How I want to be buried – Onyeka Onwenu

Three years ago, veteran Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu shared her wishes for how she would like to be remembered and buried. The iconic artist, who passed away on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli, expressed a desire for a simple and private burial.

In an opinion piece published by Premium Times in 2021, Onwenu emphasized that her burial should be devoid of unnecessary fanfare. “Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” she wrote, urging her loved ones to “mourn, yes but not excessively,” and to focus on celebrating her life with prayers and light-hearted moments.

“Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Make merriment and then go about your business,” she stated. Onwenu also criticized the extravagant displays of wealth often seen at Nigerian burials, advocating for more modest and meaningful ways to honor the deceased.

Onwenu’s career spanned music, film, advocacy, journalism, and politics. She held roles such as chairing the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and serving as a judge on the X Factor series. Her music and writings, including her autobiography "My Father’s Daughter," have left a lasting legacy.

Onwenu's passing marks the end of an era, but her call for simplicity, humility, and meaningful celebration of life will continue to inspire many.