Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lamented the death of Nigerian highlife icon Mike Ejeagha, describing him as a “storyteller, teacher, and guardian of the Igbo oral tradition”.
Ejeagha, 95, died on Friday evening at 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a long illness.
His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news to reporters on Saturday.
In a touching homage released through his official social media handles, Atiku stated, ”Gentleman Mike Ejeagha was more than a musician; he was a storyteller, a teacher, and a guardian of Igbo oral tradition.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Popularly called “Gentleman” for his calm demeanour and lyrical grace, Ejeagha was recently brought back into the public eye through a heartfelt visit by comedian and skit maker Brain Jotter.
The entertainer’s interaction with the aged star rekindled public enthusiasm for his work.
Atiku’s homage included the line, “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,” referring to his characteristic sound and the emotional outpouring of love that followed the viral appearance.
Ejeagha, known for his traditional lyrics, proverbs, and didactic narrative style, is a towering figure in Nigerian music.
Many of his songs become cultural touchstones in Igbo-speaking communities and beyond.
Ejeagha’s musical career spanned six decades and resulted in a wide catalogue of songs noted for their profound knowledge, philosophical tone, and traditional instruments.
