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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

‘Things Fall Apart’ actor Fabian Adibe dies at 82

Born on December 1, 1943, Adibe belonged to the older generation of actors who laid the foundation for Nollywood.

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Legendary actor Fabian Adibe, best known for his role in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, “Things Fall Apart,” has died.

His death on Wednesday was confirmed by the CEO of Best of Nollywood, BON, Seun Oloketuyi, in a post on his social media.

“‘Things Fall Apart’ actor, Fabian Adibe, is dead. Died 2:30 am this morning,” Oloketuyi posted on social media.

Adibe earned widespread admiration for his iconic portrayal in the adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” and his calm demeanour and powerful performances endeared him to generations of viewers.

The actor and television personality, who led Nigeria to its first Commonwealth Art Festival in 1965, began his acting career in 1987 in the acclaimed Nigerian TV series, “Things Fall Apart.”

He played the role of Ogbuefi Uzowulu and acted alongside Pete Edochie.

His other co-actors, Justus Esiri and Sam Loco Efe, in the series are now deceased.

Born on December 1, 1943, Adibe belonged to the older generation of actors who laid the foundation for Nollywood.

He featured in over 300 movies, including “Slave Warrior” (2012), “White Kingdom 2” (2014), and “Father’s” (2014), among others.

The revered actor featured in foreign movies, including “Soweto,” a story about the struggle in South Africa, and “Mr. Johnson,” a Hollywood film.

He was a staff member of the Nigerian Television Authority until he was retrenched on May 25, 1984.

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Google Launches Gemini Storybook for Nigerian children aged 6 and below

Storybook allows you to place a child directly at the centre of their own learning adventure, which is key to holding their attention and helping them grasp new concepts.

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Google has launched Storybook, a new feature within its Gemini app, aimed at providing a creative and interactive learning tool for Nigeria’s 39 million children aged six and under.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, communications & public affairs manager for Google in West Africa, said that the AI-powered feature transforms simple prompts, personal photos, and children’s drawings into customised, narrated storybooks, bridging a critical gap in early childhood education through technology rooted in storytelling.

This launch provides a powerful new creative tool in Nigeria, a country with a rich and deep-rooted tradition of storytelling.

With a young population that includes approximately 39 million children aged six and under, the need for engaging and accessible educational content is more critical than ever.

Storybook is designed to help bridge this gap by empowering anyone to create personalised learning experiences.

“It addresses a real need for parents and educators who are looking for fresh ways to captivate the minds of our youngest learners. The challenge is often making education interactive and personal.

Storybook allows you to place a child directly at the centre of their own learning adventure, which is key to holding their attention and helping them grasp new concepts,” he said.

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Gen Z Slang: Bet, Simp, Glow Up and More

I’m Dead: When something’s really funny, Gen Z won’t just say “lol.” They’ll say “I’m dead,” meaning something is so funny it killed them with laughter, rather than just typing “lol.”

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image credit : howstuffworks

Language evolves, and Gen Z — born between the 1997 and 2012 — has introduced an entire dictionary of expressive, clever, and sometimes confusing slang.

These Gen Z slang terms dominate social media platforms, group chats, and online video game lobbies.

Here’s a breakdown of the phrases you’ll hear from this generation.

  1. 1. No Cap: Used to express truth, “no cap” means someone is being honest or serious. If you say, “This new song is fire, no cap,” you’re saying the song is great (fire) and you truly believe it.
  2. 2. Bet
  3. Bet is a casual way of saying “OK” or “I’m down.” It’s a quick response that shows agreement or enthusiasm. You might use it instead of “sure thing” in real life or online.
  4. 3. Simp
  5. Originating in Black American hip-hop slang, simp became a derogatory term for a man perceived as overly subservient to a woman in the hope of winning her affection. Saying, “You’re such a simp,” carries negative connotations, especially in a romantic relationship context.
  6. 4. Main Character
  7. To describe someone as the “main character” is to say they carry themselves like the star of a movie. It’s both a compliment and a slight knock, depending on tone — often used in social media captions and stories.
  8. 5. Glow Up
  9. A “glow up” refers to a transformation — usually physical or stylistic — that makes someone look or feel better than before. This phrase is a great example of Gen Z’s thirst for self-improvement and style.
  10. 6.Cringe
  11. Cringe is used to describe anything awkward, embarrassing, or trying too hard. If your Baby Boomer uncle uses Gen Z slang words unironically, that might earn a “yikes” or a full-on “big yikes” from the group.
  12. 7. Touch Grass
  13. A favorite insult among Gen Z, to tell someone to touch grass means they’re online too much and need to get back to real life. It’s a witty way to say “log off and go outside.”
  14. 8. Vibe Check
  15. “Vibe check” is all about gauging someone’s mood or the feel of a space. Passed the vibe check? You’re cool. Failed it? Time to reassess your energy.
  16. 9. Whole Meal
  17. Calling someone a whole meal is a step beyond calling them attractive. It’s a bold phrase used to express approval or attraction: “She’s not just cute, she’s a whole meal.
  18. 10. I’m Dead
  19. When something’s really funny, Gen Z won’t just say “lol.” They’ll say “I’m dead,” meaning something is so funny it killed them with laughter, rather than just typing “lol.”
  20. In other words, this is the Gen Z equivalent of using a crying-laughing emoji to show something is hilarious. It shows they’re expressing excitement and humor in a big way.
  21. Source: HowStuffWorks
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