Comedian Chukwuebuka Emmanuel, widely known as Brain Jotter, has paid an emotional tribute to highlife legend Mike Ejeagha, whose timeless classic Gwo Gwo Ngwo recently found a new audience through a viral online trend.
Recall that Ejeagha passed away on Friday at the age of 95.
On Saturday, Brain Jotter took to Instagram to honour the late icon, sharing a throwback video of the musician alongside a poignant message: “39 years ago, he made magic. 39 years later, we danced to it again. Now, he rests — but his melody lives forever. Rest in peace, legend.”
The viral revival of Ejeagha’s music began in 2024, when Brain Jotter featured the track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche in one of his skits. The video sparked a dance challenge on TikTok and Instagram, pushing the song back into the mainstream and introducing it to a new generation. The sudden wave of popularity prompted the comedian to visit Ejeagha at his Enugu home in July 2024, where the encounter left the elderly musician visibly emotional.
“Thank you for bringing back my father’s legacy,” Ejeagha’s son said during the visit. “In over 30 years, this is the most attention his music has received.” To further support the family, Brain Jotter and his team presented a ₦2 million donation during the visit.
Ejeagha’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes from national leaders and cultural figures. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late artist as “one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language.”
“Mike Ejeagha used his music and distinctive storytelling style to preserve and project Igbo culture and customs, inspiring generations.
“May the spirit and values of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s music continue to remind us that music has the power to revive, heal, and redirect energy towards worthy causes that help build our nation,” Tinubu said.
The President also commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for recognising Ejeagha’s legacy during his lifetime. One of the notable tributes was the renaming of a major road leading to the artist’s home in Abakpa Nike as Chief Mike Ejeagha Road.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also paid homage to the music icon. Reflecting on the recent resurgence of his music, he wrote: “It is heartwarming to note that thanks to Brain Jotter, highlife maestro Mike Ejeagha had his ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ encore dance before the curtain was drawn. Rest in music, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.”
Labour Party’s Peter Obi described Ejeagha as a true cultural custodian. “His transition marks the end of an era, but not the end of his voice — his songs will continue to echo through generations as testaments to wisdom, culture, and truth.
“His lyrics, rich with proverbs and folk wisdom, were moral compasses for both young and old,” Obi stated.
Governor Peter Mbah joined in mourning the loss, calling Ejeagha “a legend, a cultural ambassador, and a revered son of Enugu State.” He acknowledged the significant cultural void left by the musician’s passing and pledged to further immortalise his memory.
Originally released in 1983 as part of Akuko Na Egwu Vol. 1, Gwo Gwo Ngwo tells the story of a crafty tortoise who outsmarts an elephant to win a princess’s hand in marriage. The humorous imagery of the tale was reimagined in Brain Jotter’s skit, where the chase scene — backed by the infectious chorus — gave rise to a nationwide dance trend.
The challenge typically featured two dancers meeting, shuffling their legs in sync, and one suddenly bolting as the other chased — mirroring the song’s narrative. The trend rapidly gained traction, racking up over 28 million views in a week, and was embraced by celebrities, students, priests, and even members of the Super Falcons. Eventually, it caught international attention, drawing participants from around the world.
Born in the early 1930s in Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha was revered not only for his music but for his role in preserving Igbo oral traditions. His songs, enriched with acoustic guitar and proverbial wisdom, explored morality, community, and the struggles of daily life.
Through the power of social media and the creative lens of a comedian, Ejeagha’s legacy found new light in his final years — a testament to the enduring power of melody, memory, and cultural pride.
