Once upon a time, in a kingdom nestled in the heart of a lush African valley, Queen Amina was renowned for her compassion, wisdom, and dedication to her people. She had spent her life serving others, inspiring countless individuals with her kindness and generosity. Despite her royal status, she remained humble and approachable, always putting the needs of her people before her own.
On her birthday, Queen Amina was on a royal duty, working tirelessly to address the pressing issues facing her kingdom. As she pored over documents and attended meetings, she almost forgot that it was her special day. Her support staff, however, had not forgotten.
As the day wore on, Queen Amina’s staff began to subtly prepare for a surprise celebration. They coordinated with colleagues from various departments, gathering small gifts and decorations that reflected the queen’s love for her people. The plan was to surprise her during a brief break in her schedule.
As the appointed time arrived, Queen Amina stepped into the conference room, expecting a routine meeting. Instead, she was met with a sea of smiling faces and a banner that read, “Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!” The room was filled with the sweet scent of cake and the soft glow of candles.
The queen’s face lit up with joy, and she almost came to tears as she gazed at the thoughtful gestures of her staff. She was overwhelmed by the loyalty and love that shone in their eyes. For a moment, she forgot about her royal duties and felt like a person who was truly loved and appreciated.
As she blew out the candles, her staff sang a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday,” their voices filling the room with warmth and affection. The queen’s eyes sparkled with gratitude as she hugged her staff, thanking them for making her feel so special.
In that moment, Queen Amina realised that her life’s work had not gone unnoticed. Her people, and especially her staff, appreciated her tireless efforts to serve and inspire others. The surprise party was a reminder that even in the midst of busy schedules and national assignments, love and kindness can bring people together in the most meaningful ways.
As the celebration came to a close, Queen Amina looked around the room, her heart full of love and appreciation for her staff. She knew that she was blessed to have such a dedicated and caring team, and she looked forward to continuing her work, inspired by their loyalty and support.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Queen Amina returned to her duties, her spirit lifted by the surprise birthday party. She knew that she would carry the memory of this special day with her, and that it would fuel her passion for serving others in the days to come.
Then enter Queen Bianca Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu reliving in real time this true story. The date and location this time were August 5, 2025, in the vibrant city of Accra, Ghana. Queen Bianca, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, was on a diplomatic mission, working tirelessly to strengthen ties between nations. As she navigated the complexities of international relations, she remained steadfast in her commitment to serving her country and promoting global understanding.
It was her 57th birthday, and Queen Bianca was immersed in meetings and engagements, her schedule packed with discussions on trade, security, and cultural exchange. As she worked alongside her Ghanaian counterparts, she almost forgot that it was her special day. I had called her repeatedly to offer my wishes of a happy birthday without a response.
However, her dedicated staff had not forgotten. The chief conspirators were Ambassadors Ade Adeoye and Innocent Iwejuo, and the support staff of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana. They had been secretly planning a surprise celebration to mark this birthday. In the High Commission’s Office in Accra where Queen Bianca was briefly a High Commissioner, the support staff had set up a beautiful arrangement of flowers, balloons, and a cake adorned with the Nigerian and Ghanaian flags.
As Queen Bianca entered the High Commission’s office to commence another long day of meetings, she was taken aback by the warm smiles and cheers of her staff. “Happy Birthday, Minister!” they chorused, as they presented her with the cake and gifts. As she cut the birthday cake decorated in gold, her face lit up with joy, and she was visibly moved by the thoughtfulness of her team.
Tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes as she hugged her staff, high-fived several, thanking them for making her feel so loved and appreciated. In that moment, she felt seen and valued, not just as a minister, but as a person who had dedicated her life to serving others.
As they sang “Happy Birthday” in harmony, Queen Bianca couldn’t help but reflect on her journey. From her early days as a beauty queen, her dutiful role as a mother of three, her life and times with the People’s General, her late husband, General Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu to her current role as a respected diplomat, she had always been driven by a passion for public service and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. The celebration was a poignant reminder that even amid busy, high-profile diplomatic schedules, there was room for joy, love and appreciation. Queen Bianca’s staff had shown her that they valued her dedication and commitment, and that they were grateful to work alongside her.
As she blew out the candles, Queen Bianca felt a sense of gratitude and humility. She knew that she was blessed to have such a talented and caring team, and she looked forward to continuing her work, inspired by their loyalty and support.
In the days that followed, Queen Bianca continued her diplomatic engagements with renewed energy and enthusiasm. She knew that she had the support of her team and that together, they could achieve great things. As she navigated the complexities of international relations, she remained steadfast in her commitment to serving her country and promoting global understanding.
The birthday celebration had been a reminder that even in the most demanding roles, there was always room for love, kindness, and appreciation. And for Queen Bianca, that was a gift that would stay with her long after the cake had been devoured and the balloons had popped. Happiest birthday, ageless beauty! Age with grace!!
