he legendary Nigerian musician Onyeka Onwenu, who departed on Tuesday, has received tributes from President Bola Tinubu.
It was said that the legendary singer, 72, passed out during Stella Okoli’s birthday celebration in Lagos. Stella Okoli is the founder of the Emzor pharmaceutical manufacturing company. At the Lagos Reddington Hospital, her death was formally declared.
Tinubu referred to Onwenu as a “versatile and extremely gifted artiste who applied herself to the whole gamut of artistic enterprise and expression, bringing joy and laughter to many” in a statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokeswoman Ajuri Ngelale.
Additionally, he called the singer’s rendition of “One Love” “edifying and mellifluous,” saying it “evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony.”
The president commiserated with Onyeka’s family, Nollywood, and the government of Imo, her home state, and encouraged them to take solace in her legacy which he said will “live on in her immortal masterpieces”.
“President Bola Tinubu extends his profound condolences to the family of the late Ms. Onyeka Onwenu. Ms. Onwenu was a singer, songwriter, actor, journalist, activist, and politician,” the statement reads.
“President Tinubu mourns the passing of the Queen of Songs, whose edifying and mellifluous rendition, ‘One Love’, in the 1990s evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony.
“The President recalls the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting public good, noting her classic collaboration with King Sunny Ade on ‘Wait for Me’, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s.
“President Tinubu celebrates the life of the versatile and extremely gifted artiste who applied herself to the whole gamut of artistic enterprise and expression, bringing joy and laughter to many.
“The President condoles with the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.
“President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased artiste and that she finds a place yonder where the music never fades and where there is ‘Dancing in the Sun’. The President states that Ms. Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late singer.
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