Legendary guitarist, singer, Sir Victor Uwaifo is dead

Sir Victor Uwaifo, singer and legendary guitarist is dead.

A close source to the family who confirmed on Saturday said he died after a brief illness.

The ‘Guitar boy’ as he was fondly called who was also the first professional musician to be awarded with the National Merit Honours of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), celebrated his 80th birthday in March.

He was also the first Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.

Prof. Sir Victor Uwaifo who was born 1 March 1941 was the first Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.

He is 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 records 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, (University of Benin, Nigeria).

Victor Efosa Uwaifo was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and obtained his secondary school education at the Western Boys’ High School Benin and St Gregory’s College, Lagos, from 1957 to 1961.

He began playing guitar when he was 12 years old, his earliest popular music influences being records of Spanish and Latin American music. He studied graphics at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and graduated in 1961–63 at the age of 22 years old.

He received a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours at 54 years old (Valedictorian) and a master’s degree from the University of Benin in 1997 at 56 where he studied fine and applied arts and majored in sculpture.

 He was recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, artist, worldwide with a Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture from the University of Benin, Nigeria at 77.