he was
installed King Amachree XI on the 23rd day of March, 2002, thus making
him the first Professor to become a King of the Kalabari Kingdom and by
extension Rivers State. HSM King Prof. T.J.T Princewill was appointed
Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on the 1st of
January, 2010 by His Excellency Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, thus
becoming the first Professor King to be Chairman, Rivers State Council
of Traditional Rulers as well as the first King of Kalabari extraction
to be Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
In
2011, he was honoured with the National Award of Commander of the Order
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Administration of HE Dr.
GoodluckEbele Jonathan GCFR, former President and Commander-in-chief of
the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Though a
Professor of international repute, his in-depth knowledge of the
tradition and custom was such that he was the second King after King
Kariboye- Abbi Amachree IV to have adorned and played the famous
Egbelegbe masquerade to the admiration of the people of Tombia from whom
the masquerade was acquired by King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV.
The
sum totality of his being was peace personified even in the face of
persecution; hence he was fondly referred to as HIS SERENE MAJESTY.
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