FATE OF NIGERIA’S LEGENDS IN THEIR UNPRODUCTIVE YEARS: THE MIKE EJEAGHA EXPERIENCE

The recent visits to the house of an Igbo music legendry, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha by frontline Governorship aspirants in Enugu State is still trending in both the conventional and the social media.

News broke out over the poor health condition of the music icon whose unique Igbo folklore music created sensation across Igboland and the country in general from 1960s to the 1990s.

This formed the backdrop of this report by Correspondent Nneka Ugwuanyi who x-rayed the fate of some elder statesmen after their meritorious service to the nation.

The plight of notable Nigerians especially the self-employed, including artistes, musicians, sportsmen and women, who made the country proud in one way of the other during their prime, is quite disturbing.

Most times, they are abandoned by the society to languish in penury during their unproductive years.

This is the case of the designer of the nation’s flag, Pa Michael Taiwo Akinwunmi, after his retirement from civil service.

Luck however smiled on him through former President Goodluck Jonathan, who awarded him lifetime salary for his contribution but others such as the famous football striker, the late Rashidi Yekini, and a popular actor in soap opera, “New Masquerade”, James Iroha alias “Grengory Akabogu” were not that lucky as they battled with various ailments and gave up the ghost when no help came to them.

These are just few cases out of many.

Commenting on the issue, an Octogenarian and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Enechi Onyia, expressed regret that the country had no plans for the aged.

He reminded various governments that they were in a social contract with the people.

For the Ezeagu born folklore, popularly known as Gentleman Mike Ejeagh, who was prominent in the evolution of music in Igbo Language for over six decades and contributed over 300 recordings to the national archives, he cannot foot his medical bills and that of his sick wife.

During the sympathy visit to his residence, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Enugu State, Senator AyoguEze, who provided some assistance to him, said the plight of the aged like him would be taken care of through a social welfare.

The Enugu State Governor and PDP Gubernatorial candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, also visited the home of the music icon same day.

The State Commissioner for information, Mazi Ogbuagu Anikwe, said the visit was in continuation of the humanitarian disposition of the Governor.

Responding, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha thanked them for the gesture.

It is hoped that the visits would attract more of such gestures from public spirited Nigerians for those who have contributed so much in putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

NNEKA UGWUANYI