The Senate President , Godswill Akpabio, has said, the National Assembly members will pay their last respects to the late Kalabari Monarch, King Professor Theophilus Jacob Tom Princewill on the floor of the Chambers.

Akpabio added that some members including himself will attend the burial, which is scheduled for between November 27 and 30, 2023.

The Senate President, who gave the assurances when a delegation led by Prince Tonye Princewill paid him a courtesy call, promised to spare nothing within his reach to give the transiting King of the Kalabari Kingdom, King Prof.TJT Princewill, AMACHREE XI, the honour that he deserves, even in death.

He said he knew the Kalabaris well and a man of the the King’s pedigree is worthy of a befitting burial.

He said: ” I was tutored in Port-Harcourt, I am from the Niger Delta region and as a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, I can tell you, this King deserves a befitting burial.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Burial Committee and only child of the King, Prince Tonye Princewill, thanked the Senate President for agreeing to admit the delegation at very short notice.

Prince Princewill m, who said although the Senate President may already aware of the king’s departure, it is worthwhile and respectful for the delegation to personally visit him to brief him on the funeral rites. He then went ahead to introduce members of his delegation to the senate president.

In his opening speech, His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe of Kula, thanked Akpabio for the warm reception and the reason for the visit. He emphasized the historical ties between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States and stressed the need for the Senate President to be at the funeral in person as a one-time full fledged “Port-Harcourt boy”.

Also , the Amanyanabo of Okpo, King Diamond Tobin-West, awakened the delegation with his past experiences with Sen. Akpabio, while expressing satisfaction with the Senate President’s assurances, but further re-emphasized the need for his presence and support.

In his vote of thanks, Chief David Briggs appreciated the Senate President for receiving the delegation without notice and making them feel at home. He further thanked him for all the promises made, saying “we will tell our people what we saw and heard here today.”

Also visited by the delegation was The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III who described the passing of the King of Kalabari kingdom, King Prof. TJT Princewill as a great loss that has left behind a huge gap and very big shoes to fill.

Speaking when a delegation led by the Prince visited him, the Warri monarch said that although he was not close to the King, he was quite proud of the very good things he had heard and promised to send quite the delegation to give the Kalabari King a befitting farewell.