Artists and philosophers do not die. The world is still quoting Descartes, Hegel, Marx, Shakespeare, Joyce, Achebe, Fanon and so on because they have set the terms of the conversation through artistic or philosophical imagination ahead of their departure.
Onyeka Onwenu is an artist, albeit a music maker and documentary producer. She will keep being quoted or invoked to substantiate one argument or another, especially if our universities incorporate her musical and other artistic works into the curriculum.
Notwithstanding the foregone, it would still have been lovely to have her around. There are many things she could do better than all of us combined. That is how the world works. Each person is gifted in certain ways better than most others. Now, that is what Nigeria, Africa and the world will miss in her death.
It cannot be repeated enough that at a time 80 year old persons are still seeking the highest political office in the world, a 72 year old musician still has more to offer. A single metaphor from such a person can solve a lot of the problems.
Someone like her who lived life on her own terms inspired more persons than she could have been aware of. It is easier for artists and thinkers to develop and sustain such individuality than others who must live by ordinary standards of reasoning.
Onyeka Onwenu is (not was because arts has no past tense) a broadcaster, producer, writer, musician, politician and technocrat of culture. She did pack a lot. May she find herself in the presence of God!
