Onyeka Onwenu (born January 31, 1952, reportedly passed away on July 30, 2024) was a renowned Nigerian singer/songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician, and former X Factor series judge. Dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” by the Nigerian press, she served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development in 2013.
Early Life
Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, a small town in Ideato North, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, but was raised in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, Nigeria. She was the youngest daughter of Nigerian educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu, who tragically died in an auto crash a week before his appointment as Minister for Education when Onyeka was just four years old. Her mother, Hope, was left to raise five children alone after her husband’s family denied her access to his property.
Education
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. She 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 (NYSC) with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Lagos.
Broadcasting Career
As an NTA employee, Onwenu made an impact as a newsreader and reporter. In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches, which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria and the Niger Delta’s resource control and environmental degradation issues. A former member of the NTA board, she also hosted the shows Contact (1988) and Who’s On? (1993) on NTA Network.
Music Career
Originally a secular artist, Onwenu transitioned to gospel music in the 1990s. She began her recording career in 1981 with the album For the Love of You, a pop album featuring an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight”. Her subsequent albums include Endless Life (produced by Sonny Okosun) and In The Morning Light. She collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Sunny Ade on the track “Madawolohun (Let Them Say)” in her 1988 album Dancing In The Sun. Onwenu’s music often addressed themes such as health (HIV/AIDS), peace, mutual coexistence, respect for women’s rights, and the plight of children.
In 2013, Onwenu served as one of the three judges on X Factor Nigeria.
Acting Career
Onwenu’s first movie role was in Nightmare, playing a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby. She has since featured in numerous Nollywood movies, winning the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the movie Widow’s Cot in 2006. She was also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the movie Rising Moon. In 2014, she appeared in the movie Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and in Lionheart (2018).
Political Career
Onwenu was a member of the People’s Democratic Party. She contested twice for the position of Local Council Chairman of her Local Government, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, but was unsuccessful both times. However, she was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim. On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.
Activism
In 2000, Onwenu protested against her former employer, NTA, over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs. After being blacklisted from transmission, she embarked on a hunger strike outside the station’s premises. Her activism attracted widespread support, and the issue was eventually resolved amicably.
Personal Life
Onwenu was known for keeping her personal life private. She was the mother of two children, Tijani Charles and Abraham.
Death
Onyeka Onwenu reportedly passed away on July 30, 2024, at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing while performing at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli, Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was swiftly taken to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. Her family has not yet officially announced her passing.