Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Legendary folk musician Mike Ejeagha has passed on at the ripe age of 95.
He was said to have answered the call of nature on Friday at about 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, following a prolonged illness.
Ejeagha was widely known in the early 1980s and 90s, with his style of Igbo folk music which dominated the South-East music scene.
In the recent past, one of his folk music tracks, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo), gained fresh prominence, attracting attention from the younger generation of Nigerians as a result of the creativity of a Comedian and Influencer, Brain Jotter.
Popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” the musician was celebrated for his unique ability to weave Igbo folklore and proverbs into captivating highlife melodies, earning him a revered place in Nigeria’s cultural and musical history.
His storytelling prowess, combined with his distinctive guitar style, made his music both entertaining and educating resonating deeply with audiences across generations.
Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ejeagha began his musical journey in the mid-20th century.
He gained prominence in the 1960s and 1980s with hits like Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo).
His contributions to the preservation and promotion of Igbo culture through music were significant, with over 300 recordings archived in the National Archives of Nigeria.
In very recent years, Ejeagha experienced a resurgence in popularity when his 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche sparked a viral dance challenge on social media platforms in 2024.
The renewed interest in his work introduced his music to a younger generation, reaffirming his status as a cultural icon.
A few months back, the Enugu State government reconstructed a road in the state capital and named it after the music legend, while the Governor, Mr Peter Mbah, paid him a visit on his last birthday.
