Igbo Celebrities And The Toll of Death: The Demise of Onyeka

By Jarlath Uche Opara

Life happens. It happens in such a way that defies reasonable understanding of what it is all about or the cause. It happens, oftentimes with an unintended curelty, piecing souls and making ones spirit drooping.

Life happens! It happens when life itself is at the peak of self adorning, enjoyment and happiness.

It happens when the plans for the future, well orchestrated, waiting for execution.

From the blues it happens.

However it happens, however frequent it happens, the truth as bitter as it may taste, one may not be able to figure out why it happens.

Am I being superstitious here? Thinking what shouldn’t be thought about? Turning into fetishism something that is natural, a path everybody would ply one day?

Such may be the reading of many and the conclusion of some.

However, for no other reason but for statistical purposes, take a head count of the number of Igbo celebrities that have bowed to the Toll of death in an unusually unanticipatory circumstances, your mind many unconsciously tweak in my direction of asking why.

However, they have paid the ultimate price, the remaining debt is for us still living.

Onyeka Onwenu’ death was a rude shock to anybody,friends, loved ones and enemies If any.

It was yesterday, a friend was telling me how she was motivated at a very young age by Onyeka Onwenu’ carriage and mastery in spoken English.

She was so enamoured by these pristine and stunning qualities of Onyeka, she resolved to model her life after Onyeka’. Each time the whirlwind of youthfulness wanted to blow her away, her image of who Onyeka was would pull her off and refocus her to the right direction.

Today, that friend of mine is very comsumate in her chosen path of life. This is one out of the millions of people her lifestyle helped.

She is gone! So painful that she is gone this early when the taste of her win was beginning to taste fine and many drinking from it.

Onyeka Onwenu was an asset both to the Igbo, Nigerian and the global space. No doubt, her voice, her diction, her activism and critical analysis of trending issues will certainly be missed.

Did she die empty? Discharging all that she needed to discharge? Or died still replete with uncharted potential? She died at 72, Iwuanynwu at 82 and Ubah at 52.

She certainly would be missed. Life happens, but this is so painful. Rest in peace Onyeka Onwenu

Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com