Veteran Nigerian highlife icon, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, has passed away at the age of 95, marking the end of a golden era in Igbo folk music and African highlife tradition.
The music legend died on Friday evening around 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, following a prolonged illness, his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed on Saturday.
“My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment,” said Emma.
Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha rose to prominence in the 1960s and became a household name with evergreen hits such as “Omekagu,” “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma,” and “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo).”
Cultural Custodian of Igbo Music
Ejeagha was not only a highlife musician but also a custodian of Igbo oral tradition, using his music to educate, entertain, and preserve Igbo folklore and language. His unique storytelling style, laced with proverbs and moral lessons, made him a beloved figure across multiple generations.
With over 300 songs archived in the National Archives of Nigeria, Ejeagha’s contribution to Nigeria’s cultural history is both monumental and irreplaceable.
Modern Resurgence and Global Attention
In 2024, Ejeagha experienced a viral resurgence when a TikTok dance challenge to his 1983 classic, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, introduced his music to a new generation of Nigerians and global Afrobeat fans. The challenge sparked renewed interest in his discography and led to a spike in streaming across platforms.
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End of an Era, Legacy Lives On
Mike Ejeagha’s death has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s music and cultural community. Tributes are pouring in from fans, musicians, and cultural institutions who credit him with laying the foundation for modern Igbo music and influencing artists across genres.
His legacy will live on through his rich musical archive, the wisdom embedded in his lyrics, and the enduring love from those who grew up listening to his timeless tunes.
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