Legendary highlife and folklore musician, Mike Ejeagha, has been buried in his hometown, Umuagba, Imezi-Owa, located in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The celebrated 95-year-old artist, whose musical legacy shaped Igbo traditional music for decades, passed away on a Friday evening at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness, as confirmed by his son, Emma Ejeagha.
Born on April 4, 1930, Ejeagha was renowned for his powerful storytelling through music, with timeless classics like “Omekagu”, “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma”, and “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche”. His music, deeply rooted in Igbo culture and values, conveyed life lessons that transcended generations. Over 300 of his recordings are currently archived in the National Archives of Nigeria.
In recent years, his 1983 song “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” gained fresh attention through a viral social media dance challenge, introducing his work to a new generation.
His death sparked an outpouring of tributes, including a moving message from Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, who hailed him as an irreplaceable cultural icon.
“Mike Ejeagha was a legend, a cultural ambassador, and one of the finest musicians of his generation,”
the governor said, highlighting the artist’s humility and international influence.
As a sign of respect during Ejeagha’s lifetime, Governor Mbah had reconstructed and renamed the Obinagu Road—now Chief Mike Ejeagha Road—which leads to his residence in Abakpa Nike. The governor also pledged that more initiatives would be taken to further immortalize the late music legend.
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