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MIKE EJEAGHA BOWS OUT AT 95: THE GENTLE GIANT OF IGBO FOLK HIGHLIFE LEAVES BEHIND A TIMELESS LEGACY

 MIKE EJEAGHA BOWS OUT AT 95: THE GENTLE GIANT OF IGBO FOLK HIGHLIFE LEAVES BEHIND A TIMELESS LEGACY


By Daniel Okonkwo


Legendary highlife musician Mike Ejeagha has passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a towering legacy in the world of folk music and Igbo cultural preservation. He died on Friday evening, June 7, 2025, at approximately 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, who expressed that the beloved patriarch had battled a long-standing ailment.


Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha’s life and career became deeply interwoven with the soul of Eastern Nigeria. His journey into music began in the 1950s, but it was during the 1960s through the 1980s that he rose to national prominence with his unique brand of Igbo highlife and storytelling folk music. Timeless classics such as Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo) solidified his place in Nigeria’s cultural history.


Mike Ejeagha was not merely a singer—he was a custodian of Igbo oral tradition. His lyrics often served as proverbs in motion, deeply philosophical yet easily accessible. His discography, rich in cultural wisdom and moral teachings, offered a window into traditional life, societal norms, and ethical values. With over 300 songs archived in the National Archives of Nigeria, his contributions to preserving and promoting the Igbo language and folklore through music are nothing short of monumental.


Folk music, by nature, draws inspiration from lived experiences and community narratives. Ejeagha mastered this art form, using his music to captivate, educate, and entertain. His songs often featured acoustic instrumentation and storytelling, delivered in his signature mellow voice that resonated across generations.


While his legacy had always been revered in Eastern Nigeria, it wasn’t until 2024 that Mike Ejeagha experienced a resurgence in national popularity, thanks to social media and the influential content creator Brain Jotter. A viral dance challenge featuring Ejeagha’s 1983 folk highlife song Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo) captured the hearts of millions of Nigerians—especially the youth—who were encountering the richness of his music for the first time.


The track tells the humorous and thought-provoking tale of how the cunning tortoise deceived the elephant, rode on it, and used it to pay the dowry of his bride. The symbolic message and traditional rhythm resonated deeply, sparking conversations around folklore and the need to revive indigenous musical forms.


Brain Jotter didn’t just popularize an old tune—he gave Gentleman Mike Ejeagha a new phase of fame and recognition in his twilight years. By putting a face to the name and showcasing his musical genius to millions, Brain Jotter rendered a priceless gift to both the artist and Nigerian cultural history.


Mike Ejeagha incorporates all the finest qualities of a true folk artist. He had a strong and emotive voice, clear articulation, and above all, a genuine connection with his audience. His performances, whether live or recorded, exuded a natural, unpolished vocal style that made his stories feel intimate and real.


Folk singers like Ejeagha don't just sing—they transport listeners into a world of shared memory and lived experience. His ability to intertwine music with wisdom and humor made his songs memorable, impactful, and evergreen. Much like international folk icons such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez, and John Prine, Mike Ejeagha used his voice and acoustic instruments to reflect societal issues, moral lessons, and human experiences.


The passing of Mike Ejeagha marks the end of an era in Nigerian highlife and folk music. But it also reaffirms the enduring power of cultural expression rooted in authenticity, wisdom, and community. He will be missed not only as a musician but as a storyteller, philosopher, and culturally prominent.


Thankfully, through archives, recordings, and the efforts of new-age digital influencers, his music will continue to educate and inspire future generations. The world may have lost Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, but his voice—carrying the spirit of Igbo folklore—will echo forever. Rest in power, the Gentle Giant of Igbo Highlife.


Profiles International Human Rights Advocate.

MIKE EJEAGHA BOWS OUT AT 95: THE GENTLE GIANT OF IGBO FOLK HIGHLIFE LEAVES BEHIND A TIMELESS LEGACY

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