Princewill Bags “Nelson Mandela Pan-African Peace Award” As ’76’ Gets Presidential Nod
Prince Tonye Princewill[/caption]
Rivers State politician and prominent entrepreneur, Prince Tonye Princewill, has added another feather to his cap with the African Youth Global Network, awarding him with the Nelson Mandela Pan-African Peace Ambassador Award for 2016.
The award is in recognition of his contribution to humanity, development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.
President of the organization, Dr. Laurent Agbemadji, summarized some of the selfless activities by Princewill over the years. From the flood relief intervention in 2012, where his intervention was the first relief program to kick off, reaching the people who needed help even before the federal government could move in; to his various youth mentoring schemes, work with orphans, job creation activity and his support for entertainment.
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His protest and eventual resignation as chairman of the Niger Delta Vision 2020 subcommittee was a milestone in recognizing that the invasion of Gbaramatu was the wrong approach. This led to an alternative as seen in the amnesty program. Not a direct benefit to him, but to his community. A similar display of selfless intent when he supported Amaechi in 2007 as opposed to receive money to fight him.
In Princewill’s remarks, he thanked the team for the honour and assured them there will be no change in pace as he continued the fight for youths.
He however observed that as he was fighting for youths, he was still doubtful that they were truly fighting for themselves.
He bemoaned youths “semi involvement” in the electoral process, which he said leaves a lot to be desired.
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“If youths changed their agenda, the agenda for their countries will also change. This is why despite calls to run again, I will not be wasting my money and time to do so. The system does not want the best for Nigeria, so I refuse to be a part of it. My theory is if you can’t beat them, fight them.”
Meanwhile his long awaited production “76” got the nod of the First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari.
Representing Her Excellency at the premiere was the Lagos state First Lady Bolanle Ambode, who said, “This is one of the best things that I have seen made from Nigeria and Her Excellency Madam Aisha who insisted I must be here will get the full report as soon as I get back. I dropped everything to attend this event and it could not have been a better use of my time. In the end, I was glued to my seat not wanting to even get up. You and your team have done Nigeria proud. Thank you.”
Others who have received this award in the past include Barrister Abdoulaye Wade, former President of Senegal, Hon Soro Guillaume, current National Assembly President of Ivory Coast and HRH Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Town Brass and first Governor of Rivers State.
