Mike Ejeagha, the legendary Highlife musician, passed on at the age of 95 on Friday at 8 p.m. at 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria, after a prolonged illness. Known as “Gentleman Mike,” Ejeagha was celebrated for blending Igbo folklore and proverbs into captivating music, making him a household name among the Igbo-speaking populace.
Mike Ejeagha started his music career in the mid-20th century after being born in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu, Enugu state, on April 4, 1930. He rose to fame in the 1960s and 1980s with timeless tracks like “Omekagu,” “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma,” and “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche”. His unique style resonated across generations, earning widespread acclaim for preserving Igbo culture and oral tradition.
Ejeagha’s music was more than just entertainment; it was a moral and cultural institution. His songs addressed real-life challenges like marital strife, greed, and community responsibility, delivering themes with humor and melody.
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Some notable aspects of his legacy include, Ejeagha’s music preserved Igbo language and culture, making him a revered figure in Nigerian music history. His songs were like musical folktales, complete with dialogue, humor, suspense, and moral resolution.
Ejeagha’s music stood apart as philosophical treatises rendered in song, drawing comparisons with griots of West African lore. Following his passing, tributes poured in from all corners of Nigeria and the diaspora. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo described him as “a treasure trove of ancestral wisdom and a guardian of Igbo heritage.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State paid homage, saying Ejeagha’s “voice will echo through the hills and valleys of Igboland for generations to come”. His impact extends beyond music, as he helped preserve the Igbo language and culture through his work.
