President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and many fans of Mike Ejeagha, one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language, who passed on to eternity on Friday at 95.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, President Tinubu noted that Mike Ejeagha used his music and distinctive storytelling style to preserve and project Igbo culture and customs, inspiring generations.
“May the spirit and values of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s music continue to remind us that music has the power to revive, heal and redirect energy towards worthy causes that help build our nation,” President Tinubu said.
The President commended the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, for honouring the music icon while still alive.
Ejeagha became a talking point in recent years when his evergreen song ‘Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ resurfaced and was trending.
In the vein, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed appreciation to popular Nigerian skit maker, Brain Jotter, following the demise of veteran highlife musician Mike Ejeagha.
Mike Ejeagha became a viral sensation online in 2024 after Brian Jotter started a dance challenge using Ejeagha’s song, a development that put smiles on many people’s faces.
Reacting to the demise, Atiku in a post via 𝕏 on Saturday wrote: “It is heartwarming to note that thanks to Brain Jotter, highlife maestro Mike Ejeagha had his ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ encore dance before the curtain was drawn. Rest in music, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.”
Meanwhile, revered Igbo music icon died on Friday night at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
His death was confirmed by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, during a telephone interview with Vanguard on Saturday.
“Papa died at exactly 8 p.m. on Friday, and his body has been deposited in the morgue. I was with him during his final moments. I will meet with my family in the morning to break the news to them,” Emma said.
He added that Ejeagha had long prepared the family for this moment, instructing that his body should not be embalmed or kept too long in the morgue.
Describing his father as “a peace-loving man and a genius,” Emma noted that the highlife legend had battled prostate cancer since 2006, enduring multiple hospitalisations over the years.
His condition worsened two weeks ago, and although he was briefly stabilised and discharged, he was rushed back to the hospital last Tuesday, where he eventually died.
Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, while mourning the passing of highlife legend and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, describing his death as a devastating cultural loss and a void that would be difficult to fill.
Ejeagha, best known for his rich storytelling through music and hit tracks like “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo”, died on Friday at the age of 95 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
In a statement posted via his verified social media handle, @PNMbah, the governor paid glowing tribute to the Enugu-born music icon, praising his humility and far-reaching influence.
He wrote, “I’m profoundly saddened by the death of music icon, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.
“Mike Ejeagha was a legend, a cultural ambassador and a revered son of Enugu State.
“He was one of the finest musicians of his generation with an easygoing personality and humility that belied his towering celebrity status.
“I will always cherish fond memories of the time spent in his company – the warmth and wisdom he radiated; the joy he found in the ordinary.
“This is a loss not only for his immediate family; it’s a big loss for Enugu State, the entire music community, and the country as well.
“Ejeagha’s immense talent and genius lay in how he took simple indigenous folktales and turned them into unforgettable songs that resonate across cultures.
“Ejeagha’s fan-base transcended boundaries. He was easily one of the most recognisable voices in music.
“His death leaves a huge void that will be difficult to fill. But the legacies he has left behind will last a lifetime.
“On behalf of the Enugu State government, I offer heartfelt condolences to the Ejeagha family, and assure them of our support.
“As a government, we would ensure that his memory is duly immortalized.
“Above all, I pray that his family experiences the comforting grace of God’s love, and the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Veteran Highlife musician and cultural icon, Mike Ejeagha, famed for his hit “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” has died at the age of 95.
Known for weaving Igbo proverbs and storytelling into music, Ejeagha was a prominent figure on Nigerian airwaves throughout the 1980s.
His 1983 classic, “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” experienced a resurgence in 2024 when comedian and influencer Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzi, popularly known as Brain Jotter, featured the song in a viral dance challenge that captivated audiences across social media platforms.
0 Comments