Three years ago, veteran Nigerian singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu shared her wishes for how she would like to be remembered and buried. The iconic artist, renowned for her powerful voice and activism, reportedly passed away on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at Mrs. Stella Okoli's birthday party.

In a 2021 opinion piece on Premium Times, Onwenu expressed her desire for a swift, quiet, and private burial, without unnecessary fanfare. She urged her loved ones to mourn, but not excessively, and to celebrate her life with prayers and light-hearted moments.

"Celebrate me with prayers, lunch, or dinner afterward. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate with me, they should do so while I am alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me, Onyeka Onwenu," she wrote.

Onwenu also criticized the extravagant displays of wealth often seen at Nigerian burials, contrasting her wishes with the lavish funeral of Obi Cubana's mother, which had sparked widespread debate. She expressed discomfort with such displays, especially during hardship and lack for many.

Throughout her multifaceted career, Onwenu worked in music, film, advocacy, journalism, and politics. She held various roles, including chairing the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and judging on the X Factor series. Her music and writings have been widely recognized, with notable songs such as "One Love" and "You and I." She also authorized the autobiography "My Father’s Daughter."