Veteran highlife musician Mike Ejeagha, popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” has passed away at 95.
He died on Friday evening at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness, according to his son Emma.
“My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment,” he said.
Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Ejeagha was a legendary figure in Igbo folk music, known for hits like “Omekagu,” “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma,” and “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche.”
His music blended didactic narratives with rhythmic guitar-based Highlife, reflecting deep knowledge of Igbo cosmology and traditional values.
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With over 300 recordings archived in the National Archives of Nigeria, Ejeagha’s contributions to preserving and promoting Igbo culture are monumental.
Recently, his 1983 track “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” went viral after a dance challenge, introducing his music to a younger audience. Ejeagha’s legacy will endure through his extensive discography and impact on Igbo folklore and music.
