Fuji music icon, Adewale Ayuba, has joined the chorus of tributes pouring in for the veteran singer and actress. Onyeka Onwenu’s death was on Tuesday, July 31, 2024, at the age of 72. In a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ayuba expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the music legend.
He described Onwenu as a trailblazer whose immense contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry would forever be cherished. Ayuba emphasized the significant impact of her work. He noted that she paved the way for countless artists and helped shape the nation’s musical landscape.
“I celebrate the life of our beloved Onyeka Onwenu. Though she may have been taken from us too soon, her spirit, good works will forever live on in the memories we cherish and the love we shared.
“Many would have ample and lofty things to write about her efforts on Nigeria entertainment industry growth. Onyeka has left this world in glory. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Other prominent Nigerian mourn Onyeka Onwenu’s death.
Another prominent figure to mourn the passing of Onyeka Onwenu is Nigerian singer and activist, Charles Oputa, better known as Charly Boy. He expressed his condolences on X where he wrote,
“The Igbo nation mourns the loss of this iconic figure, whose impact transcended the entertainment industry.
“Onwenu’s death follows the recent passings of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, marking a period of profound loss for the Southeast region of Nigeria.
“Onwenu’s legacy as a cherished talent and tireless advocate will continue to inspire future generations.
Oh! My sister, Rest In Peace 😢.”
Afrobeat star Femi Kuti was deeply saddened by the news of Onyeka Onwenu’s death. He expressed shock and disbelief at the loss of the music legend.
“Shocked, waking up to very sad news of the passing of Mrs Onyeka Onwenu 🕊💔🕊.
“Rest in peace Ma, your beautiful voice will live forever. Condolences to her family and loved ones.”
Nigerian Galala music star, Daddy Showkey, paid tribute to Onyeka Onwenu on his Instagram page. He shared a picture of the late singer and expressed his sadness with the words,
“RIP Great Legend Onyeka Onwenu. Nobody know the news wey you go hear when you wake up in morning.”
Onyeka Onwenu was born in 1952 and embarked on her music journey in the 1980s.
Her debut album, “For the Love of You,” released in 1981, marked the beginning of a successful career that spanned decades. Throughout her career, she produced numerous hit songs, with “One Love” becoming a particularly beloved anthem.
Beyond music, Onwenu was a talented actress, starring in several Nollywood films. Her exceptional contributions to both music and film earned her numerous awards and accolades.
Committed to public service, Onwenu held significant positions in government. She served as the Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 2013 and later took on the role of Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development in 2016.
In recognition of her immense contributions to the nation, she was honoured with the National Honours of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.
Davido’s “Na Money” music video, featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, has earned the prestigious Best Costume/Styling (Craft) award at the 12th Berlin Fashion Film Festival.
The vibrant video is directed by Dammy Twitch and produced by Blessing Uzzi. The video captivated audiences with its colourful costumes, cultural depth, and breathtaking visuals. This celebrates African heritage with impeccable creativity and style.
The win underscores the team’s exceptional attention to detail in showcasing the beauty of African fashion and culture. From the elaborate traditional attire to the contemporary designs, the video seamlessly blends visual artistry with the powerful Afrobeat sound of the track.
This recognition cements “Na Money” as a benchmark for combining music and fashion in innovative storytelling.
The Berlin Fashion Film Festival celebrates fashion and film annually.
It has recognized outstanding talent since its establishment. The festival is part of the larger Berlinale, a global cinema event dating back to 1951.
It focuses on creativity and craftsmanship in filmmaking. The festival highlights emerging talent across various artistic disciplines. It awards prestigious honours like the Golden Bears.
The event attracts filmmakers, designers, and film enthusiasts from around the world. The festival provides a platform for innovative storytelling through visual media.
Recognizing creative excellence supports artistic development. The award represents a significant achievement for artists and creators. For Davido and his team, this recognition underscores their contribution to global cultural representation.
The festival continues to be an important stage for showcasing innovative artistic expressions.
The video’s dynamic visuals and cultural richness not only earned industry accolades but also resonated with fans worldwide.
To experience the award-winning brilliance firsthand, watch Davido’s “Na Money,” featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, now.
Let the stunning visuals and captivating storytelling take you on a journey through Africa’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
Explore the full list of winners on the festival’s official site and join in celebrating this milestone for African music and fashion.
Reginald Jumbo’s compelling short film “The Interrogation of Lotanna” has earned prestigious recognition with six nominations at the upcoming 2025 Film Joint Awards.
The nominations span major categories. They include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Indigenous Film (Nigeria), Best African Film, and the Best Jury Award for Outstanding Storytelling.
The FilmJoint platform stands as a vital global initiative that connects short filmmakers with international audiences. They provide them with a stage to showcase their creative works.
Through its annual awards ceremony, FilmJoint celebrates exceptional short films that advance African cinema’s artistic and cultural landscape.
Producers Ibukun Serah Adetoyinbo and Oreoluwa Obadofin bring to life a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of civil unrest.
The plot follows Captain Ardo, a military commander tasked with suppressing an eastern rebellion led by the elusive Zuru Nkwu.
After months of fruitless searches, intelligence leads Ardo to interrogate a suspect named Lotanna. Despite enduring severe torture, Lotanna steadfastly maintains his innocence throughout the ordeal.
The film showcases powerful performances from an ensemble cast. The cast features William Chinoyenem, Cassey Oritsejolomi, Anthony Nwahiri, Francis Sule,Michael Embraiz, and Mr. Rala.
Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, contributing to the film’s emotional impact and storytelling prowess.
These nominations underscore the film’s artistic merit and its significant contribution to African cinema. The recognition from the FilmJoint Awards particularly highlights the film’s excellence in storytelling, direction, and performance.
Meanwhile, it also acknowledges its cultural significance as both a Nigerian and African production. The winners will be revealed at the 2025 FilmJoint Awards ceremony, where “The Interrogation of Lotanna” stands as a strong contender across multiple categories.
On November 18, 2024, fans woke up to the shocking news that Wizkid’s latest single, “Kese (Dance)”, had suddenly vanished from the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100.
Just days ago, the song had been proudly sitting at the number one spot. This abrupt drop sparked widespread speculation, with many fans and industry insiders suspecting that Apple Music had penalized the track for streaming manipulation.
Such drastic deductions often indicate stream deductions or “chart-drinking,” which are common penalties that Apple Music enforces against artificial streaming boosts.
Adding fuel to the controversy is Wizkid’s “Kese (Dance)”, released on November 15, 2024, as the second lead track from his forthcoming album “Morayo”.
Within hours of its release, “Kese” soared to the top of the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100, demonstrating Wizkid’s enduring popularity and dominance on the charts.
However, the unexpected removal of the song from the charts sent shockwaves through social media, leaving fans divided. Some believe Apple Music may have acted to curb stream farming, while others argue it might simply be a technical glitch.
Historically, Apple Music has taken stringent measures to crack down on streaming manipulation, especially against high-profile artists.
This latest move, if confirmed as a penalty, would be one of their strongest actions yet against stream farming. However, the possibility of a glitch cannot be entirely dismissed, as similar occurrences have happened before.
Fans now eagerly watch to see if “Kese (Dance)” will rebound to its previous chart-topping position. A quick recovery would lend credence to the glitch theory.
Meanwhile, a continued absence would suggest that Apple Music has indeed taken a firm stance against streaming irregularities—even against a major act like Wizkid. For now, all eyes remain on the charts to see how this drama unfolds.
