Princewill @54: Eze Celebrates a True Brother, Friend & Associate - The Prince of Niger Delta

...Describes Him as a Phenomenal, Exceptional Nigerian Entrepreneur; An Astute Politician an Enigma, Outstanding Philanthropist and the Pathfinder of My Place in Rivers State   Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and most importantly, an authority in the history and culture of the Kalabari Kingdom and her people, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has joined family, friends, associates, the Kalabaris and the entire Ijaw nation to cling glasses in commemoration of the birth of a composite gentleman; personification of courage and philanthropy, an astute politician, an Enigma and the Scion of the Kalabari Kingdom, Prince T.J.T Princewill, as he adds another year to his age.   In a statement made available to media houses, Chief Eze described Prince Tonye Princewill as a special breed and rare gift to humanity, whose sense of selfless service has unarguably transformed the lives of countless people within and outside Rivers State.   Born on January 4, 1969, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, better addressed as the ‘Prince of Niger Delta Politics’ is one of the great politicians who have distinguished himself in the politics of the State and the country at large. A Nigerian investor, film producer and philanthropist par excellence, Princewill was the 2015 Labour Party and 2007 Action Congress nominee for the Governorship of Rivers State and currently a strong voice in the politics of Nigeria and most importantly an ally of former Rivers Governor and Nigeria’s  former Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.   One time political associate of then former Vice-President of Nigeria, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and the former Governor of Lagos State and APC Presidential Torch-Bearer, Senator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tonye Princewill has remained an inspiration to the younger generation especially those aspiring for greatness and yearning for a better and more prosperous, united Nigeria.   The detailed and well articulated treatise amongst others, captured Princewill as a grass-root politician who made history when in 2007, he resolved to join forces with Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in 2007 to form the most successful unity Government ever in Nigeria.   According to his account of the alliance, ‘the Peoples Prince said, “We took the decision at the time that the enemy of your enemy is your friend,” indicating his opponents were Celestine Omehia and his ‘godfather’, Dr. Peter Odili, the former Governor of Rivers State when Rotimi Amaechi was installed Governor by the court. He claimed that the decision to withdraw his case was made even easier because the same people who offered to give him 1.5 billion to withdraw his case, came back to offer him 1.5 billion and evidence of how they rigged the election against him to keep his case in court with the motive to remove Rt. Hon. Dr. Amaechi.   Tonye Princewill later led members of the opposition parties in Rivers State under the banner of the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties to form a unity government with the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.   The party chieftain said notwithstanding the tone of opposing voices, Tonye Princewill stands undisputed as a decimal in the politics of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region in general.   Princewill, an avid member of the All Progressives Congress but resigned recently from the party in protest against the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party. He was appointed the Director of Strategic Communication for APC’s Tonye Cole, to execute the 2019 Gubernatorial campaign in Rivers state and bring victory to the people, but for the acts of Abe and his small circle of saboteurs, he would have succeeded to install an APC Administration in Rivers State.   Chief Eze emphasized that at 54, Prince Tonye Princewill has achieved great feats and attained very enviable heights which many dread to even attempt. From successfully running Riverdrill, his oil and gas conglomerate and other business interests with hundreds of Nigerians meaningfully engaged, to being the youngest gubernatorial candidate in Rivers state elections of 2007, where he was candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Prince was also Labour Party Governorship candidate in 2015.   The birth of Prince Tonye Princewill, the son and scion to the famous King (Prof) Theophilus Jacob Tom Princewill (CFR), Amachree XI, the Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, coincides with that of his father who turns 92 today.   This unique coincidence in the birth of father and son is very significant and distinguishes the household of Prof. TJT Princewill from other families on the planet.   Having followed this young man for over a decade, Chief Eze maintained that a comprehensive account of the politics of Rivers State will be grossly defective without the mention of this enigma; a technocrat of the highest order, an accomplished businessman, a consummate politician and a philanthropist per excellence, whose impact in the political engineering of the State cannot be overemphasised. He stands out as a professional engineer and a business magnate, who did not take politics as a profession for lack of means of livelihood but as a means to attract democratic dividends to the people.   Eze further highlighted that Prince Tonye Princewill was a senior technical project manager and business analyst of the highest caliber. A strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving ability, he is highly adaptable and well experienced across diverse environments. From global, multi party, multi million pound projects to hands-on, low budget challenges, he has a proven track record of getting the job done. He is an excellent communicator, effective at all levels and confident in resolving business, technical and political issues. The motivation, enthusiasm, technical expertise and team building skills Tonye brings to his projects have been pivotal to their successes.   A post-graduate of Imperial College London, Princewill is a certified PRINCE II practitioner with a sound working knowledge of both ITIL and Change Management and has until quite recently, been a regular presenter on project management issues. In addition to his Information technology and Oil and Gas interests, he has a business empire that spans across the aviation industry to the haulage of petroleum products for NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) and OANDO. His company is involved in strategic placement of resources with the targeted placement of investment from outside and within Rivers State.   The Prince who will clock 54 on January 4, 2023, is credited for exhibiting wisdom beyond his years when in 2007, he withdrew unconditionally, his tribunal case against the PDP in Rivers state for what he called strategic reasons. The AC/PDP partnership practiced in the state is a study in selflessness and political engineering in Nigeria.   Princewill is a professional who deliberately entered into politics as a result of his concerns for his people and personal attempts to help them. He decided to bring his acumen and dynamism to bear on his effort to serve his people as Governor in the 2007 and 2015 elections. Even as a private businessman, he has been a people-centered person, who prefers to sacrifice to make others happy. Tonye sees equality in all men.   My Entry into the Politics of Rivers State and My Encounter with This Enigma:   In 2007, I was among the Action Congress Presidential Campaign Team that visited Port Harcourt to campaign for the gubernatorial election of Prince Tonye Princewill of Action Congress at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt.   It was after the outing that the Presidential Campaign Committee then was formally dissolved and members were asked to move to their states to campaign further.    Immediately the Action Congress Presidential Campaign Committee was disbanded, the then National Secretary of Turaki Vanguard and member of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hon. Lanre Fayemi, visited Port Harcourt to monitor how the Campaign Team of Prince Tonye Princewill was being managed. After a few days, Fayemi confided in the Prince that with what his team was doing, the party had no chance of defeating the PDP in Rivers State. He suggested a re-jigging that should introduce a true political mobiliser to change the fortunes of the party in the state and quickly recommended my humble self. He told the Prince that Eze was the only Nigerian that would step into Port Harcourt and turn the heat on the PDP..   The next day, Prince Tonye Princewill flew into Abuja to meet with Atiku on the issue of releasing “one Chief Eze” to him. Atiku laughed and asked if he had handled fire before because according to him, the man he was requesting for was a moving fire. Princewill assured and reassured him that he would do his best. After this, Atiku sent for me and asked me to move to Port Harcourt. That was how I entered into the politics of Rivers State in 2007.   I sent my then Personal Assistant, Mr. Paschal Njoku, a reputed and respected journalist, to move ahead of me to Port Harcourt and after some days, I joined the Campaign Team.    The major town we went to was Buguma, the Headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area and the Kalabari Kingdom. After the campaign came a report that militants had blocked the road and we could not move outside the town. Later on, after communicating with the Prince, we were given a passage through which to maneuver. When we got to Port Harcourt, I put on the television only to see in the news that 10 lives were wasted on the same road we passed through.    The next day my PA informed me he was resigning his duties. He argued that being the only son of his mother, staying in Rivers was too risky a venture. I appreciated his services to me over the years but discharged him.   What I achieved while working with Tonye need not be overemphasized. I told the then Governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, that he needed not change the curtains in the Government House as he had just a few months to stay. At that period, I was the only Nigerian media chief that issued five press statements daily on various issues. And true to my wise counsel to Sir Celestine Omehia within the next few months he was replaced with the authentic Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi    I changed the name of Prince Tonye Princewill as the Prince of Kalabari Kingdom to Prince of Niger Delta Politics. In less than two weeks I wrote the book, Prince Tonye Princewill, the Golden Prince of Niger Delta. Everybody wanted to know who this Chief Eze was. I moved out to the streets at times in mere flip-flop and nobody could point at me and say 'This is Chief Eze', with overgrown bears adorning my face. Senator Magnus Abe then the Secretary of Rivers State Government was on his knees pleading with Tonye Princewil to see and be introduced to this Chief Eze and he got the opportunity after the 40th birthday celebration of the Prince   After a few days in Port Harcourt, I took ill and left for University College Hospital, Ibadan, for a major surgery. A day after my surgery, Prince Tonye Princewill called me to inquire about the surgery and told me that Amaechi will be hosting our team in Government House later that evening.    I told him that the plaster, bandage and other materials used for the surgery were still very fresh and it would be risky to travel under that condition. He insisted that there was no way they would visit Gov. Amaechi when I was not around. So, I left Ibadan to Lagos straight to the Government House to join them.   Later, we were escorted to the Main Chamber of the Brick House and a few minutes after, Amaechi arrived. I was asked to anchor the meeting. I started by introducing most of our key members among whom were the leader of our team, Prince Tonye Princewill, his Deputy, Chief Williams Igwe, Barr. Osima Ginah, Alabo Diamond Tobin-West, the 'Moving Train', Hon. Suage Badey and others.    When I concluded the introduction, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, asked but who are you? “Sir, I am Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze!”, I replied. Amaechi jumped from his seat and yelled repeatedly, “GOC! GOC!! GOC!!! General Officer Commanding” Everyone at the meeting was left in awe. It was an irony of the real GOC calling his subordinate the GOC.   I told him, “Your Excellency, your brother Tonye is a terrible fellow for forcing me out from the hospital after major surgery to attend this meeting.” It was during this meeting that the marriage between PDP and the opposition political parties in Rivers State was formally solemnized.   We were given two slots in the Rivers State Executive Council where Barr. Osima Ginah became the shining star as the Commissioner for Urban Development and Chief Engr. Davies Ikanya Ibiamu as The Commissioner for Special Duties. Chief Igwe Williams was given the post of Special Adviser on Political Matters while the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Suage Badey, was made a member of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Governing Council.   Midway into his first term, Amaechi embarked on a major cabinet reshuffle. We visited him again to review our relationship with his government. Then, Dr. Ibiamu was not reappointed and it was very clear that the system had resolved to do away with him. In the course of the meeting, the Governor responded to almost all the issues we tabled before him but tactically skipped that of Ibiamu's reappointment. He was about to leave the Chamber when all of a sudden I was prompted to passionately exclaim, "Your Excellency, Sir, you have not addressed the issue of the reappointment of Dr. Ibiamu". The governor then responded that if we wanted Ibiamu to be reappointed, he would do so and we all chorused yes, yes, and that was how Dr. Ibiamu was reappointed, and I am still suffering that boldness in some quarters. My offence was what propelled the audacity in me to challenge what had already been concluded.   This is how I was introduced to the politics of Rivers State so the fact remains that whatever that I may have achieved in the politics of this great state should be attributed only to this enigma of our time, Prince Tonye Princewil and his beloved brother, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. To these two with God and Atiku Abubakar I owe all my feats in Rivers State   Prince Tonye Princewill and His Type of Politics   According to the Prince, “My political career is intact. Good people are becoming more and more critical to move Nigeria forward. When Nigerians realize we cannot continue like this, they will look for people like us or younger versions to exhibit excellence and toughness combined. I do not have to be the one running for office, but either way I will be involved.   The dream was never to rule, it was to lead and lead by example. I do that every day in whatever capacity I find myself. It is not easy to engage with all kinds of politicians and come out clean. I believe I have done that. It is not easy to come from nowhere and make a name in state and national politics, I believe I have done that. It is not easy to join the Nollywood family and make an impact, I believe we have done that and it is not easy to develop the business contacts we did without politics, yet again we have also done that. If politics has not allowed me show my capacity today, one day I will in whatever capacity. Maybe I am bigger than just Rivers state or politics. Maybe my dream is to be a statesman. The country is short of them.”   Fortunately I am not prepared to kill, maim or sacrifice human life to achieve political goals. So my ambition and my dreams are measured by the price I am prepared to pay for them. The dark actors in Rivers state know that if I decide to go down the path of violence, neither of them would rest easy. They know I am not the one who would be afraid. But like the story of the two women and King Solomon, I am not prepared to kill my people in order to lead them. There has to be a line.   Our leaders have let us down. History and God will not be too kind to us. Your only redemption is to show your track record. Corruption needs to be addressed head on but we must be able to talk and walk at the same time. Fiscal discipline, creating the environment for growth, security in the Niger Delta especially and the promotion of a positive identity are crucial if we want to crack the No 1 problem in Nigeria – JOBS.”   His Advocacy   The liberal democrat has been involved in a lot of advocacy for his people. A few that may be mentioned here are as follows:   – He was at Enugu personally to liaise and collaborate with the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo leadership to enable them to submit suggestions on how to resolve the Niger Delta issue in 2009.   – Believes in internal democracy and that political parties in Nigeria must be ideology driven and has in that regard appealed to His Excellency Alh. Bamanga Tukur, the then PDP National Chairman to make the party an ideological based political party.   – Did the impossible totally unlike any politician in Nigeria by his dramatic resignation from the Vision 2020 Committee of which he was a principal member, to protest a military assault on Gbaramatu, in Delta State. Such principled politics has made Prince Tonye Princewill a brand name in the Niger Delta struggle and earned him legions of awards–attesting to his emergence as an important leader.   – He is the Founder and Leader of Princewill Political Associates (PPA), a political pressure group spearheading emancipation and uplifting the welfare of the people of Rivers State.   Further Attestation to His Type of Politics   Prince Tonye Princewill politics is based on his often quoted phrase – “you are blessed to bless others”. He is also motivated by the Bible which states in Proverbs 28:27 that “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse” in his drive to better the lots of the less privileged in our society. A few of his philanthropic exploits are as follows:   – On 26th July, 2008, he sponsored 20 youths from Niger Delta and four members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to watch live the Manchester United and Portsmouth Football Clubs all English Clubs during they visit to Nigeria at Abuja   – He started the year of 2012 when he visited and donated 25 million to the Port Harcourt Polo club, 26 million towards Microfinance for rural women, several million towards setting up a 3D studio for film academy scholars   – By June, 2012, he sponsored ten bright Nigerians under the aegis of Change Nigeria Group (CNG) on a tour of Dubai and South Africa where they met with members of the UAE royal family, institutional investors and leaders from far and wide so that they could discover for themselves the secrets of their success. .   – The Prince through the Princewill Trust Fund sponsors the yearly Amachree Scholarship Fund for indigent students from the 23 Local Govt Areas of Rivers State and for 2012 about 150 Rivers Indigenes in Higher Institutions in the country at the cost of N20M was concluded successfully.   – Donation of N25m to the Polo Club, meant for the construction of a standard pavilion in honour of his father.   – Donation of N23M Skill Acquisition Scheme to our LGAs and training of our rural women in Rivers State by empowering them through skill acquisition scheme as a believer in the saying “don’t give me fish but teach me on how to fish”.   – Scholarship to indigent students of Rivers State, a rare privilege to pursue their educational careers in higher Institutions.   – Donation of a bus to the National Association of Ijaw Female Students.   – Identified and donated N2.5million to the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during its State NUJ Fifth Delegates Conference of which he was the Conference Chairman.   – Donation of computer equipment to media organization such as the Tide Newspapers furnished and equipped the Cyber Cafe of the Federated Correspondents Chapel, Port Harcourt   – . On 2nd of May, 2012 he did the impossible by donating an equipped classical Media Centre to his then political party, PDP at Abuja for the use of Journalists. During one of the Women's Day in Rivers State, the Prince instituted a 26 Million Naira Microfinance Fund for Rivers State Rural Women.   – An active and key player in creating awareness for the melancholic plight of the less privileged like the orphans by his sponsorship of NNENDA, a Nigerian home video that highlighted the plight of abandoned children and the sponsorship of “Melody Shelters Singing Talent Show” that cost him N120M wherein the final events saw Godswill Orphanage of Kogi State clinching the coveted trophy and the Championship Prize of N10M while the Runners-up, the Lifetime Orphanage of Rivers State got the Prize of N5M. Rachael Homes, Abuja came in third carting home the N3M prize. Five Hundred Thousand each was given to the other remaining five Homes as co-champions.   – Assisted his alma-mata, UNIPORT Alumni when he donated the sum of N5M to the Leadership of the then Engr. Sampson N. Adumu led Exco to aid them in their activities during the launching of the Association in Port Harcourt in July, 2012.   – Sponsored and organized football competitions with some past football stars based in Port Harcourt, female and U-18 Soccer Tournaments in his drive to continue to give succor to our youths.   – Once intervened and assisted people in Rivers and Bayelsa States that were affected by the damaging floods in the land.   – Has touched hundreds of the lives of the widows in Rivers State through his “New Life For the Widows in Rivers State”   Tonye Princewill and the Film Industry   The Niger Delta Prince made  history when he premiered the first movie in Port Harcourt on September 12th, 2009 when “Nnenda”, a movie about the ills of orphanhood was staged at the famous Silver Bird Cinemas in Port Harcourt.   He followed up with the premiering of the International award winning “The Figurine” anchored by the famous Kunle Afolayan on 11th October, 2009 at the Silver Bird Cinemas, Port Harcourt. This movie was the second Nigerian movie to hit box office status after Stephanie Okereke’s ‘Through the glass’.   The Prince premiered Kajola, the most expensive film ever produced in Nigeria at the silver bird cinema Abuja on 30th July, 2010, with a whooping production cost of One Hundred and thirty Million Naira (N130M). The plot of the movie is set in Nigeria , which is expected to appeal to Nigerians in the sense that it explores the implications of the continuous neglect of the poor and the widening gap between the rich and the less privileged and stemming the catastrophic outcomes arising from such continuous neglect.   He sponsored the production of the first movie in Nigeria on celluloid Camera titled “76” hinged on the coup of 1976 in Nigeria aimed at recreating history for the incoming generation and preserving a remarkable part of the history of our nation. The post production is ongoing in Germany. The second is Valor, a movie that deals with the Niger Delta and Boko Haram issues and is also in post production.   At the Toronto International film festival in 2016, Tonye and crew stood out as the movie ’76’ which he proudly produced was singled out for honor.   In his next movie about Boko Haram, the Prince of the less privileged stated, “we will go to Sambissa. We are also doing a documentary as we speak which is bound to open doors Nigeria has kept closed for over 40 years. But in everything we do, we do it with wisdom and care. The unity of Nigeria is paramount. I see our differences as worthy of celebration and not a cause for conflict. Fear should not rule us, love needs to start winning. I am glad to be in the midst of an industry that can make and is making a difference.”   The RIVMAP which is the brainchild of Prince Tonye Princewill to serve as a platform for the emancipation of our youths from poverty and hopelessness by discovering, nurturing and grooming talent in the arts to stardom had during its inaugural outing that cost him the sum of N20M had Mr. Timi Julius carting away the N5M Record Deal in Music with the Dancing group of the Thrillers winning the N2M Prize in the Dancing Group and Mr. Jacob John a Welder/Fabricator based in Port Harcourt from Akwa Ibom winning the N1M meant for the Comedy group.   Sponsored Mr. Valentine Ohu in Broadcast Journalism, Miss Crystabel Goddy in Acting, Mr Telema Senibo in 3D Graphics, Miss Mercy Akudo also in Acting and Mr Stanley Kotey in 3D Graphics to the Del-York Film Academy.   Donation of a multi-million Naira equipped studio to some youths he sponsored to the Del-York Film Academy.   His monthly Award of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) to the less privileged Traders/Artisans is one of the very many ways the Prince supports the enterprising youths to grow in business.   Speaking on the propelling force behind his innovative and youth oriented program which sponsors youths in all expense paid trip to Dubai & Ghana, Princewill has this to say, “Let’s look at Ghana and then Dubai. I took over 30 youths to Ghana and then picked the best and sponsored them to Dubai. For Ghana, I visited Accra and noticed its cleanliness. I met a lot of people there and asked them if I could bring some Nigerians there to understudy their waste management system and local government administration and they agreed. Remember I earlier said we all need to grow together. Others can then continue the legacy. I also noticed the smooth transfer of power between the opposition and the incumbent. I wanted to share the experience with others to pass on such good practices.   The end goal was to expose them to best practices. Seeing is believing. I then took the best 10 from the 30 to Dubai where they met all the key people. They met the masters who exposed them to the knowledge of how the UAE was developed. For me, Nigeria, Rivers state, Africa, those who develop it are not spirits; there is nothing mystical about visible development.   There are lazy and smart people everywhere. The problem is how to engage more smart people and give them more roles and responsibilities. My hope in the program was that I gave the group the opportunity. I do many other interventions here and there with a desire to give back and help build a better society. I have many projects I use to help. But I also go farther into mentoring, building and supporting them.”   His Mission   On his mission, Chief Eze quoted the Prince as stating thus, “I have seen wealth, but I have not found it interesting accumulating it. What is of interest to me now is how to touch those lives that are not yet privileged to have the basic things they need for survival. I want justice to be done to all and to be able to speak for the voiceless majority who do not have access to the corridors of power. Those are the people I feel most concerned for, and as I said earlier, my desire to make their voices heard by those who lead, made me to join politics”.   His Vision   On His vision: “Rivers state should be one big development unit. I don’t think that what we have now in the state is enough. Certain parts of the state are not yet feeling the impact of government and amenities are not evenly spread. While some areas are begging for the state government attention, others are having more than their fair share of the state’s resources. This lopsidedness in the distribution of social amenities needs to be checked so that every part of the state would be adequately taken care of”. It becomes obvious that Franklin .D. Roosevelt, a former president of the United States of America, an orator and philosopher of great acclaim, had the likes of the Princewills in mind when he wrote: “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” Holding tenaciously to this eternal verity, TP as he is called by admirers, believes that a leader should be a public servant, who strives relentlessly to put smiles on the faces of his followers without placing undue emphasis on their social status or dashing the hopes of the poor masses”.   Conclusion   To many Rivers State people, he is the Prince of the less privileged while to his political associates he is the Prince of the Niger Delta Politics and to most of his friends from the other parts of the country, he is the latest Bridge Builder while to you the reader he is a consummate politician!   Finally, the party Chief opined thus “I must confess that in my interaction with human beings within my sixty five years of sojourn on earth, I have come across very few strong-willed personalities comparable to Tonye Princewill. But of them all, none can be described as unassuming but very dogged in the pursuit of any course he believes to a fault. An accomplished academic, an orator and a patriot, a charismatic politician, an outstanding philanthropist, a voice for the voiceless, a study in humility, a great manager of human resources, a fearless warrior and unassuming humanist, foresighted and a believer in a united, stronger and viable Rivers State.   This special gift to the people of Rivers State and Nigeria is the only child of his father, HM King Prof. T. J. T. Princewill, Amachree XI the famous Amanayanabo of Kalabari kingdom, a renowned Scholar and first class Royal father in Rivers State.   On behalf of his associates, friends and family, Eze wishes Prince Tonye Princewill, a happy progressive birthday and presents to this man of honour who has proven beyond any iota of doubt that it is better to serve than to be served, 54 precious garlands, on the auspicious occasion of his 54th birth anniversary. He prayed to God to bless and multiply him in all spheres and beyond human imagination.   Ends   Signed   Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

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Reason for the backlash on the current amnesty boss emerges

 .....As he publishes details, Names of fraudulent duplicate payments made by his Predecessor

The dilemma in the Presidential Amnesty Office is far from being over; even with the appointment of the new Interim Administrator, Major Gen. Ndiomu Rtd.

According to an impeccable source “In the last few months, various petitions, and accusations have come from individuals claiming to be beneficiaries of the programme. This might not be unconnected to the recent clampdown of ghost payments made by the previous administration in the Amnesty Office which has caused the current backlash on the Interim Administrator, Major Gen. Ndiomu Rtd .

The unsullied source said, “Just recently, the amnesty office under the leadership of Major Gen. Ndiomu Rtd. released a list of names who have been receiving duplicate payments from the office. This fraud was carried out through payments to pseudo names, which after BVN verifications, it was discovered that multiple entries had the same BVN linking to individuals and bulk payments to group heads, which after scrutiny, it was realized that the actual beneficiaries never get their stipends.

“This mismanagement has been going on for close to 2 years and might be a reason for the termination of Milland Dikio’s administration.

 “The last administration in the amnesty office had numerous issues, ranging from this recently revealed diversion of stipends and companies owned by aides of the then  Interim AdministratorIA being awarded contracts for doing nothing. These contracts ran into billions of Naira.”

 

Source: Chinda Benjamin Horsefall

INTERVIEW: Why I will support Tonye Cole – Princewill

Prince Tonye Princewill is a Rivers State politician, business magnate, filmmaker and philanthropist. Not too long ago, he resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress APC. In this interview, he made his views known on number of current national and state political issues and why he will still support Tonye Cole

Excerpt:

Sir, campaigns have started, what is your take on the peace accord recently signed by only six governorship candidates in Rivers State where PDP's Sim was absent. Recall that a similar situation played out b4 the 2019 poll, when Wike did not turn up for a peace accord signed by parties along Odili Road. Your reaction please?

Well, I’ve just returned and I don’t have the full facts, but you and I know these peace accords are a symbolic gesture. We’ve done this several times and every time we’ve still gone ahead to face a violent election. Was there any consequence after that? No. Soldiers were killed; police, not to talk less of several civilians. So am I surprised if some don’t take it seriously, especially the PDP? The answer is No. Politicians do not respect law enforcement or the judicial system. What they respect are winners. This win at all costs mentality is what people respect. Win and maybe even the security agencies and the judiciary will respect you.

Peter Obi’s movement appears to have changed the voting demographics ahead of 2023 elections. What are your predictions?

It’s too early to make predictions, so let us be careful. Having said that, let me qualify what I see. If we took the election picture as it is now, I see the likelihood of a runoff, yes, as things stand. But this is too early and a lot will, not can, happen in 5 months. For obvious reasons and I have made myself clear, I don’t want to see a Muslim Muslim ticket in the villa, but if we are not careful, the potential in a Peter Obi or an Atiku, that is not fully utilized, will lead us to a Tinubu as President. Why do I say that? PDP strongholds in the South South and the South East and Middle belt which are ordinarily Atiku bases, will now be split between Atiku and Peter Obi. One is taking the votes of the other. That means, Underestimate Tinubu at your peril. We found this out the hard way. Underestimate Atiku at your peril. Wike found this out the hard way. And underestimate Peter Obi and his youths, at your peril and you may find out the hard way too. Neither of these men rely on their fellow men.


Good morning Sir, you are yet to declare for another political party after resigning your membership of the APC. Why?

It’s Nigerian nature to assume that one must be a member of a political party at any one time. You, are you a member of a political party? So why must I be? It’s also common thinking that assumes that my resignation is equal to a separation from Amaechi. I can resign on principle, but still keep my relationships. It’s called maturity. Amaechi is still my leader. But I am not a member of APC.

No. I have not joined any party since I resigned from the APC and I’m not in a rush to do so either. Leaving APC very fast was the 1st priority and I’m especially glad that I did so. It was important for me to send a message to the National. My focus now is on candidates and not on their parties. Fighting for our future is not a game. Where we come from, it’s often life and death. I like fighting, but I’m tired of fighting with people who are not interested in the things that matter to me. People, public relations, media, Youth unemployment, rural women & girls empowerment, creative industry, job creation, skills development, SME access to credit and finally tackling insecurity.

I’m tired of fighting with people who do not have a common ideology that provides a clear basis for policy positions on the key issues. Why then are we gathered, if not to make a difference in the lives of others? What is the point? Since birds of the same feather flock together, or as Patrick Obaigbena would put it; “avian species of identical plumage, congregate.” I refuse to congregate with species that do not have my plumage. Maybe I will wait for the era of independent candidates or a party that defines an ideology and defends it. A party that is truly bigger than its candidates.  

There has been this recurrent spate of kidnappings and insecurity on the Emohua Kalabari route. As a Rivers son particularly from the Kalabari area, what do you make of it? What should be done?

Just a few things, create jobs and install military checkpoints that are covered by mobile patrols. Before you do this carry out a clean sweep of the area with the help of credible local intelligence. The local government Chairmen of the three Kalabari LGAs and Emohua should be involved.

Gale of defections have continued to hit your former party with a few key members of the party moving to PDP and other political parties. Why is it so and what is the solution to it?

I can’t say for sure why it is so; I am not a big fan of just identifying the problem. I am more interested in solutions, which is why you asked a good question. It’s not my party any more, but those who remain, have a responsibility to find out what the solutions are, so as to apply them ASAP. One thing I learnt from Tinubu and Atiku is after every setback, they do a post mortem to analyze how to fix what went wrong. The objective is not to make the same mistake twice. Rivers APC should avoid abusing the defectors, focus on the why and look within. Then create the environment for not only people to stay, but others to come to them.

The PDP candidate, Sim Fubara is an Ibani son from the Riverine dichotomy. Going by the 2014 electoral statistics, all the votes from the riverine area cannot match up with that of Obio/Akpo alone which is regarded as the stronghold of the PDP. What in your opinion is the string APC or any other party would pull to upset the PDP next year?

Good question, but it’s directed at the wrong person because I have no way of knowing what the intricacies of the APC or any other party strategy will be. What I can say though, is that everybody can be beaten, nobody is invincible. Even Goliath. What it takes is courage, conviction, planning, timing and execution. If APC in Rivers does that which it is supposed to do, they will win. But if they don’t, they will lose. Going by the premise of your question though, the candidate in Rivers might as well be always coming from Obio Akpor. The high numbers are not real and the number of riverine people living there is not captured. Whoever gets 400,000 votes in Rivers state will win it.

There is an allegation that APC in alliance with INEC have commenced the process of rigging the 2023 elections by transfer of the manufacturer of the BVAS machine from Abuja to Enugu, sudden award of N48b surveillance contract to Tompolo, a man that was initially declared wanted by the FG and finally the allegation by CUPP of infusion of a fake voters register into INEC portal?

I have heard these allegations and also the rumours. When I was a member of the APC, I’m aware that the party leadership went to see Buhari to discuss strategy and he was crystal clear that it would be a free and fair election and so he would not interfere with the process. INEC is responsible for its conduct and the world, Nigerians and the youths will be watching. The election is likely to be tight, so any missteps will be the origins of a potential crisis. And INEC will be held responsible. I believe they know that. A word is enough for the wise. There is no need for paragraphs.


Nigeria is 62 now, what are your assessments, do you think she is sitting further on the keg of gunpowder and way forward.

I’d rather not use language that is that incendiary. Nigeria as I see it is a big ship that is slowly going astray. It’s drifting. And it is my opinion that Feb 2023 is really going to be the last opportunity to redefine a new future for ourselves. It will take a lot of very smart people who are ready to do a lot of very hard work, for us to see a Nigeria that we can be proud of in our lifetimes. If we get it right, we will see the signs before our next Oct 1st.

There is a trend of political parties selecting anointed candidates as against the choice of party members. How has this affected your interest in politics, knowing that you just resigned from the APC after failing to secure the party ticket?

Correction: I did not resign from the APC after either failing to secure the Governorship ticket nor after failing to secure the Presidential ticket. On both occasions, I issued statements of support to the party candidates, in spite of my obvious dissatisfaction with both outcomes. One must learn to live and let live. It must not always be you or your candidate. As for the anointing of selected candidates, it was done by a transparent process, that involved everyone. The fact that some that were involved in that process are now regretting it, is a matter for them. I resigned purely because of the Muslim - Muslim ticket. Under this electoral act as amended, the popularity of party candidates cannot be overlooked. They have five months to appeal to their constituents. Let us pray the process is peaceful and the outcome is popular.

Who will you be supporting for Rivers State Governor and why? What qualities does the candidate have?

I will be supporting Tonye Cole. I said I would in the beginning and nothing has led me to go against my word since. Not even my resignation from the APC. He is a breath of fresh air and a very marked change from the status quo. His international reach and business experience will help us create jobs, create the atmosphere for businesses to thrive and move our focus from simply using youths to win elections to building our youths up to win for themselves and their families. He is a man of peace and is happy to work with all sides, different factions and all Rivers people, indigenes and non indigenes alike. Yes, he is new to politics and he is not spending cash like he should, but he will learn and is ready to do so. Rome was not built in a day. So let us bear with him so that he can bear with us. Because we will need people like him, to bear with our children.

Eze Joins Atiku to Mourn his Personal Secretary, Abdullahi M. Nyako

 Describes Him as a Personification of Friendship,  Brotherhood and a Consummate Gentleman

 ...Says His Death Has Dealt a Big Blow to His Family, Friends, Associates and All Those Who Knew Him 

....Consoles Atiku and Entire People of Adamawa State on the Demise of their Illustrious Son

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party, nPDP, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has expressed a sympathetic sorrow over the demise of his compadre, Barr. Abdullahi Mohammed Nyako, who until his demise, was the Confidential Secretary of the former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa

In a statement made available to media houses, Eze who is a member of APC Legacy Projects Media Team and who can at best be described as a true son of Adamawa, having spent his youthful years in the State (From 1989 to 2012) where he did his NYSC and also started his family of six children, said as a key player in the economic and political development of the State who pioneered several political movements and enjoys a very cordial relationship with the people, it becomes expedient to join in their moment of grief over their loss.

Describing Abdullahi Nyako as a brother and personal friend with a deep sense of humanity, Eze recalled how he ensured easy access to Atiku when he was coordinating one of Atiku's political Pressure Groups, the Turaki Vanguard.

Alh. Nyako, not minding his very rich family background coming from a very respectful and royal family in ADAMAWA State, humbled himself in such a way that one would be shocked to know of his personality quality of man he is.

“Those of us from the North know that to be chosen as a Waziri amongst your people simply demonstrates the level of trust and respect they have for you but watching Nyako from afar, you will never know that this unassuming, urban and a great disciple of Atiku Abubakar is a Kingmaker. Even as his Principal, Atiku Abubakar wears the great title of Waziri Adamawa making him the second in command to the ADAMAWA Emirate Council and based on his unflinching and unblemished record and feats, Barr. Nyako is also the Waziri Kojoli, Yelli District of Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.”

Nyako was turbanned on the 9th of November 2007 in an event witnessed by the low and mighty across the country thereby becoming automatically one of the kingmakers, closest advisers to the District Head, a confidant of the paramount ruler and the second-in-command in hierarchy from the top and by roots, origin and heritage a son of a Princess.

Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Nyako is a unique personality and his unblemished, transparent attitude to life and distinct interpersonal relationship with others marks him as an admirable and amiable fellow. A fellow with multiple degrees, an attorney, an administrator, having worked with the government a score and half before voluntarily pulling out and an icon of patriotism.

Eze went further to postulate that Nyako, Abdullahi Mohammed was born on the 11th November, 1958 in Kojoli, Jada Local Government of Adamawa State and had his early education at Kojoli primary school between 1966 and 1971. From 1972 to 1977 without a break. He obtained his secondary education from Government Secondary School, Ganye, in the famous Sardauna Province. He did his first degree between 1978 and 1981 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

This scholarly, erudite and academically inclined fellow obtained his Masters’ Degree in Public Administration from University of Jos between 1988 and 1990. And a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Abuja and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He has attended various workshops, seminars and conferences both locally and internationally. Barrister Nyako, Abdullahi Mohammed has had a distinguished and steady public service career having served diligently as Administrative Officer in the office of the President, Political Affairs Department, Lagos from 1982 to 1987. He was  also a Liaison Officer, Office of the President, Abuja from 1987 to 1988. In another vein, the gentleman was the Administrative Assistant on Special Duties in the Office of the First Lady, State House from 1991 to 1993. Additionally, he was Executive Director, Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup, the World Youth Championship Nigeria’95, from December 1993 to December 1994.

He was Secretary to the Kafin Zaki and Kawali Diversion Project,Abuja, 1994/1995. He was altogether a recurring decimal in Special Duties Office and Head, Budget Unit in the Presidency, Office of the Secretary of the Federation, 1995 to 1999 and Principal Secretary to the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.

Before his demise he combines his duties as the Personal Secretary to Atiku Abubakar and as the Managing Partner of Reliance  Law Chambers. Reliance Law Chambers, a firm of Solicitors, Barristers, Legal consultants and arbitrators.

It is sad that Waziri Nyako could not live to witness his longtime dream and vision of ensuring that Atiku Abubakar becomes the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
“With heart full of sorrow, I condole both Atiku Abubakar and the entire people of Adamawa State on the demise of this great and illustrious son of the State.

Adieu my brother!
Goodnight the Gentle one!
May our great God grant you a place in his Kingdom, AMEN.

Princewills Trust Dubai Challenge: Loveth, Alex and Omiete Emerge Winners

....As Bootcamp begins in September

 

The Princewills Trust has announced its readiness to send another set of winners (Loveth, Alex and Omiete) of the Princewill - Trust Vision and Success Opportunity Challenge to Dubai.

 

Princewills Trust, in partnership with the Dubai Department for Economy and Tourism (DET) and CLR education consulting, have teamed up to organize this opportunity for winners of the challenge so they can get a first-hand experience of the world’s most popular destination; Dubai, as named by TripAdvisor in 2022.

 

The winners of the latest edition are Loveth Chikanka Ichemati, a 1st year student of English and Literature in the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She hails from Nkpolu in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. Alex Tamuno Miegbam, a Phd student of History and International Diplomacy, also from the Rivers State University. She hails from Iwoma Borokiri in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. The final winner is Idoniboyeobu Omiete Opubo, a 4th year student of Mechanical Engineering at the Afe Babalola University, Ekiti State. He hails from Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

 

The trio will be heading to Dubai in September for a one-week bootcamp and tour of Dubai.

 

The Vision and Success Opportunity Challenge is a forum created by Princewills Trust, where ambitious young leaders pitch ideas and strategies for furthering their vision and success in life.

 

The objective of the challenge is to enable Nigerian university undergraduates and or postgraduates envision viable career models and explore how to change their environment from ideation to practice, while still pursuing their studies.

 

Prince Tonye Princewill, the founder of Princewills’ Trust, had this to say, “I always get excited when a

new set of students embark on these bootcamps. The post-trip reviews we have had from previous trips were so encouraging that we are considering expanding the scope of the challenge to include students from other states in Nigeria. The exposure is great for the kids, opening their minds to endless possibilities. Experiencing Dubai was a life changer for me. I hope it will be for them. I’d like to thank the whole team at Dubai Tourism and particularly the Africa desk, led by Stella Fubara and Christian Romer and the ever reliable CLR, led by Nneka Oduah. It’s your passion for our tomorrow, that’s made this possible.”

 

About Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET: With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in achieving its competitiveness vision to position the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the emirate’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators.

 

DET is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for the licensing and classification of all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. The DET portfolio includes Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Dubai Industries and Exports, Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI) and Dubai SME, as well as Dubai College of Tourism, Dubai Calendar and Dubai Business Events.

 

About Princewills’ Trust: The Princewills Trust is a non-governmental organization set up under the auspices of Prince Tonye Princewill. It is focused primarily on the promotion of human capacity, by any means possible, and has a host of novel projects and uniquely adapted intervention programmes to point to, from 2002 to date.

 

The Trust is deeply committed to providing humane services and the sustainable empowerment of the talented, the skillful, the hard and the smart working people, particularly in Rivers state, with the motto of leaving no group behind.

 

Over the years its outreach has extended to women empowerment programmes, medical missions, disability interventions, disaster recovery, graduate and post graduate scholarships, adapted orphanage programmes, skill acquisition programmes, talent hunts and various forms of youth mentoring initiatives including this one.

 

Even though the formal registration of the Princewill Trust took place in June, 2012, its activities date back to 2002 and were born out of the very compelling need for the Royal family of the Ancient Kalabari Kingdom to ameliorate first, the sufferings of her subjects and then the people of the wider Niger Delta region, who have been subjected to very devastating levels of poverty and deprivation.

 

 

Judge Me by My Past Records - Amaechi

…Vows to Complete $11.1Billion Lagos -Warri-Calabar Rail Project if elected

 

The Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on Friday told Delta State delegates of the party to vote for him on the merit of his past achievements and not because he hails from Niger Delta.

 

Chief Amaechi also told the Delta delegates to be wary of those making political promises, assuring them that he is the only one that would complete the $11.1billion Lagos - Warri  - Calabar railway project which will pass through Asaba, if voted as president.

 

The APC Presidential hopeful who was at the party state secretariat in Asaba as part of his zonal

consultation tours said the Lagos - Warri - Calabar rail project holds enormous economic potential for Delta state, adding that there is a strong possibility that it would be abandoned unless APC returns to power with himself as president.

 

"Don't listen to those who say l will do. Ask them what have they done. I fought insecurity in Rivers, l generated power which l cannot distribute because it is only the federal government that can distribute. If l'm elected president, l will make sure power is removed from the exclusive list," he assured.

 

He reminded the delegates that the Warri - Itakpe railway project was abandoned until the Buhari-led APC administration revisited it.

 

Chief Amaechi also paid a courtesy call on the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Nnemeka Achebe where he paid glowing tribute to the monarch.

 

"President Muhammadu Buhari has done well, you can agree or disagree. In October/November he will commission the 2nd Niger Bridge. We have started the $11.1billion Lagos - Calabar project which will pass through Asaba, the single biggest project in the world. This project must be finished.

 

"If l don't win the primary and the general elections, nobody else can do it because it is capital intensive. The moment we complete the Lagos - Calabar, Warri, things will be okay. What should bother us is how do we move forward. It takes courage and that was why we came up with that theme 'Forward with courage'. It requires courage to confront the challenges ahead," Amaechi added.

 

The minister also applauded the Asagba of Asaba and his Council of Chiefs promising to work with the National Assembly to create a constitutional role for traditional rulers in Nigeria.

 

"Most of our traditional rulers are highly read. We need their wisdom, exposure and ideas in government," he further said.

 

Chairman of APC in Delta State, Elder Omeni Sobotie pledged to deliver the state delegates to the minister, saying "our own is different from my own.

"Our own son, the crown prince of Niger Delta is a man with the heart of a lion. He is courageous. If he

had not come out it would have been difficult to market South-south after our short time in government. The statutory delegates present here are 88, by the time we add others we have 151 delegates. We will ensure you have the whole of Delta," he said.

 

The Asaba monarch noted the past record of achievements of Chief Amaechi while praying for opportunity for higher service for the visiting presidential aspirant.