“The people of Kalabari are fortunate to have such a man of depth, candour and perseverance as a father, monarch and guardian”, so declared Dr Dakuku Peterside, Director General of NIMASA in a goodwill message.
Recall that the Monarch who recently turned 90 had celebrated his birthday a couple of days ago.
Obviously elated by his accomplishments, Peterside described the Amayanabo as a “natural ruler, teacher, consummate leader, rallying point and custodian of the culture and tradition of his people.”
Continuing, Peterside stressed, “King Princewill is one of the few monarchs in Nigeria’s history to have risen to the pinnacle of his profession, in addition to leading an ethnic nationality that is renowned for academic excellence, industry and grit.”
The skating remarks credited to the Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike had generated a lot of furore just before the year was to end.
Wike had threatened that he would withdraw the official recognition of the stool, a statement which turned many Kalabaris livid with rage.
The Governor had insisted the Amayanabo had no right to receive another Governor in his kingdom without clearing with him.
But Peterside was full of praise for Amachree the XI whose reign had been marked by peace.
“Since he assumed the stool of his forebearers”, Peterside stated “he has been a man of peace, a father to all, very accommodating, resourceful and a reservoir of knowledge.”
Noting that the nonagenarian had taught him in school, Peterside prayed that he would continue to reign peacefully on the throne.
He observed that the natural ruler usually spoke ” with intellect” and a “deep sense of history”, stressing that he was always “willing to offer words of admonition to all those who come across him.”
According to him, King Princewill represents the truest form of a monarch, who always promotes, protects and entrenches the interest of his people in a very matured manner
“We would very much love to have our father for many more years to come as his advice, direction, admonition and peaceful disposition remain as relevant as the times”, Peterside emphasised.
