From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has joined the nation in mourning the passing of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, a legendary Igbo folklorist, songwriter, and musician, who died on Friday at the age of 95 years.
President Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fans of the late cultural icon.
Tinubu reflected on Ejeagha’s remarkable contribution to preserving Igbo culture through his music and storytelling.
“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,” he said.
The president also commended the Enugu State government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, for honouring the music legend while he was still alive.
Praying for peace for the departed soul, President Tinubu asked God Almighty to grant eternal rest to the late Ejeagha and comfort to all who mourn his loss.
Similarly, Governor Mbah expressed deep grief over the death of the music icon, saying that the legend ‘Gentleman’ Mike Ejeagha, had created a void that would be too difficult to fill.
Mbah described Ejeagha as an unassuming and easygoing personality, whose fan base spread across international boundaries.
It would be recalled that the news of the passing on of the ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ crooner hit the Coal City on Friday evening.
Reacting to the sad development, the governor, who had celebrated the folklorist during his lifetime by reconstructing the popular Obinagu Road and the adjoining Chief Mike Ejeagha Crescent leading directly to his residence in Abakpa Nike, Enugu, a long wish of the icon left unfulfilled by successive administrations in the state, and by renaming Obinagu Road as Chief Mike Ejeagha Road in his honour, assured that his government would further immortalise the legend in death.
Taking to his verified social media handles, @PNMbah, the governor paid a heartfelt tribute to the Enugu-born musician
“I’m profoundly saddened by the death of music icon, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.
“Mike Ejeagha was a legend, a cultural ambassador and a revered son of Enugu State.
“He was one of the finest musicians of his generation with an easy going personality and humility that belied his towering celebrity status.
“I will always cherish fond memories of the time spent in his company – the warmth and wisdom he radiated; the joy he found in the ordinary.
“This is a loss not only for his immediate family; it’s a big loss for Enugu State, the entire music community, and the country as well.
“Ejeagha’s immense talent and genius lay in how he took simple indigenous folktales and turned them into unforgettable songs that resonate across cultures.
“Ejeagha’s fan-base transcended boundaries. He was easily one of the most recognizable voices in music.
“His death leaves a huge void that will be difficult to fill. But the legacies he has left behind will last a lifetime.
“On behalf of the Enugu State government, I offer heartfelt condolences to the Ejeagha family, and assure them of our support.
“As a government, we would ensure that his memory is duly immortalized.
“Above all, I pray that his family experiences the comforting grace of God’s love, and the fortitude to bear the loss.”