Renowned musician and Igbo folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, has died at the age of 95.
The news of of the passing of Ejeagha, popularly known for his hit song “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo,” was confirmed by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, on Saturday.
Mbah described Ejeagha as a legend, cultural ambassador, and revered son of Enugu State, whose death has created a void that would be difficult to fill.
The governor praised Ejeagha’s easygoing personality, humility, and towering celebrity status, which belied his gentle nature.
The Governor noted that Ejeagha’s music transcended boundaries, with a fan base that spread across international borders and assured that the state government would further immortalize the legend in death, having previously celebrated him by reconstructing the popular Obinagu Road and renaming it Chief Mike Ejeagha Road.
The musician’s song “Onye Ori Utaba” gained renewed popularity in July 2024, 42 years after its release, when a chorus from the song became a viral dance challenge worldwide.
The trend attracted the attention of the Enugu State governor, who visited Ejeagha and honored him with a street naming ceremony.
Mbah paid a heartfelt tribute to Ejeagha, describing him as one of the finest musicians of his generation, who took simple indigenous folktales and turned them into unforgettable songs that resonate across cultures.
The governor offered condolences to the Ejeagha family and assured them of the state’s support in immortalizing his memory.
