ACTRESS, JOY HELENS APPOINTED QUEEN-MOTHER OF IKENGA ABIAMA DYNASTY
By Olisemeka Obeche
Veteran Nollywood Actress, Joy Helens, has been officially conferred with the honorary title of the ROYAL Matriarch, Queen-Mother of Ikenga Dynasty of Igboland, Federal Republic of Nigeria in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the Nigerian movie industry and promotion of Igbo cultural heritage.
Helen’s appointment approved by the Board of Trustee, BOT and Executive of the prestigious Pan-Igbo and African Foundation was confirmed in a letter dated September 12, 2024.
The founder and Chairperson of Ikenga Abiama Dynasty Foundation, Ambassador Dr. Uba Iwunwa, who confirmed the appointment in a statement also paid described Helens as her off-screen sister, friend, mentor and prayer warrior as well as ‘Angel in My heart’, for her pivotal role in her career as an actress.
According to her, the Grand Patriarch and the Supreme Commander of the Ikenga-Abiama Dynasty Royal Court, HIRM King Prof Barthsy Ojoi Enebiene GJP. Aba Obazi IV with the African Royal Queen-Mother, HIRM Queen Ugobeze and all the Executive Board of Directors of Ikenga Dynasty approved her appointment because of what she had given back to the society.
She explained: “Joy Helens is a Nollywood Veteran Actress. A proud daughter of Igboland who played the role of the Queen-Mother to Aisha (Actress Uba Iwunwa) in the movie “Tribal War” and “Tears in Crisis”. A Mac Collins Chidebe Productions in 2012 as Asaba, Nigeria. A movie role that became a divine providence of an off screen spiritual motherhood.
“She has never stopped being a loving caring soul who has contributed to the growth and royal installation of Queen Ugobeze and the establishment of the Ikenga-Abiama Dynasty Foundation to promote cultural diversity and uplift Igbo cultural heritage globally.
“Helens has stood as one of the pillar holding up Queen Ugobeze to break grounds of limitations of gender inequality and to be a voice for the voiceless that a female child is powerful and valuable in Igboland (Nwanyi-bu-nwa) to the blessed memory of Queen Ugobeze Uba Iwunwa’s late father’s legacy Omeonu-Uwa II, Elder Sir Josiah Achinulo Chinyere of Nkwerre, Imo-State, Nigeria.