Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has renamed Obinagu Road in Abakpa Nike after the renowned highlife musician Chief Mike Ejeagha.
This act of tribute occurred during the inauguration of several newly constructed and reconstructed roads in the Enugu East Council Area.
The ceremony, held at Ejeagha’s residence in Abakpa Nike, was not only a celebration of the newly completed roads but also a heartfelt tribute to the music icon.
The road leading to Ejeagha’s home will now be known as Mike Ejeagha Road.
Mbah, who visited Ejeagha at his home for the event, praised the musician’s contributions to Nigerian music and culture.
“Through Ejeagha’s folk songs, he brought memories of years gone by to people’s doorsteps and reminded them of their golden heritage as a people,” Mbah said.
“When we talk about Enugu as being the center of arts and culture, this is a man who brought Enugu to that epicenter.”
The inauguration ceremony featured four roads, including Mike Ejeagha Road. Other roads unveiled were Mike Ejeagha Crescent, Texaco Bus Stop-Ifo Road, and Nkpor Street.
Governor Mbah highlighted the completion of 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads in 2023, shortly after he took office.
“Those 71 urban roads had since been completed, but some of the roads we are inaugurating today are not part of those 71 roads,” he explained.
“In the course of constructing or reconstructing those 71 roads, we identified, in January, some roads that were not initially captured and decided to treat them as an emergency.”
Mbah used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.
“The inaugurated roads are significant as they mark the beginning of a new era for road infrastructure across Enugu State,” he stated. The governor also mentioned the upcoming dualization project for Penocks Junction on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway to Opi-Nsukka, assuring residents that work would soon commence.
“We are going to work for you with everything we have,” Mbah promised. “The commitment we made to serve you with every fiber of our being can never be lost on us.”
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser on Project Development and Implementation, Uche Atu, provided details about the construction of the roads. Atu explained that the roads were built with durability and user convenience in mind.
“The typical road cross-section of Obinagu Road and Mike Ejeagha Crescent comprises 300 to 600mm-thick sub-grade, 150mm-thick sub-base, 150mm-thick stone base course, and 50mm-thick asphalt wearing course,” Atu said.
Ejeagha, who was present through his children Emma and Elizabeth, expressed his gratitude for the honor.
“The honour done to me by the governor will be remembered beyond my lifetime,” Ejeagha said.
The musician’s family was visibly moved by the tribute and expressed their appreciation for the recognition.
Ejeagha, often referred to with his signature phrase Gwo Gwo Gwo, is a legendary Nigerian Highlife musician celebrated for his energetic performances and distinctive style.
The phrase “Gwo Gwo Gwo” trended recently after a version of the song done by a popular skitmaker, Brain Jotter, went viral.
