By Uche Anichukwu
Nna mu eze akpata mu enyi (2x)
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Nwa mbe i si n’ikpata onye? (2x)
Asi mu ani ya chebe enyi dube enyi
Odi ka mu si n’ akpata mu enyi (2x)
Okwa enyi ga-abu isi oche (2x)
Enyi na-aga na mu so gi n’azu (2x)
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo…
Like a thunder from the blues, Mike Ejeagha’s 1983 song, “Ka E Si Lee Onye Isi Oche,” (How the Chairman was Sold/Betrayed), is making waves around the world, even reaching an undreamt height of the 14th most searched song, globally. Thanks to the inimitable Chukwuebuka Emmanuel, the Brain Jotter, who lit the song all over again. Thus, in Ejeagha’s twilights, the flames of that song are lighting up places, and people never reached since it was released 41 years ago.
It was only natural that I was easily caught in the Gwo gow ngwo fun, for I have always loved Mike Ejeagha’s songs and personality from childhood. They were regular menus on radio stations and my father’s cassette player back in the days. I could sing tons of them – “Anyi Fulu Ozu Ene” in his Omenani Special album, “Onye Ori Utaba” in Akuko N’Egwu Original Volume 1, “Udo Ka Mma” in Akuko N’Egwu Volume 4, “Obiako Nwa Mu” “Omekagu” in Akuko N’Egwu Volume 4, “Onye Ndidi N’Eli Azu Ukpo”, “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma”, “Elulu Belube”, “Agbata Obi Onye bu Nwanne Ya”, “Odogwu Na-ali Enu”, to mention no more. His songs are deep, didactic, and have influenced my life so much. They teach patience, unity, perseverance, forbearance, humility, supremacy of God in the affairs of men, among others.
Meanwhile, for those who do not understand Igbo language, in “Ka E Si Lee Onye Isi Oche,” Ejeagha narrates how Tortoise tricked Elephant to his doom, delivering him in tethers to the king, whose choosy daughter rejected both rich and handsome suitors alike. But she ultimately sets a seemingly impossible condition, agreeing to marry any suitor that presents Elephant as a gift so she could ride on him during festivals to stand her out among other royals in far and near lands. Tortoise, noted for his trickery in Igbo folklores, ended up marrying the princess by tricking his friend, Elephant, to his captivity, deploying a false promise that the king had penciled him (Elephant) down as the chairman of the occasion at the king’s anniversary (Ofala) celebration.
However, like every Igbo folk story, it is always an embedded lesson. This particular song underscores the preeminence of wisdom and tact over size and raw strength. Besides, it warns humans to look beyond the surface in dealing with people, no matter who. Remember, Tortoise and Elephant are best of friends in this folktale. Like an Ofeke (a simpleton), Elephant hears “seven” and puts them in the bag without counting them. There is no way you would listen to any of Ejeagha’s songs and not take some free lessons away.
It is noteworthy that beyond his songs, Ejeagha’s life is worthy of emulation in terms of contentment, integrity, and modesty. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who made so much money from singing the praises of moneybags, Ejeagha preferred to sing to enrich morality, unity, and other great lessons in the society. That is how much of a blessing he has been to mankind.
Unfortunately, successive governments appear not to have accorded the icon his due. For instance, he is 94 years old, but the street where he lives at Abakpa Nike, Enugu metropolis, had been an eyesore until recently when Governor Peter Mbah fulfilled his longstanding wish for a paved street.
A social media activist and prolific writer, Charles Ogbu, had called the attention of Dan Nwomeh and myself to the deplorable state of Obinagu Road and the actual street where the legendary folklorist lives. Charles has been an ardent follower and promoter of Ejegha for many years now. He explained that Ejeagha’s most important wish at 94 was to see his street asphalted in his lifetime and that he had placed the same wish before successive governments.
We drove to that street and were virtually overcome by emotions, as we believed that a man, who had put our state and Igbo culture on the African map, deserved better. The same evening, Dan and myself walked up to the governor to relay the situation. Before we could even finish our story, Governor Mbah promptly sent for the works team and directed to include the roads in the ongoing road construction and reconstruction in Enugu metropolis where over 71 roads were already going on simultaneously. In addition, he emphasized that he wanted the roads fixed in a matter of weeks.
A few weeks back, just before “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” started trending, an elated Charles called to inform us that the entire Obinagu Road in addition to Ejeagha’s street had been constructed with quality drainages to ensure their longevity. But in his usual funny way, he said he still wanted to sleep and wake up for several days to reassure himself that he was not in the dreamworld; that he never knew that a government could be that responsive and reasonable. He also related the happiness of Mike Ejeagha; that he finally saw asphalt in front of his house in his lifetime.
Last week, I decided to drive through Obinagu Road and past Ejeagha’s house while monitoring the situation of things in Enugu on August 1. My heart blessed Mbah. In my mind’s eye, I could see the nonagenarian beaming with his usual smiles. I could see the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” crooner doing what he knows best with his teeming admirers also doing “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance steps on that street the Brain Jotter way.
When I called Charles from the street, he actually confirmed to me that although Ejeagha clocked 94 in April, the legend’s admirers were trying to put an event to celebrate him very soon and to be happy for him for the asphalt road. I cannot wait to join in the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” on those roads.
But joke apart, Ejeagha’s life, the renaissance of his 1983 song, and getting the kind of roads his neighbourhood deserves affirm the import of patience and hard work as many of his songs teach. They accentuate the Igbo saying that the firewood fetched in the rainy season keeps a man warm in the rainy season. Also, the good name and goodwill he built in his heydays are doing him a lot of good in his old age. That is how a man should live.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo!
Anichukwu is Senior Special Assistant to Enugu State Governor
