The family of late highlife music icon, Mike Ejeagha, has confirmed that the legendary musician was laid to rest within 24 hours of his passing in accordance with his final wishes.
This is according to Ejeagha’s eldest son, who revealed that the decision to conduct a swift burial was made to honor the 95-year-old’s specific request not to be embalmed.
According to him, Ejeagha, affectionately known as the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” crooner, had repeatedly instructed his family to bury him promptly after death. “He sternly instructed me, as his first son, that he should not be embalmed when he passes. So we honored that,” he said.
The musician, known for weaving traditional Igbo proverbs into his highlife melodies, died on Friday night at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness. He was buried on Saturday at his country home in Umuagba, Imezi-Owa, in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The family consulted widely before carrying out the burial, the son added. “I contacted my family members and kindred, and even informed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Everyone agreed that his wish should be respected,” he said.
Ejeagha’s funeral ceremony will be formally announced at a later date, the family confirmed.
Mike Ejeagha leaves behind a rich musical legacy that deeply influenced highlife music in Nigeria, celebrated for his deep lyrical storytelling and cultural preservation through music.
