- Tinubu, First Lady, Musawa, Odion, others mourn Lady of Songs
Legendary songstress, songwriter, journalist, and actor, Onyeka Onwenu, slumped during a live performance and died minutes afterwards.
The activist and author breathed her last after preaching peace with her hit song, One Love, at the 80th birthday ceremony in honour of an industrialist, Dr. Stella Okoli.
In what seemed like leaving her last word for her numerous fans across the world and Nigerians ahead of the proposed protest, Ms. Onwenu delivered a stellar-class performance to close her performance on the face of earth.
The singer, who was dubbed the Elegant Stallion by the media in her heydays, left behind two sons – Abraham and Tijani Ogunlende – as well as her ex-husband, Mr. Ogunlende, families and numerous fans.
Aptly referred to as the beacon of inspiration and hope by her sons, the late Ms. Onwenu preached and spread love all through her career, which spanned four decades.
She was the pride of Arondizuogu, a big town in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, where she began her early life after losing her father as a four-year-old.
The America-trained broadcaster began her career at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where she made indelible impact as a newsreader and reporter.
In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary, titled: Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches, which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria.
Her music career started in 1981 when she wrote and released her debut album, titled: ‘For the Love of You,’ while still working at NTA. In 1984, she wrote, recorded and released her sophomore album titled: Golden Songs Volume 1. Onyeka also released the volume two in 1986 and volume three in 1991. By 1991, she had made a name for herself on the Nigerian music scene, where she distinguished herself with her powerful vocal abilities, performance and clarity in her messages.
Until 1991, when she decided to dump secular songs for gospel songs, Onwenu had become a household name with hit songs that include ‘One Love,’ ‘Iyogogo,’ ‘You and I,’ ‘Dancing in the rain,’ ‘Ekwe,’ and ‘Wait for me,’ featuring Juju legend King Sunny Ade.
The late Ms. Onwenu also featured in over 24 movies, after making her debut in Zik Zulu Okafor’s film, Nightmare.
Torrents of tributes poured in yesterday in memory of the legendary singer.
President Bola Tinubu; First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Pater Mbah (Enugu); and eminent columnist Louis Odion paid glowing tributes to the late songress.
Also, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in last year’s general election, Mr. Peter Obi; Fuji star, Adewale Ayuba; Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti; singer, actor, and activist, Chjrles Oputa (aka Charly Boy) mourned the lady of songs.
In his tribute through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu celebrated Onwenu’s life, noting her immense talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.
The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu extends his profound condolences to the family of the late Ms. Onyeka Onwenu.
“Ms. Onwenu was a singer, songwriter, actor, journalist, activist, and politician.
“President Tinubu mourns the passing of the Queen of Songs, whose edifying and mellifluous rendition, ‘One Love’, in the 1990s evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony.
“The President recalls the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting public good, noting her classic collaboration with King Sunny Ade on ‘Wait for Me’, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s…
“The President condoles with the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.
“President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased artiste and that she finds a place yonder where the music never fades and where there is ‘Dancing in the Sun’.”
Also, in her condolence message, the First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu wrote: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of ‘The Elegant Stallion’, Onyeka Onwenu, MFR, especially as I still interacted with her not too long ago during the event to celebrate Mothers of our Nation, on May 25, 2024.
“Her extraordinary talent, creativity and contributions to unity and African values exemplified in her iconic song: ‘One Love Keeps Us Together’, have left an indelible mark on the world of music, not only in Nigeria but across the world.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her family, associates, and friends during this period of grief. May the Lord God grant them the strength to bear this painful and irreplaceable loss.
“She left us doing what she loved. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
At an emergency plenary yesterday, the House observed a one minute silence in honour of the departed singer as well as the late President General of the pan-Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Neighborhood, Chief Emmanuel Inwuanyawu.
In a condolence by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, Deputy Speaker Kalu described the late Ms. Onwenu as a rare, incredible talent and one of the pioneers of Nigerian music and entertainment industry.
In her tribute, Musawa said: “The music world has lost a shining star, a true legend, and a shaper of our cultural identity.
“Onyeka Onwenu’s passing leaves a void that can never be filled. Her music was a testament to her innovative spirit, and her ability to bring people together through her art.”
Also, Governor Mbah said: “Onyeka will be deeply missed, but it is consoling that she lived life to the fullest of her talents, sowing herself indelibly in the heart of humanity.”
Also, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to the Onwenu family and the Nigerian entertainment industry on the incident.
The governor urged the family, friends, associates and fans of the deceased as well as entertainment practitioners to take the incident as an act of God.
In his tribute, eminent journalist/columnist Loius Odion wrote: “A truly great talent exits. With a rich body of works cutting across music, film and writing, she indeed embodied a significant tendency in the Nigerian art of the ‘80s and ‘90s — educated, liberated, assertive and relentless. A movement that sought to foster national unity across divides.
“Her magnum opus, One Love, expresses that powerful spirit. Sadly, with her transition, that clan is almost extinct now. Adieu, the Princess of Songs.”
In his tribute, Mr. Peter Obi wrote: “I watched as doctors battled to save her life in vain yesterday (Tuesday) after her elegant performance on stage.
“Yesterday provided a totally devastating moment for me as I witnessed a tragic event that will forever be etched in my memory.
“I was present at the event where the iconic song star, Onyeka Onwenu performed a couple of her songs ending up with her famous song, ‘One Love Keep Us Together’.
“It was a beautiful performance, but little did we know it would be her final bow.
“Just about a few minutes after her performance, she sat down and drank some water and immediately collapsed, and was rushed to the hospital.
“I followed her to the hospital, I watched in pain as the doctors and medical staff fought tirelessly and battled to save her life doing everything possible to bring her back to life but eventually came out with the sad news that she was gone.”
He added: “My condolences to her family, the entertainment industry, and the nation at large. May we find solace in the memories we shared with her and the impact she had on our lives.”
