By Emeka Amaefula
A NEW TIDE IN KALABARI: HOW TONYE PRINCEWILL BLENDS TRADITION, LEADERSHIP AND EMPOWERMENT AT DA OGO POLO
When Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill returned to the ancient grounds of Da Ogo Polo as its newly chosen paramount head, there was a quiet sense of history unfolding. Fifty days into his reign as Da Ogo the 6th in the revered Kalabari Kingdom, he has not only stepped into the footprints of his forebears—he has begun carving new ones of his own.
His ascension carries the weight of legacy. Son of the late Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, His Serene Majesty King Prof. Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Amachree XI, the younger Princewill was selected by a majority of chiefs to succeed his father as the 6th head of the Da Ogo Elebabene group of houses. And in just a matter of weeks, the throne has become a launchpad for community renewal.
It began quietly—no loud ceremonies, no extravagant declarations. Instead, the new monarch chose to mark his first 50 days with something more meaningful: empowerment. Twenty entrepreneurs across Ogo Polo received ₦500,000 each—real money for real businesses seeking stability. To widen the impact, he committed another ₦5 million to skills development for young people in areas ranging from tailoring and hairdressing to GMP installation, soap production, and shoemaking.
Then came the medical intervention scheme—a lifeline for those whose health challenges could no longer wait. Thirty-two beneficiaries have already received urgent care, a move that has earned him admiration among the elderly, the vulnerable, and families long weighed down by medical bills.
Women and youths were not left behind. Environmental sanitation kits were provided to uplift the hygiene and beauty of Ogo Polo, while the Ogo Memorial Hall—long in need of a facelift—was refurbished and fitted with modern solar energy systems. Even more ambitious was the Abbi Youths Skilled Job Scheme, designed for the larger Abbi group to which Ogo Elebabene belongs. One hundred and sixty young people will not just be trained—they will walk away with the tools to start their own businesses.
When the Abbi Youths Chairman, Osaki Kpaluku Amachree, received the funds on behalf of the group, his gratitude was unmistakable. He assured that the resources would produce measurable results and commended Princewill for fulfilling his promise. To ensure accountability, the monarch appointed Chief Daogigo Ebenezer Pepple Amachree to lead a monitoring team that will report monthly progress.
But leadership in Kalabari is never complete without cultural alignment. And so, carrying the weight of his forefathers and the pride of Da Ogo Elebabene, Princewill journeyed with key members of the Queen Elebabene Da Ogo group to Elem Kalabari—birthplace of the Kalabari people—to celebrate the Kalabari New Year alongside the chief host, HRH Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.
In a statement issued by Mr. Jenewari Ntiego Alioma, Secretary of the Ogo Elebabene Group of Houses, the monarch explained the deep symbolism behind the festival. Observed every November 16, with a significant transition event on the evening of the 15th, the celebration follows a natural phenomenon known as the “turning of the tide”—a moment when saltwater pushes back freshwater, signaling a cosmic reset.
“It is renewal… rebirth… a reaffirmation of identity,” he noted.
This year’s festival paid homage to traditions stretching back centuries. From water cleansing rituals to a symbolic tree-planting ceremony led by Princewill himself, from the rhythmic performances to the iconic “18 types of Iria,” the celebration breathed life into a culture that has endured time, migration, and memory.
As the tide turns again in Kalabari land, one thing is clear—Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill is not merely sitting on the Da Ogo Polo throne. He is steering it, shaping it, and giving it a new story—one built on empowerment, heritage, and the promise of a cleaner, stronger, more united community.
—Emeka Amaefula
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