Photo Credit: Vanguard
Onyeka Onwenu, the iconic Nigerian singer and songwriter whose music defined the 80s and 90s, has passed away at the age of 72. Onwenu slumped and died on Tuesday night after a performance at a birthday party in Lagos.
The tragic incident occurred during the birthday celebration of Mrs. Stella Okoli of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. After her performance, Onwenu returned to her seat and suddenly collapsed. Despite being rushed to Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos, she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. The cause of death remains unknown.
An eyewitness recounted the heartbreaking moment: “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli today, and after performing, she slumped. She was taken to Reddington Hospital and she couldn’t make it.”
Born on January 31, 1952, Onwenu was a multifaceted artist and activist, revered for her contributions to music, acting, broadcasting, and social and human rights activism. She was a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and served as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development in 2013.
Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu in Ideato North, Imo State, and was raised in Port Harcourt. She was the youngest of five children. Her father, D.K. Onwenu, a notable educationist and politician, died in a car accident when she was four years old, shortly before his appointment as Minister for Education.
Onwenu’s academic journey took her to Wellesley College, Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Communication. She furthered her studies with an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York. Before returning to Nigeria in 1980, she worked as a tour guide at the United Nations and completed her national youth service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Lagos.
Her music career began in 1981 with the album “For the Love of You,” featuring an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight.” This was followed by “Endless Life,” produced by Sonny Okosun, under the EMI label. In 1984, she released “In The Morning Light” with Polygram, recorded in London, featuring the track “Masterplan” written by her close friend Tyna Onwudiwe.
Onwenu’s illustrious career spanned more than four decades, with hit songs such as “You and I,” “Wait for Me” (a duet with legendary juju artist King Sunny Ade), “Iyogogo,” and “Dancing in the Sun.” Her influence extended to Nollywood, where she made her acting debut in Zik Zulu Okafor’s “Nightmare” and earned an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2006 for “Widow’s Cot.” She was also recognized for her performances in “Rising Moon” and “Half of a Yellow Sun,” where she starred alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton.
Onwenu was not just a musical and cinematic powerhouse but also a fierce advocate for artists’ rights. In 2000, she protested against NTA for their refusal to pay royalties on her songs, leading to a notable hunger strike outside the station’s premises. The protest concluded after six days when a royalty arrangement was reached.
Onyeka Onwenu’s legacy as the “Elegant Stallion” of Nigerian music and a passionate advocate for social justice will continue to inspire generations. Her contributions to the arts and her community remain indelible, and she will be profoundly missed.
Credit: PM News
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