Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has announced that he will head a delegation of National Assembly members to honor the late Prof. TJT Princewill, the King of Kalabari Kingdom and the longest-serving monarch of the Rivers.
Additionally, Akpabio stated that the late king would be honored in the hallowed chamber during plenary.
When a powerful delegation headed by Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill, the late monarch’s son, made him a courtesy call at his Abuja home, he offered the guarantee.
“I am from the Niger Delta region and I was tutored in Port-Harcourt,” stated Akpabio, who was also a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“National Assembly, members will pay their last respects to the king on the floor of the chambers, and some, including myself, will attend the burial,” the Senate President continued.
After extending a cordial welcome to the Kalabari lads, the Senate President gave the group a mental tour of his motivation as the governor of Akwa Ibom State and how his fond recollections of Port-Harcourt shaped him.
Prince Tonye Princewill, the only child of the King and Chairman of the Burial Committee, thanked the Senate President earlier in his opening remarks for consenting to allow the group on short notice.
He continued by introducing the Senate President to the members of his delegation.
The senior statesman, His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe of Kula, thanked the Senate President for the cordial welcome and the purpose of the visit during his introductory remarks.
As a former full-fledged “Port-Harcourt boy,” he emphasized the historical connections between Rivers States and Akwa Ibom and the necessity of the Senate President attending the funeral in person.
Speaking as well, King Diamond Tobin-West, the Amanyanabo of Okpo, expressed delight with the Senate President’s pledges and awoke the delegation with stories from his history involving Sen. Akpabio. He also underlined the importance of his support and attendance.
Chief David Briggs thanked the Senate President in his vote of gratitude for welcoming the group without prior warning and making them feel welcome. “We will tell our people what we saw and heard here today,” he added, expressing gratitude for all the pledges made.
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