By Kirsten Okenwa
Ever met an individual who never set out to improve your life but somehow, the universe set things in motion to bring the two of you together and the greater unknowingly uplifts the younger? That was Ms. Onwenu and I.
I grew up with parents who loved music of all genres, across continents. We would listen to greats like Mozart, Beethoven, and argue over Frédéric Chopin’s chords. We would wail with Tina Tuner, Peter Tosh, and in the evenings in our living room, we would enjoy the melodies of Nana Mouskouri, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, U2, Bruce Springsteen. My mother always had Onyeka Onwenu’s music playing when we got back from primary school. I was enchanted by her vocals and passion. My younger sister and I will perform Onyeka’s songs with our tiny voices and through practicing with Onyeka’s music, I gave my first solo at nine in a gathering of over 800 adults. I often imagined what it would be like to meet her in person. When she came to Kano to perform in the early nineties where my family was living at the time, I was green with envy because my sisters got to watch her perform live while I was in boarding school.
As the universe ordained it, I met Ms. Onwenu in person four years later and ended up being a backup singer and dancer for her. Onyeka was as I imagined her to be: larger than life with that incredible charisma that can never be faked. She walked and charmed like a queen and intentionally mentored young people. In a space of three years, I watched her train young singers in our Ilupeju -Lagos community. Ms. Onwenu will walk into our music group venue every weekend and watch us train and rehearse. She had that special way of pulling out the best in you. Imagine what it felt like as a young singer when one summer season, we had the luxury of having the great Steve Rhodes and Onyeka Onwenu train about 100 of us in music. Weekend after weekend, we would rehearse for hours, and learn the intricacies of music. Never have I seen such generosity of spirit. Many in our group went on to become great in their own right either in music or elsewhere. The singer Bankole Wellington aka Banky W, actor Femi Jacobs, were in this group.
Onyeka was an incredible musician. She didn’t just sing. She knew music. She talked it, walked it, shared it. We basked in the light of her genius.
The first time I gave a solo as a young adult, I was full of nerves but as the music flowed through me, I gave it my best. When my song ended to a thunderous applause and I looked to my left, there was Onyeka jumping up from her seat and clapping for me. I can never forget the pleasure on her face. She was wearing a classy long-sleeved white shirt and blue jeans which happens to be my favorite dress in a man or woman.
After that performance, I was chosen to be a backup singer for Ms. Onwenu in the production of her Greatest Love album. We would go on to sing together with our music group for many seasons.
I have since performed in many auditoriums across Nigeria as a soloist or in a group. Though I haven’t sang in eons, it is with deep humility that I acknowledge the role of Ms. Onyeka Onwenu in helping me fulfill my purpose at that time of my life.
It is an incredible honour to work with someone so talented, strong and giving. It was certainly one of the highlights of my life to have sung and shared the stage on several occasions with such a wonderful woman.
Ma’am,
the way you were
the expression of grace,
the spotlight of dignity,
a walking symphony.
You charmed youth
and old alike.
We watched you glide like life was a dance floor.
We were enraptured
in your melodies.
You were a girl’s girl,
a woman’s woman. Compassionate, helper, mentor.
A fashion icon,
yet for me, it was the way you rocked a white shirt and blue jeans.
Ma’am,
You were the epitome of talent, originality, energy, precision, passion.
A trailblazer, transformer, an icon.
One of a kind, bold, courageous, an overcomer, a winner, a daughter of Zion.
You have surely earned your rest and peace.
Shine in the kingdom of lights, forevermore.
Kirsten Okenwa is a writer and Industrial Chemist. She has over 20 years work in the nonprofit sector. Kirsten is fervent about food systems and agriculture.
