Renowned Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress Onyeka Onwenu passed away on Tuesday shortly after performing at a birthday party in Lagos.
The celebrated music icon collapsed at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after falling ill during a private function. According to sources close to the family, Onwenu was attending a friend’s birthday party when she took to the stage to perform. 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. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
A source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli of Emzor Pharmaceuticals tonight. After performing, she slumped. She was taken to Reddington Hospital but couldn’t make it.”
Onwenu,72, was a multi-talented artist whose career spanned over four decades. She was not only a singer but also an actress, journalist, and politician.
Her music blended genres like reggae, pop and highlife. It often addressed social and political issues. Some of her most popular songs include “One Love,” “Iyogogo,” and “Ekwe.”
Onwenu was also known for her political activism. She was chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and was appointed Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.
Earlier this year, Onwenu revealed she was producing a movie chronicling her experiences in the music industry spanning several decades. She expressed her excitement to share her personal story and how Nigerian music has evolved over time.
WhatsApp Community
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
-
WAEC appoints Nigeria’s Dangut as new registrar, CEO
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has appointed Dr Amos Josiah Dangut as its new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer. By Elizabeth Osayande Dangut served as Head of the Nigeria National Office from October 2023 until September 2026. In a statement on Thursday by the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC Headquarters, Accra,…
-
US: ‘Should be easy to do’, Trump reacts to Christa Pike’s failed execution
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas United States President, Donald Trump, has questioned how Christa Pike’s execution by lethal injection could have failed, saying the process should not be difficult to carry out. Tribune Online reports that Pike, 50, survived two rounds of lethal injection in Tennessee, making her the first person known to survive that method of…
-
Canada to set new targets for immigrants, temporary residents
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Canada is expected to announce new immigration targets for permanent residents and temporary residents when it unveils its Immigration Levels Plan for 2027–2029 in early November. The plan will cover permanent resident admissions as well as temporary resident arrivals, including international students and temporary foreign workers, with the figures expected to shape…
