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Music Icon, Onyeka Onwenu Dies At 72

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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

Imisi Wins Big Brother Naija Season 10

She won with 42.8% of the votes, followed by Dede with 15.94%, Koyin with 15.23%, Sultana with 7.94%, Kola with 5.48%, Jason Jae with 4.84%, Mensan with 3.54%, Isabella with 3.07%, and Kaybobo with 1.72%.

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•BBNaija Season 10 Housemate, Imisi Ayanwale…Photo Credit: Africa Magic.

Africa Magic’s viewers pulling show- Big Brother Naija Season 10 ended yesterday with Imisi Ayanwale emerged as the winner of the competition.

She took home N80 million in cash as part of the N150 million grand prize, after an exciting finale that wrapped up months of drama, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

She won with 42.8% of the votes, followed by Dede with 15.94%, Koyin with 15.23%, Sultana with 7.94%, Kola with 5.48%, Jason Jae with 4.84%, Mensan with 3.54%, Isabella with 3.07%, and Kaybobo with 1.72%.

The humorous and outspoken housemate, who enjoyed massive support from her loyal fanbase known as “Ijoba 606,” beat strong contenders including Dede, who finished as first runner-up, as well as Koyin, Kola, Isabella, and Kaybobo

.Known for her witty remarks and playful personality, Imisi became a fan favourite for her comic timing, authenticity, and ability to lighten tense moments in the house.

Her humour, coupled with her resilience during tough tasks, made her one of the most relatable contestants this season.

This comes after Koyin was shockingly evicted, and Dede and Imisi were instructed to leave the house for the stage.

According to the tradition of the show, the lights were turned off in the house after their exit, an emotional moment for fans who had followed the housemates’ journey for weeks.

This edition of Big Brother Naija has been one of the most engaging yet, featuring unexpected twists, emotional evictions, and viral highlights that dominated social conversations for weeks.

With her win, Imisi joins the ranks of previous champions like Mercy Eke, Laycon, Whitemoney, Phyna, Ilebaye, among others.

All remembered for their unique imprint on the Big Brother legacy.

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Entertainment

National Theater: The Bankers’ Committee “made me eat my words – Soyinka

President Tinubu stated that there was no controversy surrounding the renaming of the National Theatre, adding that he considered Prof. Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture.

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From left: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Prof Wole Soyinka and Lagos State Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu…yesterday.

Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka says that before the renovation of the National Theatre, located at Iganmu, Lagos, he thought it was irredeemable, but the Bankers’ Committee “made me eat my words.”’

The renovated edifice was renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, by President Bola Tinubu, as parts of events marking Nigeria’s 65th independent anniversary, yesterday.

Soyinka praised the transformation of the building, noting, “If eating one’s word produces a morsel like this, then it’s a very tasty set of words.”

Soyinka emphasized that he accepted the renaming of the National Theatre after him : ” I never believed that the monument could ever be revamped.”

He admitted that he accepted the honour with mixed feelings, despite being a critic of many past leaders, who appropriated public monuments.

“I have to stand up in public and watch my name being put up as yet another appropriator. It just didn’t seem very well for me,” the literary giant said.

The Bankers’ Committee committed N68 billion into the project.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the occasion directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to float a National Arts Theatre Endowment Fund to ensure the maintenance of the national edifice.

Among the prominent persons at the event were First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, who coordinated the Bankers’ Committee, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi, who is a former CBN governor; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

The Bankers’ Committee committed N68 billion into the project.

President Tinubu said there was no controversy in the National Theatre being renamed, adding that he considered Prof Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture. Prof. Wole Soyinka is one of the greatest assets of the world. So, the renaming could not have gone to anyone else,” he said.

President Tinubu stated that there was no controversy surrounding the renaming of the National Theatre, adding that he considered Prof. Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture.

Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, disclosed that the Bankers’ Committee, the Lagos State Government, and the Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy came together with a shared purpose to deliver this national project, with the Bankers’ Committee alone committing approximately N68 billion, not as corporate social responsibility but as a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s cultural future.

He said that the project stands as proof that when the public and private sectors unite behind a shared national purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve.

The CBN boss stated that 65 years after our nation’s founding, Nigeria’s creative spirit remains alive, pervasive and shaping global culture.

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Entertainment

Trump Imposing 100% Tariff On Movies Made Outside US (Implications for Nollywood)

Trump’s latest post echoes a threat he made in May, when he said the US movie industry was “dying a very fast death.

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US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he is imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States , claiming that his country’s industry has been “stolen” by others.

AFP reported that Trump’s remarks come shortly after he threatened a slew of new tariffs to be imposed this week on branded pharmaceutical products, furniture, as well as heavy trucks, respectively.

On Monday, Trump returned his focus to the film industry, charging in a Truth Social post that other countries have taken business from the United States, “just like stealing ‘candy from a baby.’”

He criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom as “weak and incompetent,” adding that the state has been heavily impacted.

“In order to solve this long time, never ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States,” Trump wrote.

Trump’s latest post echoes a threat he made in May, when he said the US movie industry was “dying a very fast death.”

At the time, he said he was authorizing the Department of Commerce and US Trade Representative to start the process of instituting a 100-percent tariff

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