Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of music icon Onyeka Onwenu.
Onwenu, who collapsed after performing at Stella Okolie’s 80th birthday party in Lagos, was rushed to Reddington Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Ozokwor, speaking to NAN in Enugu on Wednesday, described Onwenu’s death as both painful and distressing.
“Onyeka was not just a colleague but a dear friend. Her death is a heavy blow, especially since she was not ill,” Ozokwor said.
She also voiced concern over the frequent loss of lives and the stress faced in the country.
Born in 1952, Onwenu launched her music career in the 1980s with her debut album, “For the Love of You,” and gained fame with hits like “One Love.”
She also made huge contributions to Nollywood, earning numerous awards, and was active in politics, serving as Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and later as Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development. Onwenu was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.