President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to Onyeka Onwenu, the ace Nigerian singer, who passed away on Tuesday.
The 72-year-old iconic singer was said to have slumped at the birthday party of Stella Okoli, the founder of Emzor pharmaceutical manufacturing company, in Lagos. She was confirmed dead at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos.
In a statement on Wednesday by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, Tinubu described Onwenu as a “versatile and extremely gifted artiste who applied herself to the whole gamut of artistic enterprise and expression, bringing joy and laughter to many”.
He also referred to the singer’s ‘One Love‘ as an “edifying and mellifluous rendition” which “evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony”.
The president commiserated with Onyeka’s family, Nollywood, and the government of Imo, her home state, and encouraged them to take solace in her legacy which he said will “live on in her immortal masterpieces”.
“President Bola Tinubu extends his profound condolences to the family of the late Ms. Onyeka Onwenu. Ms. Onwenu was a singer, songwriter, actor, journalist, activist, and politician,” the statement reads.
“President Tinubu mourns the passing of the Queen of Songs, whose edifying and mellifluous rendition, ‘One Love’, in the 1990s evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony.
“The President recalls the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting public good, noting her classic collaboration with King Sunny Ade on ‘Wait for Me’, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s.
“President Tinubu celebrates the life of the versatile and extremely gifted artiste who applied herself to the whole gamut of artistic enterprise and expression, bringing joy and laughter to many.
“The President condoles with the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.
“President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased artiste and that she finds a place yonder where the music never fades and where there is ‘Dancing in the Sun’. The President states that Ms. Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces.”
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late singer.
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