The Nigerian music world is responding to the death of legendary musician Prof Sir Victor Uwaifo with sadness and memories.
According to his family, Uwaifo died of a chest infection on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at age 80.
He was a globally acclaimed singer who recorded many firsts during his lifetime. He was the first African artiste to win the Gold Disc in the 1960s. He was the first Nigerian musician conferred with a National Honour. He was also appointed Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Edo State.
Since his death on Saturday, fans and stakeholders in the entertainment industry have been paying tribute. Some Nigerian music executives who spoke with Netng described the deceased as a genius and legend whose legacy will live forever.
Sunny Neji, who described Uwaifo as a legend ”in the true sense of the word”, told Netng that he would be remembered for a long time.
“He left us with great music, incredible music. He’s irreplaceable, there’s no one like him, and I don’t think there will be anyone like him. His music made a huge impact in our lives, some of us even in our songs; he was a huge influence on a lot of us because of what he’s done and left behind,” he said.
Efe Omorogbe, the CEO of Hypertek Digital/Now Muzik, said Uwaifo made a profound impact as a recording artiste, live performer, guitarist and sculptor.
“His countless hits from the Ekassa, Akwete, Mutbaba, Titibiti and sundry series significantly influenced a lot of younger artists who came after,” he said.
In 2015, Uwaifo released his album ‘‘Legend Reborn’‘ under Hypertek Digital. Omorogbe said when one shifts the focus to his exploits in academia and his invention of the double-necked guitar, “you know you’re looking at a very accomplished personality. For me, the highlight is always going to be his electrifying stage performances. He was a maestro.”
Jude Nwauzor, a journalist who covered the Nigerian entertainment scene for many years, described Uwaifo’s passing as a great loss to Edo State, Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
“With over 600 songs and 100 records to his credit with eight gold and two silver awards, his indelible mark and contribution to the music business in Nigeria and globally will stand undisputed for years to come,” Nwauzor said.
Edi Lawani, music and event executive, told Netng that Uwaifo was very dynamic and could blend some different genres and create something new, “that for me is a mark of a genius.”
“His foray into music and the popularity of his earliest recordings helped to promote the career of other Nigerian musicians who by extension got an advantage by the fact that Sir Victor had already passed through where their paths were about to follow,” he said.
Born March 1, 1941, in Benin City, Edo State, Uwaifo’s music career spanned over six decades.
He started playing the guitar at age 12 and became known as ”Guitar Boy” after his song narrating an encounter with a mermaid at the Lagos Bar Beach.
In an interview with Netng in 2014, he recalled how a mermaid appeared to him while playing his guitar at the bank of the sea in the middle of the night. The encounter inspired his song ”if you see mammy water, never you run away.”
Uwaifo studied Graphics Art at Yaba College of Technology and bagged a Bachelor’s degree, a masters degree and a PhD in Architectural Sculpture from the University of Benin, where he was a lecturer for a few years. He started his career with the Nigerian Television Service (NTS now NTA) and formed his band in 1965. He was also a Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Edo State.
His wife, Princess Osaretin, whom he married 33 years ago, and children survived him.
