Artist

Onyeka Onwenu

Afropop · Gospel

Onyeka Onwenu, known as the "Elegant Stallion", was a Nigerian singer, actress, journalist and public servant. She was born on 31 January 1952 to Igbo parents…

Occupation

Singer, Actress, Journalist, Politician

Born

31 January 1952 (died 30 July 2024, aged 72)

Country

Nigeria

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Biography

Onyeka Onwenu, known as the “Elegant Stallion”, was a Nigerian singer, actress, journalist and public servant. She was born on 31 January 1952 to Igbo parents from Arondizuogu in Imo State and grew up in Port Harcourt. She studied at Wellesley College and The New School in New York.

She worked as a newsreader at the Nigerian Television Authority and in 1984 wrote and presented the BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches. Her music career began in 1981 with the album For the Love of You, and her songs, including “One Love”, tackled HIV/AIDS, peace and women’s rights. She later moved to gospel and judged X Factor.

She chaired the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and in 2013 became Director General of the National Centre for Women Development. She died on 30 July 2024.

Afropop Gospel