OGANIRUCIOUS ONYEKA

Lady Onyeka Onwenu, Director-General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWA)

Lady Onyeka Onwenu is the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Lady Onyeka Onwenu, MFR, is a multi-talented Nigerian female artist. A broadcaster per excellence, a fearless journalist, a natural song writer, a professional actress, a consummate politician, a Human Rights Advocate, X-Factor series judge and Public Administrator, the elegant stallion, as she is fondly called has distinguished herself in all her vocations.

The multiple award winner is a veritable role model for the Nigerian Girl-Child and is greatly admired for her strength of character and outspokenness. Appointed Director-General in September 2013, Lady Onyeka has in less than 2 years with passion and focus, repositioned the NCWD and turned it into a pride of place for Advocacy, Training and Empowerment of the Nigerian woman and the Girl-Child.

Onyeka Onwenu is the youngest daughter of the Nigerian Educationist and Politician D.K. Onwenu. She started her early childhood education in Nigeria, then moved over to the United States. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, Massachusetts and the New School of Social Research in New York, where she obtained a B.A. in International Relations and Communication, as well as a Masters in Media Studies, respectively.

Ms Onwenu worked for many years at the United Nations in New York, before returning to Nigeria in 1980, for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). During this period, she made an impact as an articulate, incisive and fearless reporter.

In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary called “Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches” , which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria, as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil rich region of Nigeria.

Onyeka has always won the admiration of many, since her musical hit “One Love”. Through her music, Onyeka has enthused unparalleled patriotism, preached peace, love and tolerance. Originally a secular artist, she now sings mainly gospel music and continues to write and sing about issues on health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women and the plight of children. Her latest efforts titled “Inspiration for Change”-mama peace- focuses on the need for an attitudinal turn around in Nigeria.

Ms Onwenu in 2013 wrote the theme song for Nigeria’s Centenary Celebrations,
“This Land”, a song which has garnered appreciation around the world and a second National Anthem for evoking unparallel patriotism and National pride, in Nigeria.

She has bagged many awards, as best pop artist performing musician association of Nigeria in 1988; a certificate of Appreciation from the United States Aid (USAID) in 1989; global media awards population Institute award, Pan African and Music awards. AMAA Award for supporting Actress in the movie “Rising Moon” to mention a few. In 2013, she was named as one of the three judges on the Nigerian Version of The X-Factor.

Onwenu has featured in numerous Nollywood movies. In 2014, she was in the movie Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetelu Ejiofor and Thandie Newton, where she gave a superlative performance as the Mother of Chiwetel’s Characters “Mama”. Onyeka Onwenu has influenced the way women think, talk and lead by example. She has changed our mindset to include demonstrate respect for women in Nigerian society.

Lady Onwenu is a Member of the Federal Republic (MFR). A former Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture, She has also served on the Board of the NTA.

She is today inducted into the 2015 class of MMS Plus Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame.