…Buried in hometown according to his wish
Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The first Son of popular Nigerian highlife musician, Mike Ejeagha, Mr Emmanuel Ejeagha has explained how his father died at the age of 95 after a prolonged illness.
According to Ejeagha junior, his father, popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” passed to the great beyond on Friday night.
He said that the family’s breadwinner Ejeagha died at about 8 pm. at the 32 Garrison Military Hospital, Enugu.
“My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment, which had to do with prostate cancer.
“He had been battling with prostrate cancer for the past 16 years,” he said.
Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu local government Area of Enugu State, Ejeagha rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1980s with timeless hits like Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche – Gwo gwo gwo-ngwo.
Ejeagha’s contributions to preserving and promoting Igbo culture through music are monumental with over 300 recordings archived in the National Archives of Nigeria.
His recent resurgence in popularity, sparked by the viral dance challenge of his 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche in 2024, introduced his music to a younger audience.
Ejeagha’s passing marks the end of an era for Nigerian highlife music, but his legacy endures through his extensive discography and the impact he left on Igbo folklore and music.
Meanwhile, the remains of the Igbo music icon has been laid to rest in his country home, Umuagba, Imezi – Owa, Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State.
His family conducted the burial rites just about 24 hours after his demise devoid of an elaborate funeral ceremony required of a man of his status.
Family sources said that ‘Gentleman’ Ejeagha was laid to rest according to his wishes.
