Legendary musician Onyeka Onwenu died on Tuesday, July 30, in Lagos.
She collapsed after playing at Emzor Pharmaceuticals CEO Stella Okolie’s 80th birthday celebration.
Here are 13 pivotal facts about the late Onyeka Onwenu:
1. Onyeka Onwenu was born on January 31, 1952, in Obosi, Anambra state, Nigeria. She graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, USA, with degrees in International Relations and Communication. She also had a master’s degree in media studies from the New School for Social Research in New York.
2. Her father died when she was four years old in a car accident, a week before his appointment as Minister of Education.
3. Before getting into music, Onyeka worked as a journalist for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she was known for her investigative reporting, particularly on social topics.
4. While at NTA, she authored the globally famous BBC/NTA documentary on corruption in Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches, in 1984.
5. Onyeka Onwenu’s debut album, For the Love of You, was released in 1981. The CD had both English and Igbo songs, demonstrating her flexibility.
6. Onwenu was well-known for her unique combination of traditional African music and contemporary pop. She sang in both English and Igbo, thus her music is accessible to a large audience.
7. Some of her most popular songs are “One Love,” “Iyogogo,” “You and I,” and “Ekwe.” The songs have become classics in Nigerian music.
8. Aside from her singing career, Onyeka Onwenu appeared in several Nollywood films. She played a variety of roles, including strong female characters. Some of her popular films include “Half of a Yellow Sun,” “Muna,” and “Mothers-in-Law.”
9. Onwenu was a member of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).
10. She participated in Nigerian politics and public service. She was the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja from 2013 to 2014.
11. Onyeka Onwenu garnered multiple honours for her work in music and advocacy. These include Nigerian national honours such as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and accolades at different music award ceremonies.
12. She is survived by her two children – Tijani Charles and Abraham.
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