Peter Obi Pays Tribute to Highlife Icon Mike Ejeagha: “Your Voice Will Echo Through the Ages”

 

TRIBUTE BY PETER OBI TO GENTLEMAN MIKE EJEAGHA:

The news of the passing of Pa Mike Ejeagha, the legendary highlife musician, cultural sage, and storyteller, came with profound sadness. As someone who deeply cherishes Nigeria’s cultural heritage, I mourn not just the loss of an extraordinary artist, but the transition of a man whose entire life was dedicated to preserving our collective wisdom, morality, and tradition through music.

Gentleman Mike Ejeagha was more than a musician; he was a moral compass for generations. For over sixty years, he used his guitar not just as an instrument of sound, but as a conduit for truth. His songs were never just entertainment. They were life lessons, deeply rooted in proverbs, folklore, and the philosophy of our people. Through his craft, he kept the Igbo language alive in the hearts of our youth and reminded us all of who we are and where we come from.

His music taught discipline, honesty, resilience, and the power of community. He chronicled life with clarity and humour, never straying from the values that shaped his upbringing. It is no exaggeration to say that Gentleman Mike was a teacher to the nation—a griot who made wisdom dance on strings.

Even in recent times, his voice found a new audience. One of his earlier tracks, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo), recently went viral after being popularised by Brain Jotter, a young content creator. That song—like so many of his—reminded us that true art never dies. It only sleeps until a new generation rediscovers its power.

To the people of Enugu State, his home and cultural base, I offer my deepest condolences. To Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, who now carries the responsibility of honouring this illustrious son of the soil, I extend both sympathy and solidarity. This is not just a loss for Enugu—it is a loss for Nigeria, and indeed for all who value art as a vessel for truth.

Pa Mike’s departure may mark the end of an era, but it is not the end of his influence. His music will continue to echo in our hearts, reminding us that culture is not just something we inherit—it is something we must preserve and pass on, just as he did so selflessly and beautifully.

As a nation, we must celebrate his legacy and ensure it never fades. We must archive his recordings, study his lyrics, and share his work with the world. His life is a testament to the power of storytelling, and it is our responsibility to keep his story alive.

To his family, I pray for comfort and strength. May you find peace in knowing that he lived a purposeful life, one that left an indelible mark on our history.

Rest well, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha. Your songs were sermons, your melodies medicine. You may have gone home, but your voice remains here with us—clear, wise, and eternal.

May your soul find eternal rest, and may your legacy live forever.

— Peter Obi