“Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” Singer Mike Ejeagha Dies at 95
Legendary Igbo highlife and folklorist icon Mike Ejeagha, affectionately known as “Gentleman,” has passed away at the age of 95. The Nigerian music veteran breathed his last on June 6, 2025, at Enugu’s 32 Garrison Military Hospital following a long battle with prostate cancer, a fight he had courageously waged since 2006
Ejeagha’s deep, storytelling style brought Igbo culture to life through music, earning him a lasting place in Nigeria’s artistic heritage. His 1983 classic, “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche”, famously known for its chorus “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” enjoyed a viral revival last year, introducing his brilliance to a new generation
Tributes have poured in from all corners—President Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Peter Mbah, and cultural ministers praised his humble spirit, powerful storytelling, and invaluable preservation of Igbo traditions through music Enugu State has already begun moves to immortalize his legacy, including renaming roads in his honor and preserving his extensive body of work—from over 300 archived recordings to beloved folktales.
Mike Ejeagha’s passing signals the end of a rich era of folklore-inspired highlife. But as fans and admirers reflect on his legacy, one truth remains: his music, cultural wisdom, and the joy he seeded across generations will continue to echo through time.