RENOWNED Highlife legend and folklore maestro, Mike Ejeagha, has passed away at the age of 95.

He reportedly died on Friday night at about 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, following a prolonged illness.

His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news of his passing, according to Vanguard.

The highlife maestro was known for transforming Igbo folklore and proverbs into captivating music.

He was a dominant voice on Nigerian airwaves in the 1980s with his unique style of Igbo folk music that resonated across generations.

One of his most iconic tracks, ‘Gwogwongwo,’ gained renewed attention last year after popular stand-up comedian and skitmaker Brian Jotter remixed the song, introducing it to a younger audience and sparking a resurgence of interest in Ejeagha’s work.

Ejeagha was born in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He grew up in Coal Camp in a family headed by his civil servant father. He attended St. Patrick’s Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu.

He started his music career in the mid-20th century and was influential in the evolution of music in the Igbo language for over six decades.

His first hit was in 1960 – the year Nigeria gained independence.