Senator Ehigie Uzamere, in a poetic epistemology, eulogized late music maestro in Edo State, Sir Victor Uwaifo, who died at the age of 80 years.
Senator Uzamere observed that the departed musician grew from humble beginnings to national and international fame. The senator noted that late Uwaifo extolled the highlife music genre, adding that no party ended without the stroming guitar of Joromi, Guitar Boy, Ekassa 28, and Sir Uwaifo’s many other evergreens. He noted that the late musician not only played, danced but his dance moves were emulated on many dance floors. He also celebrated the late musician for inventing a double guitar to the amazement of the entire world. “You were adept with the flute, electric guitar, saxophone, piano and percussion. Your voice was sweeter than the nightingale’s,” he declared.
He stated that late Uwaifo was a great lover of the rich Benin culture; adding that he promoted Benin rich heritage in his music; and served the ancient Benin Kingdom, and Edo State, with pride and commitment.
The Senator celebrated that late Uwaifo won for Nigeria, her first Gold Disc Record, with his release of Joromi in 1965, among many other firsts he scored. “You not only excelled in music, you veered into academics in your adult age, bagging a 1st Class degree in your course of study.
“You grew to become a Professor. You were an icon. “You effortlessly changed many mindsets that ignorantly saw musicians in a negative light, those early days.”
Senator Ehigie Uzamere, in his epistemology titled: GOODNIGHT, SIR VICTOR UWAIFO, OUR GUITAR BOY… – stated that contemporary Benin history reserves a space for Victor Uwaifo, adding that his everlasting music lives in the hearts of many.
The statement reads:
GOODNIGHT, SIR VICTOR UWAIFO, OUR GUITAR BOY…
When a huge tree falls in the forest, the loud thud is heard over miles. Nigeria, nay the world, mourns the passage of a huge music maestro.
I vividly recall our days on Lagos Street where you lived a short distance away from us on Iwehen Street. You often came to visit my senior brother, Osaheni Uzamere, your childhood friend and contemporary. As I was much younger than you both, I admired your personality and strong character with awe.
From humble beginnings, you grew yourself up to national and international fame. You extolled the highlife music genre and no party ended without the stroming guitar of *Joromi, Guitar Boy, Ekassa 28, * and your many other evergreens. You not only played, you danced and your dance moves were emulated on many dance floors. You invented a double guitar to the amazement of the entire world. You were adept with the flute, electric guitar, saxophone, piano and percussion. Your voice was sweeter than the nightingale’s.
You won for Nigeria, her first Gold Disc Record, with your release of *Joromi* in 1965, among many other firsts you scored. You not only excelled in music, you veered into academics in your adult age, bagging a 1st Class degree in your course of study. You grew to become a Professor. You were an icon. You effortlessly changed many mindsets that ignorantly saw musicians in a negative light, those early days.
You were a great lover of our rich Benin culture. You promoted our rich heritage in your music. You served our ancient Benin Kingdom and our Edo State, with pride and commitment.
You bowed in a blaze of glory. I pray that God gives your soul a restful repose. May God give your immediate family and Benin kingdom, the fortitude to bear your saddening loss.
Contemporary Benin history reserves space for you, as you live in our hearts and in your works – your everlasting music.
Senator Ehigie Uzamere, ksc.