One Year After, Onyeka Onwenu’s Son Honours Her Memory with Simple, Yet Stirring Tribute
Twelve months after the world bid farewell to Nigeria’s beloved music and film icon, Onyeka Onwenu, her son Tijani Onwenu has paid a quiet but powerful tribute to mark the first anniversary of her passing.
In a brief message posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Tijani wrote, “A year ago, today. RIP mom. July 30, 2024,” capturing the grief and reverence that still surround her memory.
Onyeka Onwenu, fondly known as the “Elegant Stallion,” passed away unexpectedly shortly after delivering a widely praised performance at the birthday celebration of pharmaceutical magnate, Mrs. Stella Okoli. She was rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, where doctors battled to save her, but she sadly passed that same night.
In the statement issued by her children at the time, they recounted her final moments and celebrated her as “an icon and legend” whose influence spanned generations through music, cinema, and humanitarian efforts. “She is greatly loved and missed,” the family had said.
Onwenu’s legacy is deeply etched in Nigeria’s cultural history. With classic albums like In The Morning Light and Dancing In The Sun, and standout acting roles in acclaimed films such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Lionheart, her contributions to the arts remain influential and enduring.
As fans and loved ones reflect on her one-year memorial, her son’s quiet words echo what millions still feel — a profound absence, and a lasting admiration.
