The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon (Mrs) Toyin Balogun has mourned the demise of a music icon and former Director-General at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development Abuja, late Onyeka Onwenu.
The statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner which was available to newsmen in Ibadan on Friday reads:
“It is with a deep sense of loss but gratitude to God for a life well spent that we mourn the demise of a former Director-General at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development Abuja who was also a renowned musical icon with the cognomen”
“The Elegant Stallion” Lady Onyeka Onwenu;the legendary singer, songwriter, actress, and cultural ambassador who has left an indelible mark on the music industry, the arts, the sands of time, advancement of the cause of the female demographic and the hearts of fans worldwide.
“The Elegant Stallion was the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida Centre For Women Development from September 2013 to February 2016.While at the helm of Affairs at the Agency,she repositioned the Centre as a Training Ground for building capacity for women, children and the less privileged.
“A major area she concentrated on was highlighting the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Her placing the spotlight on their plight led to the provision for rehabilitation and reintegration programmes in the budget of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development to cater for IDPs from the North East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe where this was most endemic
“Lady Onyeka collaborated with the Iconic Chief Sunday Adegeye popularly known as Sunny Ade on an iconic track titled ” Wait for Me” which advocated the ideals of Responsible Reproduction/ Parenting.She also solely produced a song titled “Not Alone” to identify with the plights of the IDPs.
“Also,the International Day for the Girl-Child (11th October) was first celebrated nationally under her watch as the DG of the Agency in Nigeria. In addition to all the foregoing, she also incorporated the formal training of female Artisans and promoted the production of Ankara made souvenirs in the Centre.She was thus a notable and impact full proponent and instrument of Social Change and Engineering
“Throughout her illustrious career, Lady Onyeka Onwenu received numerous accolades and awards, including the prestigious Nigerian National Order of Merit. She was also a former Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.
“The late former DG Maryam Abacha Centre for Women Abuja left behind a legendary career in the music industry through which she bequeathed us with several classic,evergreen songs
“On behalf of Oyo state women, we mourn the demise of a trailblazer, a visionary social engineer and a leader among the female demographic who bore a burden to improve the quality of lives lived by our women.
“We extend commiseration to her family, friends,nigerian women and her fans during this difficult time.
“May her music and vision continue to inspire and uplift both the present and the next generation of women and men alike
“Adieu Elegant Stallion, rest on in the bossom of your Creator until the Resurrection morning.”