When Obi attended burial of ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ legend Mike Ejiagha in Enugu

Obi at the burial in Enugu

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, on Friday attended the burial of highlife legend Mike Ejiagha in Enugu state.

Ejiagha, popularly known as “Gentleman”, died on June 7, 2025, at the age of 95.

The folklorist, whose career spanned more than six decades, was laid to rest in his hometown of Imezi Owa in Ezeagu LGA.Born on April 4, 1930, Ejiagha was renowned for his distinctive storytelling style that preserved Igbo oral traditions through music.

His songs, including Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwo gwo gwo ngwo), became timeless classics that defined a generation of highlife music.

His 1983 track, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, recently gained renewed attention after Nigerian comedian and content creator Chukwuebuka Amuzie, popularly known as Brain Jotter, used it in a viral social media video, reintroducing the folklorist’s work to a younger audience.

Obi, who joined other mourners to honour the late musician, described Ejiagha as a cultural icon whose life embodied service, truth, and devotion to community values.

“May his passing remind us of the beauty of a life dedicated to service, culture, and truth. May his memory inspire us to use our own gifts for the good of society, and to live in a manner worthy of remembrance,” Obi wrote on X.

He also prayed for the repose of the musician’s soul and comfort for his family and admirers. Thecable