The People of great Kalabari Kingdom recently rolled out their drums to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of His Majesty Professor T.J.T. Princewill JP, CFR, Amachree Xl, Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom and Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
A thanksgiving service was held at the First Baptist Church, Buguma, officiated by Rev. S.B. Ngiangia.
The Kingdom of Kalabari has a rich historical tradition passed on from King Amachree I, the indefatigable Empire Builder of Kalabari Kingdom to the Present King, Professor Princewill, Amachre Xl, who incidentally is the first King of Kalabari history to become chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and also the first Rivers State monarch to receive the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic Award. (CFR )
To this end, the Amanyanabo who recognized that education is the bedrock and corner stone of any given society, instituted the King Amachree Xl Scholarship Scheme in 2007 which initially awarded scholarships to indigent undergraduates and post graduate students of Kalabari origin, and was later extended to cover the entire Rivers State indigenes.
King Princewill further noted that the major reason why he accepted the kingship was to forge a concrete purposeful unity for the Kalabari Kingdom.
He also urged the government to ensure that the Trans Kalabari highway taken over by the federal Government is completed soonest due to the importance of the road.
The anniversary ended with the presentation of 68 distinguished royal awards in various fields of endeavor to deserving sons and daughters of the Kalabari Kingdom.
Barr. Faye Dikio (SAN) who was one of the recipients of the Royal Award for Immense Contribution in the field of Law, observed that he was highly elevated for the recognition and honour accorded to him by the Amanyanabo, noting also that more awards are coming to crown his contribution as the first senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to emerge from Asari-Toru L.G.A.
He promised to use his good measure of experience in law to the benefits of the people of the state. Meanwhile, the legal luminary has called on the people of Kalabari to shun violence, advising them to come together in unity for the benefits of the kingdom.
Barr. Dikio used the opportunity to congratulate the Amanyanabo and prayed that God should grant him long life to pilot the affairs of the Kingdom to the glory of God and the entire Kalabari people. ###
By Boniface Ogbeni
