Onyeka Onwenu

Onwenu in 2020

Onyeka Onwenu (January 31, 1952 - July 30, 2024) was a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress, journalist and activist. She was a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and she was also the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013.

Legacy and tributes

Today, the impact of Onyeka Onwenu is seen to have resonated far beyond music, as Onwenu was said to have "impacted many lives positively through her remarkable versatility and she truly lived a Christian life that is worthy of emulation". Onwenu's influence as a singer, songwriter, actress, journalist and activist earned her an appellation of being "the versatile queen of African pop", according to a Nigerian religious figure Isaiah Ogedegbe. A Nigerian reporter had earlier referred to her as the "Elegant Stallion" in the Nigerian media. She was noted "for her contribution to music and arts in Nigeria", which had earned her multiple national and international awards.

The news of Onwenu's demise in late July 2024 had sparked reactions online, with the death being described by Isaiah Ogedegbe as "a colossal loss not only to her family, but also to the people of Imo State and the entire country".President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu also rendered tribute, calling Onwenu a "versatile and extremely gifted artiste". While the President opined that her legacy "lives on in her immortal masterpieces", a cleric in Warri also expressed a similar view that the late Onwenu lives on in "the other side of life". Regardless of one's opinion, Onwenu's life continues to trigger discussions about her many roles in the music, film, media, social and political arenas.