The son of the deceased music maestro, Prof Sir Victor Uwaifo (MON), who died Saturday in Benin at the age of 80 has debunked rumours that his father died of the dreaded COVID-19.
Goodman Osarentin Uwaifo who spoke in the company of his sister, Mrs Evelyn Oghonmwen, insisted that his father died from complications resulting from pneumonia and not COVID-19.
Goodman, the third son of the music icon said that the elder Uwaifo was rushed to Stella Obasanjo Hospital in suburban Benin on Friday and passed on at about 4 pm from untreated pneumonia.
He said: “I want to use this opportunity to clear this misinformation. We have heard rumours going around that our father, Sir Victor Uwaifo died of COVID-19. It is not true. He died of pneumonia and not COVID-19. He was rushed to the hospital on Friday and passed on the following day on Saturday, August 28. We did the necessary tests. He was treated for pneumonia.”
His house on Victor Uwaifo Avenue off College Road was a beehive of activities as people from different walks of life and neighbours trooped in to condole with the octogenarian’s children.
In deep distress, the younger Uwaifo, a pastor with Image of God Bible Ministry, Benin confessed that he is yet to come to grips with the loss of his father but had been able to weather the storm because of his strong faith in God.
He said in a low tone: “I have mixed feelings over his sudden death. Before he passed on, I had different feelings. I am yet to accept the reality of his death I am very very sad. I am able to bear it because of my calling as a pastor. I will not respond emotionally as my brothers and sisters are doing because of my calling as a pastor. I am really sad.”
He said that his father will be remembered for his works which he said are evergreen, noting that people like the multi-talented musicians are hard to come by.
A message on his son, Peter de Rock facebook page confirmed news of his father’s death which filtered into the Edo State capital on Saturday night.
The cause of the death could not be ascertained as Peter Uwaifo, a budding musician simply wrote on his Facebook page: “Daddy why did you leave us now? Prof. Sir Victor Uwaifo has gone to rest. Black Saturday for me one week after collaborating with me.”
Born on March 1, 1941, the music legend was a writer, sculptor, musical instrument inventor and university lecturer.
He was the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism during former Governor Lucky Igbinedion’s administration and was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series and Akwete music.
He recorded under the name Victor Uwaifo and His TItibitis. He is recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, artist, worldwide with a B. A Honors (first-class valedictorian), Masters degree and Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture, (University of Benin, Nigeria).
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Uwaifo died of pneumonia, not COVID-19, says son
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