King Amachree's Burial: Chieftaincy Commissioner Commends Central Working Committee

The Rivers State Commissioner for chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Charles Amadi , has commended the central working committee (CWC) on its detailed and satisfactory preparations for the transition of his Serene Majesty, King Prof. TJT Princewill, JP , CON, Amachree Xi, Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom.

Speaking at the inauguration of the budget screening and monitoring committee by the Chairman and co chairman of the central working committee at the Hotel Presidential in Port-Harcourt on Monday, the commissioner who was well pleased with presentations by some members of the sub committees, said he is convinced that all hands are on deck to ensure the peaceful transition of the king.

Hon. Amadi, who represented Gov. Sim Fubara, also promised government’s assistance whenever the need arises.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Prince Tonye Princewill who is incidentally the only biological child of the departed king, briefed the CWC on the success made thus far and things to be done. He expressed some disquiet that despite the moratorium given, some committees were yet to make their presentations - insisting that the CWC will no longer wait.

Reiterating the chairman's position, the co chairman of the committee, Chief Dr. David Briggs, among

other things, advised committee members against seeing the committees as gravy trains but rather should be seen as a call to selfless service.

The Meeting Started at about 2pm with the chairman of the media and publicity subcommittee introducing the agenda for the day, while the opening prayer was led by the secretary of the CWC, Prof. Victor  Omuaru.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Prince in the company of Opunabo Inko-Tariah visited the Amanyanabo of Bakana, another direct descendant of the Amachree stool, there the Amanyanabo promised the duo of the full  participation of the Bakana  people in the burial of "our father and king" he thanked Prince Tonye for the visit.

Others at the meeting were a former member of the House of Representatives, Arc. Eniye Braide and a former Local Government Chairman, Hon. Levy Braide.

The highlights of the meeting were the inauguration of the budget screening committee, the review of the draft programme of activities and the monitoring committee.

 

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Draft Programme Of Activities In Honour Of the Late Monarch HSM King Prof. T. J. T. Princewill JP, CFR, Amachree Xl, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom, in Rivers State from November 1st –December 25th 2023.

 

Date/Activity

Action by Committee

 

Wednesday 1st November 2023:

Spiritual/Culture

4:00 am: Seven Canon Shots as Formal Traditional Announcement of The commencement of Burial

Culture

8:00 am: Final (Oku) Emissaries to All Communities In Kalabari Kingdom and compounds of Buguma to announce the Burial Activities

Culture

 

Monday 6th November 2023:

6:00 am – 12:00 pm: Prayers/Fasting at various Kalabari Communities

Prayer

 

Wednesday 8th November 2023:

5:00 am-3:00 pm: Ekine Sekiapu Perform Town Cleansing at Buguma

Culture

 

Thursday 9th November 2023:

5:00 am: Egbele-Ereme sing round Buguma

Culture

Monday 13th November 2023:

4:00 am-8:00 am: Women Native Singing Groups sing round Buguma

Culture

 

Wednesday 15 -18 November 2023:

Ekine Sekiapu Annual night Ngbula display

Culture

 

Monday 20th November 2023:

King Abbi Polo Kick-Starts The Igira Sira activities

Culture

 

Tuesday 21st-25th November 2023:

All communities In Kalabari Kingdom/Compounds In Buguma begin the Igira Sira activities

Culture

 

Saturday 25th November 2023:

7:00 am – 10:00 am: Sanitation at Buguma and along the Emohua- Kalabari road

Sanitation/Council Chairman

4:00 pm Eklne Sekiapu perform the final cleansing rites from Elem-Kalabari to Buguma City

Culture/Security

I1:00 am: Kalabari Kingdom Unity lecture in King Amachree Memorial Hall, Buguma.

Media/Publicity

4:30 pm: Novelty Football Match in honour of the late Monarch between KNC Old Boys and KGHS Old Girls teams

Special Duties

 

Sunday 26th November 2023:

5:00 pm: All Churches in Kalabari land to centrally hold Interdenominational Carol Service at the King Amachree Square.

Prayer

 

Monday 27th November 2023:

4:00 am: Se-Erena Kurusu To Announce The Burial With Native Women Singing Groups Singing Round Buguma

Culture

All Communities and Compounds of Kalabari  Decorate Their Communities/Compounds With Flags

Venue/Decoration

4:00 pm: Service of Songs and Tributes At Christians Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt

Prayer/Entertainment/ Security

8:00 pm: All Churches Native Choirs Sing In Buguma At The Town Square

Prayer/Security

 

Tuesday November 28th 2023:

6:00 am Final Igira Sira

Culture

4:00 pm: Candle Procession Round Town By Choirs Of The Various Churches In Buguma

Prayer/Security

4:00 pm: Country Classics and Jazz Band Display At Buguma

Entertainment/Security

 

Wednesday 29th November 2023:

4:00 am: The 7 Canon Shots Announce the approach of the Corpse

Culture

5:00 am: All Communities/War Canoe Houses Despatch Their War Boats And lavishly Decorated Alali (Festival) Boats with Masquerades to Port Harcourt to Escort the Corpse

Culture/Security

10:00 am: Body Of The Late Monarch And One Time Chairman Of The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers Lies-In-State At The Council of Traditional Rulers’ Chambers

Culture/Security

12:00 pm: Igira Groups And Warrior-Like Dressed Groups Display To Escort The Corpse From UTC Junction To Abonnema Wharf Jetty In Diobu Port Harcourt

Culture/SecurityWorks

2:00 pm: Corpse Arrive Elem-Kalabari For Final Rites And move To Buguma City escorted By All War Canoes.

 

Culture/Security

4:00 pm: Body Of The Late Monarch King Prof. T. J. T. Princewill JP, CFR, Amachree Xl, Arrives Kalabari Owusara In Buguma And is Received By The Kings, Kalabari Chiefs, Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu, sons and daughters of Kalabari kingdom with pomp and pageantry

Culture/Security/Prayer

5.00pm: Body is escorted to (Chief Prince Ogo Tom Princewill) Compound and later to King Abbi Memorial Hall in Abbi Polo Buguma for Lying-In-State

Culture/Security

 

Thursday 30th November 2023: 

I: 00am: Body of the late Monarch moves to the King Amachree Memorial Hall, Buguma, For final Lying- In -State for Traditional Wake-Keep

Culture/Security

10:00 am:  Dignitaries from across the globe pay last respects

Protocol/Security

I:00 pm: Kirikiri Mine and interment

Culture/Ekine Seki apu

 

Saturday 2nd December 2023:

8:00 pm: The Country Classics and Jazz Band Display

Entertainment/Security

 

Monday 4th - 23rd December 2023:

Canon Shots and the Okuro Fari as well as various communities, clubs, compounds and the Ekine Sekiapu of Buguma and other communities will take turns to perform cultural and other activities display at designated compounds and centres in Buguma

 

Culture

Sunday 24th December 2023:

 

Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist Church, Buguma

Prayer

 

Monday 25th December 2023:

Farewell HSM Late King Prof. Theophilus Jacob Tom Princewill JP, CFR, Amachree XI