Onyeka Onwenu revealed how she wants to be buried before her shocking demise.
The legendary singer, actress, journalist, author and politician, known for her talent and activism, died on Tuesday night, July 30, at the Reddington Hospital in Lagos after slumping at the birthday party of Mrs Stella Okoli, where she performed for the last time.
Following her death, an opinion piece she published on Premium Times in 2021 is receiving renewed interest.
In the article, Onyeka explained how she wanted to be buried.
“Do it quickly, quietly and privately,” she wrote.
She urged her loved ones to “mourn, yes but not excessively,” and to instead focus on celebrating her life with prayers and light-hearted moments
She added: “Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh.
“Make merriment and then go about your business. 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 went on to condemn the lavish display of wealth often seen at Nigerian burials.
She said: “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 then called for more modest and meaningful ways to honour the deceased.