Enugu, Nigeria – E people don dey pour tributes for late Nigerian highlife musician, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, wey just waka go meet his ancestors at age 95. Na him eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, come confirm say the man die 8 p.m. last Friday after long battle with illness. Born on April 4, 1930, for Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Gentleman Mike no just sing, he sabi tell stories wey dey carry our culture and tradition.
From the ’60s, Ejeagha don dey shine like star, but na the ’80s wey e turn household name, with classic tracks like Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche. Na joke! Who no sabi those songs? E don carry many Naija people along on top this music journey.
Before e waka go, Ejeagha’s music don experience serious resurgence for 2024, thanks to comedian Brain Jotter wey use his 1983 track, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, for viral dance video. The song even climb reach #81 for Apple Music Nigeria, making am the oldest Nigerian artist wey ever chart. Na wetin them dey call ‘Lifeline come again’ for music world!
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, no fit keep mouth shut. He go X (formerly Twitter) come yarn: “I just read the sad news of the passing of the legendary highlife musician, songwriter, folklorist, and cultural custodian, Pa Mike Ejeagha. His transition marks the end of an era… but his voice go continue to echo through generations.” Na good thing wey him talk, cause the man no just dey sing, him dey represent Igbo culture for better way.
Governor for Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi, also no wan miss the chance to share him own tears. Him talk say, “Mike Ejeagha was a legend, a cultural ambassador.” Him no lie! The man na original representation of indigenous folktales wey carry our culture everywhere. E don make plenty effort to ensure say Ejeagha no disappear from memory.
For social media, people dey shine bright light on the man wey don make everywhere sweet with him sound. Cultural commentator, Anafulogo, even talk say, “We Igbo people lost a special one in Gentleman Mike Ejeagha. Do you know how level-headed a man will be for ‘Gentleman’ to be a part of his identity?” Na person wey carry respect, no be play.
Even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar don chime in, reflect on how Ejeagha’s music techy come back with Brain Jotter. Him talk say: “It’s 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.” Omo! E sweet me for belle.
Brain Jotter sef drop one emotional tribute: “39 years ago, he made magic, 39 years later, we dance to it again. Now he rests but his melody lives forever. Rest on, legend.” E no dey easy to say goodbye, but at least the music go dey continue to dey inspire people for generations to come.
Mike Ejeagha na true legend, and even though e don pass, the wisdom and richness of him music go forever dey alive. As Peter Obi talk am well: “This may be the end of an era, but not the end of his voice.”
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