Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s death at 95 marks the loss of a true guardian of Igbo culture through music. His son confirmed he passed after a long illness.
Starting in the 1960s, Ejeagha built a legacy blending traditional Igbo folk music with storytelling. By the 1980s, his songs like Omekagu and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche became timeless classics.
In 2024, a viral dance video by Brain Jotter revived Ejeagha’s 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, pushing it onto Apple Music Nigeria’s charts and making him the oldest Nigerian artist to achieve this feat. His album Akụkọ N’egwu Original Vol. 1 also re-entered Spotify’s Nigeria Top 100 Albums, four decades later.
Peter Obi praised Ejeagha for turning music into a tool for teaching and healing, preserving Igbo wisdom and values through proverbs and folk tales. He called Ejeagha’s work a moral compass that will continue to guide generations.
Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi echoed this, calling him a cultural ambassador whose songs crossed boundaries. He promised the government would honor Ejeagha’s legacy and support his family.
Social media reflected the deep respect for Ejeagha. Cultural commentator Anafulogo highlighted the dignity behind his nickname “Gentleman.” Former VP Atiku Abubakar noted how Brain Jotter’s viral video gave the highlife maestro a final encore.
Brain Jotter himself said, “39 years ago, he made magic, 39 years later, we dance to it again. Now he rests but his melody lives forever.”
Mike Ejeagha leaves behind a powerful reminder: music can hold culture, wisdom, and history alive. His voice won’t fade.
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