One of Rivers State’s top politicians and former governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Prince Tonye Princewill, has been crowned the paramount head of Da Ogo Polo in the Kalabari Kingdom of the state.
Princewill, the son of the immediate past Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom, His Serene Majesty King Prof. Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Amachree XI, was nominated by the majority of the Chiefs to clinch the exalted position.
Princewill, by this, becomes the 6th head of the Da Ogo Elebabene group of houses, taking over the seat from his father, Prof. T.J.T. Princewill, who was the 5th head before he died.
The acting head of the family, Chief Akodu Harrison Princewill, confirmed the nomination, stating, “We have a new Polodabo,” adding, “the people have spoken.”
The Guardian gathered that producing an Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom after the reign of King Kariboye-Abbi Benebo Princewill Amachree IV was between male biological descendants of two wives of King Kariboye-Abbi Benebo Princewill Amachree IV, namely Queen Eleba Bene and Queen Burowita, and Princewill emerged.
Da Ogo Polo, headed by the Chieftaincy of Da Ogo, carries the burden of leadership of the Eleba Bene group of houses, which has produced four out of the seven kings after King Kariboye-Abbi Benebo Princewill Amachree IV.
Speaking at the historic event, HRH Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, the Amanyanabo of the Source and prominent member of the Da Ogo family, said: “Finally, we have leadership the people of Da Ogo can rally around.”
In his acceptance speech, Princewill, who is also a business mogul and an entrepreneur, emphasised the importance of unity, culture, and leaving behind a good legacy.
He promised to make a positive impact on the lives of the people and warned that nobody was bigger than the family, including himself. On the talk of what the future holds, he was quick to dismiss the question, stating that the task at hand was already daunting enough.
“We have a Regent who is doing a great job, and I look forward to learning from him while supporting his administration in whatever way he deems fit. Stability is a key ingredient for development, and our people need development badly,” he stated.
