By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Onyeka Onwenu, Nigerian Singer and Activist, Passes Away at 72
Onyeka Onwenu, the acclaimed Nigerian singer, actor, broadcaster, and activist, known for her influential love songs and advocacy for women’s rights, passed away at 72. Often referred to as the “Elegant Stallion,” Onwenu's work served as a source of comfort during Nigeria’s turbulent 1980s.
Onwenu fell ill after a private performance on Tuesday night in Lagos and later succumbed to a heart attack at a nearby hospital, as reported by local sources. Her passing prompted tributes, including from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who praised her enduring legacy through her music. Best remembered for her 1986 disco hit "One Love," Onwenu also gained acclaim for "You and I," which was featured in the 1999 film "Conspiracy," a significant work in Nollywood, the world’s second largest film industry.
Born in January 1952 in Obosi, Anambra, Onwenu was the daughter of pre independence politician Dickson Onwenu and singer Hope Onwenu. She grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, and pursued higher education in the United States, attending Wellesley College and the New School.
Onwenu began her music career after returning to Nigeria, while also working as a broadcaster at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). She co produced and narrated the 1984 documentary "Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches," which addressed corruption in the oil sector.
Her collaboration with jùjú musician King Sunny Adé on the 1989 duet "Choices" tackled issues of consent and birth control, a progressive stance in Nigeria's conservative society. Onwenu was also an advocate for Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì’s release during his imprisonment in 1984, though she declined his marriage proposal upon his release.
Transitioning to gospel music in the 1990s, Onwenu released four albums and was honored with national awards in 2003 and 2011. Her assertiveness was often misinterpreted as arrogance, but those who knew her, like historian and lawyer Ed Keazor, described her as driven and self critical.
Onwenu, who kept her personal life private, raised two sons alone following a difficult marriage. Her determination was exemplified by a hunger strike in 2000, protesting unpaid royalties from NTA.
Later in life, Onwenu ventured into politics, serving as head of the National Centre for Women Development, before returning to the arts. She appeared in the 2013 film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s "Half of a Yellow Sun" and starred in "Lionheart," Nigeria’s first Netflix original film. Onwenu's legacy as a pioneering artist and advocate remains impactful, leaving behind a profound influence on Nigerian music and culture.
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