Veteran Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu dies at 72

Onyeka Onwenu, one of Nigeria's pioneering and most respected singers and actresses, has died at the age of 72.

According to reports, Ms Onwenu passed away on Tuesday night, July 30, after performing at the birthday party of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, in Lagos.

She is said to have collapsed after her performance and was rushed to a hospital in Victoria Island, where she was later confirmed dead.

Onyeka Onwenu had a storied career spanning over four decades in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

She broke onto the music scene in the early 1980s with her debut album "For the Love of You" and went on to release numerous successful albums blending pop, Afrobeat and gospel genres.

Hits like "One Love" earned her recognition as one of the pioneers of Nigerian music.

As well as her acclaimed singing career, Onwenu also established herself as a talented actress starring in many Nollywood films.

Some of her most notable movie roles included "Nightmare", "Widow's Cot" for which she won Best Supporting Actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, and 2014's "Half of a Yellow Sun".

Beyond entertainment, Onyeka Onwenu was a passionate advocate who used her platform to highlight important social issues in her music and acting.

She also held several public service roles, including Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development.

Onwenu received wide recognition for her contributions, including the prestigious National Honours of MFR.

She remained active in the industry until her tragic death, which has shocked and saddened many fans and colleagues in Nigeria who mourned the loss of a legendary figure.

Onyeka Onwenu leaves behind an immense legacy as one of the pioneering voices who helped establish Afrobeat and put Nigerian music and film on the global map.