By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
Veteran Nigerian highlife musician Mike Ejeagha has died at the age of 95.
The music legend, fondly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” passed away on Friday night.
His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the death on Saturday in Enugu.
He said the renowned musician died at about 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital, Enugu, after battling a long illness.
“My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment,” he told journalists.
Mike Ejeagha was known for his rich and poetic Igbo folk songs, which blended traditional wisdom with storytelling.
He was born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State.
His music career took off in the 1960s and continued to flourish through the 1980s.
Hits like Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongw) made him a household name.
He was widely celebrated for using music to preserve Igbo language and culture.
More than 300 of his recordings are housed in the National Archives of Nigeria.
In 2024, his song Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche went viral again through a popular dance challenge on social media.
This unexpected resurgence introduced his music to a new generation of fans.
Mike Ejeagha’s death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s highlife music scene.
categories
recent posts
Malawi Deputy Minister Of Local Government, Joyce Chitsulo Dies
NIGERIA: Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha Dies At 95, Leaves Lasting Legacy
