Nigeria’s great singer and songwriter, Onyeka Onwenu, passed on recently after performing at a friend’s birthday party in Lagos. Aged 72, the musician, popularly known as the Elegant Stallion, will be remembered for her delightful hits and mellifluous voice. Unarguably, Onwenu stood tall on the music totem pole as a singer, songwriter, social activist, journalist, actress and a music critic, worming herself into the hearts of many as an all-round entertainer. She brought glamour to the media, culture and entertainment industry with a blend of creativity, sophistication and remarkable intellect.
Onwenu, who hailed from Arondizuogu, Ideato South Local Government Area, Imo State, was born on January 31, 1952, in Obosi, in present-day Anambra State. She was educated at Wellesley College, Massachusetts and The New School for Social Research, New York. Onwenu burst into the Nigerian media and music scene in the 1980s on her return from the United States (US), where she studied for her bachelor and master’s degrees. As a broadcaster in the employ of NTA (Nigerian Television Authority), she functioned as a reporter and a newsreader. In 1981, she recorded her first pop songs in the album ‘For the Love of You’, produced by the American, Berkeley Jones. The legendary Sonny Okosun, produced her second album, ‘Endless Life’, released under the EMI label.
She was to be signed by Polygram, and, in 1984, dropped her first music album with the recording label, ‘In The Morning Light’, recorded in London. It featured the track ‘Masterplan’. Her spell at NTA was nothing short of sterling. She wrote and presented the BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches, predicated on corruption and exploitation in the country. She also hosted two popular shows, Contact and Who’s On, in 1988 and 1993, respectively.
The Elegant Stallion was a prolific songwriter and singer in her active years on the Nigerian music scene, writing most of her songs herself. She, in 1986, released one of her most popular albums, ‘One Love’, featuring the classic track, ‘One Love.’ Her 1988 album, ‘Dancing in the Sun,’ her last outing with Polygram, was a major hit. The pop goddess dedicated it to the wife of the hitherto imprisoned South African freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, as a form of encouragement. Following the release of Mandela from prison, she performed live in 1990 when the ANC leader visited Nigeria.
Apart from singing about love and life, Onwenu’s songs are socially conscious with concerns on health issues, mutual co-existence, peace, women’s rights and children’s plight. Her collaborations with King Sunny Ade, ‘Wait for Me’ and ‘Choices’ centered on family planning. They were subsequently endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria. Likewise, ‘Inspiration for Change,’ focused on the need for an attitudinal change in the country.
The music icon switched over to Benson and Hedges Music in 1992, where she used the music platform to release ‘Onyeka,’ an eponymous work. The 1990s saw Onwenu delving into Christian music, but these songs were not as successful as her earlier songs. She has a forthcoming album, Rebirth of a Legend to be released by La Cave Musik. She was also committed to discovering new talents. As a music critic, in 2013, Onwenu served as one of the three judges on X Factor Nigeria.
Just as she made a mark in journalism, the music idol impressed as an actress in Nollywood featuring in a number of movies. She played the role of Joke in her first movie, ‘Nightmare,’ produced by Zulu Okafor. She performed brilliantly in the movie adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel, Half of Yellow Sun. She also starred in Widow’s Cot, and was rewarded in 2006 with the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Besides, she was nominated that same year for the Africa Movie Academy Award for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ in the movie ‘Rising Moon.’
Onwenu served his home state as a culture administrator during the tenure of Governor Ikedi Ohakim when she was appointed as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. She also served as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development during the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan. Onwenu would be remembered for her versatility in the arts. Many contemporary female Nigerian musicians were inspired by her. Let the federal government immortalise her. The late musician will be sorely missed by her teeming fans and admirers. Adieu Onyeka!