Ngwogwo ngwo: Mbah renames road after highlife music legend, Mike Ejeagha

On Monday, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State renamed the well-known Obinagu Road in Abakpa Nike, Enugu East Council Area, in honor of highlife music legend Chief Mike Ejeagha.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the renaming ceremony occurred during the inauguration of four newly constructed and reconstructed roads in Abakpa Nike, near Enugu.

Other roads inaugurated included Mike Ejeagha Crescent, where the music maestro resides, Texaco Bus Stop-Ifo Road, and Nkpor Street.

During the ceremony, Mbah visited Ejeagha at his home and announced that the State Government would now take full responsibility for his upkeep. He described Ejeagha as “a living legend.”

In his speech at the inauguration, Mbah stated that he was fulfilling a social contract with the people of Enugu. He emphasized that his administration had pledged to pave all urban roads in Enugu.

He recalled that the State Government had awarded contracts for 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads in 2023, shortly after his administration began.

“Those 71 urban roads have since been completed, but some of the roads we are inaugurating today were not part of those 71 roads,” Mbah said. “During the construction or reconstruction of those 71 roads, we identified some additional roads in January and decided to treat them as an emergency.”

“So, we are inaugurating four roads here today, and all of them are quite significant. But one of these roads stands out. It is the road that leads to the home of one of our great legends and icons,” Mbah added.

He noted that through Ejeagha’s folk songs, the musician brought memories of the past to people’s doorsteps and reminded them of their rich heritage.

“When we talk about Enugu as the center of arts and culture, this is a man who brought Enugu to that epicenter. So, we are here to celebrate him while he is still with us,” Mbah concluded. 

“In honor of him, this Obinagu Road, the entire stretch leading to his home, is now named Mike Ejeagha Road,” the governor announced.

He described the inaugurated roads as the beginning of a new era for road infrastructure across Enugu State.

"Very soon, we will commence the dualization of Penocks Junction on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway to Opi-Nsukka. The contract has been awarded, and work will soon begin.

“I want to assure you that our commitment to serve you with every fiber of our being will never waver. We are going to work for you with everything we have,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to Mbah on Project Development and Implementation, Uche Atu, assured Enugu residents that the roads were constructed with durability and the convenience of road users in mind.

“The typical road cross-section of Obinagu Road and Mike Ejeagha Crescent includes a 300 to 600mm-thick sub-grade, a 150mm-thick sub-base, a 150mm-thick stone base course, and a 50mm-thick asphalt wearing course,” Atu explained.

Receiving the governor at his residence, Ejeagha, speaking through his children Emma and Elizabeth, said the honor bestowed upon him by the governor would be remembered beyond his lifetime. 

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/09/ngwogwo-ngwo-mbah-renames-road-after-highlife-music-legend-mike-ejeagha/