Born 17th May, 1952, respected as a living legend, referred to as the “Elegant Stallion” by the Nigerian press, Onyeka Onwenu is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress, human right activist, social activist, and journalist, politician, recording artist and X Factor series judge. She is from Arondizuogu, a small town in Ideato, North Local Government Area of Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
Education
Onwenu possess a BA in International Relations and Communication of the Wesley College of Massachusetts, USA, and a master’s degree in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research in New York. She worked for many years at the United Nations, New York office before returning to Nigeria in 1980 where she completed the mandatory one-year National Service with the National Television Authority (NTA). While at NTA, she made an impact as an articulate, incisive and fearless reporter.
Musical Career and Broadcasting
Onwenu began her music career in 1981 while still working in NTA. She released the album “For the Love of You”. She started out as a secular artist and after many years decided to sing religious inclined music, while also addressing societal and ethical issues such as health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women rights and the plight of children. Her latest collection titled, “Inspiration for Change,” focused on the need for an attitudinal change in Nigeria.
Onwenu has been in partnership with Paris-based La Cave Musik, headed by a Nigerian cultural entrepreneur, Onyeka Nwelue and a UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, headed by musicologist David Evans-Uhegbu. La Cave Musik is set to release her collection titled “Rebirth of a Legend.”
In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary called “Nigeria, A Squandering of Riches” which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil-rich region of Nigeria. She has also served on the board of the NTA.
In 2013, she was named as one of the three judges on the Nigerian version of The X Factor. In recognition of her contribution to music and arts in Nigeria, she has been celebrated by professionals like Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Laolu Akins, Charles O’Tudor, and former PMAN president Tony Okoroji among others in the arts industry in Nigeria.
Politics
Onyeka Onwenu delved into politics and contested twice to become the Local Council Chairman of her local government, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State; she lost at both attempts. She, however, was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by the then Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim. On 16 September 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development. She is currently the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.
Films and Filmography
Onyeka Onwenu has featured in numerous Nollywood movies. She won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2006. In 2014, She co-starred in the movie, Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton. Other movies she has acted in include: Not Your Wealth, Conspiracy, Chain Reaction, Government House, Women’s Cot (which received 4 nominations and won 1 award at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2006), The Tyrant and the Rising Moon. Others include Omalinze Queen, Every Single Day, Different World, To Love an Angel, The Trinity.
Source:
Wikipedia
Featured Image Source: Legit NG