According to King James Version of the Holy Bible; the Book of Proverbs Chapter 3 verses 27 and 28: Withhold not good from them to whom is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
The Book of 1 John Chapter 3 verses 17 and 18 explains the above better when it stated and I quote “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
On the other hand, Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia defines compassion as the virtue of empathy for the sufferingof others. It is regarded as a fundamental part of human love, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnection and humanism
The above quotations from the holy scriptures and the definition by Wikipedia of the need to assist and help each other to develop a better world notwithstanding; the main treatise of this attempt is to examine the activities of a man who sees himself as if the above scriptures and definition of compassion were solely written because of him.
Prince Tonye Princewill the crowned Prince of the renowned Amachree dynasty in the Kalabari kingdom with its century-long history of bravery in war with the famous King Prof T.J.T Princewill, Amaechree xi, Amanyanabo Kalabari Kingdom, member of the Commander of the Federal Republic(CFR) and the immediate past Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers as a father. Trained as an aristocrat par excellence and bestowed with an uncommon wisdom from God.
He has distinguished himself as politician with hope and vision for Nigeria and Rivers, his home State. He demonstrated this while knowing that his petition after the election of 2007 was water tight and capable of scuttling and cancelling the guber election of that year withdrew the petition in favour of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi after the Supreme Court
declared him the duly elected Governor of Rivers State in place of his cousin, Sir Celestine Omehia who was then parading himself as the Governor of Rivers State.
At the National level after serving diligently and proven himself as a beacon of hope for our country in the Presidential Committee on Niger Delta; on 18th April, 2009 was appointed alongside other illustrious Nigerians, as a member of the Federal Government Vision 2020 Committee, where he was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Niger Delta. Contrary to the norms of politics as seen in Nigeria where people occupy offices without any principle; he resigned from the Committee on the 19th May 2009 in protest of the JTF onslaught on Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Niger Delta Region. His action necessitated the setting up of the Amnesty programme for the then militants that ushered in peace in the Niger Delta region.
Before I divert from the main subject matter of this treatise which is to examine and x-ray a weeklong (10th to 16th June, 2012) in the life of this rare humanist, visionary leader, educationist, philanthropist, detribalized, amiable, political strategist which act of philanthropy has become infectious and shining example of the type of leadership desirable by the people of Nigeria.
For avoidance of doubt, the second week of June 10thto 16th though typical of every week in the Life of Prince Tonye Princewill was selected for this study.
The first day (10th June, 2012)
The Leader of Princewill Political Associates (PPA), PDP Chieftain and the Prince of Niger Delta Politics as he is fondly addressed and whose drive for a better society is a study in selfless service to humanity! On this first day of this examination, he arrived the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos from Dubai where he took 10 young 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. He drove from the Airport to the ancient city of Ibadan the capital city of the old Western Region now the capital of Oyo State to interact with the Directors, crew members of a new block buster movie being cast that will shake and change the film industry in Nigeria for good. The film title “76 whose film format is on senoloid camera is anchored 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.
According to Mr. Adonijah Owiriwa, the Executive Producer of the Movie who welcomed Prince Tonye Princewill and his entourage,“The film is principally aimed at exposing how greed and excessive quest for power has destroyed the greatest black nation on earth. We have spent three years shooting this movie and yet to come to an end because we had to take steps to put everything in place to ensure that 70’s is depicted correctly. We had to pass through the rigours of getting approval of the Chief of Army Staff which enabled us to get access to the barracks, arms, uniforms and other accessories that were used by the Army in the 70s. Other Directors on hand to welcome the Prince were the famous Izu Ojukwu directing the film, Associate Producer, Grace Haastrup, Mr. Pat Nebo, the Art Director and Director of Photography, Mr. Yika Edumund among other Directors. The Prince who is the Sponsor of the movie interacted and ate with the crew numbering over 200 after which he addressed and motivated them to ensure that the movie makes its mark in the Film Industry in Nigeria. “I will do my best to ensure that you are motivated and assisted to make your marks in the Nollywood. A whopping sum running into hundreds of million Naira has been set aside by the Prince to promote this new film.
The Second Day (11th June, 2012).
The Prince rushed back to Port Harcourt to meet up with the weekly prayer meeting anchored by Bishop John Enojoh with members of his staff (River Drill Group) of which he is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). On this week’s prayer session, a seasoned and respected man of God, Apostle Daniel from Gboko was the Guest Speaker with Evangelist Eucharia Anunobi the famous Nollywood Actress who is now a Preacher of the gospel of Christ in attendance. The Guest Speaker who titled his speech “The Benefits of Risk Takers”; took his text from I Chronicle 11 verse 17-18: “And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate! And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the Lord”. In his sermon, the Guest Speaker who was among the foundation members of the Boko Haram and converted by Christ Himself; admonished the staff that the Prince is thirsty and looking for staff and people who are risk takers that can get him water to quench his thirst!
Later in the day the Prince met with the leadership of Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ). Miss Enale Koda, the Rivers State Chairperson of the Association who led her Exco on a courtesy call told the Prince that they will like to partner with him in their emancipation agenda of the women particularly arresting and enlightening the women of the danger and prevention of breast cancer among other programs. The Prince accepted to partner with them and to assist them where necessary in carrying out this onerous task.
The Third Day (12th June, 2012)
The third day was used to host the State Chairman of NUJ, Opaka Dokubo and members of his EXCO and representatives of the 2012 Credentials Committee which the Prince used to redeem the N2.5million pledge to the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during its last State NUJ Fifth Delegates Conference of which he was the Conference Chairman.
Prince Princewill while handing over the cheque said he was moved by the significant role the media play in sustaining life of society and most often placing their own lives on the line.
He regretted that those who ought to benefit for their contributions to society are often relegated to the background, and called for a change of attitude on the part of our leaders, present and future.
The liberal democrat frowned at the laxity that characterizes public life and management of public institutions in Nigeria on account of which we have recorded many avoidable losses.
On the recent Dana plane crash that claimed over 153 persons, the Prince blamed it on the non-challant attitude of those in charge of affairs in the aviation industry.
Crying and lamenting over the dead he said, is no longer the issue but how to stop a re-occurrence of this mess.
The Prince enjoined government and the authorities to probe the black Sunday’s incident with a view to punishing those found culpable, besides coming up with stringent rules and regulations on the management of the airways and those managing it.
“Elsewhere in the world this is the practice and experience has shown that such air mishaps are at the lowest ebb and whenever it happens those found wanting are sought out and punished accordingly no matter how long it takes. For this reason, everybody involved in the management of the airways is serious and committed because if you are found to be privy to any careless mistake you go in for it”,the petroleum engineer turned politician remarked.
To be able to get to the anticipated level, the Prince charged the media not to relent and to embark more on investigative journalism to expose such corrupt persons no matter their social status.
Receiving the cheque on behalf of the NUJ, Opaka Dokubo thanked the donor for his love for journalists, commending him for his humility and various efforts aimed at building the youths as leaders of tomorrow.
By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
