Onyeka Onwenu, a true icon of Nigerian entertainment, media, and politics, passed away on Tuesday in Lagos at the age of 72. The news was shared by Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, via a statement on his official X handle on July 31. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who ran against Tinubu in 2023, also took to X to express his sorrow. Obi recounted the heartbreaking moment he witnessed Onwenu’s final hours. “I watched in pain as the doctors and medical staff fought tirelessly, doing everything possible to save her, but sadly, they couldn’t bring her back,” Obi wrote. The exact cause of her death was not immediately disclosed.
Just a day before her passing, Onwenu had dazzled at an 80th birthday party for a pharmaceutical executive. After performing, she sat down to rest, but shortly after, she collapsed. Obi shared that she was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, her condition did not improve. Afrobeats culture blog Notjustok shared footage of Onwenu performing joyously, capturing the essence of her vibrant spirit.
Known reverently as the “Elegant Stallion,” Onyeka Onwenu was a towering figure in Nigeria’s pop music scene and journalism during the 1980s. Her musical repertoire includes hits like 1986’s “One Love,” a hopeful fusion of reggae and synth pop, and “Wait for Me,” a family planning anthem featuring juju star King Sunny Adé. Onwenu also blessed audiences with folk love song “Iyogogo” and “Winnie Mandela,” which she performed for South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife during their visit to Nigeria in 1990, following his release from prison.
Onwenu’s career wasn’t confined to music. She was a pioneering anchor and reporter for the Nigerian Television Authority. Notably, in 1984, she spearheaded a documentary in collaboration with BBC Nigeria titled A Squandering of Riches, which exposed rampant corruption in the country.
As the 1990s rolled in, Onwenu embraced gospel music and acting. She starred in over a dozen films, including a notable role in Half of a Yellow Sun (2013), alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandiwe Newton, and John Boyega. This film, based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s seminal novel, earned her acclaim. She also appeared in Lionheart, directed by Genevieve Nnaji, which made history as Nigeria’s first-ever Oscar entry in 2019. Unfortunately, it was disqualified from the International Feature Film category due to its predominantly English dialogue, even though English is Nigeria’s official language. Nnaji expressed her gratitude for Onwenu’s participation in Lionheart, stating on X, “I am so grateful she accorded me the opportunity, honor, and privilege to share time and space with her.”
Onwenu’s influence extended far beyond the entertainment industry. She was deeply involved in Nigeria’s social, economic, and political spheres. In 2011, she was honored with one of the nation’s highest accolades, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. Despite running for public office twice and not winning either race, Onwenu continued to make significant contributions. She was appointed chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013 and later led Nigeria’s National Centre for Women Development.
Her educational journey took her to the U.S., where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Communications from Wellesley College and a Master’s in Communication and Media Studies from The New School.
The news of her passing has sparked a wave of tributes from Nigerian celebrities and beyond. Singers like Yemi Alade and Simi, along with Lionheart distributor Netflix, have shared heartfelt messages. Alade referred to Onwenu as her “childhood hero,” while Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning 2020 track, “Onyeka,” from his album Twice as Tall, serves as a testament to her lasting influence.
In a 2021 op-ed, Onwenu expressed her thoughts on how she wished her own burial to be handled, reflecting her down-to-earth personality. She asked for a “quick, quiet, and private” farewell, with celebrations to include prayers, meals, and laughter, rather than excessive mourning. “Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Mourn, yes, but not excessively. Make merriment, and then go about your business,” she wrote. “If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me, Onyeka Onwenu.”
Her legacy is one of immense talent and influence, and her departure leaves a significant void in Nigeria's cultural landscape.
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