By Kelechi Obi, SAN
It is difficult to write a tribute that encapsulates a relationship which one shared with a loved one in a few paragraphs. That is probably because words can never do justice to the essence or depth of relationship. Words can never completely convey emotions.
“Aunty m Prof”, as I fondly called–Prof U. Joy Ogwu, was the god daughter of my aunt, who we both shared as our second mother- Mrs.Antonia Obi- Ezeani, and who she referred to as“Mum”.That relationship spanned over 60 years from accounts available to me. To my putative mom, she was“Joy Nwam”, which meant“Joy my daughter”.
The relationship between our families is so close and interwoven that it is difficult to explain to people that in actual fact we are actually not related by blood. There was no member of my extended family who did not know Aunty m Prof.
She, accordingly, had firm roots in Ezedibia Emekuku, Imo State as she had in Ogwashi-Uku and Asaba, Delta State.
The depth of that relationship was one which exemplified to me that a relationship of true love could actually exist, and that brotherhood or sisterhood is not necessarily defined by bloodline, but by love.
Both women’s paths crossed right before the Nigerian Civil War of 1967,when my putative mom became her godmother, and continued with consistency and love. Both women, very distinguished and beautiful people,chose to live life in the way they knew best – by service to God and humanity.
I have known Aunty m Prof,
all my life, and I grew up with all her children and those of us of the next generation continued to grow the relationship.
In my interaction with Aunty m Prof, I experienced a kind, considerate, disciplined, and honest person. A woman imbued with discretion and a strong ethical and moral compass. An extremely deep Christian, and imbued with a lot of spiritual gifts. Even as a child of hers, she treated me as an adult; and we developed our own deep friendship.
The death of a loved one is personal, so is this. The depth of emotions I feel, I cannot express in a few words, because my heart strongly yearns for the comfort of her words; the soothing effect her statements had on me; the prayers we shared; and the honesty of our interaction. It hurts more that I didn’t listen to my heart, when it reached out to her, prior to her demise.
Where can one replicate such a relationship?
As Apostle Paul said in Second Timothy 4:7–“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.
Aunty m Prof, indeed fought the good fight and is definitely with the Almighty God.
“Verba Volant, Exempla Trahunt” is the latin phrase, which means –“Words fly away, examples inspire”. She inspired by her good nature, kindness, humility, and the generosity of her person. Indeed, humanity is at a loss to miss an incredible human.
Our hearts shall continue to toll for such a great loss.
Rest in peace, Aunty m Prof.
Her Excellency, Prof Joy U. Ogwu, was a former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative at the United Nations, and former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs She passed on October 13, 2025 at the age of 79 years
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
