By Justina Auta
The Director-General (D-G), Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir has described the late Onyeka Onwenu, as a visionary leader who repositioned women and less privileged in Nigeria.
Vilita-Bashir said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, while reacting to the demise of the former D-G of the centre and Nigerian music legend, Onwenu.
Onwenu, a former D-G of the centre passed on Tuesday after performing at the 80th birthday party of Stella Okolie, Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
”It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that we received the passing of one of our own former D-G at the MBNCWD and Nigeria’s musical icon, Lady Onyeka Onwenu.
”The legendary singer, songwriter, actress, and cultural ambassador left an indelible mark in the music industry, the arts, and the hearts of fans worldwide.
”As a D-G of the centre, she repositioned it as a training ground for women, children and the less privileged, while also spotlighting the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
”This brought about developing rehabilitation and reintegration programmes in the mainstream budget of the centre in the three most affected States in the North East of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
”She also produced and dedicated an epic music titled “Not Alone” to identify with the plights of the IDPs.
”It is also during her tenure as D-G that the International Day for the Girl-Child (October 11) was first celebrated nationally in Nigeria,” she said.
Vilita-Bashir added that the late Onwenu during her tenure as the D-G of the centre endorsed the formal training of female Artisans in the centre and promoted the production of Ankara made souvenirs.
She disclosed that a condolence register had been opened in the centre for the public to express their condolences to the late former D-G.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian music legend popularly known as the “Elegant Stallion”, died at the age of 72.
She began her music career in the 1980s and released her debut album, “For the Love of You,” in 1981.
She had since released numerous albums and singles, including the hit song, “One Love”.
Onwenu had also acted in several Nollywood films and won numerous awards for her contributions to music and film.
In addition to her entertainment career, Onwenu had also been involved in politics.