The remains of music icon Onyeka Onwenu were on Friday , August 30, laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi, Lagos, attended by close family members, friends, colleagues, and associates.
Earlier before the funeral service, a service of songs was held at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, and was attended by dignitaries including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
The dignitaries in an emotion laden voice paid glowing tributes to the late singer who collapsed on July 30, 2024 at the 80th birthday party of Stella Okoli, founder of Emzor Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company and was later confirmed dead at Reddington Hospital in Lagos.
Peter Obi said: "I was one of those that was with her in her last minute. I was at the hospital when the doctor came out and said she was gone. It was a very sad moment. We lost a rare gem."
Sons of the deceased, Abraham and Tijani Ogunlende, while disclosing that the doctors “made every effort to save her life”, described their departed mother as a “national treasure, an icon and legend” whose impact will be deeply felt.
The veteran singer, broadcaster, and actress who was known as the Queen of Songs and the Elegant Stallion was born on January 31, 1952, and hailed from Arondizuogu, Ideato North, Imo State, but was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
She was the youngest daughter of her father, D. K. Onwenu, an educationist and politician who died in an auto crash, a week to his appointment as Minister of Education. Onyeka was just four years old when the tragic incident happened.
Onyeka's powerful voice and charismatic stage presence was perhaps her unique selling point as she elevated music and artistry with her natural charm.
She attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, USA, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Communication.
She began her music career in the 1980s, blending genres like highlife, pop, and gospel and also made a significant mark as an actress starring in numerous films and television series such as Half of a Yellow Sun, Lion Heart, and Muna, among others.
Onyeka Onwenu ventured into politics, serving as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.
Prior to that, she contested twice to become the Local Council Chairman of her local government and lost at both attempts.
On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Women Development.
She was a delight whenever she came in contact with the microphone and some of her iconic songs like “One Love”, “You and I,” "Iyogogo," and “Ekwe,” resonated across generations.
