Shocking Things You Don’t Know About ONYEKA ONWENU

• What LAGOS Publisher, AZU ARINZE Told City People

Few days ago, the nation, woke up to the rude shock of the passing of possibly Naija’s most gifted songstress ever, Onyeka Onwenu. For many reasons, her death left many who knew her reeling in grief and profound pain. This is not just because she left in the manner that she did, but more because Onyeka Onwenu was truly a special human being and, if truth be told,  there can never be another like the Elegant Stallion. She was a consummate musician. She was an irrepressible activist. She was a damn good writer. A prolific actor. A patriot who gave all she could through her craft to advocate for a united Nigeria. She was a performer. It is only befitting that an Enigma like Onyeka Onwenu would give us one last song, one last performance, before she bade us all good night.

Even as the nation is embroiled in protests and national unrest, the death of Onyeka is still very much talked about. People are still grieving. Many still can’t believe this music Icon is actually gone. One of those yet to come to terms with the reality of Onyeka’s death is her good friend whom she loved dearly like a brother, top journalist and Publisher, Azu Arinze.

Azu Arinze and late Onyeka Onwenu were very close. Azu first came in contact with her decades ago when he was a young reporter with the long rested FAME weekly magazine. He had gone to interview Onyeka who was a super star at the time, enjoying all the perks that came with her well deserved stardom. The interview went well and the ‘One Love’ crooner was thoroughly impressed with the brilliance and professionalism of the young Azu. And from that moment on, she took him like her own kid brother, supported his journalistic career all the way and never left his side for a moment till he reached the pinnacle of his profession. So fond of Azu was Onyeka that she performed free of charge at his wedding years ago at a time when she was one of the highest paid artistes in the land.

Understandably, Azu is badly hit by the demise of a woman who loved him and his family in a way he has not been able to comprehend. She was perhaps his biggest cheerleader. And a dependable ally. Only very few have supported his growth and contributed to his success story as a journalist the way Onyeka did. No doubt, the unbreakable bond between them and the exceptional affection Onyeka showered on him will certainly live with Azu for the rest of his days…

City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290), had an exclusive chat with Azu Arinze two days after the death of his beloved big aunty, Onyeka Onwenu. He was still badly shaken by her passing at the time we requested to speak with him, he was only gracious enough to grant the interview, pulled himself together and spoke about the woman who, in his book, remains possibly the most incredible woman he has ever known.

Once again my condolences on the passing of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished musicians, and of course one of your own biggest cheerleaders as well, someone who has supported you through the years. How did you take the news of her passing, how did it first hit you?

Well, I had attended an event on Monday, then from there we went to hang out with some friends, so when I came back around 10 or thereabout, I was tired and went straight to bed.

Around 3am, when I went to ease myself, I noticed that I had over twenty missed calls, from friends and colleagues. I thought it was too early to return the calls, but I just sensed that something was wrong. I waited till around 5:30 am – 6:00am to return the calls, I started with those who are the closest to me, it was in the course of doing that I discovered what had happened.

I couldn’t leave my house throughout yesterday, I spent the whole day in bed, I couldn’t do anything, I must confess that I eventually ate but it was very late. I was very demoralized.

You know Aunty Onyeka and I have come a long way, even my eldest child who happens to be her god-daughter just came back from school (university students happen to be on vacation now). I remember having to wait till after our morning prayers to break the sad news. My wife broke down, my daughter froze, she was on one spot for seconds. Even this morning as soon as one of her sons came on air, she (my daughter)  started crying. We just had to comfort her.

The whole of yesterday, I was just going through some of the messages we exchanged on Whatsapp, particularly the last ones. I’ve also spent time trying to extract some of the photographs we took from our system, because when she was alive she attended nearly all my events,m  I think she missed just one. She attended birthdays, book presentations, anniversaries, all of them.

She gave me so much love, she was always there for me. I don’t even know where to start from. To think that I won’t see her again…it’s still hard to accept that I won’t get any opportunity to let her know how much I loved her, and still love her. It’s really sad. I pray the Lord welcomes her in his paradise, she was a born again Christian so I have no doubt about that. Maybe as we’re crying here, she’ll be singing with the angels in heaven.

Can you recall your very first point of contact with her? I’m sure that must have been a while back.

Yes, I can.

The first time I met her, I was with Fame Weekly (magazine) then, and she has always been my idol. So we were having an editorial meeting, and I had suggested her name as my story idea for the week. I remember Mr. Femi Akintunde Johnson said to me that she took us (Fame Magazine) to court over a story that they wrote that she didn’t like, but they said they didn’t want to discourage me and I could try to speak with her. So I went. Immediately I got to her office and introduced myself as having come from Fame, you know I was a very small boy then, she said to me, “didn’t your boss tell you that I took them to court?”I said they did. She eventually consented to the interview, we had the interview and when I got back to the office I discovered that the tape malfunctioned, so it didn’t record, and because they’ve always said Onyeka is a tough woman, I didn’t know how to face her, so I wrote her a letter, sent it to her office, dropped it with her secretary and took off. Before I got to the bus stop (I didn’t have a car, then), she asked her secretary to run after me. Her secretary caught up with me and said madam said I should come back, so I went back. I asked if she had gone through the letter, and she said yes, that we could have the interview there and then, and when it came out she liked it, after then we became friends.

We had this big sister and little brother relationship, because she used to call me “my little brother”. At some point, she was disturbing me to get married, and on one occasion she told me that once I get married, she’ll perform for me free of charge, so when my wedding was held in August 2005, she performed for me free of charge.

I mean, where do I even start from? After my book presentation, she saw my daughter, who is her god-daughter, and got to find out that she’s now in the university, so two months before she died, she said she needed to send her some money, that I should tell my daughter to send her account details. She sent her some money, and sent to her younger sister too.

Then, after some time, I think she now said “you’re a big man now, let me send you some money, too”, she sent me some money, and even asked that my wife should send her account details too. I didn’t know she was doing a send forth for us.  It’s not like she hasn’t given me money before, she has, and when things come up , she’ll say “I have a journalist that can handle it”, and she’ll call me. I’ll really miss her, the good things she did are all over my family and me, and we can never forget.

You clearly are someone who can say, yes you knew her pretty well. What are some of those things that a lot of people do not know about her beyond the glitz and glamour that we saw of her? Who can you say is the Onyeka Onwenu that many of us didn’t quite get to know?

Well, a lot of people think she’s tough, but you’ll see that she’s a very soft woman, if you relate closely with her . I’ve seen her cry, I’ve seen her happy. She was a very fantastic person, she was  principled, she didn’t take nonsense from anybody, she hated to be disrespected. She was creative and multi-talented.

A lot of people are just talking about Onyeka the Singer, but nobody is really talking about Onyeka the rugged politician, the solid business woman, the fantastic writer, I don’t know whether you read her book (My Father’s Daughter), it’s one of the best books I’ve read.

People aren’t even talking about Onyeka the activist, she didn’t allow anyone to trample on her, she will never take nonsense or rubbish from anybody, no matter who you are. Nobody is talking about Onyeka the epitome of womanhood, she carried and comported herself very well. She spoke English like she owned it, she also spoke sonorous Igbo language, one would always wonder if she was speaking the same Igbo language we all knew. Most people only recognized the musical aspect of her. Whenever she needed someone to talk to, she would say “Azu, where are you?”, then I would come, and she would pour it all out. Above all, Onyeka was a human being. People just see the tough part of her, but beneath that, Onyeka was a softie, she was just super. She was also an extremely beautiful and intelligent woman. There are so many amazing things about her, I don’t even know where to start.

What would you describe as your fondest memories of her? I know you guys have shared a lot over the years?

After I had my first daughter, Onyeka was staying at Opebi then, and she needed to come to Akute to attend what they call Catechism classes. And you won’t believe it, Onyeka would drive down on Sundays for Catechism classes, she’ll just sit quietly in the car, in the church, and when they’re ready she would come out.

For me that was amazing, there was no event that I held and she didn’t attend. She’ll speak highly of me, she’ll still give me money.

Everywhere she worked, and someone in my field was needed, she would always mention my name and say “I have someone who can handle it”, and she performed for me on my wedding day, what honour could be greater than that.

I remember on one occasion, she told me something, and I wrote about it, and she was very upset. She said “I didn’t ask you to carry my battle for me, I can fight my battle myself”. That was one of the few occasions that we disagreed, and for about six months, she refused to talk to me. Then one day, she sent for me, and blasted me, and told me what happened, because I noticed that she suddenly became cold, but I couldn’t put a finger on what happened.

When I started Yes Magazine, Onyeka was one of my Columnists, she stood by me every step of the way. I knew when she had money, I knew when she didn’t have money, because she would always say “have this one for now, I don’t have money now, when I have, I will give you”, and she’ll always live up to that expectation. Once she has money, she’ll say “Azu nnwanem, send me your account details”, so I can’t forget her.

It’s really heartbreaking, especially having to hear that she left in the manner she did, someone who, one minute was on the stage and was gone by the next.

Honestly, it’s really shocking, we were supposed to meet together on something, then the next thing I hear, she’s dead. The biggest pain now, is that I will never see her again, it’s very painful.

I know that it’s a bit early now to start asking if you’ve gotten in touch with the family members.

Yes, everybody is still grieving. Her sister, her children, everyone is still grieving.

I have not even thought of picking up my phone to call any of them yet, I have not been able to do anything. All through yesterday, I didn’t have my bath, I didn’t use the bathroom.

Although in the evening, I had to ask them to get me something to eat.

It has been a very difficult time for me.

May her gentle soul rest in peace, thank you so much for your time.