Music icon and Igbo folklorist, ‘Gentleman’ Mike Ejeagha, has died at the age of 95.
News of the passing of the ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ crooner who hailed from Enugu State filtered into the public space on Friday evening.
While confirming the death of the veteran singer on his X handle on Saturday, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, expressed grief over Ejeagha’s passing.
He said the late singer’s death created a void that would be too difficult to fill.
Mbah described Ejeagha as an unassuming and easygoing personality, whose fan base spreads across international boundaries.
Reacting to the sad development, the governor assured that his government would further immortalise the legend in death.
Mbah had celebrated the folklorist during his lifetime by reconstructing the popular Obinagu Road and the adjoining Chief Mike Ejeagha Crescent leading directly to his residence in Abakpa Nike, Enugu, a long wish of the icon left unfulfilled by successive administrations in the state.
He also renamed Obinagu Road as Chief Mike Ejeagha Road in his honour.
Taking to his verified social media handles, the governor paid a heartfelt tribute to the Enugu-born musician.
He said, “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.”
The governor added, “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.”
He stated that Ejeagha’s fan base transcended boundaries as 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 immortalised.
“Above all, I pray that his family experiences the comforting grace of God’s love, and the fortitude to bear the loss,” the governor added.
‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ Trend
In July 2024, the music legend’s 1983 hit song, ‘Onye Ori Utaba,’ went viral when a chorus from the song became a dance challenge worldwide, following a skit by a content creator, Chukwuebuka Amuzie, popularly known as Brain Jotter.
Although released 42 years earlier, many celebrities from different walks of life soon jumped on the challenge which involved the funny movement of the legs.
The viral trend attracted the attention of the Enugu State governor, who visited the singer and named a street in his honour.
Tributes
Meanwhile, tributes have started pouring in for the late folklorist.
President Bola Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and many fans of Ejeagha, whom he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language.
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,” Tinubu said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information on Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, expressed sadness over the death of the music icon.
In a post on X, Obi said Ejeagha’s death marked the end of an era, but not the end of his voice as his songs would continue to echo through generations “as testaments to wisdom, culture, and truth”.
“For over six decades, Pa Ejeagha, popularly known as Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, used music not merely as art, but as a medium for teaching, healing, and preserving the moral and philosophical wealth of the people.
“His lyrics, rich with proverbs and folk wisdom, were moral compasses for both young and old. Through his work, he immortalised the essence of life – its humour, discipline, spirituality, and resilience. Recently, one of his old tracks, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo), took social media by storm, popularised by Brain Jotter, a young content creator,” the former Anambra State governor said.
On his part, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, in a post on X said, “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.”
In a video shared on his Instagram handle on Saturday which showed Ejeagha crying as he waved at well-wishers, Brain Jotter said, “Thirthy-nine years ago, he made magic. Thirthy-nine years later, we danced to it again. Now, he rests — but his melody lives forever. Rest in peace, legend.”
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