By Ewere Okonta, PhD
08037383019
eob.org.ng
It is a great honour to pen this tribute in celebration of the 80th birthday anniversary of Madam Lucy Nmawuese Jonah, an extraordinary woman whose name has long preceded her and whose remarkable accomplishments have made her a household name, not only in Ekuku-Agbor but far beyond.
Born on 16 September 1946 in Benin City, Nigeria, to Mr. Jonah Okoruwe Obuh and Mrs. Osamurun Jonah Okoruwe, both indigenes of Ekuku-Agbor, Madam Lucy Jonah has spent eight remarkable decades building a legacy defined by enterprise, resilience, faith, service and courage.
She is an author, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, women's rights advocate and lover of Christ; a role model, an Amazon and a trailblazer whose story represents what is possible when vision is matched with determination.
For me, however, this celebration is deeply personal.
THE UPSTAIRS NEXT TO MY SCHOOL
Long before I knew Madam Lucy Jonah personally, I knew her by reputation, and by the remarkable building that stood beside my childhood school.
As a JSS 1 student of Ekuku-Agbor Grammar School, our school shared a fence with her residence. At that age, I did not fully understand entrepreneurship or appreciate the significance of what I saw. I simply knew that Madam Lucy Jonah had built a remarkable upstairs.
Today, I understand its significance.
She was the first woman to build an upstairs in Ekuku-Agbor.
That structure was more than a building. It was a statement of vision, courage and possibility. At a time when women were often constrained by social expectations, Madam Lucy Jonah demonstrated that a woman could dream boldly, build substantially and succeed in spaces traditionally dominated by men.
The upstairs I admired as a schoolboy was, in retrospect, a physical monument to her entrepreneurial audacity.
WHEN LIFE CAME FULL CIRCLE
Perhaps the most beautiful part of this story is how life has brought us full circle.
The young boy who once looked across the fence at Madam Lucy Jonah's imposing building is today privileged to share a lifelong family relationship with her as an in-law. She is an aunt to my beloved wife, Stella (Obidia).
What a remarkable turn of destiny!
What I knew first as the name of a highly accomplished woman in my community eventually became the name of Aunty Lucy, a member of my extended family.
What a journey!
Thus, that is why writing this tribute is not merely an assignment for me.
It is a privilege.
It is an opportunity to celebrate a woman whose life I have witnessed from different distances and different seasons, first as a child who admired her accomplishments from afar, and now as a family member privileged to share a lifelong relationship with her.
Madam Lucy, today I salute you.
I salute your enterprise.
I salute your resilience.
I salute your generosity.
I salute your literary contributions.
I salute your advocacy for women.
I salute your faith.
And I salute the indomitable spirit that has carried you through eight remarkable decades.
A TRAILBLAZER IN BUSINESS
Madam Lucy Jonah's entrepreneurial journey is one of courage and persistence. She ventured into the printing industry at a time when it was largely regarded as a man's domain and built Prompt Enterprises into a respected printing and publishing establishment.
She did not merely enter the industry; she established a presence.
Through hard work, continuous learning, resilience and determination, she built an enterprise that became associated with quality and professionalism in Nigeria's printing and publishing space.
Her journey demonstrates that successful enterprises are not always born in conditions of abundance. Sometimes, they emerge from adversity, resourcefulness and the courage to take the first step.
MORE THAN AN ENTREPRENEUR
To celebrate Lucy Jonah only as a businesswoman would be to tell an incomplete story.
She is also an accomplished author and publisher, using the written word to examine society and address issues affecting individuals, families and communities. Her literary works reflect her keen observations of life and her commitment to social consciousness.
As a philanthropist and women's rights advocate, she has also demonstrated a commitment to empowering people and promoting the dignity, independence and advancement of women.
At the heart of all these accomplishments is a woman whose Christian faith remains an important part of her identity. She is a lover of Christ, and her journey reflects a deep appreciation of God's grace and providence.
EIGHTY YEARS OF IMPACT
At 80, Madam Lucy Jonah is not merely celebrating longevity; she is celebrating impact.
She has built businesses, written books, supported people, advocated for women, inspired younger generations and contributed meaningfully to the development of her community.
Her greatest achievement, however, may not be any particular building, business or book. It is the legacy of possibility she has created.
She has shown that a woman can lead.
That a woman can build.
That a woman can succeed.
And that adversity does not have to determine destiny.
As the people of Ekuku-Agbor celebrate one of their illustrious daughters, we are reminded that communities are often shaped by individuals who dare to do what others consider impossible.
Madam Lucy Jonah is one of such individuals.
A LEGACY BEYOND BRICKS AND MORTAR
Today, when I remember that upstairs beside Ekuku-Agbor Grammar School, I see it differently.
As a child, I saw a building.
As an adult, I see a legacy.
The building was made of bricks and mortar, but the story behind it was made of vision, sacrifice, courage and perseverance.
And that is perhaps the most enduring lesson of Madam Lucy Jonah's life: her greatest building is not the one she constructed with concrete; it is the legacy she has constructed through eight decades of purposeful living.
Madam Lucy, on your 80th birthday, I salute your courage, celebrate your accomplishments and honour the remarkable journey that has brought you to this extraordinary milestone.
May Almighty God, whom you love and serve, continue to preserve you, strengthen you and grant you sound health, peace, joy and fulfilment.
May your latter years be even more rewarding, and may the seeds you have planted continue to flourish across generations.
From the JSS 1 student who once admired your upstairs from across the fence of Ekuku-Agbor Grammar School to the man who is now privileged to call you Mummy and in-law, I celebrate you with profound respect and gratitude.
Happy 80th Birthday Anniversary, Madam Lucy Nmawuese Jonah.
At 80, you are not simply counting years; you are counting lives touched, barriers broken, dreams pursued and a legacy built to last.
Congratulations, Mummy Lucy Jonah - the Amazon, trailblazer and illustrious daughter of Ekuku-Agbor.
Dr Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media and a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.
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