Mike Ejeagha, who sang the popular track, ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ which went viral on social media, is dead. He was aged 95
Veteran highlife musician Mike Ejeagha has died at the age of 95.
Popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” the Igbo music icon died on Friday night at 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu following a prolonged illness.
His son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news on Saturday, saying his father died around 8 p.m.
“My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment,” he told journalists in Enugu.
Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Ejeagha was widely revered for his unique blend of highlife and Igbo folklore, which he used to pass down wisdom, proverbs and moral lessons in his native language.
He gained national recognition between the 1960s and 1980s with classic songs like ‘Omekagu,’ ‘Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma’ and ‘Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche’ often affectionately referred to by fans as ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo.’
This song, with its catchy and rhythmic vocal style, became a cultural staple, celebrated for its infectious energy and traditional storytelling.
It regained prominence last year after skit maker Brain Jotter used it to dance in one of his skits.
Ejeagha’s musical legacy includes over 300 works archived in the National Archives of Nigeria, a testament to his efforts in preserving the Igbo language and culture through storytelling and music.
Tributes have begun pouring in on social media as fans, cultural enthusiasts and fellow musicians mourn the loss of a legend.
Mike Ejeagha is survived by his children and grandchildren.
Meanwhile, comic star, Chukwuebuka Emmanuel, popularly known as Brain Jotter, is mourning veteran highlife musician Mike Ejeagha.
Taking to Instagram, Brain Jotter shared a video of the late musician with the caption:
“39 years ago, he made magic.
39 years later, we danced to it again.
Now, he rests — but his melody lives forever.
Rest in peace, legend.”
‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,’ as it is fondly called, is a 1983 Igbo highlife classic that tells a folktale about a clever tortoise (Mbe) and a mighty elephant (Enyi).
The chorus, which mimics rhythmic drumming, has remained a cultural touchstone over the decades.
In 2024, the song experienced a resurgence after Brain Jotter launched the viral “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” dance challenge.
The challenge featured a unique routine where participants faced each other, walked forward and performed synchronized leg movements to the beat of ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo.’
The dance trend not only showcased Brain Jotter’s creativity but also introduced Ejeagha’s music to a new generation.
In appreciation of the music legend, the comedian visited Ejeagha and presented him with a N2 million gift.