The remains of legendary highlife musician, Sir. Victor Uwaifo, popularly called “Guitar Boy” were in Friday evening interred in his residence in Benin, after a funeral mass at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the Edo State capital.
Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, while speaking at the funeral mass, disclosed that the newly-constructed Edo State Creative Hub would be named after the iconic musician, who passed on at the age of 80 on August 28 this year
Also in attendance at the funeral service were the Adams Oshiomhole, immediate past governor of Edo State; the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji; flutist, Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, who briefly performed; the widow, Princess Osaretin, children, grandchildren and in-laws of the deceased, among others.
There was lying in state at the same venue between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., while the funeral mass commenced at 1 p.m., with the remains of the music maestro put in a gold-plated white casket.
Obaseki, in his speech, said: “As a mark of honour to this legend (Uwaifo), the government of Edo State has decided that our newly-constructed Edo State Creative Hub will be named after him.
“The Creative Hub, which is going to be inaugurated during the second week of November this year, has a multi-million Dollar sound stage for production for artistes. It will promote creative arts in Edo State. It has an editing suite to filter contents, including animation. It will incubate state-based groups and artistes. It will be used for live shows and stage plays. It has studio spaces for artistes from Nollywood to come and rent spaces for their productions and there will be space for developing skills in the creative arts.
“That is the least we can do for a man who changed the face of music in Nigeria, for a man who composed the song, Joromi, that was the first song from Nigeria and Africa to win a golden label at the time it did.
“We will always remember Sir Uwaifo for what he meant to us and what he represented. He represented the finest of Edo values, which include hard work, creativity, innovation and it is going to be very difficult for us to imagine our entertainment space, to imagine our music space in Edo State without Sir Uwaifo. May his soul rest in peace.”
Edo governor also stated that he would like members of the family of the living legend (Uwaifo) to know that the government of Edo state commiserated and mourned with them on the passing.
He said: “For us, the passing of Sir Uwaifo marks the end of an era that produced some of the most prolific artistes from Edo State, who made their marks, beginning from Edo State and their works litter the entire world today.
“Prof Uwaifo clearly marks the end of that era, but the era has produced a new generation of very creative young Edo people, who continue to make their marks in the areas of culture and entertainment, just like the generation before them did.”
Also speaking, the immediate past governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, Professor Uwaifo was a man with the typical Edo spirit noting that he did not only entertained the people of the state but placed Edo State and Nigeria on the world map.
Oshiomhole said the musical legend was a self-made man believing that every young Edo is inspired by his work.
The Catholic Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, in his homily, urged Nigerians to love their country and its progress.
The cleric said: “If we do the right things, Nigeria will survive. As individuals, we can change the image of Nigeria. Let us do good always and steer clear of sin, for Nigeria to witness the change we desire. Let us dream of Nigeria, where the green passport is not discriminated against.
“Let us work for Nigeria, where strike is not the only way to get attention of the government in power. Let us dream of Nigeria where the children of the rich and the poor can happily live together. Let us work for Nigeria where potentialities are converted to actualities. Everyday of our lives is an opportunity to return to God with members of our families.”
Okoroji, in his remarks, stated that Uwaifo, a Benin indigene, who was a Professor of Visual Arts at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), would never be forgotten, in view of his contributions to music, entertainment, academics and the arts.
The COSON chairman said: “Some persons are mourning the passing of the legendary musician, but many of us are celebrating Prof. Uwaifo, who came, saw, conquered and achieved practically everything he would want to achieve.
“We shut down Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday to honour Sir. Uwaifo, the world superstar, with the elaborate event attended by the renowned musician, Chief Ebenezer Obey, and other musicians across Nigeria and beyond. Sir Uwaifo was a legend and in death, he remained a legend.”
The renowned musician marked his 80th birthday in March this year, with pomp and ceremony, as he was celebrated across the globe.
The deceased, a First-Class graduate of Visual Arts at UNIBEN, was a Commissioner for Arts and Culture in the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion, while his undergraduate project of a king on a horse was a signature arts poster at the Ekenwan Campus of the higher institution.
Uwaifo was a master in playing guitars, and stood out as the producer of two-headed guitars, with excellent dancing steps that stood him out, while he had a gallery/arts and culture/music centre at his mansion.
The Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, held the iconic musician in high esteem.