By JENEWARI NTIEGO ALIOMA, Buguma

There was joy and jubilation in Da-Ogo Polo as the newly elected Da-Ogo and Queen Elebabene Group of Houses, Polodabo (Leader), Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill (Da-Ogo the 6th) held his first full General Meeting in the Da-Ogo Memorial Hall, Buguma City.

Other notable members of the family in attendance were King Mujahid Dokubo Asari, King Diamond E. Tobin West, Chief Akaodu H Princewill, Chief Opubeniboye C.J.T. Princewill, and other Chiefs, Elders, Women and Youths of the family.

In his opening speech at the meeting held on Friday, October 3, 2025, Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill stressed the need for peace, love, unity, and the collective concern between family members and across the Kalabari community. He emphasised that “development only thrived where there is peace and stability” and expected all members of the family to play their own part in maintaining peace.

As a demonstration of his intent, he announced the first ten beneficiaries of the 10 million Naira development fund with a half million contribution to each of their respective businesses. He implored them to use the money very wisely and see themselves as premier ambassadors of the family. The balance of 5 million he focused exclusively on education and health.

He then went on to conduct two new chieftaincy installations into the Da Ogo Elebabene Group of houses and communities. Both Chief Tamunoemi Lawson-Jack and Chief Isoboye Princewill were inducted into the Ogo Elebabene council of Chiefs.

The King of the Source, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, expressed a deep satisfaction that the family had finally produced a new Polodabo of the quality of Prince Tonye saying they may not know the gem that they have, but he for one does. “During the debates for Governor in 2015, an Italian friend of mine called me shouting and asking, ‘who is that Obama you have in Rivers State?’ The level of intelligence and contacts that Tonye has is so rare, not just in Rivers State but in Nigeria and we are lucky to have him run our affairs. Many see me contributing to other families I am connected to, but ask me why not the Ogo house? That’s because there was no leadership we could believe in. But now there is.”

With that he pledged to donate the sum of N50 million to the family for entrepreneurs who are conducting any verifiable business. He also pledged the equivalent of another N50m for student empowerment, broken down as follows:

1) All students in the family, enrolled in a Polytechnic, School of Health, Technology or University to receive N30,000 each a month.

2) All postgraduate students and First Degree student’s statutory fees and student Registration will be paid for.

All pledges the King promised, will be redeemed on or before December the 1, 2025.

The Prince and the Head of the Ogo Elebabene Group of Houses thanked his big brother the King for his kind words and generous donations and promised to do all in his power to justify the confidence reposed in him. He also assured that the committee already set up for the Ogo Elebabene development fund would ensure proper dissemination of these great new developments and the necessary screening of beneficiaries will take place. “A N10m development fund has increased to more than 10 times its size, we cannot begin to thank you enough. May our God increase your coast and bring a smile to your face as you have brought a smile to ours,” he said.

The day’s events concluded with music and festivities including a well contested Kalabari traditional dance competition with three winners each emerging from three categories of men, women and children.

•Jenewari Ntiego Alioma is Secretary, Ogo Group of Houses, Buguma, Rivers State.

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