ONE of Nigeria’s music legends, Onyeka Onwenu, popularly known as the ‘Elegant Stallion,’ has died at the age of 72.
Onwenu reportedly collapsed after performing at the 80th birthday party of the Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stella Okolie, on Tuesday, July 30, and was reportedly rushed to Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, where she passed away.
According to sources close to the family, Onwenu was attending the birthday party when she took to the stage to perform. Shortly after returning to her seat, she suddenly collapsed and emergency responders swiftly arrived and rushed her to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The cause of death was yet to be confirmed at press time.
Onwenu, born in 1952 in Obosi, Anambra State, began her music career in the 1980s and released her debut album, For the Love of You in 1981.
She subsequently released several albums and singles, including the hit song, One Love.
Onwenu also had a stint in acting, featuring in several Nollywood films and winning numerous awards for her contributions to music and film.
In addition to her entertainment career, the renowned singer, songwriter and actress had also been involved in politics and was appointed chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013, and later, director general of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in 2016.
She was awarded the National Honours of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.
Her music blended genres like reggae, pop and highlife and often addressed social and political issues. Some of her most popular songs include One Love, Iyogogo and Ekwe.
Earlier this year, Onwenu revealed that she was producing a movie chronicling her experiences in the music industry spanning several decades and expressed her excitement to share her personal story and how Nigerian music has evolved over time.
In his reaction, rights activist and a former senator, Shehu Sani, said: “Onyeka was a like bird who spent the whole of its life singing about love and peace and decided to fly away when her belligerent nation wasn’t listening.
“Rest in Peace and rise in glory.”
