3rd September, 2021
The family of legendary singer and guitarist, Sir Victor Uwaifo has announced the burial arrangements for the late musician which will hold between September 23 and 26, 2021 in Benin, Edo State.
Uwaifo’s manager, Chris Eburu, disclosed the burial arrangements to The Nation, which will take three days.
Eburu said the burial ceremony will begin on September 23 with the service of songs that will take place in his Benin residence.
On September 24, a special outing service will hold in honour of the late Joromi singer.
On September 25, guests and dignitaries will be hosted to a lavish ceremony at an undisclosed venue.
On September 26, there will be a thanksgiving service at Holy Cross Cathedral in Benin, Edo State.
Uwaifo died at 80 in a private hospital after a brief illness on Saturday, August 28, 2021.
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 Nigeria.
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.