By Halimah Olamide
Veteran Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress, Onyeka Onwenu is dead.
According to information gathered by NPO Reports, she died on Tuesday evening at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos at 72.
She reportedly slumped after performing at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli, CEO, Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
“It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli today (Tuesday, July 30, 2024), and after performing, she slumped.
“She was taken to Reddington Hospital and she couldn’t make it,”
Shortly after returning to her seat, she suddenly collapsed. Emergency responders swiftly arrived and rushed her to the hospital in Victoria Island, where she was later pronounced dead, NPO Reports gathered
At the time of filing this report, the cause of death was yet to be confirmed.
Born on 31 January 1952, Onwenu was a multifaceted artist whose career spanned over four decades.
She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter but also an actress, journalist, and politician.
Onwenu’s music blended genres such as highlife, reggae, and pop, often addressed social and political issues. Some of her most popular songs include “One Love,” “yogogo,” and “Ekwe.”
Onwenu is a member of the People’s Democratic Party. She was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. Meanwhile, on the 16th of September 2013, she was also appointed as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.