It’s 10pm (EST), watching MSNBC News, and enjoying how politics in this campaign season is playing out in America, and decided to look at my phone briefly. I scrolled down and saw what I thought to myself must be untrue. So, I briskly, and out of fear, looked away and gave my phone to a friend to read what I just saw to confirm if what I couldn’t spare less than a second to look at was true. I closed my eyes tightly and painfully listened to her read word for word what I hoped I did not see, and my worst fear was confirmed. Onyeka Onwenu had passed on!
I kept saying “oh No..No!!” repeatedly, how could she just pass on? At her friend’s celebration after a graceful show of her dynamic performance? For a minute or two, I didn’t wish to be in her friend’s shoes, because it means that each year her birthday comes, it shall be with mixed feelings. I felt sorry for her, how was the celebrant going to live with this memory?
I switched back to remembering the icon called Onyeka Onwenu and how her life has been based on the story of a woman, who lived, talked and wished for peace, love and unity. It was the core of her music. I later spoke on the phone with my friend Owen Omogiafo, President/Group CEO of Transnational Corporation Plc, and we both reflected on how her music had impacted us from way back. She couldn’t help but express her love for her song ‘Wait for me’ with Sunny Ade. Infact I saw a video where she was dancing to the song with Onyeka. We both agreed that music has really changed, especially the depth of lyrics, and that words are powerful, and interestingly, Onyeka Onwenu knew how to use them and use them well.
Read also: Onyeka Onwenu became “an exact wo(man)” before leaving this plane
For me, it was ‘Greatest love’. I almost sang life out of that song. Released in 1984, it was her album, Golden Songs Vol.2. Though it was released in the 80s, singing it in the 90s was so refreshing. I was a member of the choir and it was indeed a go-to song for me. I connected deeply with the song because it begins from the very beginning, waking up in the morning. It starts with “I woke up one morning…” and continues with the reality of the situation anyone could be in. A situation of uncertainty, searching for a love that couldn’t be found, but Onyeka further proffers a solution by introducing God, who she says is the greatest love of all. Read the lyrics and get a better picture.
I woke up one morning
Feeling life has passed me by
I knew I was hungry for a love I could not find
All you lonely people
All you sinners lost out there
Let me tell you about the greatest love of all
I know that He loves me
Even when I go astray
He gives me much courage
When trouble comes my way
Even though I may fall
He wipes away my tears
Yes I know I’ve found the greatest love of all
Greatest love
I’ve found in Him
Greatest love
He gives to me
The living water
That quenches all my thirst
I know, I know I’ve found the greatest love of all
It gives me such pleasure just to tell who He is
He is my Lover and He’s always by my side
His love has no measure, on this I can rely
He’s my rock and I’ve found the greatest love of all
His name is Jesus
And He died that you may live
Oh what shame, what pain
He endured for you and me
But I rest in this assurance
He paid full with His blood
That I’ve found the greatest love of all, ooh
Greatest love
I’ve found in Him
Greatest love
He gives to me
The Living Water
That quenches all my thirst
I know I’ve found the greatest love of all!!
The emotion that comes with that song rushes through me till date. The lyrics, I can recite even in my sleep…yes! It was, no, I take that back, it is (not was) that impactful.
There is no song sung by Onyeka that doesn’t hit you a certain way. If you want to dance, you have “ekwe”, “Bia nulu”, “Iyogogo”, “Dancing in the sun”, and more. If it is about love and God, there is, again, “Greatest love”, and also “You and I”, “My everything God”, “I go follow Jesus” “Alleluya” to mention a few.
Then if you wanted to be mischievous and “show” someone you are not to be messed with, the line in her ekwe song: “Onye ife m na ewe iwe ya biko wegbuo ya! Osukosu nwa nkpi ya biko sugbuo ya, selense” was the go-to song, and it was often followed with a clap that aligned with the rhythm of the song. Much playful drama came with this song. From friends to friends, wife to husband…name it. I will allow you to check for the meaning yourself so you get a clearer picture of why it was used as a “warning” to anyone who intends that trouble looms.
As a peace promoter, her songs like “One love”, “One nation” are evergreen. “Wait For Me” remains a classic. It centred on family planning, and was even endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) who used it as public service announcements on the importance of family planning.
The memories of Onyeka Onwenu are many and we indeed have so much to reflect on in her catalogue of life, love, experiences and passion for societal change and nation building.
Dear elegant and graceful one, your captivating voice carried melodies that stirred souls. You were ( I just paused here…I can’t believe I just referred to you in past tense)a relentless pursuer of peace, a visionary builder of nations and your life’s tireless work advocating unity took such a heavy toll.
Dubbed the “elegant stallion” with unparalleled poise and charm, I watched in awe as you graced stages worldwide as a celebrated singer-songwriter and star. A trailblazing journalist unafraid to challenge the norm, a treasured TV host whose warmth, wisdom and wit were revered from afar, an outstanding actress that showed her expertise in every script she was given, an impassioned activist for justice, a voice for the voiceless, you championed change with unwavering passion and conviction. Now, gone is the presence of one whose songs so beautifully uplifted me, yet your indelible legacy lives on, a true national treasure.
I will mourn your passing, but also celebrate your boundless gifts, the indelible mark you’ve left on hearts and minds so vast. A titan among women, an exemplar for all to humbly follow. Your bright, transformative spirit endures – a luminous light that will last.
Though you will be missed, please rest in eternal peace!
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