By Ali Elias
Enugu: Mike Ejeagha, the revered highlife musician fondly known as “Gentleman Mike,” has passed away at the age of 95. The music icon died on Friday evening at approximately 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, following a prolonged illness.
His eldest son, Mr. Emmanuel Ejeagha, confirmed the passing to journalists on Saturday, describing it as the end of a long chapter of resilience and cultural devotion.
Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ejeagha became a household name across Nigeria with his rich, storytelling-infused Igbo folk music. Through the 1960s to the 1980s, he serenaded audiences with timeless hits such as Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo)—songs that not only entertained but preserved ancestral wisdom in melody.
In adherence to his final wish, Ejeagha was buried within 24 hours of his death. His son explained that the late musician had instructed the family never to embalm his body, urging instead for a swift burial in line with traditional values.
“I summoned a meeting of my kindred and informed them of his wishes. Even Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State was informed, and everyone agreed that his will should be honoured,” Emmanuel said in a telephone interview. “There are consequences when the wishes of an elder are not fulfilled.”
The legendary crooner was laid to rest on Saturday in his hometown, Umuagba in Imezi-Owa, Enugu State.
Often described as a custodian of Igbo oral tradition, Ejeagha left behind a massive cultural legacy, with over 300 recordings reportedly housed in the National Archives of Nigeria. His music, often laced with proverbial wisdom and social commentary, served as both entertainment and education for decades.
In 2024, a viral dance challenge to his 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche brought a resurgence of interest in his work, introducing a new generation to his enduring musical genius.
As the curtain falls on a life richly lived, Mike Ejeagha’s influence on Nigerian music, particularly the highlife genre and Igbo cultural preservation, will remain etched in history. A full funeral ceremony will be announced in the coming days.