Ruth Semilore
Family of late music icon Onyeka Onwenu yesterday committed her remains to mother earth in accordance with her request.
Before her sudden demise on Tuesday, July 30, after slumping at the 80th birthday party of the Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr Stella Okoli, the late songbird had reflected on how she wanted to be remembered and buried..
“Do it quickly, quietly and privately. Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh.
“Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate with 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,”the ‘Elegant Stallion’ as she was fondly called was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, granting the deceased’s request, the family yesterday laid the late singer to rest in a manner that was devoid of unnecessary funfare.
The funeral service was held at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, followed by a private burial at a vaults in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The service commenced with a professional hymn, which ushered in the body of the late singer, accompanied by pallbearers dressed in the traditional Igbo attire along with her two sons Tijani and Abraham Ogunlende.
Immediately after the funeral service, her body, which was carried in a motor-cage left for the Ebony Vaults, in Ikoyi at about 2pm.
Present at the funeral service were a former presidential candidate, of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, ace musicians Orits Williki, Tee Mac Omatshola-Itseli, captains of industry among other selected dignitaries.
Present at the funeral service were a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, Dr Stella Okoli. among other selected dignitaries.
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Onwenu was not only a gifted musician with numerous hits but also a broadcaster, actress, politician, and activist.
Born on January 31, 1952, in Imo State, Onyeka Onwenu began her music career in 1981, while still with the NTA, releasing her debut album “For the Love of You”, a pop 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 Sonny Okosun. She rose to fame with her distinctive voice and meaningful lyrics.
