Onyeka Onwenu
| Onyeka Onwenu | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Onyeka Onwenu January 31, 1952 Obosi |
| Occupation | Singer, Actress, Politician |
| Home town | Arondizuogu, Imo State |
| Partner(s) | Married |
Onyeka Onwenu (born 01 January 1952[1] ) is a foremost Nigerian performer with a string of successful, award-winning music albums and movies. In 2006, she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a supporting role.[2] Dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” by the Nigerian Press, this multi-talented Artiste is a Singer,Songwriter, Actress, Social Critic and Politician. She is a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.[3][4] She is currently the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.[5]
Background
Onwenu possess a B.A. in International Relations and Communication of the Wellesley College of Massachusetts, USA, and a Masters Degree in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research in New York. She worked for many years at the United Nations in New York before returning to Nigeria in 1980, where she completed the mandatory one-year National Service, at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), in Lagos. In under one year at the NTA, Onwenu made an impact as an articulate, incisive and fearless Television Reporter. In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary called “Nigeria, A Squandering of Riches”.[6] It became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil rich region of Nigeria.
Politics
Onyeka Onwenu has unsuccessfully pursued the dream of being Local Council Chairman(Mayor) of her native Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. She was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim. She has served on the board of the Nigeria Television Authority. On September 16, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan apppointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.[5]
Discography
Ms Onwenu began her music career in 1981 while still working with the Nigeria Television Authority. She has written some of the most memorable songs in Nigeria’s music history: “For the Love of You”, "In the Morning Light", "Endless Life", "One Love", "Dancing in the Sun", "Onyeka", "Greatest Love", "Let them say", "Wait for me", "Choices", "My Everything God" and “The Legend”. Onwenu continues to write and sing about issues as Health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women rights and the plight of children. Her latest effort titled “Inspiration for Change” focuses on the need for an attitudinal turn around in Nigeria.
She is into partnership with Paris-based La Cave Musik, headed by Nigerian cultural entrepreneur, Onyeka Nwelue and UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, headed by musicologist, David Evans-Uhegbu. La Cave Musik is set to release her collection titled, Rebirth of a Legend in November.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Not Your Wealth | ||
| Conspiracy | with Nkem Owoh | ||
| Chain Reaction | with Pete Edochie & Liz Benson | ||
| 2004 | Government House | ||
| 2005 | Women's Cot | with Joke Silva & Zack Orji - this film received 4 nominations and won 1 award at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2006[2] | |
| The Tyrant | with Pete Edochie | ||
| Rising Moon | |||
| Omalinze | Queen | with Stephanie Okereke | |
| Every Single Day | |||
| 2006 | Different World | with Ramsey Nouah | |
| 2007 | To Love an Angel | with Ramsey Nouah | |
| The Trinity | with Kanayo O. Kanayo | ||
References
- ↑ Makams, Ahman (2012-10-20). "Onyenka Onwenu: Queen Of African Pop Music". Leadership. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "AMAA 2006 - List of Winners". African Movie Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 5 December 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- ↑ "Charles O'tudor Fetes Onyeka Onwenu". AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
- ↑ Nwangwu, Onyinyechi. "NCAC Honours Onwenu, Samanja, Others". AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Onwenu bags FG apppointment". The Nation Newspapers. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
- ↑ "Nigeria,A Squandering of Riches". BBC/NTA. 1984. Retrieved 2013-09-21.