Bury Me Quickly, Quietly, Privately – Onyeka Onwenu Words Recall

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Nigerian music activist, Onyeka Onwenu who reportedly died after she slumped at a birthday party in Lagos State on Tuesday night, had in an interview with Primium Times in 2021, explained how she wants to be buried.

Onyeka Onwenu reportedly passed on after her performance at Stella Chinyelu Okoli’s 80th birthday bash shortly after which she slumped and died at the Hospital.

Details of the 2021 interview she had with Primum Times in 2021 is reported excerpt as captured by Punch Newspaper: “In a reflection shared three years ago, veteran Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu revealed her wishes for how she would like to be remembered and buried.

“Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” Onwenu wrote in an opinion piece on Premium Times in 2021, emphasising that her burial should be devoid of unnecessary fanfare.

She urged her loved ones to “mourn, yes but not excessively,” and to instead focus on celebrating her life with prayers and light-hearted moments.

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

“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 said.

In her statement, Onwenu also touched on broader cultural practices, condemning the lavish display of wealth often seen at Nigerian burials.

She contrasted her own wishes with the extravagant funeral of Obi Cubana’s mother, which sparked widespread debate across the country.

“I am very uncomfortable with the lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others,” she remarked, calling for more modest and meaningful ways to honour the deceased.

Onwenu has had a multifaceted career, working in music, film, advocacy, journalism and politics.

She has held various roles, including chairing the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and judging on the X Factor series.

Her music and writings have been widely recognised, with notable songs including ‘One Love’ and ‘You and I’. She is also the author of the book ‘My Father’s Daughter,’ an autobiography”.

We had earlier reported that one of the notable Nigerian writers and music icons that have played a vital role in the advancement of the country, Onyeka Onwenu has been reported dead after she slumped at a friend’s birthday party on Tuesday night in Lagos State.

The Legendary Nigerian singer, writer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu reportedly died at the age of 72.

She was said to have died on Tuesday night at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after slumping at the birthday party of Mrs Stella Okoli.

TheNiche news media according to Punch Newspaper, reported that an eyewitness who was at the party confirmed the news.

“It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs Stella Okoli today (Tuesday, July 30, 2024), and after performing, she slumped.

However, the deceased’s family has yet to announce her death as of press time.

Onwenu will be remembered for her music albums such as “In The Morning Light” and “Dancing In The Sun”.

She also featured in the Half of a Yellow Sun and Lions Heart, among others.”

Reno Omokri, former presidential spokesperson on New media in a message few hours ago said: “I am heartbroken at the news of the death of veteran singer, broadcaster, and actress, Onyeka Onwenu, at 72.

I knew her, and we bonded over my love for her music, which added value to my early years. It was one of the greatest honours of my life to collaborate with her and Panam Percy Paul on a charity single I executive(ly) produced.

She was called the Elegant Stallion for a reason. And the reason is that she elevated music and artistry with her natural charm and stage presence.

Onyeka Onwenu was a great asset to Nigeria and a significant star on the African continent and beyond. She will be greatly missed. May her soul rest in peace!

Onyeka Onwenu: January 31, 1952-July 31, 2024: Gone but never to be forgotten”.

Koiki Media in a Facebook post also said: “Onyeka Onwenu 1984 documentary of Nigeria will help you to understand that Nigeria has been bad from time immemorial and cannot be fixed”.

All Movie Gist said: “Onyeka Onwenu was a multi-talented star whose legacy will forever shine in Nollywood and the music industry.

Her unforgettable roles in films like Women’s Cot, Rising Moon, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Lionheart are just a few examples of her incredible talent and contributions to the industry.

Additionally, her music touched many hearts, blending soulful melodies with meaningful lyrics.

She will always be remembered for her vibrant spirit, immense talent, and the beautiful songs she gifted us. Rest in peace, Onyeka. Your legacy lives on”.

Onyeka Onwenu, born on May 31, 1952, had a career that spanned over four decades. She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter but also an actress, journalist, and politician. Her first album with Polygram, In The Morning Light, was released in 1984.

Some of her most popular songs include “One Love,” “Iyogogo,” and “Ekwe.”

Simon Ekpa Reacts After BDF Kills 4 Policemen In Imo, Takeaway Case Files

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Prime Minister of Biafra Government In Exile, Simon Ekpa has made series of tweets since the commercement of the four days sit-at-home declared by his group which started on Monday most especially the killing of four policemen by the secessionist armed group of Biafra Defence Forces, BDF in Imo State.

The Group in a video posted on X social media platform by Simon Ekpa, claimed responsibility for the Monday evening attack on Police check point in Owerri area of Imo State, which led to the killing of four policemen and a point of sales, POS operator.

The group in the video displayed the guns recovered from the policemen which included 3 AK-47 riffles and another gun.

In the video, the group showcased files of cases the police team were handling as at the time of the attack.

The group who spoke in Igbo language as interpreted, said, the attack was the commencement of the four days sit-at-home.

Simon Ekpa identified the group as the Owerri Command of the Biafra Defence Forces, BDF.

In series of tweets during the week, Simon Ekpa stated as reported in quote thus: “The people neutralised in Owerri were terrorists. We call on the Nigeria media to stop addressing terrorists Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force etc as soldiers, police and air force personnel.

The people that kill and maim innocent and unarmed civilians are not to be addressed like officers.

They are none of those names, address them as terrorists they are. Those neutralised in Owerri were terrorists who killed innocent Biafran lady during fierce battle with Biafra forces. They are good in killing unarmed Biafrans. We call on Nigeria to withdraw these terrorists from Biafra territory.

The Biafra Defence Forces Owerri Command has recovered weapons from the terrorists after neutralising them in numbers.

Withdrawal of all the Nigeria terrorists from Biafraland is the demand and we approach declaration in December.
If you think you will continue to use force and terrorism tactics to force us to remain in the union, this will continue to be your faith in Biafraland.

We have absolutely no business with terrorists! If you come to kill us, we will kill you first! We have no mercy for the Nigerian terrorists because we’re on a revenge mission to avenge the death of over 5 million Biafrans killed! When we catch you, we shall have no forgiveness, no sympathy, and no pity!

The Biafra Defense Forces, under the command of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, have no remorse for the neutralization of terrorists in Biafran territory.

So, you better steer clear!  The terrorists are falling and kissing dust in Biafra, Nigeria must withdraw all its terrorists from Biafraland. We are now resisting your killing.

I am happy that you terrorists Nigerian Army has realised you can’t defeat the people of God and the army of God, the Biafra Liberation Army. You will all go down in Biafra land.

What is the scores today in former Imo state, former Abia state, former Enugu etc? We will continue to roast your terrorists field fighters”, Simon Ekpa said.

It would be recalled that the Biafra Defence Forces on Monday evening killed four police officers on a stop-and-search checkpoint along the Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo state.

An eyewitness who claimed to be a resident of Irete in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state told Punch Metro on the condition of anonymity that fear couldn’t allow him and others to ascertain how many civilians were also shot.

He said as reported by Punch Newspaper, “The gunmen stormed one of the popular hotels where the police checkpoint was mounted at Irete around 6:30pm and shot at the four policemen on a stop-and-search duty, including a Point of Sale operator.

“They also shot dead a female Point Of Sale operator and some pedestrians who were taken unawares and rushed to a nearby hospital. It was horrific. All the people around ran away for fear of being hit by stray bullets.

“This road has become a soft spot for them. Last time, they also shot dead several policemen on duty and civilians.

“Government should beef up security in this area to forestall further occurrences”.

Ismail Haniyeh Killed In Tehran Ahead Presidential Inauguration

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Top Hamas political leader who left the Palestinian Gaza Strip since 2019 to exile in Qatar, Ismail Haniyeh has been confirmed killed through airborne projectile at night of Tuesday early morning at a military residential building in Tehran, the capital of Iran ahead of the presidential inauguration he visited the country to attend.

The Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh   was killed according to a statement from the group that governs Gaza, which blamed Israel for his death.

Haniyeh was also said to have been killed in his home in Tehran after participating in the inauguration of the new Iranian president, according to Hamas.

“The death of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader, in Iran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the beloved Palestine and the resistance,” an Iranian state spokesperson said.

“The pure blood of Martyr Haniyeh will never be wasted,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said, according to Iranian state media.

Adding that Iranian authorities are currently investigating the assassination as no group has claimed responsiblity for the attack.

However, Kanaani praised Haniyeh for spending his life in the “honorable struggle against the usurping Zionist regime” and for seeking the “the liberation of the oppressed Palestinian nation.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in its statement of confirmation, said, Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were “assassinated” in the capital Tehran.

It was gathered that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed after the building where they were staying was struck, according to the statement issued by the group governing Gaza.

The group said that Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns to our great Palestinian people, to the Arab and Islamic nation, and to all the free people of the world: brother, leader, martyr, Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, who was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran,” Hamas said on Wednesday early morning.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also announced Haniyeh’s death.

“Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his bodyguards’ martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” the IRGC said in a statement, adding that the attack was under investigation.

According to media reports, the Hamas leader was killed when an “airborne guided projectile” hit a special residence for military veterans in the north of Tehran, at which he was staying, at about 2am (22:30 GMT on Tuesday, according to Al-Jazeera.

Israel has not issued any statement concerning the attack with Al-Jazeera citing media outlets in Israel reporting that the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered cabinet ministers not to comment.

Far-right Heritage Minister, Amichai Eliyahu, however, made a statement about the Hamas leader’s death on social media platform X.

The killing “makes the world a little better,” he wrote in Hebrew as translated and reported by Al-Jazeera.

It would be recalled that Israel launched a retaliatory war on Gaza, vowing to eliminate Hamas and kill its leaders after the group attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 others captive.

Report had indicated that about 39,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war, with 90,996 injured.

“Palestinians across Gaza and the West Bank also view Ismail Haniyeh as a moderate leader who is much more pragmatic compared to other leaders who head the military side of the movement,” Al-Jazeera reported.

Adding, “He is very popular here(Gaza). He grew up in a refugee camp. He represents the vast majority of the people who are the descendants of the refugee families who were displaced from the Palestinian territories in 1948.”

There are concerns by many that Haniyeh’s killing could  lead to a further escalation of the conflict in the Middle east.

Tensions were already high after Israel said it targeted a senior Hezbollah commander in a “precision strike” on Beirut on Tuesday.

“This is a huge escalation – what happened yesterday in Lebanon, what’s happening today in Tehran. It’s an escalation by [Israel] and that’s going to have significant ramifications,” Sami al-Arian, the director of the Center for Islam and Global Affairs at Istanbul Zaim University, told Al-Jazeera.

Unconfirmed Report Indicates Onyeka Onwenu Dies After Slump At Birthday Party

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One of the notable Nigerian writers and music icons that have played a vital role in the advancement of the country, Onyeka Onwenu has been reported dead after she slumped at a friend’s birthday party on Tuesday night in Lagos State.

The Legendary Nigerian singer, writer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu reportedly died at the age of 72.

She was said to have died on Tuesday night at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after slumping at the birthday party of Mrs Stella Okoli.

TheNiche news media according to Punch Newspaper, reported that an eyewitness who was at the party confirmed the news.

“It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday of Mrs Stella Okoli today (Tuesday, July 30, 2024), and after performing, she slumped.

However, the deceased’s family has yet to announce her death as of press time.

Onwenu will be remembered for her music albums such as “In The Morning Light” and “Dancing In The Sun”.

She also featured in the Half of a Yellow Sun and Lions Heart, among others.”

Reno Omokri, former presidential spokesperson on New media in a message few hours ago said: “I am heartbroken at the news of the death of veteran singer, broadcaster, and actress, Onyeka Onwenu, at 72.

I knew her, and we bonded over my love for her music, which added value to my early years. It was one of the greatest honours of my life to collaborate with her and Panam Percy Paul on a charity single I executive(ly) produced.

She was called the Elegant Stallion for a reason. And the reason is that she elevated music and artistry with her natural charm and stage presence.

Onyeka Onwenu was a great asset to Nigeria and a significant star on the African continent and beyond. She will be greatly missed. May her soul rest in peace!

Onyeka Onwenu: January 31, 1952-July 31, 2024: Gone but never to be forgotten”.

Koiki Media in a Facebook post also said: “Onyeka Onwenu 1984 documentary of Nigeria will help you to understand that Nigeria has been bad from time immemorial and cannot be fixed”.

All Movie Gist said: “Onyeka Onwenu was a multi-talented star whose legacy will forever shine in Nollywood and the music industry.

Her unforgettable roles in films like Women’s Cot, Rising Moon, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Lionheart are just a few examples of her incredible talent and contributions to the industry.

Additionally, her music touched many hearts, blending soulful melodies with meaningful lyrics.

She will always be remembered for her vibrant spirit, immense talent, and the beautiful songs she gifted us. Rest in peace, Onyeka. Your legacy lives on”.

Onyeka Onwenu, born on May 31, 1952, had a career that spanned over four decades. She was not only a renowned singer and songwriter but also an actress, journalist, and politician. Her first album with Polygram, In The Morning Light, was released in 1984.

Some of her most popular songs include “One Love,” “Iyogogo,” and “Ekwe.”