By PETRUS OBI
Evergreen Football Club Enugu has hailed Governor Peter Mbah for remembering veteran musician Mike Ejeagha by asphalting the long neglected road that leads to his residence in Abakpa.
Successive governments both in Enugu and the South East appear to have forgotten this living legend until now. At 94 years, 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.
It’s worthy of note that Your Excellency started the re-discovery of Mike Ejeagha. It was shortly after his roads were done that the Gwo-gwo-ngwo fever by Brain Jotter hit the internet.
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. He has also sustained the Igbo folklore as part of our rich culture. That is how much of a blessing he has been to mankind.
Your Excellency, Evergreen Football Club Enugu is not just any other social club but one with a rich history, class and quality.
It is a club for veterans with a mixture of youths who gather every Saturday to play football at the UNEC temporary Stadium.
The team retires for analysis where politics, burning issues are freely discussed without bias. It was in this setting that the issue of Mike Ejeagha was first discussed.
The Club agreed that Ejeagha for what he stands for in the society is long overdue for a National Award.
“Yes, he has been forgotten for so long; but thank God you are here. Please your Excellency, follow up this good work you’ve started by recommending Gentleman Mike Ejeagha for National Award. May it please your Excellency.”
For the records, your Excellency, as a member of this great Club, I wish to add that Evergreen FC is a ‘star studded’ side with high intellectuals, great minds and important personalities
They include such personalities as Chief (Barr) CNN Nwagbara, Chairman NBA, Enugu, Ifeanyi Onochie, an intellectual and business guru, HRH Ugochukwu Afulike – Eze elect Obilohia, Umuobiala Isuikwuato. A Former Personnel Officer College of Medicine and Head of Administration, UNEC.
We also have Chief Amaechi Agu, a retired Deputy Director from the State Ministry of Lands, Chuks Mike Okonkwo successful businessman, Patrick Mezuma Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Chief Austin Onunkwo (broadcaster), Emeka Njoku -Enugu bases legal practitioner, Chief Johnny Nwadiogbu- retired Senior Bank Manager, Okechukwu Nwoye, Deputy Director Ministry of Lands just to name but a few. The list is endless your Excellency.
