Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, has said she is downcast and hurt over the death of her colleague and Nigerian music icon, Onyeka Onwenu.

Onwenu collapsed after performing at the 80th birthday party of the Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Stella Okolie, on Tuesday in Lagos.

She was said to have been rushed to Reddington Hospital, where she reportedly passed away.

Reacting to Onwenu’s death on Wednesday, Patience Ozokwor described it as painful and hurting, stressing that the deceased was not sick.

She said, “Onyeka is not just a colleague but a friend. I am downcast now and hurting because of her death and for the fact that she was not sick.

“How can everyone be dying like that, what is causing so much death? Everyone is stressed up in this country.”

Onyeka Onwenu began her music career in the 1980s and released her debut album, “For the Love of You,” in 1981.

She has since released numerous albums and singles, including the hit song, “One Love”.

Onwenu has also acted in several Nollywood films and won numerous awards for her contributions to music and film.

In addition to her entertainment career, Onwenu has also been involved in politics.