page_title: Tonye Princewill
section_title: Public affairs and Engagement
hierarchical_section_title: Tonye Princewill / Public affairs and Engagement
caption_attribution_description: English: A photo of Tonye Princewill with the victims of flooding
context_page_description: Prince Tonye Princewill is a Nigerian investor, politician, film producer and philanthropist who was the 2015 Labour Party and 2007 Action Congress nominee for Governor of Rivers State. He is currently a member of the All Progressives Congress and the son of King T.J.T. Princewill of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Nigeria.
context_section_description: Tonye Princewill writes about confronting corruption, infrastructure development, behaviour change, security, health, academic advancement and ethnic harmony in his weekly column in the Vanguard newspaper 
  As a leading advocate of youth empowerment in Nigeria, he has expressed concern about the use of youth in Nigeria, particularly during elections, for violence and thuggery.
  Following the heavy floods that ravaged parts of Nigeria in 2012, he organised relief activities for Niger Delta communities through the Princewill Trust. He has launched several initiatives to support Nigerian youth, rural women, orphans and widows.  In June 2012, Tonye Princewill sponsored Nigerian youth delegations on tours to Dubai and Ghana to learn about entrepreneurship, governance, leadership and self-development.
  In January 2013, in celebration of his 44th birthday, Tonye Princewill released a documentary titled "Man. Mentor. Maverick" in which he speaks about his vision of equal opportunities for all.
  Tonye Princewill is an advocate for open government and effective public service delivery using modern technology. This earned him the nickname, the "Digital Politician."
  Princewill sponsored several baseline studies in 2013, covering the state of education, environment, and health in Rivers State. In education, research showed that a large number of Model Secondary and Primary Schools were not finished and had been abandoned. 
  The management of oil spillages in Rivers State, a catalyst for youth restiveness, was seen as ineffective across local governments in the State. Survey respondents reported that funds which ought to have gone into cleaning and sanitisation of their communities were diverted by local officials. These findings also support press reports about corruption in government allocations to oil-producing areas. 
  In the area of health, there is widespread disenchantment about the lack of improvement within the 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 substantiate reports in the press that raise questions about the efficacy of funds injected into the sector by the Rivers State administration.
  Princewill is still active on the political scene and continues to advocate for a reform in governance .  During a 2019 interview to celebrate his 50ᵗʰ birthday, he is stated, "My political career is intact. Good people are becoming more and more critical to move Nigeria forward. When Nigerians realise we cannot continue like this, they will look for people like us or younger versions to exhibit excellence and toughness combined. I do not have to be the one running for office, but either way I will be involved."
  Princewill also continues to invest in his business interests, youth empowerment in Nigeria and is currently working on another upcoming Blockbuster centered around Boko Haram, with a release date TBD.
caption: Tonye with victims of flooding
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