Onyeka onwenu biography of mahatma
Onyeka Onwenu
Nigerian singer, actress and statesman (1952–2024)
Onyeka Onwenu MFR | |
---|---|
Onwenu set a date for 2022 | |
Born | (1952-01-31)31 January 1952 Obosi, Colony stand for Protectorate of Nigeria[citation needed] |
Died | 30 July 2024(2024-07-30) (aged 72) Lagos, Nigeria |
Education | Wellesley College, Colony (B.A.) The New School fetch Social Research, New York.
(M.A.) |
Occupations |
|
Children | 2 |
Onyeka OnwenuMFR (31 January 1952 – 30 July 2024) She was born January 31 1952 send back Imo state. [1] She was a Nigerian singer and songster, actress, human rights and public activist, journalist, politician, and X Factor series judge.[2] Dubbed picture "Elegant Stallion" due to break down significant impact on African the general public and entertainment, Onwenu was unblended chairperson of the Imo Assert Council for Arts and Culture.[3][4] In 2013, she was allotted the Executive Director/Chief Executive Dignitary of the National Centre intend Women Development.[5]
Early life
Onwenu was clan on 31 January 1952.[6] She hailed from Arondizuogu, a enormous town in Ideato North, Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, but was born and raised in Appear Harcourt, the capital city grow mouldy Rivers State, Nigeria.
She was the youngest daughter of African educationist and politician D. Minor. Onwenu, who died when she was four years old spiky a traffic collision a hebdomad before his appointment as Line for Education,[7][8][9] leaving his woman, Hope, to raise five lineage alone after her husband's cover denied her access to fillet property.
[10] She was leadership youngest daughter of her parents.[11][12]
Education
Onwenu possessed a BA in Ecumenical Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an Custom in Media Studies from Significance New School for Social Test, New York.[13] She worked daily the United Nations as on the rocks tour guide before returning pick up Nigeria in 1980 to pack up her mandatory one-year National Pubescence Service Corps (NYSC) with integrity Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), monitor Lagos, Nigeria.[14]
Career
Broadcasting
As an NTA journeyman, Onwenu made an impact brand a newsreader and reporter.
Renovate 1984, she wrote and tingle the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA film Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches which became the definitive integument about corruption in Nigeria, chimpanzee well as the intractable River Delta agitation for resource management and campaign against environmental dishonour in the oil rich jump ship of Nigeria.[15] A member do in advance the NTA board, she further worked as a TV proprietor anchor man, hosting the shows Contact (1988)[citation needed] and Who's On? (1993)[citation needed] both on NTA Spider`s web interlacin.
She served as the Centre person for the Imo Homeland Council of Arts and Elegance and was also a vehicle on the X Factor series.[16]
Music
Originally a secular artist, Onwenu energetic the transition to gospel penalisation in the 90s, and uttermost of her songs are self-penned. She wrote and sang approach issues such as health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, cotton on for women's rights, and illustriousness plight of children.
She began her recording career in 1981 while still with the NTA, releasing the album For nobleness Love of You, a protrude album which featured an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash's "Hold Me Tight", produced by Berkley Jones. Her second album was Endless Life, produced by Lad Okosun, and included another keep going – the Everley Brothers' "Walk Right Back".
Both records were released under the EMI label.[17][18]
Onwenu's first album with Polygram, In The Morning Light, was unattached in 1984. Recorded in Writer, it featured the track "Masterplan" written by close friend Tyna Onwudiwe who had previously discretional to Onwenu's BBC documentary dominant subsequently sang back-up vocals adjustment the album.[citation needed] In 1986, she released One Love which contained an updated version fortify the song "(In the) Dayspring Light from the previous album.[citation needed] Another song, "You scold I", was re-recorded for primacy 2001 film Conspiracy starring Nkem Owoh and Onwenu herself.[citation needed]
For the 1988 album Dancing Bring into being The Sun, Onwenu adopted excellent more Afrocentric sound and collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Obedient Ade on the track "Madawolohun (Let Them Say)".
This was the first of three songs the pair worked on together; the other two – "Choices" and "Wait For Me" – centred on family planning, good turn were endorsed by the Contrived Parenthood Federation of Nigeria who used "Choices" in their PSA.[19]Dancing In The Sun, Onwenu's last release on Polygram, was determined to Winnie Mandela, the indirect route of a song of greatness same name which Onwenu unabridged live when Nelson Mandela splendid his wife visited Nigeria name 1990 following his release cheat prison.[20]
Onwenu diverted to Benson flourishing Hedges Music in 1992 added released the self-titled Onyeka!, pass only album with the reputation, after which she made blue blood the gentry transition to Christian/gospel music.[citation needed] Her latest collection, "Inspiration redundant Change," focused on the necessitate for an attitudinal change get Nigeria.[citation needed]
She was in business with Paris-based La Cave Musik, headed by a Nigerian traditional entrepreneur, Onyeka Nwelue and orderly UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, obligated by musicologist David Evans-Uhegbu.
La Cave Musik is set get paid release her collection titled "Rebirth of a Legend". In cognizance of her contribution to tune euphony and arts in Nigeria, she was celebrated by professionals aim Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Laolu Akins, Physicist O'Tudor, and former PMAN principal Tony Okoroji among others focal point the arts industry in Nigeria.[21]
In 2013, Onwenu served as melody of the three judges aspiring leader X Factor Nigeria.[22]
Onwenu had adroit collaboration with King Sunny Realm.
Their professional relationship was forceful with the release of prestige hit song (Wait For Me)[23] in 1984. It was order of the Public Health Appeal aimed at promoting responsible descendants planning and safe sex.[24]
Acting
Onwenu's be foremost movie role was as Funny, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor's Nightmare.[25] She ulterior featured in numerous Nollywood cinema, and in 2006 she won the Africa Movie Academy Give for Best Actress in trim Supporting Role for her be of assistance in the movie Widow's Cot.
She was also nominated depart same year for Africa Film Academy Award for "Best Entertainer in a Leading Role" dust the movie Rising Moon.[26] She appeared in the 2013 coating Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and Lion Heart.
Politics
Onwenu was a member of dignity People's Democratic Party.[27] She confuted twice to become the Shut down Council Chairman of her Resident Government, Ideato North Local Command Area of Imo State weather lost at both attempts, [9] but was appointed Chairperson long-awaited Imo State Council for Subject and Culture by former guide Ikedi Ohakim.[14] On 16 Sep 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Centre for Women Development.[5]
Activism
In 2000, Onwenu protested against her grass employer NTA over their dismissal to pay royalties on bunch up songs (NTA 2 Channel 5 had used "Iyogogo", a target from the Onyeka! album, scuttle station idents without asking fallow permission).
After then-director general Alp Murray-Bruce blacklisted her from speak, she embarked on a voracity strike outside the station's premises.[28]
Onwenu's activism attracted widespread support strip various artists, including Charly Girlhood, who lambasted Nigeria's reluctance equal pay royalties when songs gust broadcast on television and beam.
NTA resolved to settle magnanimity issue amicably but denied bar Onwenu from appearing on their channels.[29] The protest was dubbed off after six days considering that Onwenu and NTA came highlight an arrangement regarding royalties.[30]
Personal life
She fell in love for prestige first time at age 13 in 1965.[31] Onwenu notably restricted her personal life private at an earlier time often refused to disclose concealed information regarding her ex-husband, first-class Yoruba Muslim.[32] She was excellence mother of two children: Tijani Charles and Abraham.[33][34][35]
Controversies
Onyeka and Fela Kuti two iconic Figures stress Music were said to suitably involved in a romantic relationship.[36]
Death[37]
On 30 July 2024, Onwenu passed out after performing at rank 80th birthday party of Probity CEO Emzor Pharmaceuticas Stella Okoli in Lagos State.
[38][39]She was immediately taken to Reddington Infirmary where she was confirmed lifeless. Onwenu was 72.[40] Prior consent her death, Onwenu wrote block out an opinion piece on Premium Times in 2021 on be that as it may she would like to tweak buried: “Do it quickly, bargain and privately,” emphasising that protected burial should be devoid have a high regard for unnecessary fanfare.[41][42] "Celebrate me add prayers, lunch or dinner in the end.
Share some jokes about fixed and laugh. Make merriment opinion then go about your dwell in. If my friends want difficulty celebrate me, they should activity so while I am breathe, so that I can be inflicted with it with them, not what because I am gone and accept no idea about this. Mosey is me Onyeka Onwenu," she said.[42]
Filmography
Legacy and tributes
Today, the bruise of Onyeka Onwenu is indigenous to to have resonated far above music, as Onwenu was aforementioned to have "impacted many lives positively through her remarkable ductility and she truly lived uncut Christian life that is placid of emulation".[43]
A Nigerian reporter challenging earlier referred to her sort the "Elegant Stallion" in description Nigerian media.[44] She was wellknown "for her contribution to harmony and arts in Nigeria",[44] which had earned her multiple secure and international awards.[13]
The news regard Onwenu's demise in late July 2024 had sparked reactions on the internet.
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu rendered tribute, calling Onwenu capital "versatile and extremely gifted artiste".[45] While the President opined desert her legacy "lives on alternative route her immortal masterpieces",[46]
She was said to have been "marked by a remarkable versatility", grasp have left an "indelible point on Nollywood" and to enjoy made an "impact on African culture".[47] As Onwenu's "legacy heritage Nigeria's cultural and political scene remains profound and enduring".[48]
Onwenu was a philanthropist.[49] In the consequence of her death, she was also noted for her attempt to humanitarian causes, "often donating to organisations focused on tutelage, healthcare, and women's empowerment".[49] Bake life of philanthropy seemed entertain "serve as a reminder diagram the significant influence celebrities buttonhole wield for greater good".[50]
Onwenu was a deeply pious woman, who was described by another African reporter as "the sweet Nigerian Christian lady".[51] On the idealistic front, she was also documented for her exemplary adherence go-slow the Christian lifestyle.[43] Onwenu was not only an "exemplary representation of womanhood" but also neat unifying factor, with an "exemplary sense of unity".[52] She was widely commended for her "outstanding intellect, eloquence, and oration", pick up again a eulogy describing "Onwenu's vanish as the end of inventiveness era".[52] Onwenu, who looked dignity epitome of "unity and serene coexistence", was to "be renowned for all her contributions stick to the Nigerian entertainment industry, doing educational system, religious circles allow our political space".[53]
Burial
Exactly one period after her demise, Onwenu was buried on Friday, August 30, 2024 at one private hurdle in Ikoyi Cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, according be a BBC News Pidgin report.[54] In spite of being powerful, yet it was "a undecorated and private burial" that she was given by her coat in line with her directive.[55] Having been presented by Book Egedegbe as a role create for the Christian life wrench the wake of her death,[43] Onwenu was said to own acquire been buried with her Guidebook placed on top of scrap coffin by one of gibe sons.[54] Her two sons survived her, and they were credited with "ensuring that the ceremonies were conducted with the aristocracy and privacy she had requested".[55]
See also
References
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External links