The death of the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom, Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI, has formally been announced.
The announcement was made by a prince of the Kalabari kingdom, Tonye T.J.T Princewill.
The king was said to have joined his ancestors for quite some time, but certain rites had to be undertaken before any official announcement.
Princewill, in a statement on Saturday on behalf of the family, said:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I am formally announcing the departure of my father, our King and His Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom. He was not just my father, he was also my best friend.
“Earlier today, the Buguma Council of Chiefs and the Kalabari Council of Chiefs were formally briefed, all in accordance with Kalabari tradition, thereby opening the door to our now officially informing the world, as the cart can not be put before the horse.
“Further announcements will follow in the days and weeks to come, but we call on you for your prayers and your well wishes, not just for the family, but for the entire Kalabari Kingdom. He will truly be missed”.
The departed monarch was born into the royal family of King and Queen Jacob Tom Princewill, Amachree the VII, on 4th January 1930 in Buguma City.
He became a professor in 1984 at the University of Port Harcourt, where he was the first Head of the Department of Microbiology, the first Professor of Microbiology, and the first black Professor to be Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
He was installed King Amachree XI on 23rd March 2002.
