President Tinubu Mourns Onyeka Onwenu

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday condoled with the family of Ms Onyeka Onwenu, the legendary singer who died shortly after a performance in Lagos.

The music maestro was said to have died after she slumped after she performed at the 80th birthday of the chief executive of Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited, Mrs Stella Okoli, in Lagos on Tuesday.

The songwriter, actor, journalist, activist, and politician was taken to a hospital in the Victoria Island area of the metropolis, where she passed away.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the President condoled with the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.

Mr Tinubu, who said Ms Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces, prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased artiste, praying she finds a place yonder where the music never fades and where there is Dancing in the Sun.

He said the Queen of Songs evoked fervour of fellowship and harmony through her edifying and mellifluous rendition, One Love, in the 1990s.

The President recalled the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting public good, noting her classic collaboration with King Sunny Ade on Wait for Me, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s.

Mr Tinubu used the occasion of the mourning to celebrate the life of the 72-year-old versatile and extremely gifted artiste who applied herself to the whole gamut of artistic enterprise and expression, bringing joy and laughter to many.