By Ada Okafor, Enugu
The most elderly son of the late veteran forkelore musician, Emmanuel Ejeagha, has disclosed why the family buried his father, Mike Ejeagha, within 24 hours after his passage.
Ejeagha was laid to rest in his country home at Umuagba, Imezi-Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Saturday, 7th June, 2025.
Ejeagha died on Friday night at the Military hospital in Enugu at the age of 95 years.
Speaking on Sunday, Emmanuel said the family buried the musician within 24 hours after his death in keeping with their father’s wish.
He disclosed that his father made a wish and warned them not to embalm him after he passed on, which they kept to.
He added that his father sternly instructed him, as the first son, that whenever he passes on, nobody should embalm him or keep him in the Mortuary for too long.
Mike Ejeagha the founder of Premier Dance Band, produced a musical album, among several others, titled “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma” in which the refrain, “Gwo-Gwo, Gwo-Ngwo”, took the world by storm after a social media influencer, Brain Jotter, made a skirt with the refrain, raising one of his legs rhythmically.
Ejeagha’s philosophy of life, which centers on “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma” (reward of hardwork in old age is best), resonated to keep off the youths from rascalty and deviant behaviours.
And true to the predictions in his songs, Mike Ejeagha stated to reap the fruits of his youthful age in abundance in his old age.
Emmanuel had stated: “I contacted members of my family and informed them that my father made a wish that he should be laid to rest within 24 hours after his death.
“I also summoned a meeting of my kindred and we discussed extensively.
“The Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah, was informed about it and they all consented that whatever was his wish should be kept.
“There are lots of consequential results if an elder said something and it was not followed the way he instructed,” he stated.
Emmanuel further said that the ace musician’s funeral ceremonies would be announced after the family had made relevant condultations.
