President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with family, friends and associates of legendary musician and multi-talented artiste, Sir Victor Uwaifo, who passed on Saturday.
The president in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Saturday in Abuja noted that the deceased left a legacy of successes in many areas of life, including academia and administration.
President Buhari joined the Nigerian music industry and performing artistes, home and abroad, in mourning the former first Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism (Edo), who was also the first musician and instrumentalist to be given National Honours Merit, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 1983.
The president believed the renowned musician, with global appeal and recognitions lived for many firsts, which include invitation to the State House by four presidents and Heads of State, and winner of a gold disc in Africa for his song, “Joromi", released in 1965 at the age of 24.
He noted the glory that Uwaifo brought to Nigeria through his international tours “and the active role he played in national development, returning to school to get a first degree at age 54 with first class honours, masters degree at 56, and a doctorate at 77.’’
President Buhari prayed for the soul of the departed musician, writer, sculptor, musical instrument inventor and university lecturer, knowing the entire country, particularly the music industry, would sorely miss him.
...Victor was one of the best Nigerian musicians, sculptors — COSON
Mr Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), has described late Victor Uwaifo as one of the best Nigerian musicians and sculptors.
Uwaifo, popularly known as ‘Guitar Boy’, died on Saturday at the age of 80.
He noted that Uwaifo’s works as a sculptor were extraordinary and unique.
“Uwaifo’s death is shocking to me. I saw him recently and he was full of life. In fact, we spoke a week ago.
“Victor Uwaifo was a kind and multi talented musician.
“His music “Joromi”, “Mami Water” will live forever. His music transcends generations.
“I promised my son that whenever he visit the country, we will be visiting Uwaifo but unfortunately, this never happened. I told my son about his death today and he started crying.
"He was one of the best Sculptors Nigeria had. May his soul rest in peace,” Okoroji said.
...Huge loss to Nigerian entertainment industry - UNIBEN VC
The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has described the death of Nigeria’s highlife music icon, Sir Victor Uwaifo, as a huge loss to the entertainment industry.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, said in a statement on Sunday that Uwaifo would be missed by the university community.
“He had an uncommon mastery of the arts. The death of the ‘Joromi crooner’ is a huge loss to Nigeria.
“The shocking and wicked news of the loss of this legend and great son of Benin Kingdom is shocking to us.
“Our most painful and heartfelt condolences go to his family, Edo State, the university community, his friends and loved ones,” she said.
The vice chancellor said the Edo-born entertainer had left a void that would be difficult to fill in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
“Victor Uwaifo was UNIBEN’s second Alumni Honorary Graduate, may his good soul rest in peace. We pray God to grant us all the will to bear this irreplaceable loss,” she said.
...Victor was a legend - Hon. Idahosa
On his part, Mr Dennis Idahosa, member, representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, described Uwaifo as a legend and African music icon.
Idahosa said in a statement by his Media Aide, Friday Aghedo, that Nigeria’s entertainment industry had lost one of its greatest inspirations.
“Uwaifo was a pride of Edo State in Nigeria’s creative industry. He was a musical export and a great patriot.
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“We have, indeed, lost one of the bests in the creative industry. Though he is gone, his legacies will remain,” he said.
...We are saddened by his death - Edo performig artistes
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Edo Chapter, has paid tribute to the late music maestro, Prof. Victor Uwaifo, who died on Saturday.
The association caretaker committee’s chairman, Raphael Oboh, popularly known as “Oligbese”, in a statement on Sunday in Benin, described Uwaifo’s death as saddening.
Oboh said: “The entertainment industry the world over, Nigeria, and particularly Edo State, woke up to a very sad news of the demise of one the most popular Benin-born internationally recognised musician, song writer, performer and instrumentalist, Prof. Victor Uwaifo (MON).
“Your impact in the music and educational strata can never be over emphasised. Members of PMAN, Edo State Chapter, pray that God in his infinite mercy grants you rest in his bosom.
“We also pray God to give your immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“We will subsequently announce further preparations as regards to our late music maestro’s passing.”
...his death, a huge loss to Nigeria - Kalu
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the passing of Sir Victor Uwaifo as a huge loss to the entertainment industry and Nigeria in general.
Kalu said this in a condolence massage issued on Sunday in Abuja.
He extolled the virtues of the Nigerian guitarist and urged upcoming musicians to embrace the good deeds of the deceased.
The former governor of Abia added that the late philosopher carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry.
While commiserating with the government and people of Edo, Kalu admonished the Uwaifo family to sustain the good legacies of their late patriarch.
He prayed to God to repose the soul of the popular musician.
“The demise of renowned artist, guitarist, music maestro and philosopher, Sir Victor Uwaifo, is a big loss to the nation.
“He was a music icon who committed his skills and resources to the promotion of the entertainment industry and national development.
“The late musician was popular beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“He won numerous awards locally and internationally for his accomplishments in music, humanity and other facets of life.
“The late Uwaifo was successful in all ramifications.
“He lived a remarkable and purposeful life dedicated to humanity,” he said.
Kalu, who extended his condolences to stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry, prayed to God to give the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Uwaifo was born on March 1, 1941 in Benin City, Edo, and obtained his secondary school education at the Western Boys’ High School, Benin and St Gregory’s College, Lagos, from 1957 to 1961.
Uwaifo began playing the guitar when he was 12 years old.
He obtained a PhD in Architectural Sculpture from the University of Benin at the age of 77.
Uwaifo was also a Writer, Musical Instrument Inventor, university lecturer, and former Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Edo.
