Of Love, Letters and Feedback to Ngozi “Engee” Ukweni
“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is, at last, a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.” —Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
Ngozi Ukweni will be 26years on the 11th of February, 2020. And, what better way to celebrate her than to write her a letter on my website. Through the comment section below, feel free to write about a moment with Engee, send your wishes and give her feedback to help her grow.
Dear Engee,
To write about you is to write about childhood love, honesty, deep friendship and sisterhood. You have remained constant. A solid constant. Always willing to listen to my thoughts and all of my challenges – financial, emotional and career challenges.
One way to express my love is to gift my friends’ books. When you were leaving Nigeria for your MBA in Illinois, I got you a book – The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. The book made you laugh. You have always enjoyed literature, thanks to your mum and aunties. I know you didn’t see the reason why reading African literature was such a big deal to me. But I’m now glad you think differently.
For your 23rd birthday, I gifted you Easy Motion Tourist by Leye Adenle. In your words;
“It was my first African suspense book and it was magical. I wondered how and why someone was so committed to helping prostitutes. I began to understand why as I read further and I moved from a place of judgment to a place of compassion.”
I’ve known you since I was 10years old. We were only little girls in boarding school, navigating the world as we knew it – crying and laughing together. We have traded passions. Why I have poured the love of books and the power of words into your soul, you have poured career development and management into mine. We have traded letters and notes. I wrote so many notes and letters to you in boarding school and some of the words in those notes are still very useful in these times. As they still mirror the state of our friendship 16 years later.
Happy Birthday to my dear friend. A constant. A giver. A sister. You remain my Noble Girl of Zealous Intelligence!
Cheers to gifting you more books!
Drop Ngozi a Letter!! and join her birthday party (Zoom) using this link on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 between 8am to 2pm, Central Standard Time Chicago, USA!!!
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Love you sooo much Engee
To Ng, the Star girl, a force to reckon with.
Thank you for being an inspiration. The world is better with people like you in it.
To Ng,
Thank you for being all you are to me. I am grateful for the gift of your friendship given to me by life.
Keep being the force you are, my star girl.
With love.
Happy Birthday to my very own Ukweni “Engee” Ngozi, LLNP. The days ahead of you shall be the best and most remarkable days of your life.
Happy Birthday to a friend turned sister, financial adviser, hype-woman extra ordinnaire. Nwannem njì né mé mkpótú, how did we even meet? Have a delightful birthday and may the rest of your life be the best of your life. God’s blessings.
Have a blessed birthday NG, keep shining as a superstar, heavens got your back and earth marvels at your rising. Keep making it happen it.
Happy Birthday NG. Wishing you long life and prosperity. It’s been wonderful knowing you. I am happy to have you as a friend. May God bless you always
Happy Birthday Ngee! You’re phenomenal!!! I pray you keep soaring higher.
Happy birthday Engee, wishing you heaven best . Keep soaring higher.
We definitely need more Ngozi UKwenis in our world today. Keep being an inspiration❤️
Happy birthday my beloved Ngee ❤️. I’ve know you for 16years, and those 1st 6 years in Secondary school was enough for us to build a friendship that lasts forever. We have always been apart on your bday for the past 10years, but you’ve shown me that distance doesn’t have to be a barrier.
You are beautiful, intelligent, selfless, devoted, consistent and a true daughter of Zion. You always inspire me to be my best.
I pray that Gods love for you remains unending and he will grant you all your heart desires and more. I love you my dearest friend 😘😘😘
PS- Wow Adriel, can’t believe you have a letter from SS2….niceeeee
Hahaha! Ngozi actually had it. I was shocked when she sent it to me! 😂
Uhmmn… Dear Ng,
I am currently omw to work and I cant help but think how far we have come. I am so grateful to God for your existence.
I met you in 2010 and over the years I have discovered that God favoured me by allowing our paths to cross. Thanks for leaning on my shoulder when you had to, thanks for the words of encouragement and advise. I miss you my coursemate turn friend turn prayer partner turn roomie turn sister….you are the best. I love you boo.
Happy birthday Ngozi
You are a great woman of valor, your sense of humor is great. Thank you for all you do. With the little time I have known you is like I have known you for a very long time .
God bless you richly and enlarge your coast. You will keep on shining everyday of your life . The sky will be your starting point ijn.
I love you so much ma & I wish you the very best in life. Please do have a blast today 🥳🥳🥳
Happy Birthday Engee 🎉🎉
You’re inspire me everyday and it’s felt like I found a big sister from the day we met…thanks for listening to me all time and allowing me be open with you…thanks for all the advice…you’re truly an amazing person with a wonderful heart…I pray this new year is filled with pleasant surprises and you accomplish even more than you planned
Wishing you a fun filled day and beautiful memories not just today but forever ❤
Happy birthday Engee. You’ve been so many things to me. Since I met you in 2014, my life transformed for the better. You pushed me to do amazing things I never thought I could do. You taught me to stand and work harder after failure. Thank you for all the advice and counsel. Thanks for opening your doors to me when I newly moved to Lagos. Thanks for the beautiful gift you got me on your last trip home. Thanks for praying with me whenever I was down. Thanks for unapologetically being you. I hope to keep making you proud. See you at the top and have a beautiful year!
2015*
Hello sweety.
Always a pleasure when I have to write or say something about you. It’s been loads of selfless love for 4 years and for that I’m grateful.
I look at your passion for people, your eagerness to make a difference in every setting you find yourself and it’s nothing short of amazing.
If I came back a second time, I’d still search for you and love you over and over again.
This story has been sweet and i know it’s gonna last a life time.
Happy birthday my love. You’re simply the best!
One day….
With love.
Taiwo. Xoxo
Dear Engee, happy birthday to you. It’s amazing how much you’ve grown in your career in less than two years since I completed my Programme at KPMG. You’ve always been an inspiration to me and I’m glad I could learn from you. My wish is that in forthcoming years, you accomplish all your goals in both your career and personal life. See you at the top. Have a wonderful day ❤️
Happy Birthday Ng
Keep being amazing things with what you’ve been doing over the past couple of months in US
I remember back in Nigeria, when it was me, you, Fikewa, Stephanie and Rashidat all went to work today you were always a star it was clear and you always were brighter than Nigeria could hold down.It was clear you were always not ordinary but extraordinary as you always emphasized there was more to life than work, I’m glad you’ve been given the platform over there and you’ve excelled while doing so in all ramifications.
Happy Birthday once again Ng 🙂
Happy Birthday Ngozi,
Meeting you was quite a pleasant experience, may you be gifted with life’s biggest joys and never-ending bliss, that the years ahead be filled with much love, fulfilled God driven purposes, many wonderful surprises and pleasant memories that you will cherish and an intimate pursuit for God. Cheers
Dear Ng
To call you a friend, will be undermining who you are to me.
You have been a sister in every sense of the word.
Friendship with you is amazing and distance is never a barrier.
You are a beautiful soul both on the inside and outside.
A beauty with powerful brains
Your life is graced with humility and greatness .
You represent knowledge and liberation.
This generation is blessed with your existence.
I celebrate your birth.
Happy Birthday Beautiful.
Happy birthday Ngozi. You’re a rare gem and a great friend. Have a wonderful year. Greater things to come this year.
Happy Birthday NG. Have am awesome day. More Blessings! 🙏