Tributes Flow As Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Others Mourn Popular Gwo gwo gwo ngwo singer, Mike Ejeagha
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Tributes Flow As Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Others Mourn Legendary Mike Ejeagha
Until his death, Ejeagha’s name found new resonance with a younger audience in 2024 when his 1983 song became the soundtrack for a viral dance challenge.
President Tinubu Leads National Tributes to Legendary Folklorist
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President Bola Tinubu has joined a growing list of dignitaries mourning the death of Mike Ejeagha, the revered folklorist and highlife musician, who passed away on Friday at the age of 95.
In a statement released Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Ejeagha as “one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language.”
“TJ News Nigeria gathered that Mike Ejeagha used his music and distinctive storytelling style to preserve and project Igbo culture and customs, inspiring generations.
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“May the spirit and values of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s music continue to remind us that music has the power to revive, heal, and redirect energy towards worthy causes that help build our nation,” the President said.
The President also praised the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, for recognising the musician’s contributions during his lifetime and prayed for peace for his family and fans.
Atiku and Obi Honour the Icon’s Enduring Legacy
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid tribute to Ejeagha’s legacy, highlighting the renewed popularity of one of his classic songs, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, which went viral on social media earlier this year.
“TJ News Nigeria reports that Atiku wrote on X: ‘It is 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. Rest in music, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.’”
Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also commemorated the late musician, lauding his six-decade career.
“His transition marks the end of an era, but not the end of his voice – his songs will continue to echo through generations as testaments to wisdom, culture, and truth,” Obi said.
“Pa Ejeagha used music not merely as art, but as a medium for teaching, healing, and preserving the moral and philosophical wealth of the people. His lyrics, rich with proverbs and folk wisdom, were moral compasses for both young and old,” he added.
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Governor Mbah Pays Homage to a Cultural Ambassador
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State described Mike Ejeagha as “a legend, a cultural ambassador, and a revered son of Enugu State.”
“TJ News Nigeria learnt that Governor Mbah recalled Ejeagha’s humility and easygoing nature despite his towering celebrity status. ‘His death leaves a huge void that will be difficult to fill. But the legacies he has left behind will last a lifetime,’ the governor said.”
During the musician’s lifetime, Governor Mbah honoured him by reconstructing the road leading to his residence in Abakpa Nike, renaming it Chief Mike Ejeagha Road—fulfilling a wish unaccomplished by past administrations.
Brain Jotter Revives Ejeagha’s Classic for New Generations
Comedian Chukwuebuka Amuzie, popularly known as Brain Jotter, played a pivotal role in reintroducing Ejeagha’s 1983 hit Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche to a younger audience.
The track, from Ejeagha’s Akuko Na Egwu Vol. 1 album, tells a humorous Igbo folktale about a cunning tortoise tricking an elephant to attend a marriage ceremony under false pretenses.
“TJ News Nigeria gathered that Brain Jotter’s viral skit featuring the song sparked the ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ dance challenge, mimicking the elephant’s thunderous footsteps as it chases the tortoise.”
The challenge quickly gained traction on TikTok and Instagram, racking up over 28 million views in one week. Celebrities, students, priests, and even Nigeria’s Super Falcons joined in.
Brain Jotter had located Ejeagha to offer a N2 million gift in appreciation before the musician’s death.
A Life Dedicated to Culture and Morality
Born in the early 1930s in Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha was more than a musician. His acoustic guitar-led songs were steeped in Igbo proverbs, imparting lessons on morality, discipline, humor, and the realities of everyday life.
“TJ News Nigeria reports that Ejeagha’s music served as a moral compass and a cultural archive, teaching generations the importance of tradition and ethical values through folklore and song.”
His passing marks the end of a remarkable era in Nigerian music and cultural preservation.
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