How Onyeka Onwenu Slumped, Died

By Charles Igbo

She’s gone. The elegant stallion. A name given to her by the Nigerian Media.

Onyeka Onwenu. She died doing what she loved to do most. Entertaining. Singing. Dancing. Bringing joy to the soul.

When the news of her passing broke Tuesday night, it sounded unbelievable. Not a few people thought, and felt it was a joke. But she was gone. With her sonorous voice. Her elegance. Her energetic performance.

Onyeka, the firebrand musician, song writer, journalist, actor, dancer, civil rights activist, Ada Mazi, proudly Igbo, disappeared from mother-earth when it was least expected. Just like that.

She was contracted to perform at the 80th birthday party of another proudly Igbo Lady- Stella Okoli, Pharmacist and the owner of Emzor  Pharmaceuticals.

Onyeka herself was 72 years old. But age never interfered with her performance on stage. She usually gave it her all.

Her performance on this 30th July at Mrs Okoli’s birthday was no different.

She gave it her all. And sang a number of her hit songs to the admiration and applause of the adoring audience. They clapped and swayed to her melodious voice. Iconic songs. She danced along with them.

But that turned out to be her last performance on this side of God’s creation.

After the performance, she walked back to her seat, eye witnesses said. And, just like a joke, she slumped.

Rushed by a number of people to the high profile Redington Hospital for help, she simply gave up. Just like that, before the equally shocked medical crew.

Exhaustion? Perhaps? Stress? Perhaps? But those who should know attribute this unbelievable passing to cardiac arrest. How?, many ask in confusion. Did she have a heart disease she was not aware of? Probably. Or, did she push herself too hard? Who knows?

Whatever, Onyeka Onwenu is gone. She’s gone to sing no more. To dance no more. To act no more.

A native of Arondizogu, Imo State, Onyeka sprang to national consciousness with her world acclaimed documentary – “Nigeria, A Squandering of Riches”.

She delved in and out of politics, but was never successful.

She fared better in political appointments. She was once the Chairperson of Imo State Council of Arts and Culture. And was also, during the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration, appointed the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

She died at the age of 72 years.