Dr Ali Nuhu, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), says the late music icon, Onyeka Onwenu’s impact within Nollywood, shall continue to be referenced.
Nuhu, who described Onyeka’s passing as “a robbery”, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said her death has left the Nigerian movie industry in a state of mourning.
TRUTHNG reports that the legend passed on Tuesday after performing at the 80th birthday party of Stella Okolie, Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
He said her death was painful and saddening.
Nuhu said the late singer had contributed so much to the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy throughout her life time to the very day she passed
Nigerian music and film sectors have lost one of its finest, most dedicated, consummate and hardworking stakeholder.
“The Late Onwenu caught the fancy and interest of Nigerians and indeed Africans, especially youths and upcoming filmmakers through her humane.
The music icon thought provoking and deep moral lyrics of her music including her simplistic, yet elegance dispositions in promoting positive virtues for the female gender,” he said.
According to him, Onwenu’s role in contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment sector know no bounds.
He added that the music icon in the later days of her life, stuck to being the consummate and highly respected Nigerian music and film star, which the present generation and those yet to be born would reference.
“Late Onwenu and other colleagues who have passed on will continually to be in our hearts, because their footprints within the development of the Nigerian film industry will not be forgotten.
“Late Onwenu’s leading and supporting actress roles in many Nigerian films, and subsequently winning several awards including the African Movie Awards Academy for Best Actress “Widows Cot” in 2006 are remarkable.
”Her role in uplifting the professional acting competencies of filmmakers were remarkably impactful.
”It was on the strength of the above that the NFC nominated her as recipient of the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award of ZUMA International Film Festival on Dec. 8, 2023,” he added.
NFC boss further said that late Onwenu remained a refined patriotic Nigerian who shall be greatly missed.
“I commiserates with the immediate family, friends, associates, Nigerian film and other creative stakeholders on this sad occurrence, and prays that Almighty God grant her a peaceful rest, Amen”.
