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For Onyeka Onwenu you
could liken her to a coat of many colours. Besides music that brought her to
limelight she is also a politician, human rights activist, social activist and
journalist.
Her melodious voice
still resonates and echoes across the world many years after she climbed the
music stage. She is a pioneer and contributor to the development of the music
industry in Nigeria. With a fusion of Igbo traditional beats and language, her
songs took the Nigerian music industry by storm. She promoted the cultural
heritage of the Igbo people beyond the shores of our land. For this she is a
hero, champion and defender of the Igbo race.
Some call her “The
Elegant stallion” she entered the music industry at a time it was largely
dominated by the male folks. Her unique style of music created an aura of
class, elegance and excellence around her.
She has also made a
mark in the movie industry where she exhibited the same unique qualities she
exhibited in the music industry.
The public sector also has
a record of her contributions as she has held several post both with her state
and at the federal level.
No doubt, Onyeka Onwenu
is an illustrious woman of Igbo extraction that deserves our accolades and
praise.
Brief history
Onyeka Onwenu was born
on January 31, 1952 in the city of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. Her father
however is from Arondizuogu in Imo State.
Her father D. K. Onwenu
was a Nigerian educationist and a politician. She lost her father in a car
crash just a week after he was appointed Minster of Education when she was just
four years old.
Life became hellish for
the bereaved family as they had to fend for themselves even as her husband’s
family dispossessed them off their father’s property.
After her secondary
education she travelled to the United States for her tertiary education. She
obtained a degree in International Relations and Communications from Wellesley
College, Massachusetts.
In addition she
acquired a masters in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research,
New York.
After he studies she
stayed back in the United States where she got a job with the United Nations in
New York City. She worked in the US for years before she came back to Nigeria
in 1980.
She participated in the
compulsory one-year National Youth Service and was posted to the Nigerian
Television Authority (NTA).
She was a TV presenter,
newsreader and reporter during her time at the NTA. Shows like Contact (1988)
and who’s On? (1993) were popular shows she anchored while working at the NTA.
Onyeka Onwenu rose to
the level of a member of the board of the NTA and won several awards for her
contributions.
Her Music Career
A year after she joined
NTA she launched her music career when she released the album “For the love of
You”. She has numerous tracks that still resonate with this generation. Songs
like “Ekwe”, “African Woman” are
ever-green songs that still permeates the air waves across Nigeria.
Her first album “In The
Morning Light”, was released in 1984 by Polygram was recorded in London. In
1986 “One Love” was released; a song that will continue to gain traction
especially for Nigerians who would think back to the good old days.
Her songs were tailored
to speak to specific issues bedeviling the nation. African Woman was composed
to project the pride and strength of the African woman even in the mist of
poverty and hardship.
The costumes also used
in her song basically promoted the traditional and cultural heritage of the
Igbo people. Infusion of local instruments into her songs was a common feature
which endeared and appealed to local as well as foreign listeners.
In 1998 she teamed up
with the King of Juju music, King
Sunny Ade and released a duet with him titled “Wait for Me”.
In the 90s she switched
from secular music to gospel. Her songs are more focused on inspiring change
and motivating the younger generation to contribute towards nation building.
Her Voyage in Politics
Being an activist, her
passion for good governance prompted her to be involved in public service. She
joined politics and participated under the platform of the People’s Democratic
Party (PDP)
Onyeka Onwenu contested
on two occasion for the local council chairman of Ideato North LGA in Imo
State. She lost on both attempts
She was later appointed
the Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former Governor of
Imo State; Ikedi Ohakim.
Subsequently on
September 16, 2013 she was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the national
Centre for Women Development by President Goodluck Jonathan.
As an activist she had
a running battle with NTA when they refused to make payments to her for using
her songs for radio jingles. Though a former staff of the organization she
protested –she embarked on hunger strike-outside the station for 6 days to
press home her demands.
Luckily other artist
intervened and mediated on her behalf with the NTA after which the issue was
settled amicably.
Onyeka Onwenu has two
boys but presently is separated from her husband. Her signature hairstyle which
she has worn low right from her secondary school days makes her distinct and
accentuates her individuality. She has never worn a long hair or weaved it for
decades.
At the African Movie
Academy award in 2006, she won award of the Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
She died on the 30th
of July 2024, at a friend’s birthday party where she had just performed in
Lagos. Stories have it that she slumped and was declared died at the Reddington
Hospital Lagos. She was aged 72.
Lessons to Learn
Onyeka Onwenu is an
icon and legend in the music industry and thus would have many admirers. Being
real is what she symbolizes, she is an embodiment of local is king.
A quick look at her
musical videos shows the use of local costumes, musical instruments and dance
steps.
The West is already
saturated with more than enough rap and hip hop song. To make your brand global,
think of a local content that will appeal to a global audience. This is
applicable not just in music but in every niche or product as the case may be.
When we develop and
promote our local content, the world will sort us out.
There must also be a
burning desire to want to contribute to nation building and Onyeka Onwenu has
exemplified this. Her songs and participation in politics portrays her as
someone eager to see her environment grow.
One interesting thing
to also learn from her is not to be intimidated by gender, race or
qualification. As at the time she ventured into music, the music industry was
dominated by the male folk. This did not stop her from expressing herself in
her own way.
Her soprano and
high-pitched voice could be heard from radio and TV stations to the delight of
millions.
Know when to fight and
when to stay calm. Onyeka fought for what she believed in by going after the
NTA. When something is due to you do not feel timid or nervous to demand for
your right.
Most times you just
have to go solo, then others facing similar issues will give you the necessary
backing. Royalties for content creators is a norm in the music industry, thus
her case or any other person’s should not be any different.
It took her protest and her intervention for radio stations to take cases of royalties serious. This demonstrated her doggedness and determination in a country of so much absurdities.