The family of late Nigerian highlife legend Mike Ejeagha has revealed that he was buried just 24 hours after his passing in accordance with his personal request.
Ejeagha died on Friday night at the age of 95, and was laid to rest the next day, Saturday, at his country home in Umuagba, Imezi-Owa, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
His eldest son, Emmanuel Ejeagha Jnr, confirmed the swift burial during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, June 8. According to him, the move was deliberate and strictly in line with instructions his father gave prior to his death.
“My father gave a stern warning that he should not be embalmed after death, and that he should be buried within 24 hours,” Ejeagha Jnr stated.
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The decision to carry out the burial without delay was made after consultations with family members and elders of their kindred. Ejeagha Jnr emphasized that it was important to honor the final wish of the late musician, who was highly respected not just in his hometown but across Nigeria.
“I contacted members of my family and informed them that my father made a wish that he should be laid to rest 24 hours after his death,” he explained.
According to him, a formal meeting was also held with their kindred to discuss the matter in detail, ensuring there was collective agreement on respecting the deceased’s wishes.
Even the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, was notified about the plan and gave his consent, Ejeagha Jnr disclosed. “They all consented that whatever his wish was should be kept,” he said.
He further explained that in their tradition, failing to adhere to the clear directive of an elder could lead to serious consequences, both spiritually and culturally. This, he said, made it all the more essential to follow through on the instructions left by the veteran musician.
“There are a lot of consequential results if an elder said something and otherwise was done,” he added.
While the burial was held in a quiet and prompt manner to meet the time constraint set by the late singer, the family noted that a formal funeral ceremony would be announced at a later date. Details of this ceremony are expected to be made public once arrangements are concluded.
Mike Ejeagha, often referred to by the nickname “Gwo gwo ngwo,” was a legendary figure in Nigeria’s highlife music scene. With a career that spanned decades, his storytelling style, proverbs-laden lyrics, and deep knowledge of Igbo culture earned him national and international recognition.
His music combined traditional Igbo rhythms with moral lessons and social commentary. Beyond performance, Ejeagha was also a folklorist, and his contributions to Igbo music have been preserved in archives for future generations.
His passing marks the end of an era in the country’s highlife genre. Tributes have continued to pour in from fans, musicians, and cultural stakeholders across Nigeria since news of his death was confirmed.
Although the family has fulfilled his wish of a swift burial, the late musician’s legacy is expected to be celebrated widely during the official funeral events to come.
