Nigeria Mourns the Loss of Legendary Singer Onyeka Onwenu

Nigeria has lost one of its heroes, Onyeka Onwenu, a legendary singer who touched souls with her lyrics. She was not only a musician but also an actress, journalist, author, and politician, known for her talents and activism concerning the state and the people.

She died on Tuesday night, July 30th, at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at the birthday party of Stella Okoli, a prolific Nigerian figure, where she performed last.

Before her death, she made some statements in 2021 about how she wished to be buried, which were published in Premium Times. According to her statement, she said:

“Do it quickly, quietly, and privately,” she wrote.

She encouraged her loved ones to “mourn, yes, but not excessively,” and to instead focus on celebrating her life with prayers and light-hearted moments.

She further said: “Celebrate me with prayers, lunch, or dinner afterward. Share some jokes about me and laugh.

“Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me, Onyeka Onwenu.”

She encouraged her loved ones and others not to spend much on her burial, due to the traditional lavish spending on such occasions in Nigeria. She added that spending should be limited while she’s away.

She said: “I am very uncomfortable with the lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others.”

It is sad to lose one of our heroes. May her soul rest in peace.