- Onyeka Onwenu was actively involved in music, film and politics
- The icon reportedly died on July 31 after slumping at an event
- TheRadar compiled 10 classic songs by the ‘golden voice’ singer
Popularly described as ‘Elegant Stallion,’ Nigerian music legend, Onyeka Onwenu is dead. She was 72 when she breathed her last.
The icon and media personality reportedly collapsed after her music performance at the 80th birthday party of the Chief Executive of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Stella Okorie.
After she slumped, Onwenu was rushed to Reddington Hospital for medical care but she reportedly died on July 31.
As fans and colleagues mourn the demise of Onwenu, a respected music icon and activist, the circumstances and full details of her death are still sketchy.
72-year-old Onwenu has been in the music scene since the 1980s, debuting her album ‘For the Love of You’ in 1981. She was also significantly present in politics and activism.
Early life and family
The music icon is said to be the youngest daughter of Nigerian politician and educationist, D.K Onwenu. Her father reportedly died in an auto crash, a week before he was appointed Minister of Education. The tragic and fatal turn of events saw Onyeka’s mother left as a widow to care for five children including Onyeka, who was 4 years old at the time. The music legend, though an indigene of Imo State, was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. Hardly disclosing her personal life, Onwenu is survived by her two sons, Tijani Ogunlende and Abraham Ogunlende.
Young Onyeka Onwenu
Career and activism
Wearing many hats, Onyeka Onwenu was an all-rounder in Nigerian media, social and political space. Onyeka Onwenu was a songwriter and singer. Originally a secular artist, she made a switch to gospel in the 90s mostly singing about mutual coexistence, loving one another, the plight of children and other social issues. Her notable activism was going on a hunger strike in 2000 in a protest against broadcast stations using artiste music for free. She demanded that NTA at the time pay her royalties for using her song ‘Iyogogo’ with her permission. The protest garnered wide support from various artistes.
Older Onyeka Onwenu
Starring in many movie roles, she won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her stellar performance in Widows Cot at the Africa Movies Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2006. In the same year, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Rising Moon. She was also featured in Half of a Yellow Sun (2014) and Lion Heart (2018). As a People Democratic Party (PDP) member, she lost the seat of Local Council Chairman of her Local Government, Ideato North twice. However, before her demise, she was the Chairperson of Imo State Council for Art and Culture. She was also the CEO of the National Centre for Women Development.
10 unforgettable classics by Onyeka Onwenu
As a tribute to the late music icon, whose legacy continues to inspire and influence Nigerian culture, TheRadar compiled 10 unforgettable classics by Onwenu. See list below:
- Iyogogo - (1984)
- One Love - (1991)
- You and I - (1991)
- Ekwe - (1984)
- African Woman - (1984)
- Bia Nulu (1986)
- Greatest Love - (1986)
- Dancing in the Sun - (1991)
- Odenigbo - (1984)
- Ochie Dike - (1986)
- Gbemi Leke - (1986)
Gwo Gwo Ngwo: Mike Ejeagha, 4 other Igbo highlife legendary singers you should know
Earlier, TheRadar reported that Igbo highlife is a contemporary music genre that has existed since the 1940s.
Considering Mike Egeagha, whose social media frenzy reintroduced Igbo highlife to a new generation, TheRadar compiled a list of 5 timeless Igbo highlife singers who pioneered and contributed significantly to the music genre.
