Nigerians continue to morn celebrated music icon and soul singer Onyeka Onwenu who passed on Tuesday night at 72.
Tributes continue to pour in from all walks including President Bola Tinubu, fellow musicians and fans.
The “One Love” crooner was full of bliss at the 80th birthday of Stella Okoye the managing director of Emzor when she got the great call.
Writing an op-ed for Premium Times in 2021 she gave details of how she would like to be buried.
“Do it quickly, quietly and privately. mourn, yes but not excessively,” Onwenu a mother of two male children wrote.
“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.”
Tributes.
Bola Tinubu: ” President Tinubu condoles with the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.”
Peter Obi: “My condolences to her family, the entertainment industry, and the nation at large. May we find solace in the memories we shared with her and the impact she had on our lives.”
Charles Oputa a.k.a Charlie Boy: “The Igbo nation mourns the loss of this iconic figure, whose impact transcended the entertainment industry. Onwenu’s death follows the recent passings of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, marking a period of profound loss for the Southeast region of Nigeria. Onwenu’s legacy as a cherished talent and tireless advocate will continue to inspire future generations. Oh! My sister, Rest In Peace .”
Tee Mac Iseli: “Onyka Owenu left us yesterday. She lived a successful and fulfilled life. I will never forget when she sang with me together in 1983 as her first life performance on the Tee Mac show for NTA. I knew then that she will become a superstar. Rest in perfect peace Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli
Patience Ozokwor: “Onyeka is not just a colleague but a friend. I am downcast now and hurting because of her death and the fact that she was not sick. How can everyone be dying like that? What is causing so much death? Everyone is stressed up in this country,” she said.
Femi Kuti: “Shocked, waking up to unfortunate news of the passing of Mrs Onyeka Onwenu.Rest in peace, Ma. Your beautiful voice will live forever. Condolences to her family and loved ones.”