Mike Ejeagha is a Nigerian musician, songwriter and folklorist. He has been influential in the evolution of Igbo musics for over 6 decades and is popular for his story telling lyrics laced with proverbs. Mike Ejeagha was born on 4th April, 1930 in Enugu, Nigeria.
Mike Ejeagha Profile
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Name |
Mike Ejeagha |
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Real Name |
Mike Ejeagha |
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Date of Birth |
August 1, 1932 |
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Age |
91 years (2021) |
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State of Origin |
Enugu State |
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Tribe |
Igbo |
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Occupation |
Musician |
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Religion |
Christian |
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Net Worth |
$- |
Career and Musics
Mike Ejeagha was inspired to venture into music after watching two guitarists Moses Aduba and Cyprian Uzochiawa play around his compound at the coal camp Enugu.
While learning how to play guitar, Mike Ejeagha decide to also write and sing in his native dialect ‘Igbo language’.
Mike Ejeagha adopted story telling in his music and was often refereed to as ‘AkukoMike Ejeagha‘ meaning The Story of Mike Ejeagha. He told stories full of proverbs and didactic messages.
He formed his music group Ejeagha and Merry-makers.
Mike Ejeagha started his career as a musician in the mid 20th century but however recorded his first hit album in 1960.
After he was called for an audition by the then Controller of the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) Atu Oha, he was given a radio program titled ‘Guitar Play Time’.
He played with a music group Paradise Rhythm Orchestra owned by a hotelier before forming Premier Dance Band.
In 1964, Mike Ejeagha released an album in honor of his late wife who died in 1963.
He disbanded his music group after the civil war broke out in 1966 but continued with his program with Radio Nigeria. While hosting his program ‘Igbo Music’, he went around playing for soldiers during the war.
In 1974, he formed a new band group and released another music album ‘Omekagu’ with Polygram records.
Mike Ejeagha was invited by both Anambra Broadcasting Service(ABS) and Enugu State Broadcasting Series (ESBS) to host music program titled ‘Akuko N’Egwu’.
Mike Ejeagha have released over 33 albums. Some of his albums are
- Omekagu
- Onye Ndidi n’eli azu ukpo
- Udegbunam
- Nze bia k’anyi rie nni
- Onye Ori Utaba
- Uwa mgbede ka mma
- Ofor malu onye ji ya
- gwogwom ngwo
- Ife m fulu n’ime ofia and many others
Personal Life
Mike Ejeagha lost his first wife in 1963. He remarried in 1966. He has 10 children from both marriages. Mike Ejeagha is from Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.