Onyeka Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, Ideato North in Imo State, Nigeria. She was born on 31 January, 1952 and died on 30 July, 2024 (Aged 72). She was a journalist, singer, song writer, actress, activist and politician. Well known to some as the “Elegant Stallion”
Onyeka Onwenu previously served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and also held the position of Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at the National Centre for Women Development.
EARLY DAYS
Onyeka Onwenu was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
She was the youngest daughter of Late Dickson Kanu Onwenu, an Educationist and Politician who died in an autocrash a week before he was to be appointed Minister for Education and also represented Port Harcourt at the Federal House of Representatives between 1954 to 1956 when he passed on.
As at the time of his demise Onwenu was only four (4) years of age, leaving her and her siblings to be catered for by their widowed mother.
EDUCATION
Onwenu had a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York.
While away at the State, she served as a tour guide to the Unite Nations before returning home to Nigeria in 1980 and went for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) where she was posted to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lagos State, for her service.
CAREER
Journalist
As a an employee in Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Onwenu made her mark as a reporter for the television station. In the year 1984, she wrote and presented an internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary: “A Squandering of Riches” that depicted corruption in Nigeria and the Niger Delta agitation for the resource control and campaign against environmental pollution in the oil rich regions in Nigeria.
She was also a former member of the NTA board and was a also a presenter who hosted multiple shows all on NTA.
Music
Onwenu had a melodious voice and was also a very talented writer whose songs were mostly written by her. She sang on issues in the society and world at large relating to Health, Peace, Human right, etc.
She began her singing career in 1981 while still working at the Television station, releasing an album “For the Love of You” and later went on to release her second studio album “Endless Life” produced by Legendary Sonny Okosun. Both of her releases was done under EMI Label.
Onyeka Onwenu’s debut album with Polygram, “In The Morning Light,” came out in 1984. Her track “You and I,” was re-recorded for the 2001 film “Conspiracy,” starring Nkem Owoh and Onwenu.
For her 1988 album “Dancing In The Sun,” Onwenu embraced a more Afrocentric sound and collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Sunny Ade on the track “Madawolohun (Let Them Say).” This was their first collaboration, followed by “Choices” and “Wait For Me,” which focused on family planning and were endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, with “Choices” being used in their public service announcements.
“Dancing In The Sun,” her last release with Polygram, was dedicated to Winnie Mandela, whom Onwenu honored with a song of the same name, performed live during Nelson Mandela and Winnie’s visit to Nigeria in 1990 after his release from prison.
In 1992, Onwenu switched to Benson and Hedges Music and released her only album with them, “Onyeka!” After this, she transitioned to Christian and gospel music. Her latest collection, “Inspiration for Change,” focuses on promoting attitudinal change in Nigeria.
Onwenu partnered with Paris-based La Cave Musik, led by Nigerian cultural entrepreneur Onyeka Nwelue, and UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, headed by musicologist David Evans-Uhegbu.
La Cave Musik is set to release her collection titled “Rebirth of a Legend.” Recognized for her contributions to music and the arts in Nigeria, she has been celebrated by professionals such as Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Laolu Akins, Charles O’Tudor, and former PMAN president Tony Okoroji.
She was one of the judges on X Factor Nigeria in 2013.
Acting
Onwenu’s debut film role was as Joke, a woman unable to have children who decides to adopt an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor’s Nightmare.
In 2006, she received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Widow’s Cot and was also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Rising Moon.
In 2014, she starred in Half of a Yellow Sun alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and she was featured in Lionheart in 2018.
Politics
Onwenu was affiliated with the People’s Democratic Party. She ran for the position of Local Council Chairman in Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State, on two occasions, but was unsuccessful both times. Despite these setbacks, she was later appointed as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim.
On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed her as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.
DEATH
On July 30, 2024, Onwenu collapsed while performing at a friend’s birthday celebration in Lagos. She was swiftly transported to Reddington Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was succeeded by two children.
May her soul rest in peace.
