Entertainment

Music Icon, Onyeka Onwenu Dies At 72

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2024

Charles Flames

246 Views

Legendary Nigerian singer, politician and actress, Onyeka Onwenu has died at the age of 72.

She slumped after an impressive performance at the birthday party of Stella Okoli in Lagos, on Tuesday.

The legendary singer was then rushed to the Reddington Hospital in Lagos, where she passed on.

While speaking with Ohibaba.com, the spokesperson for the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), the same society to which the late singer belonged, Muhammed Ahlim, confirmed the report, however, said they were yet to get an official statement from the family.“Yes, it is true.

But we are yet to get an official statement from the family,” he said on Wednesday.

Onyeka Onwenu was born in 1952, in Obosi, Anambra State, Nigeria. She began her music career in the 1980s and released her debut album, “For the Love of You,” in 1981.

She has since released numerous albums and singles, including the hit song “One Love.”Onwenu has also acted in several Nollywood films and has won numerous awards for her contributions to music and film. She has been recognised as one of the pioneers of Nigerian music.

In addition to her entertainment career, Onwenu has also been involved in politics.

She was appointed as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013 and later became the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development in 2016.

Onwenu has been recognised for her contributions to Nigerian society, including being awarded the National Honors of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.

Shehu Sani, Omokri Mourn Late Singer

Former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani, and ex-presidential aide, Reno Omokri, have mourned legendary Nigerian singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu.

Reacting to the development in an X post on Wednesday, Sani said the country has lost a great artist who spread messages of love and peace through her music.

He wrote, “Onyeka, the nation has lost a timeless legend and a great artist who sang from the heart, spreading the messages of love and peace through music. Your melodies will forever resonate in our souls. Rest in peace.

”Also reacting in an X post, Omokri described Onwenu as an elegant stallion, saying that she elevated music and artistry with her natural charm and stage presence.

He wrote, “I am heartbroken at the news of the death of veteran singer, broadcaster, and actress, Onyeka Onwenu, at 72.

I knew her, and we bonded over my love for her music, which added value to my early years.

It was one of the greatest honours of my life to collaborate with her and Panam Percy Paul on a charity single I executive produced.

“She was called the elegant stallion for a reason. And the reason is that she elevated music and artistry with her natural charm and stage presence.

“Onyeka Onwenu was a great asset to Nigeria and a significant star on the African continent and beyond. She will be greatly missed.

May her soul rest in peace! Onyeka Onwenu: January 31, 1952-July 31, 2024: Gone but never to be forgotten.”

She Was A Gift To Her Generation — Gov Obaseki.

While expressing sadness over the death of the singer, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, described her as a gift to her generation.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the governor said the late singer was “one of Nigeria’s most versatile music exports.”

“Onwenu was a gift to her generation—sonorous, enigmatic, and enchanting.

Hers was a gift well deserving as she serenaded all with her voice, soothing both the old and the young with melodious, evergreen tunes.

“Onwenu performed excellently as a conscious musician, lacing her music with messages for social revival.

“She wore many hats elegantly as a soulful singer, fierce journalist, and conscientious social crusader.

Her desire for a better Nigeria was evident in the passion she infused into the many avenues she used to advocate for a more prosperous nation.

“It is sad that we lost her at a time when we needed role models like her to inspire Nigerian youths, who would have benefited from her experience and insights garnered as an active figure in various aspects of the Nigerian experience.

“We will miss her elegance, candour, and infectious charm. I commiserate with the Onwenu family, friends, and associates and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.

Entertainment

Nollywood ‘s Actress Allwell Ademola buried today in Lagos

The burial followed a candlelight procession held in her honour on Thursday night, led by actors Fathia Balogun, Femi Adebayo and Iyabo Ojo.

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

OCHEFA

20 Views

• Allwell Ademola ‘s coffin

Nollywood stars on Friday bid a final farewell to actress, producer and filmmaker Allwell Ademola, who was buried in Lagos amid grief and emotional scenes from colleagues, friends and family members.

Videos from the burial showed sombre moments as Ademola’s coffin was lowered into the grave, with several colleagues struggling to hold back tears.

Actress Liz DaSilva was visibly emotional at the graveside, while actors Rotimi Salami, Biola Adebayo, Saheed Balogun and Kunle Afod were present during the final rites.

The burial followed a candlelight procession held in her honour on Thursday night, led by actors Fathia Balogun, Femi Adebayo and Iyabo Ojo.

The procession began hours after a service of songs organised at LTV8 in Lagos.

Several Nollywood figures attended the service of songs, including Wumi Toriola, Afeez Owo, Faithia Williams, Mr Latin, Odunlade Adekola, Eniola Ajao, Yemi Solade, Bakare Zainab, Foluke Daramola and Jigan Babaoja, among others.

During the service, Salami, described by colleagues as one of Ademola’s closest friends, delivered an emotional tribute and appealed for forgiveness on her behalf.

He said, “If there’s anyone Allwell has offended, directly or indirectly, please, forgive her and keep praying for her.”

He added, “I think the only thing we can actually do is to find a way in unity to keep her legacy. Even if she’s gone, let all that she has done stay with us and be with us.

”The service of songs also showed a moment of reconciliation after Ademola’s brother publicly apologised to Iyabo Ojo over comments he made following his sister’s death.

Entertainment

Wizkid becomes first African artist to hit 10 billion streams on Spotify

In the latest figures as of January 2026, Wizkid tops the list of Africa’s most-streamed artists on Spotify, with Burna Boy following closely behind on more than 9.5 billion streams.

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

OCHEFA

16 Views

Nigerian singer Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has made history as the first African artist to surpass 10 billion streams on Spotify.

In the latest figures as of January 2026, Wizkid tops the list of Africa’s most-streamed artists on Spotify, with Burna Boy following closely behind on more than 9.5 billion streams.

Rema ranks third with 5.6 billion streams, while Tems has surpassed 4.4 billion. South African star Tyla has accumulated 3.7 billion streams, and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr trails closely with 3.3 billion streams.

Wizkid reached the milestone after a decade of hits, with Drake’s ‘One Dance’ alone delivering nearly 4 billion streams and ‘Essence’ adding over 334 million.

Wizkid’s third studio album, Made In Lagos Deluxe, is his most streamed project on the platform, with over one billion streams.

As a lead artist, his most streamed song is Essence featuring Tems, which has garnered more than 333 million streams.

Entertainment

Carnival Calabar Spectacles Excite Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria

Santos, who has lived in Nigeria for more than two years, said he experienced no cultural shock in Calabar, noting the long-standing historical ties between Portugal and Africa, including Nigeria.

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

OCHEFA

21 Views

•Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos (middle).

The Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos, has praised the quality and cultural depth of the Carnival Calabar, describing his first experience of the festival as impressive and full of potential for greater international recognition.

Speaking during his visit to Calabar, Santos said he was struck by the organisation and seriousness of the events, starting with the children’s festival, which he attended shortly after he arrived in the state.

Contrary to his expectations of a simple children-focused parade, the ambassador said the event reflected strong planning, symbolism and cultural intent, setting the tone for what he was told would be a series of even bigger spectacles, including the bikers’ parade and the main carnival procession.

Santos, who has lived in Nigeria for more than two years, said he experienced no cultural shock in Calabar, noting the long-standing historical ties between Portugal and Africa, including Nigeria.

He explained that shared history and cultural exchanges over more than five centuries have created a familiarity that makes Portuguese visitors feel at home across the continent.

On hospitality, the ambassador described his reception as exceptional, praising the warmth of his hosts and the opportunity to explore not just Calabar but also parts of neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.