Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan have described the passage of King Prof . TJT Princewill , Amachree XI, Amanyanabo of Kalabari as not just a loss to the traditional institution in the country, but a loss to humanity and the academic community.
While receiving the Chairman, Central Working Committee for the burial, Prince Tonye Princewill, in his office in Abuja, President Jonathan recalled his university school days experience when the king was first posted to the University of Port-Harcourt as a lecturer, describing him as “King among Kings.
In a separate instance, Dame Patience pointed out that as an Ijaw daughter of okrika extraction, the kalabari monarch was not just a kalabari king, but also her father and a father to all sons and daughters of the ijaw nation.
Receiving a briefing from the burial committee at her Abuja residence, the former first lady also confirmed her attendance even as she prayed for peace, unity, love and progress in the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Central Working Committe , Prince Tonye Princewill, while briefing the former President said as the highest ranking Niger Delta son and a former student of the University of Port-Harcourt, the visit was imperative as letters shall not suffice.
A condolence letter personally signed by the former president, reads in part: “His Majesty lived an incredibly active and exemplary life as an academic and first-class traditional ruler. He was a gift and a tremendous blessing to the jaw nation.
” He will be fondly remembered for his contribution to national development throughout his career in the academia where he occupied several strategic positions in which he excelled. His achievements earned him a place in the history of our great country and the award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2011.
“We hope that your family and the entire Kalabari kingdom will take solace in the fact that he committed his time to serving God, promoting peace and development in the society. His legacies should be preserved by all those who knew and loved him.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as he is laid to rest. May his soul rest in God’s eternal peace.”
