Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of legendary musician and art teacher, Prof. Victor Uwaifo, as he extends his condolences to the Uwaifo family.
Victor Uwaifo who was affectionately called “Guitar Boy,” by fans and associates, died at aged 80, after a brief illness on Saturday.
The Governor in a statement on Sunday 29th August 2021, noted that the demise of Victor Uwaifo is not only a loss to Edo State, but to Nigeria and the music industry as a whole.
“I received the news of the loss of legendary musician and art teacher, Prof. Victor Uwaifo, with shock and sadness.
He was talented, phenomenal and an illustrious son of Edo State who wowed the world with his array of skills, notably his music talent.
An all-round artist; Prof. Uwaifo was an enigma who made music for all, bringing the contemporary Benin culture to the world stage and providing vicarious experience of the peculiarities of our art and culture to a global audience.
I pray that God will grant the Uwaifo family, friends, associates and well-wishers the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
He was a musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, University lecturer, music legend, and the first Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.
He was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series and Akwete music.
He recorded under the name Victor Uwaifo and His TItibitis. He was recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, and artist worldwide with a B.A. Honors (first class valedictorian), Masters degree and Ph.D. in Architectural Sculpture (Thesis: A reinvention of Benin Royal Ancestral Pieces, University of Benin, Nigeria.)