Our Reporter, Abuja
As tributes begin to pour in following the passing of iconic musician and actor, Onyeka Onwenu Tuesday night, former minister of education and good governance advocate, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed her sadness over the death of a “sister.”
Ezekwesili who took to her X handle on Wednesday said the death of the award winning musician and actress was “shocking and extremely tragic,” however described Onyeka Onwenu, as “cerebral and gifted.”
She wrote: “Shocking and extremely tragic news of the passing of our dear @OnyekaOnwenu – The Elegant Stallion – as we came to know her.
Our sister, Onyeka was as cerebral as she was gifted in the Arts and quite a captivating journalist in the 80s when she returned home and did her National Youth Service with NTA @NTANewsNow . Her news casting skills were unmatched.
Her epic @BBCWorld documentary titled “A Squandering of Riches” will remain one of the greatest narration of the same issues that continue to ail Governance in Nigeria today.
“How about her giant strides as a songwriter, a musician, a performer, actor, producer! Distinction!!
“Onyeka Onwenu later became a politician, following in the footsteps of her Dad- D. K. Onwenu.
“Her mom, Dame Hope Onwenu was an inspiration to their Generation of mothers. I recall how devastated my now late mom was, when Aunty Hope Onwenu died in 2011.
“Before her death, Onyeka had eulogized Dame Onwenu with that evergreen song- “Ochie Dike Mama” which we all began singing for our mothers since 2010 to date.
“We truly have lost a distinguished Nigerian in the death of Onyeka Onwenu.
“May God comfort and grant divine peace to her 2 sons, siblings and rest of Onwenu family.”