Edith CHUKU
In marking his 50 days in office as Da Ogo the 6th, paramount head of Da Ogo Polo in the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, has empowered 20 existing business owners with N500,000 each.
He also donated five million naira to youth skills development in five different disciplines; from sewing to hairdressing to GMP installation, soap and shoe making.
The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State, also launched a medical intervention scheme to address immediate and urgent healthcare needs with 32 beneficiaries already getting urgent medical attention.
He further equipped women and youths with environmental sanitation materials to keep Ogo Polo clean, even as he refurbished the Ogo memorial hall, installed cutting edge solar energy systems.
The Abbi youths skilled jobs scheme was targeted at the wider Abbi group of which Ogo Elebabene is a key part and benefits 160 youths to not only get trained with the practical work experience, but get equipped with working materials to set up their own businesses.
The Abbi Youths Chairman, Osaki Kpaluku Amachree, on receiving the money thanked Princewill for redeeming his pledge and promised to ensure that the money given will produce visible results in a short space of time.
Further, Princewill appointed a monitoring team headed by Chief Daogigo Ebenezer Pepple Amachree to give feedback on a monthly basis on its progress.
Princewill, son of the immediate past Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, His Serene Majesty King Prof. Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Amachree XI, was nominated by a majority of chiefs and selected as the 6th head of the Da Ogo Elebabene group of houses, to succeed his late father, who was the 5th head before ascending the throne as Amanyanabo.
Meanwhile, Princewill and key members of Queen Elebabene Da Ogo group of houses headed to the historical town of Elem Kalabari to celebrate the Kalabari New Year in support of the chief host and King of the source, HRH Mujahid Dokubo Asari.
On the festival, Princewill revealed in a statement by the Secretary, Ogo Elebabene Group of Houses, Mr Jenewari Ntiego Alioma, that, “the festival is observed on the 16th of November each year with the 15th evening or tide event recognized as the “transition.”
“The date is tied to a beautiful natural phenomenon of the tidal surge or “turning of the tide” where saltwater pushes back fresh water – considered a natural reset that symbolizes renewal, rebirth and the reaffirmation of identity.”
The revived festival is believed to go back centuries with activities ranging from cleansing of the water to a tree planting ceremony which the Prince himself led, and many cultural displays which included the “18 types of Iria”.
