By Mudiaga Affe
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has described late music maestro, Sir Victor Uwifo as a man who used his talent to take Nigeria and Edo into the international community.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the residence of the late Uwaifo where he was accompanied by chieftains of the APC in the state Oshiomhole said he was an intellectual who tried to bring to reality his thoughts in music and the arts.
He said, “There are many ways in which he affected my life. As a young man in the typical rural village when there was no light, no road, anytime we want to listen to music, we make requests through Radio Nigeria, we listen to the radio using the battery, the number one record we always request was Victor Uwaifo; Guitar Boy, Joromi and others and we will wear our small knickers and dance and then were stories about the exploits of Uwaifo in the music world.
“In this part of the world and at that time, the man who forcefully put Nigeria put the face of Edo on the world map was Sir Victor Uwaifo by his creativity, his talent, and his industry. You cannot resist the music.
“We always pray that may God give us long life and good health because you can live so much and become a vegetable; one is not dying, one is not living. We thank God that he came in the manner he did and he left without being a burden to the family.”
Nigerian celebrity couples who met on social media
Narrating his experience with the late Uwaifo while he was governor of Edo state, Oshiomhole said “As a steward at Osadebe Avenue which you call governor under 24 hours’ notice, he will always be there even as a guest but sometimes I will tell him, sir, the people want to hear your voice even though he wasn’t invited to play, he will oblige us.
“Uwaifo was an intellectual. Beyond music, Uwaifo was always busy, if he can think it through he will try to create and translate it. Edo people and Nigeria have lost an elder statesman and I am happy that President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this fact that Uwaifo is one of the few artistes that succeeding heads of states and presidents recognized and invited to state functions.”
Responding, Mrs. Oghomwen Ridden, through the first daughter of the late music star, appreciated Oshiomhole’s visit and assured that the legacy of their father would be sustained through his children who are already into music.
