Veteran Nigerian singer, broadcaster, and actress Onyeka Onwenu, also called the ‘Elegant Stallion,’ handed away on Tuesday after a efficiency at a perform.
The 72-year-old singer was confirmed dead at a hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos, after collapsing following her efficiency on the birthday occasion of Stella Okoli, founding father of Emzor Prescribed drugs.
The official reason behind her demise has but to be disclosed. Listed below are 10 issues to know in regards to the multifaceted Onyeka Onwenu:
1. Onyeka Onwenu was born on January 31, 1952, in Obosi, Anambra State.
2. She was a Nigerian broadcast journalist, singer-songwriter, actress, politician, human rights and social activist, and former X Issue sequence decide.
3. Onwenu started her broadcast profession in 1980 as a corper with the Nigerian Tv Authority, NTA, in Lagos. In 1984, she wrote and introduced the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary, ‘Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches.’ She additionally labored as a TV presenter, internet hosting the exhibits Contact (1988) and Who’s On? (1993) each on NTA Community.
4. She possessed a BA in Worldwide Relations and Communication from Wellesley School, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Research from The New Faculty for Social Analysis, New York.
5. The ‘Elegant Stallion’ started her recording profession in 1981 whereas nonetheless with the NTA, releasing the album ‘For the Love of You.’ She went on to launch 4 different albums; ‘Infinite Love’, ‘In The Morning Mild’ (1984), ‘Dancing In The Solar’ (1988), ‘Onyeka!’ (1992). She later made a transition to gospel music within the Nineties. In 2013, Onwenu served as one of many three judges on X Issue Nigeria.
6. She made her performing debut in Zik Zulu Okafor’s ‘Nightmare’ in 1999. In 2006 she received the Africa Film Academy Award for Finest Actress in a Supporting Position for her efficiency within the film ‘Widow’s Cot.’ Onwenu starred within the 2014 film ‘Half Of A Yellow Solar’ with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton. She was in Netflix’s first Nigerian Authentic movie ‘Lion Coronary heart’ (2018).
She has acted in dozens of Nollywood motion pictures.
7. In politics, Onwenu was appointed because the Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Tradition by former governor Ikedi Ohakim. She later appointed the Director-Common of the Nationwide Centre for Girls Improvement in 2013. She contested twice to turn into the Chairman of her Native Authorities, Ideato North Native Authorities Space of Imo State and misplaced at each makes an attempt.
8. She was awarded the Nationwide Honors of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011 in recognition of her contributions to Nigerian society.
9. She was a mom of two. She stored her private life personal. Not a lot is thought about her ex-husband, a Yoruba Muslim.
10. Onwenu died on the age of 72.
