Onyeka Onwenu Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Death

Onyeka Onwenu (31 January 1952 – 30 July 2024) was a prominent Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress, journalist, politician, human rights activist, and former judge on the X Factor Nigeria. Known as the “Elegant Stallion,” she made a significant impact on African culture and entertainment. Onwenu also served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development in 2013.

Onyeka Onwenu Profile

Name	Onyeka Onwenu
Real Name	Onyeka Onwenu
Date of Birth	31 January 1952
Date of Death	30 July 2024 (72 years)
State of Origin	Imo State
Tribe	Igbo
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Singer, Actress, Journalist, Politician, and Human rights activist
Religion	Christianity
Marital Status	Divorced
Net Worth	$300,000
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Educational Background

Onwenu earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and a Master’s degree in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York. She initially worked for the United Nations as a tour guide before returning to Nigeria in 1980 to complete her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Career

As a staff member at NTA, Onwenu made her mark as a newsreader and reporter. In 1984, she produced and presented the BBC/NTA documentary “Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches,” which critically examined corruption in Nigeria and the Niger Delta’s struggle for resource control and environmental preservation. She also hosted shows like “Contact” and “Who’s On?” on the NTA Network.

Onwenu began her musical career in 1981 with the album “For the Love of You,” a pop album that featured an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight.” She transitioned from secular to gospel music in the 1990s, addressing themes such as health, peace, women’s rights, and children’s welfare in her songs. Over the years, she released several albums, including “Endless Life,” “In The Morning Light,” and “Dancing In The Sun.” Her collaborations with Sunny Ade and involvement in public service announcements for family planning highlighted her influence in music and social causes.

Onwenu’s acting debut was in Zik Zulu Okafor’s “Nightmare,” where she played a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby. She went on to feature in numerous Nollywood films, winning the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2006 for her role in “Widow’s Cot.” She also starred in “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Lion Heart.”

Controversies

Onyeka Onwenu faced various controversies throughout her career. Her documentary “Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches” was censored due to its critical stance on corruption and Niger Delta issues. As the Executive Director of the National Centre for Women Development, she was accused of mismanagement and financial irregularities, claims she denied, attributing them to political sabotage.

Her personal life, especially her marriage to a Yoruba Muslim, was often subject to public speculation and controversy. Onwenu’s transition from secular to gospel music drew mixed reactions, with some fans and musicians criticizing her for abandoning her earlier style. Her candid critiques as a judge on X Factor Nigeria sparked disagreements with contestants and fellow judges. Lastly, her sudden death after collapsing at a friend’s birthday party in Lagos added to the controversies surrounding her life.

Onyeka Onwenu Social Media Handle

https://www.instagram.com/onyekaonwenu/?hl=en

Personal Life

Born in Obosi, in what was then the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, Onyeka Onwenu hailed from Arondizuogu, Imo State. She grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Her father, D. K. Onwenu, was an educationist and politician who died in a car accident when she was just four years old, leaving her mother, Hope, to raise five children alone after being denied access to her husband’s property by his family. Onwenu was known for her private nature, especially regarding her personal relationships. She was previously married to a Yoruba Muslim and had two sons, Tijani Charles and Abraham.

Onyeka Onwenu Net Worth

At the time of her death, Onyeka Onwenu’s net worth was estimated to worth around $300,000.

Death

Onyeka Onwenu passed away on 30 July 2024 after collapsing while performing at a friend’s birthday party in Lagos. She was rushed to Reddington Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.