The late Nigerian music legend, Onyeka Onwenu, had explicitly expressed her desire for a simple and private burial, eschewing the typical extravagance often associated with Nigerian funerals.
In a heartfelt reflection published three years ago on Premium Times in 2021, Onwenu requested a quick and quiet farewell, free from unnecessary pomp and circumstance.
She encouraged loved ones to honour her memory with prayers, light-hearted moments, and modest celebrations.
“Do it quickly, quietly, and privately. Celebrate me with prayers, lunch, or dinner afterward. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Make merriment and then go about your business,” she expressed.
Onwenu also emphasised the importance of celebrating her life while she was still alive, rather than after her passing.
“If my friends want to celebrate 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 stated.
She criticised the lavish displays of wealth often seen at Nigerian burials, advocating for more understated and meaningful tributes.
“I am very uncomfortable with the lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others”, she added.
Her legacy continues to inspire, with a remarkable career spanning music, film, advocacy, journalism, and politics. (The Nation)
