Saturday, 6th of March, 2021 will go down as a day to remember in the annals of celebrations by living legend and international music ICON, Prof. (Sir) Dr Victor Efosa Uwaifo PhD, MON, JP; whose evergreen home in Benin City was filled to capacity, playing host to distinguished personalities from Edo State, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
It was an occasion that witnessed his 80th Birthday celebration as old students of Western Boys High School Benin City, St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, the Alumni of the great University of Benin among other distinguished schools he attended, rolled out the drums to honour a worthy son and an accomplished international music genius, Prof. (Sir) Victor Uwaifo in grand style amid pomp and pageantry.
Family relations, colleagues, friends and well-wishers from all over the world were on hand to celebrate and rejoice with this doyen of African Music who has scored so many firsts in his chosen career and in all aspects of his human endeavours with an unbroken high jump record and excellent academic performance at Western Boys High School, Benin City, excellent academic performance at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos in the arts before proceeding to the University of Benin where he bagged a First Class Degree, Best Master’s Degree Student and crowned it with PhD and now a Professor; emerging as the most educated musician in the world. VIDEO ATTACHED :
A book titled “PROF. VICTOR EFOSA UWAIFO @ 80 A – Z” authored by Prof. Muyiwa Peter Awodiya an arts administrator, art consultant and university teacher who is presently a professor of Theatre Arts in the Department of Theatre Arts, Osun State University, after retiring from the University of Benin as a professor in 2017. After a review of the book by the author, the book was launched by the dignitaries present, associations, friends and well-wishers.
Chief Anthony Okoroji, President of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and former President of the Performing Musicians and Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) set the pace with N1, 000 000.00 (One Million Naira) as Chief Launcher describing the book as gold and diamond, as well as intellectual property of the mind of Sir Victor Uwaifo. This was followed with other launchers which include Chief (Dr.) Ezekiel A. Ainabe, the Ojomo of Ekpoma who launched the book with the sum of N300, 000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira), African Bar Association led by its President, Barr. Hannibal Uwaifo – N250, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), Barr. Jude Nosagie, CEO, Precious Palm Royal Hotel – N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), Mr Lucky Lebarty, President, Nigeria Union of Musicians (NUM) – N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Mrs Salami and others too numerous to mention.
The occasion had Chief D.U. Edebiri OON, the Odionwere of Benin and Esogban of Benin, also an old student of Western Boys High School Benin City as Chairman who prayed and showered encomiums on Sir Victor Uwaifo. The highlight of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by Prof. (Sir) Victor Uwaifo and his wife Princess Mrs Osaretin Uwaifo, a College Teacher who danced majestically on the floor to the admiration of the audience.
Earlier, there was a performance of “Joromi”, a song that won the gold disc in Nigeria and Africa by Sir Victor Uwaifo backed by Eno Louis, a popular international musician and a documentary of the celebrant. The greatest was the presentation of the first grand copyright medal of honour to Prof. (Sir) Victor Uwaifo by Chief Anthony Okoroji which the COSON President described as the first time in the history of COSON and an exemplary honour and respect for Victor Uwaifo’s battle for intellectual property in Nigeria and leaving a great legacy for our nation.
In his response, Sir Victor Uwaifo said it was a day God has made beautiful and he rejoiced in it. He mentioned that he has received several awards in the past but this First Grand Copyright Medal of Honour has added to his numerous awards and will boost his firsts in his human endeavours namely unbroken High Jump record at Western Boys High School, Benin City, First Class Degree from the University of Benin, First Musician to become a Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Edo State, First PhD Musician and Professor, now First Most Educated Musician in the world among other firsts he has recorded.
A prolific writer, publisher of so many books, a legend of legends, a professor of the arts who has represented the country in great ceremonies abroad winning Honours, a philosopher and elder statesman, the gathering rose in his honour at his birthday. He stated in an interview that he was happy with the celebration of his 80th birthday. He was satisfied and expressed gratitude to all who came to celebrate with him. When asked the magic wand behind his strength and success, he said “I never smoke, I never drink alcohol and I never womanize”.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from all walks of life and all over the world too numerous to mention amongst those who are Arch Bishop Augustine Akubeze of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Barr. Gentleman Amegor, a notable politician, Mrs Deaconess Juli Uwaifo-Omorogbe, Eldest sister of Sir Victor Uwaifo, Colonel Vijay Knedekar (Retired), a foreign friend of Chief Ezekiel Ainabe who came to celebrate with Sir Victor Uwaifo, Hon. Ernest Uwaidiae Edebiri, Chairman, Western Boys Old Student Association, Chief Francis Aghedo, Chairman, ITOTEC Group of Companies, Lagos and Tewogbade of Ikejaland, Hon. Agharese Idubor, front line politician, Dr Fred Iseghohmhen, Prof. Benson Osadolor of the University of Benin, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor and wife Mrs Agbonlahor, representative of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Enogie, His Royal Highness, Prof. Aduwa Ogiegban, former DVC, University of Benin, Emeritus Prof. Augustine Orhue, former DVC, University of Benin, Dr Doleye Fabomo of “Itendo” Fame, Hon. Mrs Esohe Jacob, Former member, Edo State House of Assembly and Youthful Influence Akaba.
They all hailed the celebrant as an accomplished elder statesman and prayed to God to grant him more years of celebration.
