₦airaland Forum

Birthday: Onyeka Onwenu Turns 74 Today!

Onyeka Onwenu MFR (31 January 1952 – 30 July 2024) was a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician, and X Factor series judge.

Dubbed the "Elegant Stallion" due to her significant impact on African culture and entertainment, Onwenu was a chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.

In 2013, she was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

Personal life

She fell in love for the first time at age 13 in 1965. Onwenu notably kept her personal life private and often refused to disclose private information regarding her ex-husband, a Yoruba Muslim. She was the mother of two children: Tijani Charles and Abraham.

Death

On 30 July 2024, Onwenu passed out after performing at the 80th birthday party of The CEO Emzor Pharmaceuticals Stella Okoli in Lagos State. She was immediately taken to Reddington Hospital where she was confirmed dead.

Onwenu was 72. Prior to her death, Onwenu wrote in an opinion piece on Premium Times in 2021 on how she would like to be buried: “Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” emphasising that her burial should be devoid of unnecessary fanfare. "

Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me Onyeka Onwenu," she said.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyeka_Onwenu

The 72-year-old music star was buried on Friday in a private and solemn ceremony at the Ebony Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi, Lagos, following her wishes.

May Allah guide us. Remember Allah when you are alive

The elegant amazon and beautiful stallion from the South East. "One Love Keep Us Together" is my favourite track of all your discography. Je nke'oma ezigbo adanne.

Rest on Ada Mazi, Nwa Izuogu na Iheme

May her soul rest in peace.

A woman of substance,a legend, a woman worthy of emulation by the younger generation. She carried herself with dignity and every sense of responsibility.
Ada di oranma,Ada ejiejemba,you are fondly remembered.

Great iconic figure...rest in peace.

Her activism in her earlier days, she was engaging people, engaging the government,. clamouring for more human rights and accountability when she was in her 20s, earned my respect.

Her classic works 'one love', 'iyogogo' and a couple of others are classics, shows her depth, intelligence and creativity. Musical genius.

Chai ! Continue to RIP Mama

One of the greatest ever.

But that nickname "Elegant stallion". Why call a woman stallion? Who ever came up with it have a lot of explanations to do .

I sight PO

PO is steadfast with attendance of burial.

Continue to rest in peace mama...

Rest on Mama. We will all join you one day. E sure pass air 🤣🤣

nlfpmod:
Birthday: Onyeka Onwenu Turns 74 Today!



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyeka_Onwenu

I seem to love everything that you wrote about this woman here. RIP to her.

seyicodes:
May Allah guide us. Remember Allah when you are alove

Alone or alove. Which one please?

Rest in peace aunty. Love you so much

Rest in peace dear Amazon on Africa

Sonofgod1990:
Alone or alove. Which one please?

Why are you now bringing[b] Arsenal [/b]into this
Whether you like it or not Arsenal is lifting at least two cups this season including the premier league!!!

One of her son there was my school mate at the British Canadian University. How time flies

platymus:

Why are you now bringing[b] Arsenal [/b]into this
Whether you like it or not Arsenal is lifting at least two cups this season including the premier league!!!

I know you don't mean what you said but no wahala. Arsenal wey go even struggle for top 4 next month¿

This life sha... people come and go.
May the soul of the departed continue to rest in peace 🙏

Great woman, great voice, great talent.

This life ehnnnn...you are here today and the next minute you are gone.

Leave lasting legacies.

Racoon:
The elegant amazon and beautiful stallion from the South East. "One Love Keep Us Together" is my favourite track of all your discography. Je nke'oma ezigbo adanne.

Je nke'oma ke. She's been dead 2 years!
Yu say that to someone who just died

May her soul continue to rest in peace

Why do we still celebrate birthdays of dead people? Will never make sense.

Wonderful woman of her time.

Onyeka Onwenu lived a life of purpose, impact, and excellence. Her legacy will continue to echo in her songs, her words, and the many lives she touched. Continue to rest in perfect peace.

Kriely:
Why do we still celebrate birthdays of dead people? Will never make sense.

The thing sef dey surprise me, it doesn't make sense to me.

If I didn't see Peter obi at that burial, I would have concluded that the burial no hold.

Mama was beautiful till the very end......she came....she saw...she excelled.....rest on great one....

No be Peter Obi I dey c so??
I mean last picture