Written by Odimegwu Onwumere
Prince Tonye Princewill’s congratulatory letter to The Management of the Rivers State Newspapers Corporations on its 40th anniversary of the publication of The Tide Newspapers, made a good read. This leader of the Princewill Political Association (PPA), a political group of Rivers State, also congratulated the management and staff of the National Network newspapers on its 7th year of publishing that was marked on 25th November. A friend of the media, Princewill has been congratulating any genuine course and has not hidden his voice that the media should always be objective in its reports. He has always shown his support for the media by answering to any emerged distressed calls from the media to him.
It is remarkable that Princewill entered the Nigeria’s murky waters of politics in 2007, when he locked his horn in the gubernatorial elections of the state under the platform of the Action Congress (AC), now Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). After that, speculations have continued to surround him on the media of what he wants in politics and the extend he wants to reach in his political career since he has refused to accept any political appointment or openly showed interest on any political contest again. To this end, it makes the dude look controversial, but he is not. Rather, observers project controversies to surround his persona.
A good friend of the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, who was on the 30th of April 2010, in a colourful ceremony, presented with the award of Governor of the year 2009, by the Leadership Newspapers, Princewil is without doubt generous with humility. The umpteenth time, he has ever reassured his philosophy that the media and governance in Rivers State should not only be left for politicians alone. As a result, many of us have become politicians in practice or through writing.
One thing we know is that Princewill meant well for Rivers State when he contested in that election. His manifesto speaks volume. This could be because he has traveled far and near with many pocketed experiences that trail him. Whether anyone likes it or not, he has got a memorable name in the history of Rivers State. History will have to contend to compare his name.
We stand corrected that Princewill has doubly made sure that the performances of Amaechi work, no matter the numerous shortcomings the state is facing right now. Princewill is always available to clarify facts anytime, unlike his like who place theirselves above board always. You need no effort to comprehend the events that characterize his life on business activities at individual and corporate venues. No mater that the state is facing harrowing periods in the history of the state, Princewill has never accepted that and never waned to encourage all to be prayerful and patient that the government is doing its best. He has contributed immensely in the struggle to revive the state economically, socially and culturally.
He never means to be inquisitive as he allows anybody close to him to do his or her job, as far as such job is not shoddy. His philosophy is in making sure that the state governor allows even the judiciary enjoy their job better. As a revered stakeholder in the state, Princewill has made history and has institutionalized accountability, transparency and discipline in the life of Rivers people in the little he is doing.
If the essence of governance is to be closer to the people then this humble and visionary revolutionist called Princewill, definitely is doing it. With the way Princewill is going in Rivers State, there can be no hiding the truth that one good turn deserves another someday.
Princewill’s commitment to social responsibility by his decision to acknowledge the trail blazing efforts of the media is a continued drive to ensure equitable access to the dividends of democracy to all and sundry across the Niger. His commitment towards building a virile, vibrant and egalitarian Rivers State is on the increase per second. During the days of uncertainties resulting from the siege of militancy and other criminal activities resulting in a state of emergency, Princewill was in the forefront to calm down the situation. He fought literarily to bring the state to normalcy because the criminal activities then brought the state economy to its knees with a mass exodus of major investors in the state especially in the oil and gas sector.
As Princewill recognizes the media, one of their own, due to his immeasurable contributions to nation building honoured him. The Management and Editorial Board of the National Mirror on 7th July, 2008, page 6 of its edition, with the caption – “Cabinet Reshuffle – 40 People Who Can Fix Nigeria” – Princewill was nominated among the 39 Nigerians speculated that can fix up the multidimensional problems of Nigeria. Princewill was placed 7th among these 39 Nigerians. The prayer today is that he continues to show his exemplary manner which culminated to the management of the unity government his then AC had with Amaechi.
Odimegwu Onwumere is the Coordinator, Concerned Non-Indigenes In Rivers State (CONIRIV). Mobile: +2348032552855 (or) +2348057778358
