Three years ago, veteran Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu shared her wishes for how she would like to be remembered and buried. The iconic artiste, known for her powerful voice and activism, reportedly died on Tuesday night at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli.
In an opinion piece published in Premium Times in 2021, Onwenu expressed her desire for a simple and private burial, free from unnecessary fanfare. “Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” she wrote, urging her loved ones to mourn without excess and instead focus on celebrating her life with prayers and light-hearted moments. “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 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,” she said.
Onwenu also addressed broader cultural practices, condemning the lavish display of wealth often seen at Nigerian burials. She contrasted her own wishes with the extravagant funeral of Obi Cubana’s mother, which sparked widespread debate across the country. “I am very uncomfortable with the lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others,” she remarked, calling for more modest and meaningful ways to honor the deceased.
Onwenu had a multifaceted career, working in music, film, advocacy, journalism, and politics. She held various roles, including chairing the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and serving as a judge on the X Factor series. Her music and writings have been widely recognized, with notable songs including ‘One Love’ and ‘You and I’. She was also the author of the autobiography ‘My Father’s Daughter’.
