Victor Uwaifo was the original musician, says Oshiomhole

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and also former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the Benin home of the late music maestro, Sir Victor Uwaofo, whom he described as “the original musician.”

Oshiomhole, who was received by the wife of the music star, Princess Osaretin Uwaifo, said that the “Joromi” crooner, who passed on penultimate Saturday, through his Odyssey, put Edo State and Nigeria on the world map.

“There are many ways in which he affected my life. As young men in the typical rural village, when there was no light, no road, anytime we wanted to listen to music, we made request through Radio Nigeria, we listened to radio using battery, the number one record we always requested was Victor Uwaifo; Guitar Boy, Joromi and others and we would wear our small knickers and dance and these were stories about the exploits of Uwaifo in the music world,” Oshiomhole stated.

“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 own 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,” the former APC National Chairman added.

Narrating his experience with the late Uwaifo while he was governor of Edo State, Oshiomhole said: “As a steward at Osadebey Avenue which you call governor, under 24 hours notice, he would always be there even as a guest but sometimes, I would tell him, sir the people want to hear your voice even though he wasn’t invited to play, he would oblige us.

“He was the original musician; in his days, you had to master good English language, you had to have a natural good voice not digitally aided and shopped, you had to either have it or you don’t. The voice of Uwaifo was not the result of manipulation of modern gadgets, it was a natural gift that God gave him and his music has meaning, when you listen, beyond the entertainment, you also pick a lesson.”

Responding, Mrs. Oghomwen Ridden, the first daughter of the late music star, assured that the legacy of their father would be sustained through his children, some of who are already into music.