Veteran Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu has passed away at the age of [age] at Reddington Hospital in Lagos, following an incident at a birthday party for Mrs. Stella Okoli on Tuesday night.

In a poignant reflection from three years ago, Onwenu had expressed her wishes for how she would like to be remembered. The renowned artist, celebrated for her powerful voice and activism, had requested a simple and private farewell.

In a 2021 opinion piece for Premium Times, Onwenu wrote, “Do it quickly, quietly and privately.” She emphasized that her burial should avoid unnecessary fanfare, urging her loved ones to mourn, but not excessively. Instead, she preferred that they celebrate her life with prayers, light-hearted moments, and joy.

“Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh,” she wrote. “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.”

Onwenu also criticized the extravagant displays often seen at Nigerian funerals, contrasting her wishes with the opulent funeral of Obi Cubana’s mother, which had sparked widespread debate. She expressed discomfort with such displays, particularly during times of hardship, advocating instead for more modest and meaningful tributes.

Throughout her illustrious career, Onwenu made significant contributions to music, film, advocacy, journalism, and politics. She served as chair of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and was a judge on the X Factor series. Her legacy includes influential songs like ‘One Love’ and ‘You and I,’ and her autobiography, ‘My Father’s Daughter.’

Onwenu’s passing marks the end of an era for a multifaceted artist whose impact on Nigerian culture and beyond has been profound.