Birthday tribute to Bianca Ojukwu, the most beloved by God

Bianca Odinakachukwu Olivia was born on the 5th of August 1967.  From the time, I met her to date, she has been a faithful friend. She is such a beautiful and sweet soul. Her heart is as beautiful as her looks. An amazing look she apparently took from her late mom, Caroline Chinweolu Onoh and her strong character and personality trait from her father, late Chief Christian Onoh.

 

When God blesses His most beloved, He blesses lavishly. Bianca is one of such rare personalities lavishly blessed by God. She is not just beautiful, she is super smart and intelligent. Only God can combine these rare assets in one individual.

It is therefore with pride and honour that I pen this special birthday tribute as we celebrate the remarkable life of a woman who embodies grace, strength and resilience – Ada Onoh nwa Ngwo, the wife of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Ikemba, Eze Igbo Gburugburu.

My dear Queen, as you mark your 56th journey around the sun, we honour not just the years you have lived, but the profound impact you have made on the world around you. Indeed, you are a blessing to your generation. May your days be long and be filled with smiles as you journey through this bitter-sweet life.

As a proud mother, you have showered love, wisdom and guidance upon your children, shaping them into the incredible individuals they are today. Your nurturing spirit and unwavering support have laid the foundation for a legacy that will endure generations to come. Chineme, Nwachukwu and Afamefuna must be very proud of you. I join them and your brother Joseph in celebrating you.

As a lawyer, you have championed justice, fought for the voiceless and upheld the principles of truth, justice and righteousness. Your legal acumen and dedication to the rule of law have inspired countless others to stand up for what is right and just. You have been a role model and inspiration to many young people who see you as a mentor and role model.

As a diplomat, you have bridged divides, fostered understanding, and promoted peace in a world often marred by conflict and discord. Your diplomatic finesse and commitment to dialogue have paved the way for cooperation and collaboration for dialogue on both domestic and global stages. 

Your fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident during your service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain where you left lasting imprint. You were by all means a wise woman who at the time you were privileged to serve helped shape Nigeria’s foreign policy.  You were a force for good, and we are grateful for your public service records.

As a politician, you were humble and confident in relating with people. You were humane in taking important decisions. You worked for betterment and happiness of the people and showed willingness to rectify issues and importantly stand up for what is right. You did not lust for power, position or authority and has remained a moral and stabilising force for our All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

As a business woman and entrepreneur, you are astute, hardworking, assertive, strong and well disciplined.  At BB Inc you never dillydallied with issues at hand, hence the growth and success of the company. Your success as a brand ambassador is our dream come true.

As a beloved wife of the late Igbo hero and leader, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, you were a priceless jewel and stood by his side through thick and thin, embodying the essence of loyalty, devotion and unwavering love. Your partnership was a beacon of strength and solidarity and the testament of love to overcome all obstacles.

For that most important decision of your life you made when you walked the isle with the great Ikemba to say ‘I do’, you owe the Igbo and the world the debt of writing a book on what living with Ojukwu was like. We know much of him from the stories of the civil war and not much of the human angle and as such he meant different things to different people.

The book, which I am sure will be a bestseller, will offer a glimpse into the private life of the revered Igbo leader. I am sure being the skilful writer that you are, you will do the world this favour and write this important book. The book can also be adapted into a movie which will help keep the memory of the late icon alive.

In one of your many writings you had told of how traumatic it was watching Ojukwu die. As his widow, you have been harassed and faced family dissensions but have shown resilience, strength and candour. You have shown courage under intimidation. You are phenomenal and of rare pedigree.

As you celebrate your new age, we salute you, Bianca Odimegwu Ojukwu for the incredible woman that you are- an accomplished pageant queen, a sweet mother, a lawyer, a diplomat, a wife, a politician, a businesswoman and above all, a beacon of light in a world that often seems dark and hopeless.

If triumph against great odds entitles one to be called an icon, you are indisputably one of the foremost women of our generation to earn the reputation of an icon. In many spheres, you towered over others as the Californian redwood overran an oak.

Iyom, may your birthday be filled with joy, love and laughter, and may the year ahead bring you even greater blessings and fulfilment.

Once again, happy birthday to you, our queen of all times and seasons, and ageless beauty. May your light continue to shine for all to see!  As your birthday prayers is heard in heaven, may I join in asking the good Lord to continue to validate our hopes, re-ignite our dreams, illuminate our dark spaces and bring back our joy as a people.