Nigeria mourns veteran musician Onyeka Onwenu

According to multiple local news reports, Onwenu died on Tuesday night after performing at an event held in Banana Island, Lagos. She is said to have collapsed following her performance at the birthday party of Emzor Pharmaceuticals CEO Stella Okoli. She was later declared dead at a hospital in Victoria Island. 

Her family has yet to release an official statement about her demise. 

Onwenu, born in 1952, launched her musical career in 1981 with the Nigerian Television Authority. Initially secular, she shifted to gospel music in the ‘90s.

She is behind classic collections including Endless Life (1982), the Golden Songs trilogy (1986 – 1991), The Legend (1991) and the Worship Project (1991).

In addition to her music career, Onwenu was a former X Factor Nigeria judge and a distinguished actress in Nollywood, winning multiple awards, including the 2006 African Movie Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

As an activist, she advocated for Nigerian creatives’ royalties, HIV/AIDS education, and poverty awareness. Politically, Onwenu, a People’s Democratic Party member, was a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and the CEO of the National Centre for Women Development.

In October 2020, Onwenu’s memoir, My Father’s Daughter, was released. Offering a thorough account of Onwenu’s personal and professional journey, the book explores her early interactions with feminism and the profound influence of her father, Dixon Kanu Onwenu, on her decision to pursue a career in politics. The book also delves into the Igbo communal lifestyle and how family values inform personal ethics. Onwenu recounts her experiences during the Biafran Civil War and her family’s resilience during those challenging years. The autobiography also provides insights into her adult life and the challenges of managing marriage while being in the public eye.