July 31
Iconic Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, has died at the age of 72.
She died on Tuesday night after performing at an event at Banana Island, Lagos.
Onwenu was said to have slumped after performing at the birthday ceremony of Mrs Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
She was later confirmed dead at a hospital in Victoria Island.
Her family is yet to confirm the death.
Onyeka was born in Obosi, Anambra State, on January 31, 1952, to the family of an educationist and politician, D.K. Onwenu, who died in an auto crash when she was four years old, a week before he was to be appointed Minister for Education.
She attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, USA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Communication.
The late crooner began her music career in 1981 with her debut album, “For the Love of You”, after which she released numerous albums and singles, including the hit song “One Love” and “You and I.” Her songs cut across genres like highlife, pop, and gospel.
Onwenu has also acted in many Nollywood films and TV series, including “Half of a Yellow Sun,” “Lionheart,” and “Muna”.
She won awards for her contributions to the arts. She has bee
Recognised as one of the pioneers of Nigerian music, she won awards for her contributions to the arts.
Onwenu also had a foray in politics. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), she contested twice unsuccessfully for the position of Local Council Chairman of her local government.
Later, the then former Governor Ikedi Ohakim appointed her the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013. Three years later, the Federal Government appointed her the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development.
Onwenu has been recognised for her contributions to Nigerian society, including being awarded two national honours, the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and in 2011 the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for her contribution to the entertainment industry.
She was also recognised as one of the most influential women in Nigeria by various organisations.
Known for her reluctance to talk about her personal life, Onyeka Onwenu married a Muslim of extraction, with whom she had two children, Tijani Charles and Abraham.
