Onyeka Onwenu, born on 17 May 1952 is a Nigerian Musician, songwriter and politician. She is a former Executive Director of the National Centre for Women Development. She has also served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture, and was once as a member of the National Television Authority Board.
The youngest daughter born to Politician D.K Onwenu, who died in an autocrash when Onyeka was only four years old. She grew up under the watch and tutelage of her mother. She studied abroad, bagging a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Communication at the Wellesley College of Massachusetts, USA, and a master's degree in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research in New York.
On her return to the country in 1980, she joined NTA as a National Youth Service Corp member and quickly caught the eye with her diligent and fearless journalism which arguably culminated in the presentation of an internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary in the year 1984 titled Nigeria, A Squandering of Riches which exposed the level of corruption eating into the fabric of the Nigerian society.
In the year 1981, Onyeka launched her music career and soon released her first album Endless Life in the year 1982, produced by Sunny Okosun. It was an instant success, and was followed up with The Morning Light released in 1984, One Love released in 1986, and Dancing In The Sun released in 1988.
Nicknamed the The Elegant Stallion, Onyeka stands out as the only musician to have crossed Pop with Juju music and Highlife, seamlessly combining English and local languages to deliver lovely music. Her songs are usually developmental, often having religious tones, tackling social issues as well as advocating unity and cultural cohabitation. One of her greatest singles, One Love, is an example of this.
Onyeka has also featured in movies such as Conspiracy (1999), Different World (2006), and most recently, Half of a Yellow Sun which features Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton. The woman of many sides is an active politician, belonging to People's Democratic Party. She contested for the post of Chairman of her Local Government in Imo State on two ocassions but lost both times. She however got appointed by the Governor of the state, as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. She is a former Executive Director/chief executive officer of the National Centre for Women Development, having been appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan.
In recognition of her immense contribution to the society, Ms. Onwenu has won numerous awards. She was bestowed with the “Nigerian Woman of Distinction” Award, at the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration in 2010. Onyeka Onwenu is also a recipient of the National Award – MFR (Member of the Federal Republic), given to her in 2003 by the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo as well as a National Council for Arts and Culture Awards, in recognition of her contributions to the field of Music and Cultural Administration in 2009.
1 Iyogogo
2 Odenigbo
3 African Woman (Izunwanne)
4 Chibuzor
5 Mama Peace
6 Living Music
7 One Love
8 Ochie Dike (Mama) [With Phyno]
9 You and I
10 Alleluya
11 Egwu Ekene
12 Turmi
13 My World
14 Renewed
15 Mama Africa
16 Bia Nulu
17 I'm The One
18 Help
19 Forever
20 Gbemi Leke
21 Dancing in the Sun
22 Keredim
23 Odenigbo
24 Ogo
25 Oh Brother
26 In The Morning Light
27 Greatest Love
28 Falling in Love
29 Change
30 My Everything God
31 How Do I
32 Onye Bu Nwanne
33 Peace Song
34 Nso Nso
35 One Nation
36 Gaba Niru
37 Ko Si
38 Just Because
39 I Am Blessed
40 Oh Woman
41 Haleluyah
42 My Fathers Child
43 Renewed II
44 Wait for me [With Sunny Ade]
45 Holy, Holy
46 Ekwe
47 Sodom and Gomorrah
48 Where Have You Been
49 I'm On To You
50 Hold Me Tight
