The family of veteran Nigerian musician, Mike Ejeagha, has revealed that the iconic 'Gwo gwo ngwo' singer died of prostate cancer on Friday evening at the age of 95.
According to Emma Ejeagha, the eldest son of the late folk music legend, his father passed away at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after battling with cancer since 2006.
"Papa died on Friday, at 8 p.m. and his body has been deposited in the mortuary. I was with him during his final moments," Emma stated in an interview on Saturday morning.
Emma further disclosed that the late musician had given specific instructions regarding his funeral arrangements, requesting that his body should neither be embalmed nor kept in the morgue for an extended period.
Legacy Revived Through Social Media
Mike Ejeagha's 1983 classic, 'Gwo gwo ngwo' experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity earlier this year when popular Nigerian skit maker, Brain Jotter, incorporated the song into a global dance challenge that went viral across social media platforms.
The challenge introduced the veteran musician's work to a new generation of listeners, bringing renewed attention to his contributions to Nigeria's rich musical heritage.
Brain Jotter had previously visited the elderly musician at his residence, a meeting that was widely celebrated by fans across the country.
President Bola Tinubu has described the late Mike Ejeagha as "one of Nigeria's greatest folklorists," highlighting the significant cultural impact of his music.
BenriNews reports that the late musician was known for his storytelling style of music, which often contained moral lessons and reflections on Igbo culture and traditions.
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