By Michael Uwaechie
Thank you, Aunty Joy!
I had long heard of your towering personality from family members, yet my first true encounter with you was as fortuitous as it was providential. It began when Rev. Father Sylvester Nwutu was returning from New York to Nigeria. What was meant to be a brief two-minute greeting at New York’s Grand Central Station soon unfolded into a moment of divine orchestration. Father Nwutu spoke glowingly of his host during his time in New York – none other than Ambassador Joy Ogwu – and graciously facilitated an introduction. A few weeks later, I received a call inviting me for an interview at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, where you were then serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Head of Mission. That day, October 4th 2010, marked a turning point in my career and in my life’s journey. The foundation you helped lay became not just a springboard, but a lasting compass, making you an indelible part of my story.
I often called you “Your Excellency”, but in truth, you were more – you were Aunty Joy. Your warmth, candour, and maternal grace shone through in every conversation. You offered not just professional guidance, but counsel for life itself. You shared your experiences with disarming honesty, teaching that sincerity and hard work are virtues that never fail. You would often say, “Good will always prevail over evil,” and your life bore testament to that truth. You counselled me to trust God unfailingly, to let faith be the compass for my personal and professional choices. And abiding by your counsel came naturally, because you lived what you taught.
The news of your passing was painful and surreal. The last time we spoke, your voice was vibrant with renewed strength and hope, assuring me you were doing much better. I had promised to visit before the year’s end, but I never imagined our next meeting would be at your farewell.
Thank you, Aunty Joy, for the doors you opened and the opportunities you created. Thank you for the confidence you placed in me and for your words of encouragement. Thank you for your unwavering faith and your prayers. Though you are no longer here to hear me, I trust that, in the quiet of eternity, my gratitude still finds its way to you.
You never ceased to trust God, nor did you ever tire of honouring His altar. And so, as you journey heavenward, I have no doubt that the angels rejoice to receive you – a faithful servant, dignified in grace and radiant in spirit. Your legacy of faith, integrity, and excellence will continue to echo in our hearts, and the light you kindled in so many of us will never be extinguished.
Sleep well, Your Excellency. Rest peacefully, dearest Aunty Joy.
Michael Uwaechie
