AN ICON LOST AT 72: THINGS TO LEARN FROM A WELL LIVED LIFE

Onyeka Onwenu

Onyeka Onwenu

The Nigerian entertainment industry wails as it has lost  an  iconic member.  In the late hours of Tuesday 30th July, 2024, ; the Nigerian musician, activist, writer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu passed away. According to a statement given by her children, by Tijani and Abraham Ogunlende, she slumped after her music performance at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli. Although she was rushed to the Reddington Hospital in Lagos, and efforts were made to save her life, the musician, unfortunately, did not make it.

Netizens have taken to the social media space to pay tribute to her. Among them is the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who paid a tribute saying ‘she lives on in her immortal masterpiece’.

Also known as ‘Elegant Stallion,’ Onyeka Onwenu was born on 31^st January, 1952 and hails from Arondizuogu, in Imo State. Growing up, she lived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with her parents (Dickson and Hope Onwenu) and siblings. As regards her educational background, Onyeka bagged a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in International Relations and Communications from Wellesley College, Massachusetts. She also obtained a master’s degree (MA) in Media Studies from  the New School for Social Research in New York.

Her occupational life was multifaceted — she worked as a tour guide for the United Nations and as a broadcaster for Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). As a musician, Onyeka began her music career in 1981 with her debut single, ‘for the love of you’. She wrote many songs including, ‘you and I’, ‘Madawolohun’, ‘Onyeka’, and so on. She was not one to be looked upon as an amateur when it comes to acting also, she acted in movies like ‘Widow’s Cot’, ‘Rising moon’, ‘half of a Yellow Sun’, ‘ObaraM’, ‘God’s calling’, ‘Lionheart’ and many more. Onyeka also achieved success as a writer, she published her captivating book, ‘My father’s Daughter’ in 2020. In the political space, she was known, she publicly displayed her support for and membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and was appointed as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by the former governor of the state, Ohakim Ikedi. In the same vein, she was appointed as the Executive Director of the National Centre for Women Development in 2013 by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Onyeka is not only accomplished in all occupations, she is also a social activist, multiple awardee and a great mother. She was a source of inspiration to all and sundry, especially through the way she lived. She lived an exceptional life and preached a life of simplicity, love and peace. As a patriotic citizen as well, she showed great dedication to the country through her passionate advocacy for a better Nigeria. Before her death, she also joined forces to speak of the recent hardships facing the country and urged the government to bring the era of bad government to an end; boldly serving as a great role model.

THINGS TO LEARN FROM ONYEKA ONWENU’S LIFE

1.     Success Against Odds: As expressed in her story book-more like an autobiography, ‘My Father’s Daughter’, she lost her father at a very young age and her mum was denied access to her father’s property. This would be one of the odds she faced early in life. Another was the fact that she existed during the Nigerian-Biafra war and witnessed the experience that came with it. Other odds came through her struggles and obstacles at her different occupations. However, these odds did not stop her from achieving her success, they probably did not vanish completely but she did not give up as well.

2.    Versatility: Onyeka was a successful Musician, Writer, Actress, Presenter, Activist, Journalist and mother, and she was successful in them. This showed that women can achieve great things while still being mothers, it showed the importance of hard work, dedication and diligence.

3.    Humility: in one of her conversations on social media (2021), Onyeka expressed her choice of celebration after her death, stating that she would prefer a solemn, silent and jovial burial ceremony after she passes; as against the popular Nigerian way of burying the dead with large and extravagant parties. This displayed her humble way of life even though she was an accomplished, rich, famous and highly respected woman.

4.    Patriotism: During her lifetime, she lived a patriotic life and showed so much interest in the affairs of the country whilst influencing the youths of to be active in the affairs of the country and not be afraid to fight for their rights

Onyeka lived a life worthy of emulation, her legacy serves as a role model to future generations. She, indeed, was an icon.