29 Facts About Onyeka Onwenu

Onyeka Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, a big town in Ideato North, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, but was born and raised in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Onyeka Onwenu, who died when she was four years old in a traffic collision a week before his appointment as Minister for Education, leaving his widow, Hope, to raise five children alone after her husband's family denied her access to his property.

Onyeka Onwenu possessed a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York.

Onyeka Onwenu worked for the United Nations as a tour guide before returning to Nigeria in 1980 to complete her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps with the Nigerian Television Authority, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Onyeka Onwenu served as the Chair person for the Imo State Council of Arts and Culture and was a judge on the X Factor series.

Originally a secular artist, Onyeka Onwenu made the transition to gospel music in the 90s, and most of her songs are self-penned.

Onyeka Onwenu wrote and sang about issues such as health, peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women's rights, and the plight of children.

Onyeka Onwenu began her recording career in 1981 while still with the NTA, releasing the album For the Love of You, a pop album which featured an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash's "Hold Me Tight", produced by Berkley Jones.

Onyeka Onwenu was in partnership with Paris-based La Cave Musik, headed by a Nigerian cultural entrepreneur, Onyeka Nwelue and a UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, headed by musicologist David Evans-Uhegbu.

In 2013, Onyeka Onwenu served as one of the three judges on X Factor Nigeria.

Onyeka Onwenu later featured in numerous Nollywood movies, and in 2006 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the movie Widow's Cot.

Onyeka Onwenu was nominated that same year for Africa Movie Academy Award for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" in the movie Rising Moon.

Onyeka Onwenu appeared in the 2013 movie Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and Lion Heart.

Onyeka Onwenu contested twice to become the Local Council Chairman of her Local Government, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State and lost at both attempts, but was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim.

In 2000, Onwenu protested against her former employer NTA over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs.

Onyeka Onwenu's activism attracted widespread support from various artists, including Charly Boy, who lambasted Nigeria's reluctance to pay royalties when songs are broadcast on television and radio.

NTA resolved to settle the issue amicably but denied barring Onyeka Onwenu from appearing on their channels.

Onyeka Onwenu fell in love for the first time at age 13 in 1965.

Onyeka Onwenu notably kept her personal life private and often refused to disclose private information regarding her ex-husband, a Yoruba Muslim.

Onyeka Onwenu was the mother of two children: Tijani Charles and Abraham.

On 30 July 2024, Onyeka Onwenu passed out after performing at the 80th birthday party of The CEO Emzor Pharmaceuticals Stella Okoli in Lagos State.

Onyeka Onwenu was immediately taken to Reddington Hospital where she was confirmed dead.

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".

Onyeka Onwenu was noted "for her contribution to music and arts in Nigeria", which had earned her multiple national and international awards.

Onyeka Onwenu was a deeply pious woman, who was described by another Nigerian reporter as "the sweet Igbo Christian lady".

Onyeka Onwenu was not only an "exemplary symbol of womanhood" but a unifying factor, with an "exemplary sense of unity".

Onyeka Onwenu was widely commended for her "outstanding intellect, eloquence, and oration", with a eulogy describing "Onwenu's exit as the end of an era".

Onyeka Onwenu, who looked the epitome of "unity and peaceful coexistence", was to "be remembered for all her contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry, our educational system, religious circles and our political space".

Exactly one month after her demise, Onyeka Onwenu was buried on Friday, August 30,2024 at one private vault in Ikoyi Cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, according to a BBC News Pidgin report.