ONYEKA ONWENU: The Life and Times of Africa’s Golden Voice …As Nigerians Mourn Her Death

“Her extraordinary talent, creativity and contributions to unity and African values exemplified in her iconic song, ‘One Love Keep Us Together,’ have left an indelible mark on the world of music, not only in Nigeria but across the world.” – President Tinubu

In a distressing loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry, legendary singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu has passed away at the age of 72. The news broke late Tuesday night, July 30, 2024, following her sudden collapse at the 80th birthday celebration for Mrs. Stella Okoli, a prominent Nigerian businesswoman and pharmacist.
According to eyewitness reports, Onwenu, who had just delivered a captivating performance at the event, collapsed shortly after her set. One of the special guests present at the event was Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of LP in the 2023 general election, who saw Onwenu in her last moments, said he was devastated by her death.

Obi stated, “I watched as doctors battled to save her life in vain on Wednesday after her elegant performance on stage. “She left us with a striking song in her last performance on earth “One Love Keep Us Together.” Writing on his X handle, Obi explained, “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. Despite their valiant efforts, she sadly passed away after over two hours of intense struggle.”

President Bola Tinubu has since sent a condolence message to Nigerians and lovers of the music icon. Tinubu prayed that her music would never fade; while hoping she would find a place where there would be “dancing in the sun”, borrowing from one of her all-time songs. Tinubu recalled the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting public good, noting her class collaboration with King Sunny Ade on “Wait for Me”, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s. He further condoled with the entertainment industry, the Imo State government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over the loss.
First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, described Onwenu as a talented musician, saying the deceased left an indelible mark in the world of music. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Lagos State GovernorBabajide Sanwo-Olu, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, also mourned the demise of the music legend. In a statement, former President Jonathan said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of the famous journalist and songster, Onyeka Onwenu. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and her memory will continue to be cherished.”
Sanwo-Olu, who described Onwenu’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly the creative industry, extended his condolences to her family and the Nigerian entertainment industry. Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in a statement, described Onwenu as a gift to her generation.

Obaseki stated, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of one of Nigeria’s most versatile music exports, Dr. Onyeka Onwenu. Onwenu was a gift to her generation. Sonorous, enigmatic, and enchanting. Hers was a gift well deserving as she serenaded all with a rare facility with her voice, soothing the old and the young with melodious, evergreen tunes. Onwenu performed excellently as a conscious musician, as she laced her music with nuggets for social revival. She wore many caps elegantly as a soulful singer, fierce journalist, and conscientious social crusader. Her desire for a better Nigeria was evident in the passion she infused in the many avenues she used in agitating for a more prosperous nation. It is sad that we lost her at a time when we needed role models like her to inspire Nigerian youths, who would have benefited from her experience and insight garnered as an active character in different hues of the Nigerian experience. We will miss her elegance, candour, and infectious charm.”

The sons of the late singer, Onyeka Onwenu, Abraham and Tijani Ogunlende, have spoken out following her sudden demise. They said: “It is with heavy hearts that I and my brother wish to announce the passing of our mother, the much loved Onyeka Onwenu. She passed away last night, Tuesday July 30 2024, in Lagos Nigeria. She was rushed to the hospital after an amazing last performance, where doctors made every effort to save her life… sadly she passed. We would like to extend our thanks to those who were with her in her final moments. And to the general public for their concern and support.”

Elegant Stallion: Things to know about legendary late singer

Onyeka Onwenu was born on January 31, 1952. She hailed from Arondizuogu, a big town in Ideato North, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, but was raised in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, Nigeria. She was the youngest daughter of Nigerian educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu, who died when she was four years old in an autocrash a week before his appointment as Minister for Education, leaving his widow, Hope, to raise five children alone after her husband’s family denied her access to his property.

Onwenu possessed a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York. She worked for the United Nations as a tour guide before returning to Nigeria in 1980 to complete her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), in Lagos.

As an NTA employee, Onwenu made an impact as a newsreader and reporter. In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria, as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil rich region of Nigeria.

Originally a secular artist, Onwenu made the transition to gospel music in the 90s, and most of her songs are self-penned. She wrote and sang about issues such as health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women’s rights, and the plight of children. She began her recording career in 1981 while still with the NTA, releasing the album For the Love of You, a pop album. Her second album was Endless Life, produced by Sonny Okosun, and included another cover – the Everley Brothers'”Walk Right Back”. Both records were released under the EMI label.

Onwenu’s first album with Polygram, In The Morning Light, was released in 1984. Recorded in London, it featured the track “Masterplan” written by close friend Tyna Onwudiwe who had previously contributed to Onwenu’s BBC documentary and subsequently sang back-up vocals on the album. In 1986, she released One Love which contained an updated version of the song “(In the) Morning Light from the previous album. Another song, “You and I”, was re-recorded for the 2001 film Conspiracy starring Nkem Owoh and Onwenu herself.

For the 1988 album Dancing In The Sun, Onwenu adopted a more Afrocentric sound and collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Sunny Ade on the track “Madawolohun (Let Them Say)”. This was the first of three songs the pair worked on together; the other two – “Choices” and “Wait For Me” – centred on family planning, and were endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria who used “Choices” in their PSA.

In 2013, Onwenu served as one of the three judges on X Factor Nigeria. Onwenu’s first movie role was as Joke, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor’s Nightmare. She has since featured in numerous Nollywood movies, and in 2006 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the movie “Widow’s Cot”. She was also nominated that same year for Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a Leading Role” in the movie “Rising Moon”. In 2014 she was in the movie Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and Lion Heart (2018).

Onwenu also had stint in Nigeria politics. She was a member of the People’s Democratic Party. She contested twice to become the Local Council Chairman of her Local Government, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State and lost at both attempts, but was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim. On 16 September 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

Onwenu was a devoted family woman, but notably kept her personal life private and often refused to disclose private information regarding her ex-husband, a Yoruba Muslim. She was the mother of two children – Tijani Charles and Abraham. On 30 July 2024, Onwenu passed out after performing at a friend’s birthday party in Lagos. She was immediately taken to Reddington Hospital where she was confirmed dead.