In the black world, it is widely believed that even the deaf dance to his unheard music because they see his movement of the stage and feel his enthusiasm. The blind hear his vocal mastery and moral messages in his songs and dance along in agreement and all other groups join in because Sir Victor ministers to all senses and sensibilities.
Professor Chris Imafidon, reflects on why Sir Uwaifo (Alias Guitar Boy) is more than an African icon or a multi-talented musician or a legendary entertainer. He is a legend to legends, a genius to geniuses a rare gem.
Professor, Sir Victor Efosa Uwaifo is evidently a legend of legends and the most celebrated black artiste and musical influencer of a generation ended his earthly journey at 80. He was inspired by modern aviation and designed one of his buildings like a jumbo jet.
The whole world was in unbelievable shock and sadness when social media was awash with the rumour or news of sudden death of the renowned musicologist, and consummate performer and choreographer, Sir Victor Efosa Uwaifo. Sir Victor Uwaifo’s manifest multiple talent made most observers to describe him as a true polymath.
SOUL OF SONG WRITING
Musical scholars concluded that his soul was sold out to song writing and musical composition after studying Sir Victor Uwaifo’s original vocal output at 24 years of age. Such scholars later found out that they were wrong when they attended his live performances with his signature handling of string instruments particularly the guitar. It earned him is first nickname “Guitar boy”. Sir Uwaifo was more than vocal production, or multi-instrumentalist. He was the ultimate entertainer and choreographer with boundless energy and infectious dancing. Nobody, irrespective of whether you understood his lyrics, could listen to his performance and not be seduced to move their hips or get up and join in dancing.
Sir Victor’s initial recognitions were based on his hit song #Joromi but that was only superficial compared to the subsequent compositions. His deep understanding of string musical instruments tells a more radical story.
YOUTHFUL BEGINNING
On March 1st, 1941, a young boy was born in Benin City in the old western region of Nigeria.
In 1965, at the age of 24 the whole world heard the song entitled #Joromi “President Buhari believes the renowned musician, with global appeal and recognitions, lived for many firsts, which include invitation to the State House by four presidents and Heads of State, and winner of a gold disc in Africa for his song, “Joromi’’, released in 1965 at the age of 24.
FAITH-BASED FOUNDATION FOR GLOBAL SUCCESS
Sir Uwaifo began formal education at a Christian school, called the Holy Cross Primary School, preceded to the Benin Baptist Primary School, Benin City.
Sir Victor’s late father had a gramophone at home and the young Victor loved the music produced by the “strange” instrument, which still sits in his museum and home today. Sir Victor recalls that at the tender age of 12, he made his own first guitar. According to him, “I used trap ropes for the strings, a sardine opener for the pegs, and spokes for the belts. I managed to produce some sound.
He started his secondary education the Western Boys High School, Benin city and St. Gregory’s College, Lagos before proceeding to the Yaba College of Technology where he obtained the National Diploma in Graphics with distinction. His faith-based education planted a seed of dedication, service and honesty in him which in later drove him away from the vice that overtook his musical colleagues who wasted their wealth on women, drinks and drugs. It is on record that Sir Victor has never smoked or drank in his life. This also informed his song ”Osaruge” – God is our protector.
LEADER OF LYRICS
In specialist musical circles far away from his native country, it is widely believed that even the deaf dance to his unheard music because they see his movement of the stage and feel his enthusiasm. The blind hear his vocal mastery and moral messages in his song and dance along in agreement and all other groups join in because Sir Victor ministers to all senses and sensibilities.
AUDITORY AND VISUAL MASTERY
Serious researchers believe that Sir Uwaifo’s songs and rhymed lyrics are a product of a mind with a better understanding the human auditory system. But visual scientists equally believe that his carefully crafted giant objects and minified items can only be created by a mind that has a deep appreciation of how the human eye’s retinal cells form images. It will take decades to resolve this debate about how he taught himself or independently acquired knowledge and skills, which takes the best universities decades to understand.
Therefore, Sir Victor’s departure marks the exit in a generation one of the greatest great minds and his indelible footprints will remain on the cultural, scientific and musical sands which future generations will love, cherish and preserve for many more generations to experience or be blessed with.
LEADERSHIP AND CREATIVITY
Sir Victor’s other hidden genius was made manifest when the celebrated musician-turned-scholar accepted a political but non-partisan role as the government Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism. (The equivalent of the Secretary of State Arts, Culture and Tourism in his native Edo state). He performed this task with characteristic excellence but shunned any financial associated financial reward or economic benefits of such high office. Sir Victor did it for charity and the good of the people. He was the first occupant of this role.
EDUCATION IN EDUCATION
Most national celebrities are too arrogant because they have been consumed by fame and flattery remarks by endless fans but the global fame of Sir Victor did not affect his interactions with ordinary people, nor did it stop him from returning to the classroom to sit next to teenagers and study a degree and graduate at the ripe old age of 54! He achieved a Bachelors of Arts degree with honours (first class valedictorian). It is official in the university transcripts that numerically, Sir Victor scored the highest marks.
Consumed by curiosity and the love of learning, while shunning more limelight, and the desire for earning more dollars, he continued with further academic studies and earned a Masters degree from one of African’s top institutions, at the age of 56. But the invitations to perform at various social events flooded him and his entertainment prodigies which he mentored at his height of his global popularity called on him to join in more live concerts etc, Sir Victor said “NO” and doubled down to a humble university life as a post-graduate student with monastery zeal. He believed that nobody was too old to learn. He worked with intellectuals and scholars and at the age of 77, he earned a doctorate degree. Therefore, his inspired fans were rejoicing that anyone (almost an Octogenarian) could successfully complete a Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture from the University of Benin, Nigeria.
His joy and a sense of satisfaction with academic studies generated a new set of admirers and earned him a huge respect to the next generation of musicians. This is a unique feat of real scholarly success after conquering the entertainment sector, a field considered diametrically opposed to academia.
UNAFFECTED BY INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
Prior to going back-to-school as a matured student, He was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa with Joromi, which was released in 1965. This was followed by the incredible success of winning seven other gold discs with the titles “Guitar boy”, “Arabade”, “Ekassa” series and “Akwete” music.
In 1997, he was received the American (USA) Certificate of Honor by the House of Representatives in Massachusetts. He is documented in the Groove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. And also featured in the Men and Women of Distinction in the Commonwealth published in 1983.
Professor Uwaifo was recognised as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor and artiste worldwide. During the National Festival of Arts and Culture, which took place in Benin in 2019, it became public knowledge that Sir Victor’s band is the highest paying band nationally because of his commitment to musicianship. It will be recalled world-renowned musical artistes such as Sonny Okosun was his student or protégés during the height of his career.
HIGHEST HONOURS
One agrees with the Presidential statement when it states that Sir Victor was a renowned musician, with global appeal and recognitions, lived for many firsts, which include invitation to the State House by four presidents and Heads of State, and winner of a gold disc in Africa for his song, “Joromi’’, released in 1965 at the age of 24.
Until his passing, he was a true statesman, Justice of the Peace (JP) and he envision, executed or supported many tourist-attracting projects, in different parts of the Africa. They include: the Cenotaph in Makurdi, Benue State; the Cenotaph in Maiduguri, Borno State; the Unknown Soldier Cenotaph in Abeokuta, Ogun State; the Giant Eagle Sculpture at the Eleganza Plaza in Apapa, Lagos State, amongst others.
Professor Victor Uwaifo was a visiting Professor of American Heritage University, and the first Nigerian Professional Musician of international repute. He was a sportsman, a fine artist, a technologist, a multi-instrumentalist, an innovator, a prolific writer, and an academician. His residence known as the Superstar Highgate on Victor Uwaifo Avenue, Ekewan/College Road Benin City.
MEMORY AND MULTI-AWARDS
Sir Victor is the first musician and instrumentalist to receive the prestigious National Merit Honours, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 1983. As the family, friends and fans plan to celebrate Sir Victor, Nobody will forget the memory of #SirVictor – the music icon, whose tracks ‘Joromi’ and ‘Mammy Water’ were hits till his demise, a multi-instrumentalist, great lyricist, melody maker, and a renowned virtual artist. No African can forget this Music meastro, extraordinary sculptor, and philosopher, Professor Sir Victor Efosa Uwaifo. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.
Professor Chris Imafidon is a multi-Guinness World record holder; internationally renowned adviser to monarchs, governments, presidents and corporate leaders; Mentor to multi-millionaire tech entrepreneurs & many world record holders. His STEM and other research and innovation have been recognised internationally, winning multiple awards. Professor Imafidon is 5X International Bestselling author; Mentor to New York Times Bestellers and a Sunday Times Op-ed author, a Wall Street Journal BestSelling author and a regular contributor to #AfricanVoice;
He is chair, ExcellenceinEducation.org.uk, an alliance of inner-city educational charities and institutions that mentors youths, women and professionals in the commonwealth. [Twitter @ChrisImafidon; Instagram @CoImafidon; Facebook/Linkedln/ClubHouse –Professor Chris Imafidon
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