Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo singer Mike Ejeagha is dead.
Glamtush reports that the renowned highlife legend and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, has passed on at the age of 95.
This online news platform understands that Mike Ejeagha died late Friday night, June 6, at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, following a prolonged illness.
His death was confirmed by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, during a telephone conversation.
Mike Ejeagha was celebrated for his mastery in transforming Igbo folklore and proverbs into captivating musical narratives that educated and entertained generations.
His unique style of storytelling through music dominated Nigerian airwaves in the 1980s and earned him a revered place in the country’s cultural history.
Glamtush recalls that one of Ejeagha’s most iconic tracks, “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” gained renewed attention in July 2024 after popular stand-up comedian and skitmaker Brian Jotter remixed the song, introducing it to a younger audience and sparking a resurgence of interest in Ejeagha’s work
With a career spanning several decades, Ejeagha’s contributions to the preservation and promotion of Igbo language and culture through highlife music remain unmatched.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the country as fans, cultural institutions, and fellow musicians remember his profound impact on traditional music and his legacy as a custodian of oral tradition.
In September 2024, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah visited the singer, renamed the street leading to his house after him, and pledged to take full responsibility for all his bills.
Meanwhile, Mike Ejeagha’s funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
May his soul rest in peace, Amen.