President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his condolences to the family, friends and admirers of legendary highlife musician and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, who died on Friday at the age of 95.
In a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu paid glowing tribute to Ejeagha’s towering influence on Nigerian music and cultural heritage.
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The president described him as “one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language.”
He also hailed Ejeagha’s distinctive storytelling through music as a cultural treasure, noting his role in preserving and promoting Igbo traditions across generations.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
The President also lauded the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, for honouring the late icon during his lifetime, emphasizing the importance of recognizing cultural custodians while they are still with us.
Tinubu concluded his tribute with prayers for divine comfort to all who mourn Ejeagha’s passing and for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Also, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep sadness over the death of music icon ‘Gentleman’ Mike Ejeagha, saying the legend had left a void that would be too difficult to fill.
Mbah described Ejeagha as an unassuming and easygoing personality, whose fanbase spread across international boundaries.
The governor, who had earlier honoured the folklorist during his lifetime by rehabilitating the popular Obinagu Road and the adjoining Chief Mike Ejeagha Crescent leading directly to his residence in Abakpa Nike, Enugu, which was left unattended to by successive administrations in the state
Mbah also renamed Obinagu Road as Chief Mike Ejeagha Road in his honour.
He, however, assured that his government would further immortalise the legend in death, even as he took to his verified social media handles, @PNMbah, to pay a 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 easygoing 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.”
