The Rose of Sharon Foundation (ROSF), recently, paid tribute to the late Onyeka Onwenu, popularly known as the ‘Elegant Stallion’, with a moving ‘Evening of Songs’.
Held at the foundation’s headquarters in Lagos, the event drew board members of the foundation, of which the late singer was one, friends, widows, staff, family, and well-wishers who gathered to bid her goodbye.
Giving a tribute to the singer who passed on early this month, aged 72, Founder, ROSF, Folorunso Alakija, expressed deep sadness at Onwenu’s passing, describing her as a multi-talented individual, singer, songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist and politician. “I had hoped it would be another 40, 50 years before this would have to be done, but God knows best. We are celebrating the life and times of whom we all fondly knew as the Elegant Stallion; she will be sorely missed,” she said.
Alakija said the late Onwenu was also a dedicated philanthropist, strong advocate for women’s empowerment, gender equality and protector of women against domestic violence. “She also used her platform to promote children’s welfare and healthcare,” she added.
Revealing that she met the late Onwenu in the late 80’s through a mutual friend before they formally met at her store in Lagos, “She became a customer and a close friend. She loved to look elegant and I am happy to say our friendship grew and spanned over four decades.
It was only fitting that she was invited to speak to our widows during the International Widows Day (IWD) celebration in 2019, seeing as she was the daughter of a widow herself as her father died when she was just five.”
She said shortly after, Onwenu was appointed on the board of trustees of the foundation, so she could play a more active role. “She came up with the idea for us to jointly produce the song, “Rise Up”, a tribute song to support the foundation’s activities. She poured her heart and soul into it because she knew exactly what the widows were feeling, having grown up with a widowed mother herself. She never wanted to see a widow or orphan suffer or cry.”
Alakija used the opportunity to bring to the fore again, widows’ plight in the country, adding that more attention should be given to alleviate their sufferings. She mentioned that the late singer was going to do a movie and use that song in it to further propagate the message of saving Nigeria’s widows, a project dear to her.
She concluded by saying that the late singer carved her name in the annals of Nigeria’s history and her legacy would never be forgotten. A video showcasing her time with the Foundation was presented, as everyone paid their last respect to honour a creative, cherished and admired board member who has gone home to rest.
