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Revision as of 11:08, 21 June 2014
Tonye Princewill | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 January 1969 |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Petroleum Engineer |
Tonye Princewill (born 4 January 1969), is a prince of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State in Nigeria. He is a Nigerian politician and businessman with interest in both upstream and downstream oil and gas, information technology, environmental waste management and aviation services .
Early life
Prince Tonye Princewill was born in the UK to the family of King (Prof) T. J. T. Princewill, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom of the Amachree Dynasty of Rivers-State. Tonye Princewill's father was a Professor of Medical Microbiology before he became a monarch.
Education
Tonye Princewill started his early education in the United Kingdom, before returning with his parents to Nigeria. In Nigeria, he was enrolled at Hillcrest High School in Jos from 1976-1980. He then attended Federal Government College (Port Harcourt) where he obtained his West African Senior Certificate/ General Certificate of Education O'Level in 1985. He took his BSc in Petroleum engineering at the University of Port Harcourt. He did a Master's degree in Mineral Resources Engineering at the Imperial College London. Tonye Princewill also holds a PRINCE 2 Project Management Practitioner Certificate from the United Kingdom.
Career
Tonye Princewill started off his career with Shell as a Reservoir and Well-site Petroleum Engineer. He also worked briefly with the UK's Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom). He was the Chief Technology Officer of Panasonic in the United Kingdom; and served at the Global Asset Management desk of Citibank. He later moved into private business and established the Riverdrill Group of Companies (Nigeria) where he is Chairman. His business interests include oil and gas, information technology, aviation services and consulting.
Politics
Tonye Princewill's political career started when he was nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of the then Action Congress for the governorship of Rivers State in 2007.[1] He was supported by the then former Vice-President of Nigeria and the AC Presidential candidate in 2007 elections, Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Lagos and National Leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Tonye Princewill's campaign attracted significant grassroots support. He lost the election under contested circumstances to the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate, Celestine Omehia.
Tonye Princewill launched a legal challenge against the newly elected governor shortly after the election results were released. He offered evidence to prove to the electoral tribunal that the election was rigged. In a newspaper interview, he alleged that Celestine Omehia offered him a Naira 1.5 billion (approximately USD 10 million) bribe to withdraw the case before the tribunal, which he rejected.[2]
Following a Supreme Court decision to replace Celestine Omehia with another People's Democratic Party candidate Rotimi Amaechi, he withdrew his case at the tribunal, drawing criticism from his non political supporters who didn't realise it was a local party decision of the Action Congress in Rivers State .[3] Tonye Princewill said in a report that “we took the decision at the time that the enemy of your enemy is your friend,” noting that he was in battle with Celestine Omehia and his 'godfather', Dr. Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State, when Rotimi Amaechi was installed by the court.” [4]
Tonye Princewill later led members of the opposition parties in Rivers State under the banner of the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties (FOOPP) to form a unity government with Amechi's administration.[5] Although some politicians in the state viewed Tonye Princewill's renewed interest in Amaechi's government with skepticism, others saw it as necessary for the development and stability of Rivers State. Controversy followed, however, Tonye Princewill's announcement in 2010 that he was returning to the People's Democratic Party after he alleged threats and blackmail by National AC leaders effectively ended the opposition in the state.[6]
Tonye Princewill has since remained in the People's Democratic Party and concentrated more on political and humanitarian causes in the State.[7]
In 2013, he joined the management committee of People's Democratic Movement (PDM), the founding movement behind the People's Democratic Party and serves as the Director of Organisation.[8] The movement eventually evolved into a political party much to everybody's surprise. Princewill refused to join it but it is known widely that he enjoys enormous influence within the movement.
Political Future
After several months of speculation on his political future, Tonye Princewill indicated his interest to succeed the current governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi in 2015.[9]
He has since engaged in several public and People's Democratic Party debates. He stated that the crises rocking the People's Democratic Party in 2013 are normal in the context of conflicting regional agendas and tensions between these agendas and national interest.[10]
On 10 April 2014, he announced on Info 92.3 (Port Harcourt) the formation of an Exploratory Committee to explore the viability of his candidacy of running for governor of Rivers State.[11] It is expected that an announcement to run for Governor will happen soon after the Exploratory committee report.
Public Affairs and Good Governance
Tonye Princewill engages with the public on issues such as confronting corruption, infrastructural development, behavioural change, security, health, academic advancement and ethnic harmony through his weekly column in the Vanguard newspaper [12] Following the heavy floods that ravaged many communities in Nigeria,[13] Tonye Princewill organised relief activities through the Princewill Trust.[14]
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| image2 = Pub Sem.jpg | width2 = 180 | alt2 = Tonye Princewill's Survey on Grassroots Perception on Education in Rivers StateNigeria - 2013 | caption2 = Tonye Princewill's Survey on Grassroots Perception on Education in Rivers StateNigeria - 2013
Tonye Princewill is a leading advocate of youth empowerment in Nigeria. His efforts have engendered several initiatives that seek to inspire the youth population in the country, rural women, orphans and widows.[15] His determination contrasts a trend in Nigeria that uses youth, particularly during elections, for violence and thuggery and women only when you need them.[.[16]
In June 2012, Tonye Princewill sponsored and led a 10-man delegation of Nigerian young people, under the aegis of Change Nigeria Group, on a tour of Dubai and a similar 30 man delegation to Ghana to acquire knowledge on entrepreneurship, governance, leadership and self-development.[17]
In January 2013, in celebration of his 44th birthday, Tonye Princewill released a documentary titled "Man. Mentor. Maverick" which focuses on his endeavours towards equal opportunities for all.[18]
Tonye Princewill has been vocal in advocacy for open government and effective public service delivery using modern technology.[19] In line with this ideal, he has strengthened the capacity of several self-sponsored public advocacy entities, such as Princewill Political Associates (PPA). He has made the use of technology in addressing social challenges a key goal of the organisation. The PPA has conducted several social-development surveys using mobile phone trackers and voice-notes across communities in Rivers State.
This has earned him the nickname, "Digital Politician," [20] among his followers.
Surveys conducted show that the management of oil spillage in Rivers State, a catalyst for youth restiveness, is seen as ineffective across local governments in the State. Respondents alleged that funds which ought to have gone into cleaning and sanitization of their communities were diverted by local officials. These findings also support press reports about corruption in government allocations to oil producing areas.[21]
Tonye Princewill has conducted baseline studies in the areas of education and health in Rivers State. These studies have shown that the construction of Model Secondary and Primary schools is characterised by many failed and abandoned projects.[22] Tonye Princewill's health surveys show widespread disenchantment about the lack of improvement within the health sector. Weak health service delivery in Rivers State is forcing many patients to seek medical attention at unregulated traditional medicine shops. Challenges associated to HIV/AIDS, the lack of qualified health professionals, and unfinished health projects, are serious concerns among respondents. These findings have raised questions about the efficacy of funds injected into the sector by the Rivers State administration.[23]
Personal life
Tonye Princewill is happily married to Rosemary, and has a daughter and twin boys.
References
- ^ "Why I Contested 2007 Polls". The Tide News.
- ^ "Why I rejected N1.5bn bribe from Omehia — Tonye Princewill". National Mirror.
- ^ JIMITOTA ONOYUME. "Governor Amaechi: Four years after Supreme court's verdict". Vanguard. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
- ^ Emmanuel Aziken-Political Editor. "TONYE PRINCEWILL: A prince, his will and his anger". Vanguard.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ The Nigerian Voice. "Rivers Unity Government, Federal Government & NDDC MD— Ikenga Igbo". TNV. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
- ^ AKANIMO SAMPSON. "PRINCEWILL QUITS AC, RETURNS TO PDP FOR 2011 GOVERNORSHIP". Allvoices.Com. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ Wale Babajide. "TONYE PRINCEWILL SPENDS 120 MILLION ON REALITY SHOW FOR ORPHANS". Retrieved 2012-02-02.
- ^ Benjamin Kase. "COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE MEETING OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (PDM)". African Interest. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
- ^ Olaolu Olusina & Femi Durojaiye. "Princewill: Why I want to Succeed Amaechi". ThisDay Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
- ^ Kelvin Ebiri. "Crises Rocking The PDP Are Normal, Says Princewill". COVER: Guardian Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
- ^ Info 92.3. "Prince Tonye Princewill on Nigeria Info 92.3 with Daniel Braide". You Tube. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Tonye Princewill - Weekly Column. "Vanguard". Vanguard Newspaper, Nigeria.
- ^ Jide Ajani. "RAGE OF NATURE: Flood ravages communities across Nigeria". Vanguard. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
- ^ Nwaorgu Faustinus. "Non-profit Organization, Princewill Trust, Delivers Aid items to Relief Camps in Rivers State". Spyghana.com. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
- ^ Destination Nigeria. "22-Year-Old Timi Julius Emerges Star Winner of N5m Record Deal of Rivmap Talent Hunts, Courtesy of Prince Tonye Princewill". New Africa Press. Retrieved 2012-09-28.
- ^ David O. Moveh PhD. "STATE, YOUTH AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC: THE IMPERATIVE OF A NATIONALLY COORDINATED YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM". David Moveh. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
- ^ Eze C. "Prince Tonye Princewill: Insight Of Weeklong Act Of Philanthropy, Selfless Service To Humanity!". Champions for Nigeria.
- ^ Kingsley Adu. "Princewill Clears The Air Over Philanthropic Activities". Article NG. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
- ^ Henry Umoru, Abuja. "Nigeria is in dire need of national conference – Tonye Princewill". Vangaurd Newspaper, Nigeria. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ TNV. "PRINCE TONYE PRINCEWILL BURIES GUBERNATORIAL AMBITION WHILE PPA MOBILIZES FOR THE 2ND TENURE OF THE GOVERNOR". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ The Business Dispatch. "Clark faults Governors appropriation of oil derivation fund". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Eze Chukwuemeka. "Amaechi: Five years of education revolution in Rivers". Business Day. Retrieved 2012-11-21.
- ^ Tony John, Port Harcourt. "Amaechi budgets N490.32bn for 2013". Sun Newspaper. Retrieved 2012-12-25.