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By Vincent Kalu
With the demise of Chief Mrs. Joyce Chijioke Onwuka Ukwa, the legion of selfless people continues to deplete. For Joyce, it was others first. She impacted positively on the lives of numerous people who came across her; and lived through this processes with legendary good memories of her everlasting touches she left in the minds of humanity.
Testimonies abound in her works of charity and her love for God and humanity.
In a eulogy, entitled: “Tribute To My Angel”, her husband, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, one of the founding fathers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), recalled how they met in Washington DC, USA, during their student days, and stressed that Joyce was the best gift that the Almighty Father gave to him, as the love was pure, innocent and genuine, adding that: “I will forever cherish that gift despite the violent intrusion of death. This intrusion has exposed the ambiguity of life to me, but we have no choice than to surrender to the will of Almighty Father.
“I am over-overwhelmed by love, affection and the intense emotion your departure has generated from every corner. I can only attribute it to the good life you lived. There was no dispute; you lived a peaceful, productive and generous life that touched many. You generously gave out without publicity. What stands you out from most people is your belief in the goodness of people.
“Your positive interventions in people’s life are valuable lessons of Christian life. Although, you are no longer with us in flesh, your spirit will forever live with us. You also gave me your best-Uduma and Agwu.
“Nwannem, we are now home in Ohafia, exactly where you always desire to be. Welcome home my Love. No tribute can sufficiently capture our love for each other. The love between us is unquestionably legendry; a journey that gave me peace, affection, focus and above all, natural lover.”
In his tribute, the Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, noted that the transition of Mama Joyce is indeed a painful loss, not only to her immediate family, but also to the church and the wider community where she distinguished herself as a woman of faith, humility, and service.
According to the deputy governor, her life reflected strong Christian values, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to family and community, virtues that will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, with wife, Dr. Imo Kalu, described Joyce as a great woman of substance, a great resourceful and dependable friend.
According to the former minister, Joyce smiled into their lives and stayed deeply involved from day one in Ohafia, Enugu, Nigeria and in the US, over decades, steady, sturdy and effervescently refreshing and active, regardless of time and the occasion.
Her siblings, Hon. Ejike R. Nwankwo, Ebubedike n”Ajalli, UgwuAro; Princess Ugobekee J. Nwankwo, Christian Ejike Nwankwo and Christian Ugo Nwankwo, said Joyce was God fearing, a woman with a pure heart, special lady and their confidant extraordinary.
Jenny, in her tribute, noted that Joyce’s anchoring faith in God guided her every step, noting that she truly put her trust and every hope in the Lord and never wanted anyone to worry or be fearful, but to trust in the Lord, adding: “She was unrelenting in her love, care, and prayer for her family, loved ones, friends, community, and those she never even met.
“She was an abundantly joyful person; you could see the joy in her eyes. She truly abided in the Lord, and the joy of the Lord in her was drawn to the pure joy that children carry. She loved children, their fascination with life, their contentment with the simple things, their curiosity and hunger to learn, and their unbridled desire for fun laughter.
“She always took genuine interest in those around her, wanting to know them better, to help, to support, to learn, to play, to care for and to encourage. She was selfless in her love for others, teaching others, sharing the knowledge of God, contributing to the needs of others, giving generously, full of mercy and grace. She was joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”
For Chiji, Elder Mrs. Onwuka loved God with her whole being and always showed that same love to all she met.
Amara has this to say about the decease. “She was an amazing, caring, compassionate woman, who meant so much to people. She loved and cared for us so much and always loved to hear from us. Whenever we would visit, she always made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed and asked us what we wanted to watch. Whenever she visited, she would sit down with us and do whatever we were doing. She would always have dresses and outfits made for us, and she would pick out the fabrics and make sure they were ones we liked. She was such a cutie, and most importantly she loved the Lord with all her heart and lived her life following God’s word.”
Dr. Ejiofor Benjack (Eze Orimiri Ugwu Ujai) noted that, motherly Joyce Chijioke was ever emphatic and caring, and looked out for all, and most often wanted to be of benefit to the next person no matter who, where, or when.
“She took everything about humanity so personal, guiding, mentoring, and inspiring. She is gifted with a Godly, quiet, and disarming cool voice that pours ‘cold icing on explosive temper or anger’. I remain ever grateful to her because I benefited from this her Godly gift.
“She was lover of God, diligent, selfless, very industrious, lover of humanity and lover of Community.
“These character traits of Elder Chief Mrs. Joyce Chijioke Onwuka Ukwa (Nee: Nwankwo-Ezete) extended to wherever she found herself globally and the world took note as the Presbyterian Church commended it by ordaining her, a ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
“She transferred her love for humanity to her husband town, Ohafia. Ohafia women in particular will not forget her in a hurry, as she partnered with Ohafia elites like Mrs. Hazel Kalu and others to establish a Non Profit, Non Government Organisation – Ecumenical Commission For Women Empowerment (ECOFWE), which they used to empower hundreds of community women to fit into global economic reckoning. “They gave Ohafia women a breath of business life in establishing the most enduring women empowerment groups in the history of the community,” Benjack emphasised.
Her bosom close friend, Mrs. Hazel Kalu, in her heartily tribute said that “…the successful workshop at Hope Waddel School, ended with request to find micro-credit loan which herself, Joyce, Prince Alu Ibiam, Elder Oleka Ntima, Elder Chike Nwankwo and “the voice” Inyang Olugu, as our local manager, established the NGO, which started at Amaekpu and Uwana and quickly spread to nine other Ohafia villages and beyond.”
Chief Udo & Elder Dr. Mrs. Kechi Mba Kalu, has this to say in their tribute: “Among the women married from outside of Ohafia, Joyce made a mark in contributing to the community development and in nurturing of younger women/mothers of our Ohafia community through her insightful teaching and knowledge sharing of Ohafia and Igbo culture, and her participation in the work of the church.
“She worked tirelessly in institutionalising and supporting the premier indigenous computer learning centre in Amaekpu, Ohafia, under the auspices of Ecumenical Commission for Women Empowerment (ECOFWE). Under her co-leadership/co-sponsorship, ECOFWE served as a centre for hands-on training for, and nurturing of young mothers and women from almost all the 26 villages of Ohafia.
“Ohafia people in appreciating her love for humanity and Ohafia, gave her a traditional title of Ada Oma Eji Eje Mba.
“Elder Chief Mrs. Joyce Chijioke Onwuka Ukwa (Nee: Nwankwo-Ezete in her positive humanity deeds even though physical transitional to next process of life (death) has left a legacy of lively memories in our mind and memories that she “live” whenever we remember her positive deeds. He lived a good life, run her race, and bowed out in dignity.”
For Dr. Kenny Acholonu, Joyce was a quintessential home maker, a brilliant accounting manager for any home, and with quiet dignity, executed all the affairs of the family with a touch of class. She will be dearly missed, but her memories will remain forever fresh and shine with splendour in our mortal lives as we continue to bear the loss, adding that: “As time goes on, we continue to pay her tribute for the great service, which she rendered to her immediate family and to the larger community in Amaekpu, Ohafia, and also to her family at Ajali. We must also console ourselves that there is no need to sorrow too much because of the great life Joyce lived and the way she touched all our lives.”
Elder Chief Mrs. Joyce Chijioke Onwuka Ukwa (nee Nwankwo-Ezete) was born in 1945. She was the third child and first daughter of Late Mazi Emmanuel Onyeanusionwu Nwankwo-Ezete
(Nwankwo Education) of Umueve Village, Ajalli, Orumba North LGA, and late Madam Janet AdighinejeChinweagbo Nwankwo-Ezete (nee Ikejiani Dynasty) of Agukwu Nri, Aniocha LGA, both of Anambra State of Nigeria. Joyce Chijioke’s life in the family was an epitome of comprehensive refined life of her late mother, Adighinije Janet Nkeke Enyi Nwankwo nee Ikejiani.
The early upbringing of Joyce Chijioke was rooted in the foundation of fundamental education embedded in her life. This was mainly due to the principal value of education of her educationist father the late Mazi Emmanuel O. Nwankwo (Nwankwo Education) and her maternal gene of the Ikejianis.
As a result, Joyce was educated at the famous Ogidi Girls College, Ogidi, Anambra State, and Elelenwa Girls College, Elelewa, Rivers State. Thereafter, she worked briefly at famous Akintola Williams, and Nigeria Medical Clinic, before in May 1967, she proceeded (last fight out of Benin City before Biafra border was closed) to
She studied at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia and later Bowling Green University, Ohio, USA, where she obtained her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Accountancy.
Mr. Onwuka Ukwa proposed to her in Washington DC, USA, during their student days, a relationship that later resulted to an exceptional marriage experience. The Lord blessed this union with two wonderful children, Uduma and Agwu and several other blessings too numerous to mention here.
As a result of her numerous encouraging contributions, Ohafia people in appreciating her love for the community and humankind at large gave her a traditional title of Ada Oma Eji Eje Mba.
For her contribution in the Christendom, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, ordained her as a Ruling Elder of the Church.
Elder Chief Mrs. Joyce Chijioke Onwuka Ukwa (nee Nwankwo-Ezete) in her positive humanity deeds even though physical transitional to next process of life, passed into glory on September 25, 2025 after suffering from a prolonged severe cancer. She is survived by husband Chief Onwuka Ukwa, her two sons, sisters, brothers, and grandchildren
