Rivers State politician and prominent entrepreneur, Prince Tonye Princewill has received the prestigious Nelson Mandela Pan-African Peace Award.

The recognition came from the African Youth Global Network, an organisation, which cuts across West African countries and has a strong affiliation to the United Nations. Prince Tonye earned the award for his contributions towards humanity in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.

A speech presented by the President of the organisation, Dr Laurent Agbemadji, summarised most of the selfless activities, done by Princewill over the years. From the flood relief project Princewill carried out 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.

His protest and eventual resignation as Chairman of the Niger Delta Vision 2020 subcommittee was a milestone in recognising 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.

The resolution that put Prince Tonye's name on this year's award was reached early this year at the organisation's executive meeting in its headquarters in Accra, Ghana. This was a follow up to his nomination by Nigerian delegates at a similar meeting in December last year.His award was approved in a month, where normally it takes a year.

 In his very usual fashion, he was very reluctant to receive awards, but accepted this after he had done his research.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.

 Their "semi involvement" in the electoral process, he said, left a lot to be desired and where they did get involved, it is primarily to rig or to participate in electoral violence. "If youths changed their agenda, the agenda for their countries will also change.

"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.