She dined with Presidents; the country knew her as a multi-talented personality – singer, song writer, actress, broadcaster, activist and politician. Onyeka Onwenu died doing what she knew how to do best.

The ‘Elegant Stallion’ exited the stage singing. Onyeka’s death, coming at the time President Bola Tinubu is pushing for local government reforms through autonomy, brings back sad memories of her foray into politics with eyes on the grassroots.

Two times, she contested to be elected Chairperson of Ideato North Local Government Council, Imo State. Twice, she did not succeed. Perhaps, Ideato North Local Government Area would have been elevated by the impact of the singer, what with her connections.

She sang for Nelson and Winnie Mandela, when they visited Nigeria in 1990 after the former was released from a lengthy jail sentence. While others were looking for political appointments in Abuja, Onyeka was homeward bound trying to elevate governance in her local government area.

It is no news that the third tier of government is populated by some characters who do not know their left from their right. It would therefore be incorrect to look at the singer from the prism of music where she also excelled.

The daughter of a renowned politician and educationist, Dickson Kanu Onwenu, the idea was to continue from where her dad stopped.

Onwenu, the father, represented Port Harcourt in the Federal House of Representatives between 1954 and 1956. Onyeka did not grow up to meet him as he died in a crash after receiving his appointment letter as minister. In what looked like compensation and recognition of her worth, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan chose her as Director-General, National Centre for Women’s Development.

The woman who sang ‘One Love’ became uncomfortable when she discovered that there was no love lost between her and the minister of Women Affairs. The Elegant Stallion always held her head high and was recognised beyond music.

Acting suited her, it was no surprise that one of her great appearances was in ‘Half of the Yellow Sun’ which starred, Chiwetel Agu. Nollywood welcomed her. She acted with Pete Edochie and Franca Brown in ‘Nightman’,

As an Igbo, she spread her love beyond tribe and tongue. Not many knew that she, a Christian, was married to a Yoruba Muslim

featured in ‘Conspiracy’, with Nkem Owoh and joined Genevieve Nnaji in ‘Lion Heart’. Onyeka could be found with Richard Mofe-Damijo in ‘God Calling’ or Kanayo O. Kanayo in ‘The Trinity’. In music, her songs sent strong messages across.

From debut album, ‘For the Love of You’, in 1981, to ‘One Love’ (1986) and ‘You and I’, she harped on peace and unity, coated with love and trust in God. As an Igbo, she spread her love beyond tribe and tongue.

Not many knew that she, a Christian, was married to a Yoruba Muslim. And her most significant collaboration was with King Sunny Ade, a juju musician.

Their combination of traditional and African pop was well received. Educated in the United States with a first degree in International Relations and Masters in Media Studies, Onyeka worked with the United Nations before returning to Nigeria to join the Nigerian Television Authority. This background emboldened her to dare.

When the NTA refused to pay for her work ‘Iyogogo’, Onyeka exposed the Director General to ridicule. She moved home to the Victoria Island, Lagos headquarters of the organisation. Backed by other activists like Gani Fawehinmi and Charlie Boy Oputa, it attracted wide publicity.

That move forced the NTA to plead for an out of court settlement, after their premises had been converted to a human rights’ campaign ground for six consecutive days. Lessons were learnt for it shaped future copyright agreements. Onyeka used music to create content for herself and she went for the best.

Some of her producers like Berkley Jones Ike and Sonny Okosuns were known names in the industry. Her good friend, Tina Onwudiwe, was available to sing. Friendship meant so much. She flew to South Africa when Tina was down with cancer and tried to raise funds for her cure.

That love took to her to the stage to honour another friend, Stella Okolie, the woman behind Emzor Pharmaceuticals at 80 years. Sadly it turned out to be her last public performance.

Onyeka bestrode the entertainment terrain like a giant, moving from television to performance, spicing it with political activism. She kept her family away from the cameras. As a true citizen, she deserves a decent farewell from the Federal Government.

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