28th August, 2021
By Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Legendary singer and guitarist, Sir Victor Uwaifo has been reported dead.
He was 80 years old..
Uwaifo, who released hits after hits in fast tempo highlife music was said to have died, after a brief illness.
One of his monikers was ‘Guitar Boy’, a name that stuck with him after a song with same title.
His son, Peter Uwaifo confirmed his death in a Facebook post.
“Daddy whyyyyyyyyyy. Did you leave us now
Prof. Sir Victor UWAIFO has gone to rest
Black Saturday for me nooow.
One week now after collaborating with me,” he wrote.
He however did not give much detail about the cause of his father’s death.
Victor Uwaifo was born on March 1, 1941, in Benin City.
He attended Western Boys High School in his hometown and later, St Gregory’s College, Lagos.
He then went to Yaba College of Technology, Lagos from where he obtained a National Art Diploma with distinction.
He received a B.A Hons, First Class, Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Benin and a Masters’ Degree in Sculpting from the same university.
He also obtained a Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture from the same university where he had been a Professor of Music and Art.
He also served as Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Edo State of Nigeria between 2001 and 2003.
In March, he marked his 80th birthday, which was turned into a carnival of sort, to celebrate his contributions not just to music, but also to creative arts.
Uwaifo had a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Degree (Honoris) by awarded to him by University of Benin.
He was also a recipient of Benin National Merit Award; the University of Benin Distinguished Alumnus Award and the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Niger.
He was the first Nigerian musician to be honoured by the Federal Government.
In 2010, Prof. Uwaifo was one of the select Nigerians awarded the fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Letters at a grand event at the University of Lagos.