“Joromi” crooner Victor Uwaifo passes on at 80— See 5 high points of his career

Nigerian music legend Victor Uwaifo died at 80 on 28th August 2021, and we have compiled five career high points of the “Joromi” singer.

“Guitar boy… If you see Mami water eh, never ever you run away, never run away Victor Uwaifo”— Prof. Sir Victor Uwaifo.

Allow me to borrow Yodaspeak and say, familiar with those lines, a lot of people are. Lovers of contemporary Nigerian music know those lines too well from the legendary record “Guitar Boy” by the iconic Nigerian musician and performer Sir Victor Uwaifo (MON). There are several other everlasting tracks like “Ekassa”, “Siwo Siwo”, and the record-breaking 1965 song “Joromi”, for which he won the first gold disc in Africa. He will later go on to win seven other gold discs with “Guitar boy”, “Arabade”, the “Ekassa” series and “Akwete Music”.

Born Victor Efosa Uwaifo on 1 March 1941, Sir Uwaifo was a Nigerian musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor. He was also a university lecturer and the first Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.

On top of his exceptional musical repertoire, he was recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, and artist worldwide with a B.A. Honours (first class valedictorian), Masters degree and PhD in Architectural Sculpture.

All men must die, and while we may want our cultural legends and cult heroes to live forever, they are but mortals too. News of Sir Uwaifo’s death broke on Saturday through a Facebook post by his son. “Daddy whyyyyyyyyyy did you leave us now? Prof. Sir Victor UWAIFO has gone to rest. Black Saturday for me nooow… One week now after collaborating with me,” Uwaifo Peter de Rock lamented in his post.

The music maestro was 80 years old at the time of his passing. One thing is sure; he has done more than enough to live forever through his rich legacy. To honour his memory, we bring you five high points of his career.

1. Victor Olaiya’s Cool Cats

Sir Uwaifo fell in love with music from listening to Spanish and Latin American musicians’ gramophone records at age 12. He soon started playing the guitar and quickly got very good at it. While studying for his National Diploma in Arts at the Yaba College of Technology, he joined the Victor Olaiya band on a contract basis and led the school band at the same time. In 1954, he formed his own band named Cool Cats.

2. NTA and The Melody Maestros Band

Upon graduation, he took got a job with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where he soon became Assistant Head of the Department of Graphics. While working there, Sir Victor formed created another band, the Melody Maestros. Together, they recorded songs like “Oko no mu me”, “Police”, and “Akugbe”, among others, between the years 1960 and 1965.

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3. The Magic Guitar

As Sir Victor Uwaifo evolved, he experimented more and got more inventive. Thus, he invented the double-neck “magic guitar” with 18 strings which he rotates 360 degrees at the speed of sound. He plays the guitar with his fingers and with his jaw, toes, teeth, and from behind his neck and back. Astonishing, isn’t it?

4. Joromi and the Gold Disc

In 1965, alongside his band members, Sir Uwaifo recorded the song “Joromi”. The song became an instant hit both in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. The following year, Uwaifo made history in Nigeria when he won the first Golden record in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa (presented by Philips, West Africa) for the song “Joromi”. He was just 24 years old at the time. Before his death, he had garnered a total of 12 Golden records.

5. National Honours and International Recognitions

In appreciation of his talents and contributions to Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured him with a National Honors Merit Award in 1983. Uwaifo was the first professional musician in Nigeria to receive such an award. He was also appointed Justice of Peace (JP), Public Notary and Lay Magistrate, and he served in many capacities.

In 1995, Uwaifo was invited by the United Nations Staff Day International Committee to perform during the UN Golden Jubilee celebration. He was cited in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1983 edition, documented in the “Who’s Who in Nigeria”, “Who’s Who in Africa”, “Who’s Who in the Commonwealth”, and “Men and Women of Distinction in the Commonwealth” sections. Also, he was an Honorary Member of the Biographical Advisory Council, Cambridge, England; a member of both the Performing Right Society and of the Advisory Board of American Heritage University, California, US.

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Without a shred of a doubt, Prof Sir Victor Uwaifo was a great achiever whose talent and influence cut across generations and will remain relevant for a lifetime to come. The late musician bowed in style by featuring in a track titled “Hallelujah” off his son’s upcoming album about a week ago. He will be greatly missed.

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