Gone so soon my dear joy. Her name very much marched her loving bubbly good spirited personality.
Joy, who was just a year older than me, her brother Batubo and my younger sister Data and I go way back as kids. We went quite a lot after primary school to each other’s house which were a stone throw apart at Gream compound and Fiberesima compound to eat and played with each other and had fun. Her family, Nne Joy as her mum was Fondly called then and her auntie Cordelia were so loving to us that I thought then that I was her sister. I loved and will always remember her lovely smile and her throaty contagious laughs which I came to experience once more when I returned back from kaduna where my elder brother had taken me as we came together as Ibiyebugbein ereme of Okrika. Joy was always the life of every party or meeting that we had. It’s sad that her laughter will not be heard again down here.
Joy, Father God saw you tired, so he put His arm around you and whispered “Come with me”. Although every one of our lives you touched down here loved you dearly we couldn’t make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating. God took you home to prove to all that He takes only the best. The Bible says “Absent in the body, present with the Lord” I believe you’re with the Lord and we’ll meet again.
You will be thoroughly missed dear. Rest on sis.  Dein na mu.

You were a very special person with kindness in your heart. A lady with class and style who loved the finer things in life.
Though an older cousin, you had a special way of bridging the gap and making people feel comfortable with you. I smile as I remember your special name for me 'Lalibus'. . .
Thank you for the times we shared though few. It breaks our heart to lose you 'Sis Joy' . You are loved beyond words and will be sorely missed. RIP my dear big cousin.
Much love.

Dearest and precious Sis Joy, your kind, beautiful, gracious and loving personality makes you a rear gem of inestimable value.
My wife and my daughters always look forward to seeing you whenever you are in lagos to see Sister Belema.
We love and appreciate the way you positively impacted every one that comes your way.Rest in the bosom of our Lord and saviour that you love with your whole heart.- Paula, Grace, Olamide, Adeola & Paul Ogedengbe.

Tribute to my darling sister joy oh my God it’s hard for me to think that I will never see you again I spoke with you the sunday before you passed I never knew that was the last time I will speak  With you my sister in law you were one of the first people who accepted me into the Oriaku family you showed me so much love that I will never forget and I loved you too Rest In Peace God be with you till we meet again love from Alabota Deinma Oriaku

I am still in shock as I write; I cannot believe that Sis. Joy, as many of us fondly called her, is gone, unbelievable but true. I have just replayed a voice message she left for me on Whatsapp, and I could not bring myself to listen to the entire message because of all the emotions welling up in me. This was her style. Whenever she called me, and we miss each other, she would leave me a message. When we talked, we talked about everything. She endeared herself to everybody, and age was no barrier. She always treated people fairly. I share several memories of her, and as much as I can remember, she is among those who never called me by name. She always called me AB, and that shows you how long we have come. So as I write this, I do so with a heavy heart, knowing I have lost a sister, friend, and confidante. May her beautiful soul rest in the bosom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have nothing but sweet memories of the times we spent together, and she will be greatly missed.
Abiye Iyo

TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND AND CONFIDANT. I remember the phone call you made to me on the 27th of February precisely on a Saturday when you complained about your health challenges, I advised that you visit the hospital which you did. I never imagined that was the last conversation. My dear Joy there was never a dull moment with you. You would change the time of sad room once you stepped in, throwing jokes and real life hilarious incidents. Every one of my friends and kids remember your cheerful life style. My husband PATO as you used to call him is yet to come to terms with your exit. We shared a relationship that spanned over 30 years which cannot be replicated on a sheet of paper for a tribute. Your legacies will forever be alive in my heart. I'm rest assured you are in a better place. When I visited you on your sick bed 3rd of March, I broke down emotionally. Unknown to me I repeated the visit to the hospital on the 5th of March, I was shocked to meet an empty bed, it was the nurses that broke the news of your exit the previous day 4th of March. May heavens welcome you with joyous sounds in eternity. Rest on my dear FRIEND.

SOMETHING ABOUT JOY


There was something about Joy that captivates anyone whether you young or old.

It must be her disarming smile that made her even more beautiful every time you see those sparkling teeth. Or was it her velvety calming voice that assures you all the time that life is good and no worries should make you forget that.

Maybe it was her thoughtful attitude to you all the time and especially when you needed it most. Additionally,her eloquence, gait and beauty made her an exceptional person.All of these qualities must have endeared her to many. Indeed, a long queue of cheerleaders.

Joy's biggest cheerleader in my family was my late father, Elder Thompson Tador. As a young girl I admired Joy from a distance but my late father facilitated our meeting in no time. I cannot count the number of times he admonished me to 'be like Joy". If there was ever a function to attend and Joy asked my father for permission to attend, he consented without hesitation. So, my holiday moments in Port Harcourt were fun-filled because of Joy. As long as she was attending a function with me, my father was sure to grant permission!
My late Cousin Paul Okuchaba(Bro P),was another major Cheerleader of Joy. He simply adored her.
And so began my friendship and sisterhood with such an exceptional lady. She fondly called me NGUS!
Joy was vivacious, ebullient and was the sparkle of the room. She was always so calm in dealing with issues and never without her signature smile. She was a good listener too.

After my sojourn in the United States of America, where I also got married and had a daughter , I came home to Port Harcourt. My then husband, an Ikwerre man was still in the US . I was compelled to live in the family house in the village. I was not a Port Harcourt Girl and was very unfamiliar with the Port Harcourt environment. It was a lot of culture shock for me. I had no friends, and no family members that were my age mates. 
Then Joy found out I was back in Port Harcourt. And I got my groove back! We became "five and six "for the almost two years that I spent in Port Harcourt before moving back to Lagos.
The distance between us only made our hearts grow fonder.  I missed my Port Harcourt moments, but at the time, Lagos became more emotionally, economically and professionally viable for me.  Joy understood my challenges at the time and she worked through it with me.
A few months later,
As Public Relations Manager of the then Pabod Breweries , she invited me to anchor the first ever Ms Bond Show in Rivers State! That became my very first major Master of Ceremony assignment in Rivers State. Many years later, I earned the title, "The Golden Voice"

As professional colleagues in Public Relations and one who was quite familiar with the Port Harcourt terrain, she was a great mentor.
Incidentally, we were both conferred with the Fellowship of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) on the same day. I recall, how we at the gala night in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, recounted so many life changing moments we had both been through.
I remember her saying" Ngus, we have come a long way!!!" and we clicked our glasses.
Truly there was something about Joy. Something very special . Something Joyful. Something peacefuI and calming. I will miss her dearly. But the memories we share will keep her forever alive in my heart.
Fare thee well, my Sweet sister, Joy.
From your dearest Ngus.

Life is not Fair
TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND JOY IVAN HOE OMUBO

Life has never been fair. My dear friend and sister JOY, I am deeply pained by your exit. You fought hard to overcome the many challenges that life threw at you at various times. You fought a good fight and I am consoled that you found peace, perfect peace with the Lord. Oh death , where is thy sting, where lies thy victory?

I recall our over one hour conversation just before I travelled out of the country barely a couple of years ago. We touched on several issues. Then barely 6 months ago you called to console me on the demise of my nephew, It is unbelievable that, It has now become our last conversation !
As a  young, girl in Okrika, those good old days I admired you. You were my role model  especially as you attended one of the popular secondary schools at the time; ACMGS Elelenwo. I used to join other kids at the time that stand at the Okrika  court house window to watch you and your schoolmates dance during the Student vacation dance. I longed to be like them some day.

We finally met in our later years in London when you came to study in London School of Journalism. We became roommates for several years until after your program. Though you were older than me you treated me pleasantly and as an equal. You were transparent, and I never felt intimidated by our age difference .My dear Joy, you were a very loyal, free hearted and loving friend, ever smiling, cheerful and never bearing grudges. A very reliable and m supportive friend, and like your name, it was always joyful to be with you. We became so close and
our relationship extended to our children . My Children also adored you and you dotted over them too. You became a God mother to my First daughter, Furo.
How can I forget all the fun we had growing up together and also following you to Kaduna for my Youth corps even when I was posted to Lagos.We were always together .Thank you for all the encouragement you gave me and the life experience that you taught me.
I will sincerely miss you, my bubbly Sister Joy, all our girls talk, and how we will stay up till the early hours of the morning catching up on gist!
I remember the song by Gloria Gaynor, ‘I will survive’, you loved so much. it was virtually our anthem, as we played it repeatedly when the going was rough for us in London. Through it all we survived. We lived our dreams. Death did not defeat you. You have gone to continue your good works as it pleases God.
Who am l to question God, Sleep on my dearest sister Joy, we shall all meet one day in the bosom of the Lord. Adieu!! Rest in Peace

Tribute to my beloved sister mother and my friend.

You have always been a mother to me from my childhood. We have shared good moments together. Living with you while growing up were one of the best moments of my live.  I still find it difficult to believe you are gone. The news of your demise was a huge shock to me. It is so painful that you had to leave us this time. 
You were a good woman, mother, and friend in all ramifications. Your words of encouragements I will never forget. Your death has left a deep scar in our hearts. Ibieten your daughter misses you greatly and I still haven't got words to explain what death means to her.

I will forever miss the way you call me "Lady". Rest on big sis , rest on.

Tribute to my grand mother

You may have passed on, but your memories would always live on within us. Thank you for your sacrifices, your care and concern, your love and everything that you have done for me. Wherever you are, I know you are in a much better place. I will be forever grateful and thankful that you are my 'grandmother'.

Ibitien Dede

Tribute to my late sister in law.

You were not only my sister-in-law,
but also my friend.You are missed daily.I never knew, how much my family and I loved you,until you were gone. It is especially difficult for me because your grand daughter keeps asking when she will come visit you and till now I have not got an answer to that question. She never knew that the last time she came to visit you at the hospital will be the last time she will see you. 
You will be greatly missed by us all. Rest on sister in law.

Sister Joy as we fondly call you, you left us without warning. It is so so painful and we miss you so much. Oh death you have deprived us of woman full of kindness, fun loving and caring .
Till we meet again dearest Sister, sleep in perfect peace.

TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND JOY IVAN HOE OMUBO

Life has never been fair. My dear friend and sister JOY, I am deeply pained by your exit. You fought hard to overcome the many challenges that life threw at you at various times. You fought a good fight and I am consoled that you found peace, perfect peace with the Lord. Oh death , where is thy sting, where lies thy victory?

I recall our over one hour conversation just before I travelled out of the country barely a couple of years ago. We touched on several issues. Then barely 6 months ago you called to console me on the demise of my nephew, It is unbelievable that, It has now become our last conversation !
As a  young, girl in Okrika, those good old days I admired you. You were my role model  especially as you attended one of the popular secondary schools at the time; ACMGS Elelenwo. I used to join other kids at the time that stand at the Okrika  court house window to watch you and your schoolmates dance during the Student vacation dance. I longed to be like them some day.

We finally met in our later years in London when you came to study in London School of Journalism. We became roommates for several years until after your program. Though you were older than me you treated me pleasantly and as an equal. You were transparent, and I never felt intimidated by our age difference .My dear Joy, you were a very loyal, free hearted and loving friend, ever smiling, cheerful and never bearing grudges. A very reliable and m supportive friend, and like your name, it was always joyful to be with you. We became so close and
our relationship extended to our children . My Children also adored you and you dotted over them too. You became a God mother to my First daughter, Furo.
How can I forget all the fun we had growing up together and also following you to Kaduna for my Youth corps even when I was posted to Lagos.We were always together .Thank you for all the encouragement you gave me and the life experience that you taught me.
I will sincerely miss you, my bubbly Sister Joy, all our girls talk, and how we will stay up till the early hours of the morning catching up on gist!
I remember the song by Gloria Gaynor, ‘I will survive’, you loved so much. it was virtually our anthem, as we played it repeatedly when the going was rough for us in London. Through it all we survived. We lived our dreams. Death did not defeat you. You have gone to continue your good works as it pleases God.
Who am l to question God, Sleep on my dearest sister Joy, we shall all meet one day in the bosom of the Lord. Adieu!! Rest in Peace...
                             Ms Rosana Oba

A tribute to our friend, Joy Omubo


Her name was Joy and she truly embodied her name. She radiated happiness to all who met or were lucky to know her! I’ve been friends with Joy for decades as her dad was our town’s only portrait photographer. That meant that every family in Okrika that wanted a portrait done would go to the Ivanhoe Okuchaba family home and pose in his studio for those amazing (and untouched) photographs. We were delighted to reconnect at Wakirike Convention in the States after so many years and vowed to remain in touch. Thanks to Facebook, we did, so it was with great shock and sadness I learned of her passing. While we miss her greatly, we know where she’s gone. I send prayers of God’s peace, comfort and blessings to her children and siblings. Dein na mu, Ibierebo!


Professor Amiso George
Fort Worth, Texas, USA

_________________________ Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail-- Emerson

THE GIVER GOES HOME
A TRIBUTE BY BOMA FAKA DEDE.
  Joy, you left without saying a word.You were an ardent giver; that's my consolation!!! Givers always get the attention of Heaven.The only one who called me by my middle name in the whole wide world.....FAKA!!! EVEN MY PARENTS WHO NAMED ME FAKA NEVER CALLED ME BY IT.YOU TOUCHED MANY. LIVES.THANK YOU MY SISTER FOR DOING GOD'S WORK.SLEEP WELL JOY!! GOODNIGHT!!!

We thank God for your life, for the joy you brought to us all who had contact with you. Your death our loss but heaven gained an angel. Rest in the Lord’s bosom

Oh my mama Mia......
I know im meant to be sad but I'm not because I know you're in a better place . you fulfilled your purpose to the fullest and you can never be forgotten no matter how we try .. your essence lives in me, I am the man I am solely because of you .you legacy will continue in all you instilled in me ... so you're not really gone as long as I breathe .forever in my heart my Joy girl. Love you always
Tutu

I'yingibo, My Morning JOY...I will forever miss our morning interactions, The Words of Wisdom Embedded in our daily conversations...My 2 in 1 Parent,you Taught me to be Strong,to push through my Pain & never forget to smile..Words wont do justice for how heavy my Heart is,or How I wont hear you call out my Name..You are IMMORTAL In my Heart...Love you Always #DEDELOLIA ...

A TRIBUTE TO MUMMY JOY...

Those special memories of you will always bring a smile if only we could have you back just for just a little while. Then we could sit and talk again just like we used to especially about what you and I had in common...Perfumes. Lol

I remember how you teased me and called me NEPA & off course, your scolds. I will always have good memories of you. It was a privilege and an honour knowing you Mummy. You were a MOTHER to all...very free, accommodating and easy to talk to. We are never ready for this but God knows best.

Forever in our hearts until we meet again.

Love always,
TOYIN.