By Jude Atupulazi
It was yet another shocking death of an Igbo star as legendary Nigerian music icon, singer and actress, Queen Onyeka Onwenu, was reported dead last Tuesday. Onyeka was said to have slumped in her seat after coming down from the stage where she had sung at a birthday bash of her friend in Lagos.
She was said to have been confirmed dead on Tuesday night, July 30, at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos. She was 72.
According to a source close to the family, Onwenu was at Fidelity Bank MD’s, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe’s Birthday Party when she took to the stage to perform. After her performance, she returned to her seat and suddenly slumped. She was rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos where she was later pronounced dead. The cause of death was yet to be confirmed as at press time.
Onyeka Onwenu, born on May 31, 1952, had a career that spanned over four decades. She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter, but also an actress, journalist, and politician. Her first album with Polygram, ”In the Morning Light”, was released in 1984.
Some of her most popular songs include, “One Love;” “Iyogogo;” and “Ekwe.”
She died in a month in which two other eminent personalities in Igbo Land also died suddenly. They are Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President of Ohaneze Indigbo World Wide; and Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator that represented Anambra South District.
