Former Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State and owner of several businesses, Prince Tonye Princewill has formally announced the passage of his father, King of Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State, His Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI, Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom.
In an emotional message the prince wrote, "He was not just my father, he was also my best friend."

Following a formal briefing to the Buguma Council of Chiefs and the Kalabari Council of Chiefs who were both accorded traditional Kalabari courtesies, the door was officially opened to inform the rest of the world. The statement by Princewill promised more details about the obsequies in the days ahead

Brief Biography:

His Serene Majesty King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, JP, CFR, Amachree XI, The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom was born on the 4 January, 1930 in Buguma City into the Royal Family of King and
Queen Jacob Tom Princewill, Amachree the VII.

Academically, he attained his professorship in the year 1984 at the University of Port Harcourt. He was the first Head of Department of Microbiology, the first Professor of Microbiology and the first black Professor to be Dean, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology where he finished his stint with academia.

Traditionally, he was installed King Amachree XI on the 23rd day of March, 2002, thus making him the first Professor to become a King of the Kalabari Kingdom and by extension Rivers State. HSM King Prof. T.J.T Princewill was appointed Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on the 1st of January, 2010 by His Excellency Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, thus becoming the first Professor King to be Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers as well as the first King of Kalabari extraction to be Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

In 2011, he was honoured with the National Award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Administration of HE Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan GCFR, former President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Though a Professor of international repute, his in-depth knowledge of the tradition and custom was such that he was the second King after King Kariboye- Abbi Amachree IV to have adorned and played the famous Egbelegbe masquerade to the admiration of the people of Tombia from whom the masquerade was acquired by King Kariboye Abbi Amachree IV.

The sum totality of his being was peace personified even in the face of persecution, hence he was fondly referred to as His Serene Majesty

May the soul of this wonderfult king rest in peace

May his soul rest in peace