Our Reporter, Abuja; with Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
In less than one week after the death of two illustrious Igbo personalities, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the Igbo nation, has again, recorded another bewildering bereavement following the demise of a legendary singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu.
The 72 year old music legend died Tuesday night after performing at an event at Banana Island, Lagos.
She was said to have slumped after performing at the birthday ceremony of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
The music icon was later rushed to a hospital in Victoria Island, where she was confirmed dead.
Onwenu once served as chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture; as well as the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development.
Born in 1952, in Obosi, Anambra State to parents from Arondizogu in Imo State, Onwenu started her music career in the 1980s and released her debut album, “For the Love of You,” in 1981.
She has since released numerous albums and singles, including the hit song “One Love.”
Onwenu had also acted in several Nollywood films and had won numerous awards for her contributions to music and movies. She has been recognised as one of the pioneers of Nigerian music.
In addition to her entertainment career, Onwenu was also involved in politics. She was appointed as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013 and later became the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development in 2016. She made several attempts to contest for the chairmanship of her local government in Imo State.
A communications practitioner, Onyeka Onwenu produced in the 1980s, a timeless documentary titled, “Nigeria: The Squandering of Riches,” to depict the mismanagement of the national wealth by the Second Republic politicians.
Ada Mazi, as Onyeka often referred to herself to recall the memories of her illustrious father who had a street named after him in the old Port Harcourt, was equally a strong voice against Igbo marginalisation in Nigeria.
