All for Onyeka!
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan
It was quite a herculean task getting to Planet One entertainment centre, located around the Maryland area of Lagos, venue of the Tribute/ Dinner concert organised for the elegant stallion, Onyeka Onwenu, to mark the final lap of her 25 years on stage.
That day (a Friday), had been a rainy one. Right from when I opened my eyes in the morning till about 4 p.m that evening when I started getting ready for the programme, it never stopped raining. So it was, until I got a cab and went through the terrible gridlock which had come to be associate with rainy days in Lagos.
On a normal day, 40 minutes would have been too much a time to get to Maryland from where I live in Ogba, but here I was, spending a little more than two hours before get to the venue.
Already agitated that I was arriving late to a concert that was scheduled to started around 7pm– and I was arriving past the time– you can then imagine my disappointment when I entered the venue and discovered that it was barely full, let alone for the event to have started. Later, when I had settled down, someone whispered that the occasion was going to kick-off around 9pm.
Then, the long wait began. But thank God, other colleagues were around to take my mind off the terrible boredom which would have engulfed me. Between the almost one and a half- hour wait, guest trooped in and also dinner was served.
At exactly 9.20pm, an “air hostess” came on the wide screen mounted on the stage. An "air hostess" because the whole concept of the show was that we, the guests were going on a flight. The pilots were showbiz impressarios, Patrick Doyle and Tony Okoroji (who were dressed in pilot uniforms) and the flight call sign was AFO (All For Onyeka) 025.
Anyway, the “air hostess” through the screen welcomed her passengers on board and then explained what was needed to be known about the event. Thereafter, right on the screen was Onwenu getting down from a plane onto an helicopter which the “air hostess" said would bring her to the venue. Seconds later, all heard Onyeka say, “am coming, here I am, thanks for waiting for me..." No one saw her after that.
Then came the dramatic entry of Stella Monye, another popular female musician, who came into the auditorium carried on the shoulders of two hefty-looking men. On stage, being the first performer that might, Monye rendered one of Onyeka’s evergreen songs entitled “Ekwe,” with Sammie Okposu at the keyboards. There were also choreographers doing a uniformed dance to the music.
The delectable Yinka Davies followed suit and did a Jazz version of Onyeka’s “Am the One” to the delight of the crowd.
Stella Damasus-Aboderin came next to sing “Kele Jehovah”– also one of Onyeka’s master piece. It was during this time that Onyeka walked into the hall, dressed in a sky blue silk skirt and blouse attire. Stella was the one who acknowledged her presence.
Later, Essence and Mozzyz of Felix and Mozzys fame, came on stage to do their own version of Onyeka and King Sunny Ade’s love song entitled “Ololufemi,” meaning My Love.
Little Benita Okojie, now all grown-up sang “Walk Right Back,” originally done by the American group, Everly Brothers but later reworked beautifully by Onwenu.
Mandy, Nigeria’s first female comedian was to give rib-cracking jokes and expectedly she was rewarded with a very long and loud applause when she targeted her first joke at Segun Arinze and the second wherein she said most Nigerian women now prefer going to Mountain of Fire Prayer Ministry right after their weddings to invoke, fire and brimstone to ward off girls who might be interested in going after their husbands.
Ozigizaga exponent, Chris Hanen, a former member of Onwenu's Kabasa Band, came to give an almost perfect rendition of Onyeka’s “Mama”. It was so thrilling that he received a standing ovation.
Kenny St. Brown, in her usual ‘anointed -by-the-most-high style, rendered“Ti Gbemileke,” another of Onwenu’s songs.
Angelica and another lady gave a powerful presentation of “Iyogogo”.
As the night wore on, a documentary of Onyeka’s childhood which showed how she lost her father at a tender age and how she joined the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), then her foray into music was all revealed. Sonny Okosun, the Ozzidi King, was to reveal that he was the one who first took Onwenu to London for recording and how Zik Zulu lured her into acting some years ago.
Later, Onwenu herself came on stage and thanked everyone for coming; a special appreciation was given to her husband of 22 years. She then sang two songs: “You are My Everything” and “One Love” respectively. Another side of her was exhibited when she made some political statements calling her State Governor, Achike Udenwa the next Nigerian president.
The official launch of the D.K. Onwenu Foundation was done with a compilation of her evergreen songs.
Present at the event were dignitaries from all walks of life, even though most of the government invitees were ably represented, the dignitries who gruced the colourful occasion came more from the entertainment circuit.
Ambassador Segun Olushola was present, so was the PMAN President Bolaji Rosiji. Others were Amaka Igwe, Okey Bakassi, Frank Oshodi, Alariwo, Sony Nenji, Rita Dominic, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st, Expatriates, Zubby Enebeli, Rita Dominic St. Obi, Aladdin, Zakky, Akpa Uso (NTA) and Anita Hogan (who people kept stirring at).
Onwenu’s 87-year-old mum was present with her younger sister.
It was some minutes after 12am before I left the venue and thank God I had no problem getting home. The organisers later announced, as I was walking out, that guest could proceed to the night club right in the same compound as the party continued.