Mike Ejeagha, Igbo Highlife Legend, Dies at 95 After 16-Year Battle with Prostate Cancer
Veteran highlife musician and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, passed away on Friday night at the age of 95, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer that began in 2006. His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the death in a phone interview with Sunday Vanguard.
Ejeagha died at the Military Hospital in Enugu. According to his son, his health worsened two weeks ago. Though he was briefly stabilised and discharged, he was readmitted last Tuesday and passed away Friday evening. Emma, who was by his side, described his father as a peace-loving genius and revealed that Ejeagha had requested not to be embalmed or kept in the morgue for long.
Mike Odiong, CEO of Premier Records, where Ejeagha once recorded, also confirmed the death. He praised the music icon for using his craft to educate and uplift society. “His music carried deep messages. Though he’s gone, his works will outlive him,” Odiong said.
A master of Igbo folklore and proverbs, Ejeagha’s music shaped the highlife scene from the 1960s through the 1980s. His legacy experienced a resurgence last year when his 1983 hit “Gwo Gwo Ngwo” went viral after skit-maker Brain Jotter used it in a comedy clip. The renewed interest brought overdue recognition, increased royalties, and visits from admirers to his home in Enugu. A street was even renamed in his honour.
President Bola Tinubu, in a condolence message by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, hailed Ejeagha’s impact on Nigerian culture, noting his storytelling music helped preserve Igbo customs. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah described him as a humble legend whose influence spanned generations and borders. “He turned folktales into timeless songs that transcended cultures,” Mbah said, pledging continued government support to honour Ejeagha’s memory.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, also paid tribute, calling Ejeagha “a national treasure.” She praised his legacy, citing his over 300 archived recordings as a testament to his cultural contributions.
Ejeagha's passing leaves a significant void, but his music and devotion to preserving oral traditions ensure that his legacy will endure. His son has vowed to carry on his father’s mission of promoting Igbo heritage through music.
Vanguard
Kindly Share This!!!
0 Comments