By Nwaorgu Faustinus
PORT-HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Rivers State Commissioner for chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Charles Amadi, has lauded the Central Working Committee (CWC) for their meticulous preparations in honor of the impending transition of his Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T. Princewill, JP, CON, Amachree XI, Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom.
Speaking at the inauguration of the budget screening and monitoring committee, held at the Hotel Presidential in Port-Harcourt on Monday, Commissioner Amadi expressed satisfaction with the presentations made by members of the sub-committees. He expressed confidence that the community’s collective efforts are devoted to ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition for the late king.
Hon. Amadi, representing Governor Sim Fubara, also assured the government’s support whenever required.
The Chairman of the Central Working Committee, Prince Tonye Princewill, who is coincidentally the only biological child of the late king, gave an update on the progress made thus far and tasks still to be completed. He noted concerns about certain committees yet to present their reports, emphasizing that the CWC would no longer wait for their submissions.
Echoing the chairman’s stance, the co-chairman of the committee, Chief Dr. David Briggs, urged committee members to view their roles as a call to selfless service, discouraging any perception of committee work as a “gravy train.”
The meeting commenced at 2 pm, with the media and publicity subcommittee’s chairman introducing the day’s agenda. The opening prayer was led by the secretary of the CWC, Prof. Victor Omuaru.
Earlier in the day, Prince Tonye Princewill, accompanied by Opunabo Inko-Tariah, visited the Amanyanabo of Bakana, another direct descendant of the Amachree stool. The Amanyanabo pledged the full participation of the Bakana people in the burial arrangements, expressing gratitude for Prince Tonye’s visit.
Notable attendees at the meeting included former House of Representatives member Arc. Eniye Braide and former Local Government Chairman Hon. Levy Braide.
Key highlights of the meeting included the inauguration of the budget screening committee, the review of the draft program of activities, and the monitoring committee.
Draft Program of Activities to Honor Late King Prof. T.J.T. Princewill
November 1st – December 25th, 2023
Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State
Date/Activity | Action by Committee
Wednesday, November 1, 2023:
- 4:00 am: Seven Canon Shots as Formal Traditional Announcement of the commencement of Burial
- 8:00 am: Final (Oku) Emissaries to All Communities In Kalabari Kingdom and compounds of Buguma to announce the Burial Activities
Monday, November 6, 2023:
- 6:00 am – 12:00 pm: Prayers/Fasting at various Kalabari Communities
Wednesday, November 8, 2023:
- 5:00 am – 3:00 pm: Ekine Sekiapu Perform Town Cleansing at Buguma
Thursday, November 9, 2023:
- 5:00 am: Egbele-Ereme sing round Buguma
Monday, November 13, 2023:
- 4:00 am – 8:00 am: Women Native Singing Groups sing round Buguma
Wednesday, November 15 – 18, 2023:
- Ekine Sekiapu Annual night Ngbula display
Monday, November 20, 2023:
- King Abbi Polo Kick-Starts The Igira Sira activities
Tuesday, November 21 – 25, 2023:
- All communities In Kalabari Kingdom/Compounds In Buguma begin the Igira Sira activities
Saturday, November 25, 2023:
- 7:00 am – 10:00 am: Sanitation at Buguma and along the Emohua-Kalabari road
- 4:00 pm: Eklne Sekiapu perform the final cleansing rites from Elem-Kalabari to Buguma City
- 11:00 am: Kalabari Kingdom Unity lecture in King Amachree Memorial Hall, Buguma.
- 4:30 pm: Novelty Football Match in honor of the late Monarch between KNC Old Boys and KGHS Old Girls teams
Sunday, November 26, 2023:
- 5:00 pm: All Churches in Kalabari land to centrally hold Interdenominational Carol Service at the King Amachree Square.
Monday, November 27, 2023:
- 4:00 am: Se-Erena Kurusu To Announce The Burial With Native Women Singing Groups Singing Round Buguma
- All Communities and Compounds of Kalabari Decorate Their Communities/Compounds With Flags
- 4:00 pm: Service of Songs and Tributes At Christians Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt
- 8:00 pm: All Churches Native Choirs Sing In Buguma At The Town Square
Tuesday, November 28, 2023:
- 6:00 am Final Igira Sira
- 4:00 pm: Candle Procession Round Town By Choirs Of The Various Churches In Buguma
- 4:00 pm: Country Classics and Jazz Band Display At Buguma
Wednesday, November 29, 2023:
- 4:00 am: The 7 Canon Shots Announce the approach of the Corpse
- 5:00 am: All Communities/War Canoe Houses Despatch Their War Boats And lavishly Decorated Alali (Festival) Boats with Masquerades to Port Harcourt to Escort the Corpse
- 10:00 am: Body Of The Late Monarch And One Time Chairman Of The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers Lies-In-State At The Council of Traditional Rulers’ Chambers
- 12:00 pm: Igira Groups And Warrior-Like Dressed Groups Display To Escort The Corpse From UTC Junction To Abonnema Wharf Jetty In Diobu Port Harcourt
- 2:00 pm: Corpse Arrive Elem-Kalabari For Final Rites And move To Buguma City escorted By All War Canoes.
- 4:00 pm: Body Of The Late Monarch King Prof. T. J. T. Princewill JP, CFR, Amachree Xl, Arrives Kalabari Owusara In Buguma And is Received By The Kings, Kalabari Chiefs, Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu, sons and daughters of Kalabari kingdom with pomp and pageantry
- 5.00pm: Body is escorted to (Chief Prince Ogo Tom Princewill) Compound and later to King Abbi Memorial Hall in Abbi Polo Buguma for Lying-In-State
Thursday, November 30, 2023:
- 1:00 am: Body of the late Monarch moves to the King Amachree Memorial Hall, Buguma, For final Lying-In-State for Traditional Wake-Keep
- 10:00 am: Dignitaries from across the globe pay last respects
- 1:00 pm: Kirikiri Mine and interment
Saturday, December 2, 2023:
- 8:00 pm: The Country Classics and Jazz Band Display
Monday, December 4 – 23, 2023:
- Canon Shots and the Okuro Fari as well as various communities, clubs, compounds, and the Ekine Sekiapu of Buguma and other communities will take turns to perform cultural and other activities display at designated compounds and centers in Buguma
Sunday, December 24, 2023:
- Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist Church, Buguma
Monday, December 25, 2023:
- Farewell HSM Late King Prof. Theophilus Jacob Tom Princewill JP, CFR, Amachree XI
