I have been trying to make sense out of the events of the last 24 hours with limited success. My sister Onyeka Onwenu was not even on the list to perform. She was not expected as she was said to be outside the country. She gets back and hears about my other sister’s (Dr. Mrs. Stella Okoli’s) 80th birthday celebration. She rearranges things quickly and shows up to the surprise of everyone.
The boisterous Onyeka Onwenu would not be there and not sing at Sister Stella’s birthday. She would do just two songs and take her seat. Two songs became three, four and more! I have watched Onyeka several times perform on stage. But this was her best performance that I saw. Little did I know that this was going to be the last! I was still in awe of the raw energy and poise that she exuded on stage when I heard someone ask “do we have a doctor in the house”? Something told me to check and find out what had happened. Lo and behold it was my sister on the floor! She had slumped…