Nigeria will never have another Onyeka Onwenu – Tony Okoroji
“Onyeka Onwenu was an incredibly talented Nigerian woman in many ways
Reacting to news of Onwenu’s death, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has said that he is deeply shocked and completely devastated at the news of the death of iconic singer, Onyeka Onwenu.
Said Okoroji, “This is shocking beyond words. Despite our differences in recent times, everyone knows that Onyeka was my dear friend and worked very closely with me in promoting the Nigerian music industry. She was my Vice President while I was President of PMAN. She served on my Board at the period I was Chairman of Performing & Mechanical Rights Society (PMRS). Onyeka also served on the Board of COSON with me as Chairman.
“Many will recall the week-long wall-to-wall events celebrating 25 years of Onyeka Onwenu on stage, themed “All for Onyeka”, which I conceived, personally funded and produced with my friend, Patrick Doyle. It was one of the most cherished set of events in my life”
“Onyeka Onwenu was an incredibly talented Nigerian woman in many ways. Her passion for excellence remains unequalled. I have just written a tribute on the excellent biography of Ken Calebs-Olumese, the Niteshift Guv’nor who just celebrated his 80th birthday. In the tribute, I mentioned Onyeka Onwenu, not knowing that while I was writing, my friend was in a battle for her life”
Chief Okoroji was emphatic that Nigeria will have other successful female singers but Nigeria will never have another Onyeka Onwenu. With a sigh, the COSON Chairman said, “the Nigerian creative family has lost a colossus. The Nigerian nation has lost an icon. Sad… sad … sad”.
