Veteran Nigerian highlife musician and folklorist Mike Ejeagha has passed on at the age of 95, prompting an outpouring of tributes from top political leaders and fans nationwide. Ejeagha, fondly remembered as “Gentleman Mike,” died on Friday, decades after influencing generations with his unique blend of storytelling and music.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Ejeagha as one of Nigeria’s most iconic musicians and a cultural treasure.
“Mike Ejeagha used his music and distinctive storytelling style to preserve and promote Igbo customs and values. He was one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists and musicians in the Igbo language,” Tinubu stated.
He added that “the spirit and message in Gentleman Mike’s music remind us that art can heal, uplift, and guide a nation.”
President Tinubu also commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for honouring the artist during his lifetime. The Governor had reconstructed the road to Ejeagha’s residence and renamed it Chief Mike Ejeagha Road.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also paid tribute, referencing the viral resurgence of Ejeagha’s 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, which recently became the soundtrack for the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance challenge.
“At least he witnessed a glorious encore thanks to Brain Jotter. Rest in music, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” Atiku wrote on X.
Labour Party’s Peter Obi reflected on the late musician’s six-decade career, saying, “His songs remain enduring testaments to wisdom, culture, and truth.”
He praised Ejeagha’s ability to use music as a tool for education, healing, and preserving Igbo philosophical heritage. “His lyrics, steeped in proverbs and moral lessons, served as compasses for generations,” Obi added.
Governor Peter Mbah hailed the late legend as “a revered son of Enugu, a cultural ambassador, and one of the finest musicians of his era.”
He described Ejeagha’s humility as one that stood in contrast to his fame, adding that his legacy will be difficult to match.
Comedian and skit maker Brain Jotter, who sparked a revival of Ejeagha’s classic through a skit earlier in 2024, also shared an emotional tribute:
“39 years ago, he made magic. 39 years later, we danced to it again. Now, he rests — but his melody lives forever.”
It was Brain Jotter’s comedic skit, featuring Ejeagha’s folktale-infused track from Akuko Na Egwu Vol. 1, that brought the musician back into the spotlight among Gen Z audiences. The song narrates a humorous tale of a cunning tortoise tricking an elephant into attending a wedding.
The accompanying “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance mimics the elephant’s stomping footsteps and quickly went viral across TikTok and Instagram, with over 28 million views in a week. From celebrities and students to clergy and the Super Falcons, many participated in the viral challenge.
In a heartfelt gesture, Brain Jotter had offered N2 million to the aging musician before his passing.
Born in the early 1930s in Owa, Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha was more than a musician—he was a moral teacher, a storyteller, and a custodian of Igbo heritage. Armed with just his acoustic guitar and an arsenal of Igbo proverbs, he taught generations about discipline, life, and laughter.
Though he has bowed out, the legacy of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha continues to echo across time—through his songs, stories, and the footsteps of a viral dance.
