Nigeria’s famous highlife maestro, Mike Ejeagha, recently died at the age of 95. The popular musician was also known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.” He lived a fulfilled life as an accomplished musician, family man, and a patriotic Nigerian. He popularized highlife through his celebration of folklores. His songs are didactic. They convey deep moral and cultural meanings. In his death, Nigeria lost a great musician, songwriter, folklorist and a cultural icon. There is no doubt that his demise created a huge gap which will be very difficult to fill.
During his lifetime, he celebrated virtues and condemned vices through his songs. He was regarded as a moral teacher, a crusader who sang about the human conditions and relationships. Through his music, he mobilized people to embrace patience, honesty, love, tolerance, and dedication to God. His songs dramatize the warring, unsteady impulses of humanity. His songs condemn greed, manipulation, and exploitation of others.
While most highlife musicians in his generation deployed their songs as entertainment agencies to eulogize and praise wealthy people, Ejeagha was committed to his musical art, which he used to reflect the society. Some of his evergreen songs include Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, with its popular ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ refrain, Elulube Lube, Anyi Ga Achi, Atualu Omalu, Anyi Fulu Ozu Ene, Udo Ka Nma, Onye Uri Utaba, Uwa Ngbede Ka Nma, Onye Ndidi N’eli Azu Ukpo, Ome Ka Agu, and Ikpechakwa Kam Kpee.
Mike Ejeagha was born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu, in Enugu State. He attended St. Patrick’s Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu. As a young boy, he was fascinated by the Igbo musical instrument ogene and played it with his friends to entertain local gatherings. His dexterity and popularity with the ogene attracted the attention of the Coal Camp Boys, a local musical group. In 1945, he was invited to join the group in Enugu.
In 1950, he anchored a programme on radio, Guitar Playtime, and during this time, he formed his musical band known as the Premier Dance Band. Later, his programme, Igbo Play, was featured on Radio Nigeria. He was invited by the Nigerian Television Authority as a guest presenter for an Igbo programme, Akuko n’egwu, in 1972. The programme featured folksongs lyrically composed by Ejeagha and his group. The programme was a success and gave rise to the Igbo expression “Akuko Mike Ejeagha.”
He popularized akuko n’egwu, which means a combination of storytelling and music. The stories that accompanied the songs were mostly derived from Igbo folklore, which combined human and animal characters. In most of his songs, his protagonist was the controversial and legendry tortoise, associated with cunning and dubiety.
Through the Igbo music genre, he propagated a brand of highlife which combined lyrics with background narration that captivated listeners around the world. Even though he sang mainly in Igbo language, the captivating and chanting rhythms endeared many non-Igbo speakers to his songs. His music transcends art but combines philosophy, entertainment, and a measure of inspiration. He used his music to advocate for peace, unity, understanding among people and celebrated native wisdom.
Mike Ejeagha was more than a musician. He was a cultural ambassador whose music depicts the rich folkloric ethos of the Igbo people. His focus was the human condition and the various ways through which these conditions can be improved for a more equitable, conciliatory, contented, and satisfying existence. In recognition of his immense contribution to Igbo highlife, the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has renamed the popular Abakpa road after Mike Ejeagha. He also pledged that the state will immortalize him.
Ejeagha’s demise has created a void in the country’s music scene. It is remarkable that at an old age, shortly before his death, his music inspired popular comedian Brian Jotter to create a viral dance challenge. Also, in 2018, Kcee, a popular Nigerian singer, visited him to ask for permission to use his songs, including the popular Omeka Agu. His modest beginning was mocked, but he persevered and succeeded. The federal government should also immortalize him.
A music academy could be established and named after him. A museum where all his songs are kept and sold could also be established. We believe that celebrating our cultural icons would inspire others to greater heights in their various vocations. Ejeagha lived a good life worthy of emulation and celebration. We urge the younger musicians to emulate his shining example. We commiserate with his family, fans and the music industry over the great loss. May God grant him eternal repose.