Credit score: Onyeka Onwenu/Instagram
One in all Nigeria’s music legends Onyeka Onwenu has handed on. In accordance with reports, the enduring singer and actress handed on Tuesday night time at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at a party the place she had carried out. Onyeka was 72 years outdated.
“Love you all the time and ceaselessly mother ❤️ Thanks for exhibiting and educating me how you can reside this life. I do know you’ll all the time be round me even from the place you are actually. Relaxation in Peace to My Legend, Onyeka Onwenu,” her son, Abe Ogunlede wrote in a heartfelt tribute.
Onyeka hailed from Imo State in southeastern Nigeria however was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She started her recording profession whereas working as a TV presenter on the Nigeria Tv Authority (NTA) within the early 80s. Onyeka transitioned from pop to gospel music, releasing albums like “For the Love of You” (1981), “Countless Life” (1982), and “Within the Morning Gentle” (1984) underneath EMI and Polygram. Her in style singles embody “Masterplan” and “One Love.” She later collaborated with Sunny Ade on the album “Dancing within the Solar” (1988), that includes hit tracks like “Madawolohun.” Earlier than her full transition to gospel music, she launched her self-titled album “Onyeka” in 1991, which included the hit monitor “Iyogogo.”
Till her passing, Onyeka was a multifaceted and multitalented artist. She was a singer, songwriter, actor, politician, human rights and social activist, journalist and a former X Issue decide.
Tributes from, politicians, musicians and celebrities have begun pouring in for the legendary artist:
Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State,
I’m deeply saddened by the information of the passing of one among Nigeria’s most versatile music exports, Dr. Onyeka Onwenu.
Onwenu was a present to her era. Sonorous, enigmatic, and enchanting, hers was a present nicely deserving.
/1 pic.twitter.com/KJCyIqtI1T— Godwin Obaseki (GGO) (@GovernorObaseki) July 31, 2024
Charly Boy
Kai!!! Ada Mazi.
The nation mourns the lack of this iconic determine, whose influence transcended the leisure business.
Onwenu’s demise follows the current passings of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, marking a interval of profound loss for the Southeast area of Nigeria.Onwenu’s legacy as a cherished expertise and tireless advocate will proceed to encourage future generations.
Oh! My sister,
Relaxation In Peace
Oby Ezekwesili
Stunning and intensely tragic information of the passing of our pricey @OnyekaOnwenu – The Elegant Stallion – as we got here to know her. 😭😭
Our sister, Onyeka was as cerebral as she was gifted within the Arts and fairly a charming journalist within the 80s when she returned residence and did her… pic.twitter.com/L7PxG13T9z
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) July 31, 2024
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Greater than only a phenomenal voice… A 360 entertainer!!! Relaxation in peace, THE Onyeka Onwenu 🕊 https://t.co/AATX1XfRyy
— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) July 31, 2024
Rita Edochie
This world is basically not our residence.
The demise of the icon Onyeka Onwenu got here to me as an incredible shock. She was an incredible daughter of Igbo land and Nigeria by extension. An amazing entertainer and really outspoken with regards to nationwide points, she will probably be missed by any nicely considering Nigerian.
She tried in her little option to revolutionise the nation with the lyrics of her songs, all the time preaching love and togetherness.
Onyeka Onwenu got here to the limelight within the early eighties together with her track “One love put us collectively”, and lots of others.
A tv information presenter and a nationalist. Her contributions to the event of Nigeria shall all the time be remembered. Might her soul relaxation in peace.
Femi Kuti
Daddy Showkey
See images from her final efficiency:
