Onyeka Onwenu: 15 Facts You Should Know About The Late Legendary Singer, Actress

The legendary Nigerian musician and actress Onyeka Onwenu passed away on Tuesday, July 30, in Lagos.

Naija News reports that the music icon, affectionately known as the ‘Elegant Stallion,’ reportedly collapsed while performing at the 80th birthday celebration of Stella Okolie, the Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, and was later pronounced dead at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Here are 15 key facts about the life and legacy of Onyeka Onwenu:

1. Early Life: Onyeka Onwenu was born on January 31, 1952, to the family of Nigerian educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu.

2. Tragic Loss: She experienced a significant loss early in life when her father died in an auto accident when she was just four years old. This tragedy occurred a week before he was set to become the Minister for Education.

3. Education: Onwenu pursued higher education in the United States, earning a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research in New York.

4. Early Career: Before returning to Nigeria, she worked for the United Nations as a tour guide. In 1980, she came back to Nigeria to fulfill her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) obligations with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Lagos.

5. Documentary Work: While at the NTA, Onwenu produced the critically acclaimed documentary “Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches” for the BBC/NTA in 1984, highlighting corruption in Nigeria.

6. Music Career: She began her music career in 1981 while still working with NTA, releasing her debut album, “For the Love of You.”

7. Musical Evolution: Onwenu initially started as a secular artist but transitioned to gospel music in the 1990s, writing most of her songs herself.

8. Acting Debut: Her acting career took off with her debut role as Joke, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby in the film “Nightmare” by Zik Zulu Okafor.

9. Nollywood Fame: Onwenu appeared in numerous Nollywood films, earning the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2006 for her role in “Widow’s Cot.”

10. Recent Roles: Her recent notable screen appearances include roles in the 2014 film “Half of a Yellow Sun” alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and “Lionheart” in 2018.

11. Political Involvement: Onwenu was actively involved in politics as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

12. Political Ambitions: She ran twice for the position of Chairperson of Ideato North Local Government Area in Imo State but was unsuccessful both times.

13. Cultural Contributions: Former governor Ikedi Ohakim appointed Onwenu as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.

14. National Role: On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed her as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

15. Private Life: Onwenu valued her privacy and kept details about her personal life, including her marriage, confidential. She is survived by her two children, Tijani Charles and Abraham, who carry on her legacy.

Onyeka Onwenu’s life was marked by artistic excellence, public service, and personal resilience, leaving an indelible mark on Nigeria’s cultural and political landscape.