Things to know about late Mike Ejeagha, man behind ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo’

The world of African music has lost one of its finest storytellers, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, the revered Igbo folklore and highlife music icon, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the age of 95.

Though his music recently went viral again thanks to a comedic skit by Brain Jotter featuring his 1983 hit Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, Ejeagha was far more than a meme-worthy moment. He was a living archive of Igbo oral tradition, whose influence spans generations.

As fans old and new celebrate his rich legacy, here are five things you should know about the man fondly remembered as the grandfather of Igbo folk music:

1. He Started His Musical Journey from Ogene to Guitar

Born in August 1932 in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha’s love for music began in his elementary school days when he joined an Ogene group. His passion deepened after watching guitarists like Moses Aduba (aka Moscow) perform at Enugu’s Coal Camp. Determined to master the craft, he taught himself to play the guitar and by 1950, he had formed his first band — Mike Ejeagha and the Merry-makers.

2. His Big Break Came from Radio — Not a Record Deal

Ejeagha rose to national prominence after a successful audition at the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS), where he was given a music programme titled Guitar Playtime. The exposure helped him expand his band into the Premier Dance Band and build a loyal following. After the Nigerian Civil War, he released the acclaimed album Omekagu and hosted Akuko n’egwu (folktales in music) on the Anambra Broadcasting Service — a show that made him a household name across the South-East.

3. His Music Was a Cultural Classroom

Mike Ejeagha’s songs were more than melodies — they were repositories of Igbo wisdom. Filled with proverbs, idioms, and moral lessons, his folk music was a form of cultural education. Songs like Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (which recently resurfaced on social media) used characters like the Tortoise and the Elephant to teach values such as humility, cunning, and justice. His style was uniquely didactic, using humor and parables to entertain and educate.

4. He Recorded Over 30 Albums Spanning Decades

Throughout his illustrious career, Ejeagha recorded at least 33 albums, each one laced with stories, cultural idioms, and traditional wisdom. His music resonated across age groups, and the resurgence of his 1980s song in 2024 showed that his art remains timeless. His body of work continues to bridge generations, proving that folklore still has a place in modern pop culture.

5. His Legacy Lives On Beyond Viral Fame

While younger Nigerians may have discovered Mike Ejeagha through Brain Jotter’s viral skit or the catchy “Gwo gwo gwo n gwo” lyric, his true legacy lies in his tireless efforts to preserve Igbo oral tradition through music. Until his final days, he remained an ambassador of Igbo language and culture. With his passing, Nigeria not only loses a musician but also a cultural historian.

Gentleman Mike Ejeagha may be gone, but his voice and the wisdom it carried will continue to echo through speakers, skits, and stories for years to come.