“He said we shouldn’t embalm him,” Highlife maestro, Mike Ejeagha buried 24 hours after death

Veteran Nigerian highlife musician, Mike Ejeagha has been buried in Enugu, just 24 hours after his death.

The 95-year-old, fondly called ‘Gentleman’, passed away on Friday after a prolonged illness.

He was laid to rest the following day in his hometown of Umuagba, Imezi-Owa, in the Ezeagu LGA of Enugu state.

In an interview with NAN, Emmanuel Ejeagha, the singer’s eldest son, said the decision to bury his father within 24 hours was in line with his final wish.

He said his father firmly instructed him, as the first son, that no embalming should be done after his passing.

“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 said.

“I also summoned a meeting of my kindred and we discussed extensively and even Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State was informed about it and they all consented that whatever was his wish should be kept.”

He added that funeral ceremonies will be held at a later date.

Ejeagha is considered one of the pioneers of the highlife genre in Nigeria.

He has been influential in the evolution of music in the Igbo language for over six decades.

In 2024, the ‘Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche’ crooner experienced a resurgence in popularity after Brain Jotter, the skit maker, used the song for his viral dance moves.

Enugu governor also rebuilt and renamed Obinagu Road in Abakpa Nike, Enugu, in honour of Ejeagha.