Why Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha Was Buried Within 24 Hours — Son Reveals

Emmanuel Ejeagha, eldest son of the late highlife icon Mike Ejeagha, has revealed the reason behind the immediate burial of his father, who passed away at the age of 95 on Friday following a prolonged illness.

In a conversation with Vanguard, Emmanuel explained that the swift burial—carried out less than 24 hours after the music legend’s passing—was in strict adherence to his father’s final wish.

“A meeting was held, and even Governor Peter Mbah agreed that his wish should be respected,” Emmanuel stated.

The burial took place on June 7 in Umuagba, Imezi-Owa, Enugu State, following a unanimous decision by the family. Governor Mbah was informed and reportedly gave his full backing to honour the late singer’s request.

While the burial was private and low-key, Emmanuel disclosed that a formal funeral ceremony is being planned for October 2025, to be jointly organized by the family and the Enugu State Government.

He also urged the Federal Government to posthumously recognize his father for his immense cultural contributions, lamenting that Ejeagha, despite his legacy, was never officially honoured during his lifetime.

Renowned for preserving Igbo oral traditions through music, Mike Ejeagha—popularly known as “Gentleman”—enjoyed a career spanning over 60 years. He became a household name with timeless classics such as Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, endearing himself to generations of music lovers.

His legacy was recently rekindled in 2024 when comedian and skit maker Brain Jotter featured one of Ejeagha’s songs in a viral video, introducing his unique sound to a younger audience.