A-ARTs: Onwenu's last major honour of 'Art of Afrobeats' award

Onyeka Onwenu during the Art of Afrobeats Award night in Lagos.

AS the music industry mourns the death of singer, actress, and journalist, Onyeka Onwenu, documenting her sojourn would be incomplete without one of the last major honours she received recently.

Onyeka (January 31, 1952 - July 30, 2024), was reportedly slumped after a performance at the 80th birthday celebration of a businesswoman, Chief Stella Okoli. The singer who was popularly known as 'Elegant Stallion' was said to have been rushed to Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos where she died on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

For her nearly 50 years of contributions to the Nigerian music industry, and belonging in the generation of musicians that inspired Afrobeats of the current wave, Onwenu was honoured last year. Organised by Art Miabo International Art Festival (AMIAF), and held from April 27-May 1, 2023, at Ebonylife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, the award known as Art of Afrobeats also honoured quite a number of music professionals.

Among the recipients of Art of Afrobeats Award were Chief Tony Odili, a veteran percussionist member of late highlife legend, Jim Rex Lawson band, honoured with Art of Afrobeats Award. Odili, 96, also fondly called 'Akapapa' received the first award of the night from Benson Idonije, 86-year-old former Manager of Afrobeat founder, Fela Kuti. Other awardees included Laolu Akins, Babatunde Banjoko, Lemi Ghariokwu, Obi Asika, Eddy Lawani, Ed Keazor, Chris Okoro and Ayo Animashaun, Dayo Adeneye D1, Weird MC. Others include DJ Abass, Babatunde Banjoko, Akinyemi Johnson (JAJ), Clarence Peters, Kenny Ogungbe and Yeni Kuti.

Shortly after the award, Onwenu noted that the professionals who received the honours "laid the foundation for where we are now," as regards the popularity of Afrobeats. "So, to be part of that, I am honoured," she told the audience. "Afrobeats has taken over the world, precisely because of the works done by people being recognised today."

And as news of Onwenu shocked everyone, Founder of AMIAF, Miabo Enyadike lamented her demise: "Our great music icon, Onyeka Onwenu is no more." Enyadike recalled her experience with the late musician. She disclosed that Onwenu accepting the AMIAF award came as a surprise, more so that she also attended and performed at the award ceremony. "I will cherish it as one of the most selfless acts of humility I have experienced in life."

Onwenu was a native of Arondizuogu, Ideato North, Imo State, but grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The youngest of her father educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu, who died when she was four years old, a promising young woman in her set out with bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Communication at Wellesley College, Massachusets. She also had MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York.

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