Iconic singer, Onyeka Onwenu dies after performance in Lagos

Tragedy struck on Tuesday night as Nigeria’s iconic singer and songwriter, Onyeka Onwenu, slumped and died shortly after performing at a birthday party in Lagos.

In a shocking turn of events, the music maestro affectionately known as the ‘Elegant Stallion,’ according to sources, died at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at 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. Immediately after her performance, she returned to her seat and suddenly slumped.
Emergency services were quickly called, and she was rushed to the hospital, in Victoria Island, where she was later pronounced dead. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs. Stella Okoli of Emzor Pharmaceuticals this night and after performing, she slumped. She was taken to Reddington Hospital but couldn’t make it.”

Onwenu, born on May 31, 1952, was a multifaceted artist whose career spanned over four decades. She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter but also an actress, journalist, and politician.

Onwenu’s music, which blended genres including highlife, reggae, and pop, often addressed social and political issues. Some of her most popular songs include “One Love,” “Iyogogo,” and “Ekwe.”

Beyond her musical career, Onwenu was known for her political activism and involvement. She served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. She was appointed Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

In March this year, Onwenu had revealed that she was putting together a film that will focus on her experiences spanning several decades in the music industry. She had expressed her excitement to share her personal story of how Nigerian music has changed over time.

She had also talked about plans to collaborate with up-and-coming musicians to release her iconic songs in a compilation of rebranded songs expected to be released later this year.

It is not known yet if the feature documentary or remix of her iconic songs had been concluded before her death.