Music, Human Rights Activism and Politics: The Story of Onyeka Onwenu

Popularly dubbed as the “Elegant Stallion” by the Nigerian press, Onyeka Onwenu always showcased the temperament to not only thrive but also make major contributions to the development of industries within which she took an interest in.

Onyeka Onwenu’s life is a worthy novel, transitioning multiple careers in music, acting, human rights activism, social activism, journalism, and politics. Onwenu, who hailed from Arondizuogu, a small town in Ideato North, Imo State, was a proud human activist with an impressive profile to show for it.

One of Onwenu’s greatest social activism feats was in 1984 after she released a scathing documentary for BBC/NTA, Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches. This documentary drew attention to and changed the course of Nigerians’ view on corruption and the environmental degradation of the oil-rich regions forever.

While Onyeka was an accomplished singer and activist at the time, she did not stray too far from the tree either – politics was always in her blood. A daughter of Dickson Kanu Onwenu, a politician who represented Port Harcourt at the Federal House of Representatives from 1954 until his death in 1956, Onyeka Onwenu soon ventured into politics herself.

A member of the People’s Democratic Party, Onyeka was appointed as Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture after which she was appointed as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

She also enjoyed a stellar career in Nollywood, starring in hundreds of movies such as Half of A Yellow Sun, Lionheart, Conspiracy, Chain Reaction, To Love An Angel,  and many more.

While she’s described by many as a “no-nonsense and high-principled” woman, her interior is surprisingly soft as revealed by Azuh Arinze who revealed the kindness she showed him in the early stages of his journalism career, in his new book Encounters – Lessons From My Journalism Career.

Onyeka Onwenu is featured in Azuh Arinze’s Encounters – Lessons From My Journalism Careerwhich chronicles the experiences of the author throughout his career. Through this book, Azuh Arinze allows readers to examine 20 years’ worth of journalistic experience in 60 captivating chapters, highlighting some of his encounters with industry heavyweights.

Onyeka Onwenu died on the 30th of July 2024 at the age of 72. Reports say she collapsed on Tuesday night after singing at the birthday party of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was taken to a hospital in Victoria Island, where she was later confirmed dead.

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