Onyeka Onwenu outlines preferences for her burial three years ago
The famous Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu popularly called ‘Elegant Stallion’ who died on Tuesday night at the age of 72 after collapsing following a performance at the 80th birthday party of Stella Okolie, Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, had three years ago outlined her preferences for her own burial.
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that in an article she wrote then, Onwenu who sang the popular melodious music, ‘One Love’ discussed her wishes for her remembrance and burial after the lavish burial of famous businessman Obi Cubana’s mother, Uche Iyiegbu, held on July 16, 2021.
The iconic musician, veteran broadcast journalist and actress in the article, said she had given her family instructions on how to bury her when her time comes, adding that this should be done quickly, quietly and privately.
Penpushing further reports that Onwenu added that her burial should be celebrated with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards and they should share some jokes about he and laugh, thereafter go about their businesses
“I told a friend just days before the most outrageous burial of Innyom Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu in Oba, Anambra State, in July that I had given my family instructions on how to bury me when my time comes’, she wrote.
‘Do it quickly, quietly and privately. Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Mourn, yes, but not excessively. 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 added
‘The point I make here is that there are different strokes for different folks, even within a family. I do not condemn anyone for how they mourn, with their hard-earned money, but I am very uncomfortable with lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others”, Onwenu emphasised
Penpushing also reports that the celebrated singer was born in 1952 in Anambra State, she began her recording career in 1981 while working for the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and released her debut album ‘Endless Life’ that same year.
The deceased throughout her life, wrote and sang about various issues, including HIV/AIDS, peace, mutual coexistence, women’s rights, and the plight of children, and equally made her acting debut in the film ‘Nightmare’, portraying Joke, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby.
Penpushing reports that Onwenu went on to appear in numerous movies and in 2000 took a stand against her former employer, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), for using her song ‘Iyogogo’ in station idents without permission or royalty payments
The late Nigerian music idol was in 2011, awarded the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and was a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and later became Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development in 2016 before her death which was confirmed at Reddington Hospital, Lagos
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