Onyeka Onwenu was an iconic figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Onwenu was reported to have passed away on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli, the CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was 72.
Onyeka Onwenu was a remarkable Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress, journalist, politician, and former X Factor series judge.
Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, a town in Ideato North, Imo State, Nigeria. She was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
She was born on January 31, 1952, into the family of Nigerian educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu. Her father passed away in an auto crash when she was four years old, just 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.
Onwenu’s impressive career spans multiple fields, including music, acting, human rights activism, journalism, and politics. The Nigerian press has nicknamed her the “Elegant Stallion” due to her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence.
Onwenu began her music career in the 1980s, releasing several albums that blend genres such as highlife, pop, and gospel. Some of her popular songs include Iyogogo, One Love, and You and I.
Her songs raise awareness about various important issues, and a recent one in 2022 titled Rise Up was written and produced in partnership with the Rose of Sharon Foundation, it was dedicated to supporting widows, highlighting their struggles in Nigeria, Africa, and worldwide.
She made a remarkable impact in Nollywood, featuring prominently in various films and television series. Some of her notable works include “Half of a Yellow Sun,” “Lionheart,” “Muna,” and several others.
She worked as a journalist for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she was known for her investigative reporting, particularly on social topics. While at NTA, she authored the globally famous BBC/NTA documentary on corruption in Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches, in 1984.
Onwenu, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, made two unsuccessful attempts to secure the position of Local Council Chairman in her local government. However, she was subsequently appointed as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim.
She was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for her contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry and also received the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.
She was actively involved in Nigerian politics and public service. From 2013 to 2014, she served as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja.
Onyeka Onwenu had a remarkable collaboration with King Sunny Ade, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musicians. Their professional partnership resulted in the release of the hit song “Wait for Me” in 1984, which achieved significant success in Nigeria. The project was part of a public health campaign promoting responsible family planning and safe sex.
Onyeka Onwenu is survived by her two children: Tijani Charles and Abraham.