The late Onyeka Onwenu, renowned Nollywood actress, singer, and activist, expressed her wishes for her own farewell in a 2021 opinion piece published in Premium Times. Onwenu, celebrated for her touching ballads and advocacy for women's rights, passed away on July 30, 2024, at the age of 72, following a sudden collapse at Stella Okoli's birthday party in Lagos.

In her 2021 article, Onwenu requested a departure from traditional mourning customs. She asked her loved ones to focus less on grief and more on celebrating her life. She suggested that they should remember her with light-heartedness, sharing meals, and laughter rather than indulging in excessive mourning.

She also expressed her aversion to opulent funeral ceremonies, advocating instead for a more modest and meaningful farewell. Onwenu was critical of grand displays of wealth, particularly during times of widespread economic difficulty, underscoring her preference for a more restrained and considerate approach to her passing.