Life is lived with perseverance. Life is a struggle. This is the locus standi of the song “Odogwu Nari Enu” by the legendary Mike Ejeagha. This old Igbo folklore song is a gem from Gentleman Mike Ejeagha. Mike Ejeagha was born in August 1932 in Imezi Owa, Eziagu Local Government of Enugu State.
In a 2009 interview published on “Last FM,” Mike Ejeagha shared that the “Gentleman” title was a nod to his respectful and courteous demeanor. His musical journey began early in the 90s, being part of an Ogene group during elementary school. The spark ignited when he saw Moses Aduba, AKA Moscow, and Cyprian Uzochiawa play the guitar at Coal Camp in Enugu. Ejeagha absorbed their techniques and perfected his own guitar skills, eventually forming his band, Mike Ejeagha and Merry-Makers, in 1950.
His fame skyrocketed after the Nigerian Civil War with the album “Omekagu” which He released under Polygram Records, later Phillips Records. During the golden days, he was invited by Anambra Broadcasting Service (now Enugu State Broadcasting Service) where he hosted the popular folklore program titled “Akuko n’egwu” (storytelling in music), where he shared a new folktale weekly.
Ejeagha’s Igbo folk music is rich with stories of social, cultural, historical, and moral relevance, filled with idioms, proverbs, and folktales. This narrative style cemented him as one of the most iconic traditional Igbo folk and highlife artists in Nigerian history. His contributions to Igbo folklore music have garnered widespread praise, with his legacy shining brightly. In a March 2023 article on Afrocritik, Chimezie Chika described Gentleman Mike Ejeagha as the “grandfather of modern Igbo folk music.”
At 90 years old, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha is still making waves on social media. His 1983 record “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” went viral after comedian and skit maker Brain Jotter featured it in a video, proving that Ejeagha’s musical wisdom continues to spark generations.
Gentleman Mike Ejeagha Odogwu Nari Enu mp3 download.