Onyeka Onwenu Exits in Blaze of Glory

Ferdinand Ekechukwu and Tosin Clegg

Year: 2011 and the venue was Eko Hotel and Suits. The event was the 40th birthday celebration of Ifeanyi Ubah, CEO of Capital Oil and Gas. Sammy Okposo performed alongside the inimitable Onyeka Onwenu. Incidentally, today, all three notable personalities above-mentioned have all passed on! That is the nature of life, so transient. The latest being the legendary Onyeka Onwenu.

In the wake of her demise, floods of heartfelt tributes from across the country and beyond have continued to pour in for the late iconic singer, songwriter, actor, aged 72.

Waves of emotion and nostalgia have taken cause, eliciting affectionate comments on her life and times. Onwenu has a special place across generations who grew up listening to her heartwarming music. A songstress like no other, Onwenu, passed on Tuesday night.  

Onwenu, graced her friend’s birthday party when she took to the stage to perform. She reportedly collapsed following her performance at the birthday celebration of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital in Victoria Island. That appearance, in a shocking turn of event, sadly, marked her last set on earth. Nigeria’s creative community is still in grief, grappling with the reality of her death.  

Shortly after the news of her death broke, social media channels and news platforms were engulfed with posts and comments, many wishing the news turn out false.  

Soon, videos of her supposed last performance went viral, showing the ‘One Love’ crooner serenading guests, including Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, and other notable faces at the event.  

One particular clip captured her getting acknowledged by Obi. Of interest to many was how vibrant she was while performing. Her elegance defied her age as she moved about superbly gesturing at the birthday guests. On the night of her death at the 80th birthday ceremony which took place that fateful Tuesday 30th of July, Onwenu shone with brilliance.

A statement from the sons of the late singer, Abraham and Tijani Ogunlende, would later confirm the incident, noting that she was rushed to a hospital after a performance, where doctors made every attempt to save her life, while acknowledging those who were with her during her last moments.

They said: “It is with heavy hearts that I and my brother wish to announce the passing of our mother, the much-loved Onyeka Onwenu. She passed away last night, Tuesday, July 30 2024, in Lagos Nigeria. She was rushed to the hospital after an amazing last performance, where doctors made every effort to save her life… sadly she passed.”

Describing her as a national treasure, an icon and a legend, who inspired multiple generations of Nigerians, and people around the world with her music, acting, philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, the statement added that “She is greatly loved and missed.”

“We would like to extend our thanks to those who were with her in her final moments. Specifically, we are deeply grateful to Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. and Mrs. John Momoh and Mr. and Mrs. Okonkwo as well as Messrs Ajayi and Mr. Okpara all of whom were with her during her last moments.

“Governor Alex Otti joined to condole us soon after her passage. We are also appreciative of Reddington Hospital and all their staff for their efforts. As we take the time to make the necessary plans, we would like you all to take the time to remember her life, the contributions she made and the impact she made on so many lives, including ours.”

The much loved Onyeka Onwenu, whose music ruled the airwaves in the 1980s and beyond, is described as one with many caps. As fresh Mass Communication graduate from an American university, she not only excelled in her profession but became a music star with many hit songs.

Onwenu, born on May 31, 1952, was a multifaceted artist whose career spanned over four decades. She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter but also an actress, journalist, and politician.

In a reflection shared three years ago, the late Nigerian singer had revealed her wishes for how she would like to be remembered and buried. The music diva, known for her powerful voice and activism, had written “Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” in an opinion piece in 2021.

She had emphasised that her burial should be devoid of unnecessary fanfare.

“Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive.

“So that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me Onyeka Onwenu,” she had said.

In that piece, Onwenu also reflected on broader cultural practices, frowning at the lavish display of wealth often seen at Nigerian funeral ceremonies.

“I am very uncomfortable with the lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others,” she had remarked, calling for more modest and meaningful ways to honour the dead.

Renowned for her evergreen songs, and often referred to by the Nigerian press as the “Elegant Stallion,” she held various influential roles throughout her career.  “Some people have said so many things about me without meeting me. However, I have learnt to be myself and be comfortable in my own skin.

“They said I was everywhere singing, acting, getting involved in politics, and now, I am even writing. I will continue to do what God wants me to do,” Onwenu, had said at the unveiling of her book “My Father’s Daughter,” in 2022, as she took newshounds and invitees into her world.

In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary ‘Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches’. Her piece was turned into a film about corruption in Nigeria, as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil-rich region of Nigeria.

Remarkably on a number of projects, Onwenu, sometime in March, 2024, had revealed she was working on producing a film that would delve into her experiences which span decades within the music industry. She had expressed eagerness to share her firsthand account of the evolution of Nigerian music.

In addition to the film project, Onwenu discussed her efforts to release her classic songs through collaboration with emerging artistes, promising fans a compilation of rebranded tracks later in the year. 

When you hear or remember evergreen songs such as Iyogogo, Ekwe, You and I, Wait For Me featuring King Sunny Ade and One Love, her name comes to mind which resonates with a unique vocal style and a captivating lyrical delivery

A versatile artist, her contributions to the Nigerian music scene is one of admiration and an appreciation of how her lyrical impact was for social change, national unity and pride. Sequel to her transition to gospel music in the 90s she was a secular artist and had her songs centered around health, peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women’s rights, and the plight of children. 

Over the years her music served as a powerful voice, using her platform to continue to raise awareness and inspire change. Her seamless blend of artistry and activism earned her the love of many as her legacies would continue to influence and inspire the future generations. 

An active figure, Onwenu served as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and was later appointed as the Executive Director of the National Centre for Women Development in 2013. Her activism extended to advocating for artists’ rights, notably confronting NTA over unpaid royalties in 2000. 

In recognition of her contribution to music and arts in Nigeria, she has been celebrated by professionals like Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Laolu Akins, Charles O’Tudor, and former PMAN president Tony Okoroji among others in the creative industry in Nigeria.

Beyond music, Onwenu also made her mark in Nollywood, earning acclaim for roles in films like Widow’s Cot, Half of a Yellow Sun and the Netflix first Nollywood Original, Lionheart in 2018.

Her first movie role she played Joke, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor’s Nightmare. She featured in numerous Nollywood movies, and in 2006 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the movie “Widow’s Cot”.

She was also nominated that same year for Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a Leading Role” in the movie “Rising Moon”.  It was indeed a shock as many were beyond emotional as they digested and processed the news of her death.

Her death is indeed a big blow to the Nigerian music industry but her legacy and impact embedded in her music remains evergreen on the hearts of many. The fact that she bowed out, engaging in the very craft she adores, which fundamentally transformed her life has given solace to many.

Interestingly, noteworthy is a post which emerged following the news of her death, titled, “Reflections on Onyeka Onwenu, the ‘Elegant Stallion’. The post claimed details of how she got branded the ‘Elegant Stallion’ by a renowned entertainment journalist, Azuka Jebose.

He wrote: Today, Nigeria mourns the loss of a beloved creative talent, Onyeka Onwenu. Rather than focusing on her passing, I’d like to share a personal reflection on how I came to brand her as the “Elegant Stallion.” In the 1980s, Onyeka was Nigeria’s beloved music diva and broadcaster.

“Her success in music and pop culture paved the way for her entry into movies when Nollywood exploded in the 1990s. Her iconic nickname, “Elegant Stallion,” was born out of entertainment journalism and became a brand she proudly identified with until her death.

“In 1987, I had the privilege of covering a Music Against Apartheid tour in Southern Africa, featuring Onyeka, late Sonny Okosuns, and Christie Essien-Igbokwe. As the entertainment editor of The Punch, I was invited to be the MC for the sold-out concert at Rufaro Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.

“Sometimes in 1987, a young Zimbabwean music promoter, Steve Chigorimbo, arrived to Nigeria’s music business. He came from Harare and recruited famous Nigerian musicians for a Southern Africa tour, billed as Music Against Apartheid. I was invited to cover that event. The night before a stadium sold out concert, Steve urged me to be the MC. 

“Earlier, the tour had taken the groups to Lusaka, Kitwe and Kabwe, major cities of Zambia. The first major performance in Zimbabwe was at the Rufaro stadium. By midafternoon of the concert date, Rufaro stadium was packed with excited concert goers, including university students. 

“The mood was intense. When Onyeka walked onto the stage, she was poised, elegant and magnificent. She approached the microphone confidently; her band slowly began to belt out rhythms from her latest dance release then, Winnie Mandela, one of the tracks from DANCING IN THE SUN album. 

“She walked onto the stage, seduced the microphone, held it tightly as she smiled at the crowd: then she steadily began to caress the microphone. As she began to sing, toned back muscles of her legs cushioned her neck vein vocals popped and pushed the smooth chocolate skins onto radiance.

“The night before the concert, I met a young Zimbabwean woman named Zolfor West, who would later inspire the nickname “Elegant Stallion.” After an unforgettable one night stand together, she called me her “stallion,” symbolizing power and strength from our previous night’s happy ending rendezvous.

“The next evening, as I watched Onyeka perform on stage, I was struck by her poise, elegance, and magnificence. I wanted to capture her essence in my review, so I drew inspiration from my encounter with Zolfor. I wrote: “Onyeka has matured from a saint to a sinner, from a pretender to a real performer. Here comes our Elegant Stallion.”

“That description stuck, and thanks to entertainment journalism, Onyeka Onwenu became synonymous with the “Elegant Stallion” brand. Today, we remember her as an iconic, hot, sexy, brilliant broadcaster, singer, and entertainer who left unforgettable moments on our lives. She has galloped into eternal sunset. Go well, my elegant stallion.”