“End of an Era: Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha Passes On and Why Nigeria Should Be Ashamed”
Mike Ejeagha Highlife Legend Passes On is suppose to be a great lost for nigerians, but In a country that often forgets its legends until the obituary is written
Nigeria has once again found itself mourning a cultural titan Mike Ejeagha, the Igbo folklore and highlife maestro, has died at the age of 93. But beyond the condolences and trending hashtags, one question lingers uncomfortably: Why do we wait for our heroes to die before we honor them?
Mike Ejeagha A Legend in Lyrics, A Prophet in Proverbs
Known for his rich storytelling, idiomatic Igbo lyrics, and melodic wisdom, Mike Ejeagha was more than just a musician he was a cultural custodian. Songs like “Omekagu,” “Uwa Mgbede,” and “Enyi Ga Achi” weren’t just entertainment; they were philosophical documents, handed down in harmony. He built bridges between generations and preserved Igbo culture in a way modern schools and textbooks never could.
Yet, as he quietly battled aging and illness in Enugu, where was Nigeria’s cultural establishment? Where were the honors? The national awards? The urgent biopics and funded documentaries?
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Nigeria’s Dirty Tradition: Celebrating the Dead, Ignoring the Living
Mike Ejeagha’s passing shines a harsh light on a recurring problem Nigeria’s cultural amnesia. Artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers are often relegated to the shadows unless they remain commercially relevant or politically connected.
He was, by every metric, a national treasure. Yet, unlike other countries that build museums and curricula around their cultural icons, Nigeria allowed Ejeagha to fade from the public eye, despite his irreplaceable contribution to our national identity.
social media today is flooded with tributes from celebrities and politicians who never once acknowledged his existence while he was alive. Is this genuine grief or public relations performance?
More Than Music: Ejeagha Was a Mirror
At the heart of Mike Ejeagha’s music was a call to morality, community, and cultural self-awareness. His lyrics warned about greed, emphasized respect for elders, and mocked the foolishness of blind ambition.
But in today’s Afrobeats-driven, clout-chasing musical landscape, how many artists are brave enough to tell truth in song, as he did? His death is a reminder of what we’ve lost: not just a man, but a moral compass cleverly disguised in melody.
The Unanswered Question: Who Will Carry the Torch?
Now that Ejeagha is gone, the question is not just “How will he be remembered?” but “Who will remember him?” Will schools teach his work? Will the government sponsor cultural archives?
Conclusion: A Country That Eats Its Griots
Mike Ejeagha’s passing is not just a personal loss; it is a national indictment. Nigeria must decide if it wants to continue treating its icons as disposable or start archiving its soul with the seriousness it deserves.
Nigeria Must Choose Immortalize or Forget
Mike Ejeagha’s death is not just the end of a legendary life it is a haunting reminder of how Nigeria treats its cultural pioneers. While the tributes pour in now that he’s gone, the sad truth is that he, like many before him, was largely neglected in his final years. We cannot claim to value culture while ignoring the custodians of that culture.
If Nigeria truly wishes to move forward, it must start by honoring its heroes while they live not just with words, but with action, investment, and reverence. Mike Ejeagha preserved the soul of a people in his music; now it’s our duty to preserve his legacy with purpose and pride.
Rest in power, Onye Nkuzi (The Teacher). Nigeria may have forgotten you, but history won’t.
If we don’t immortalize our legends in life, our children will inherit only ghost stories and hashtags. Rest in peace, Mike Ejeagha. You gave us stories. We gave you silence.
