Victor Uwaifo

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Sir Victor Uwaifo (born 1941) was a Nigerian musician, famous for his joromi music. (The 'Sir' was apocryphal).

He is also famous for "Guitar Boy", a classic songs for many Nigerians as well as Africans He served as commissioner for arts and culture in edo state under the governor igbinedion government

Many rains ago, in the early summer of 1965, something had happened on the West Coast of Africa that had never happened before. It's frenzy, like the persistent rhythm, loud and clear, of African Festival Drums, seized all negro souls North, East, South and West Africa. It rode on the wings of the dry Sahara wind and the African route Airlines into Europe. Flashy mohogany-skinned Air hostesses stepped into exotic night clubs of Europe with a song on their lips and this entrancing dance step to go with it. Enchanted, every white boy and girl without a heart, struck tone-deaf and beauty-blind by racial prejudice asked with a glint in their eyes, "what is this new song that you sing, and this new dance that you dance?" From London to Lusaka, across Europe, East and West, the inquirers always got the same answers: "...the song is Joromi and the dance we do is Akwete!".....the Creator is Sir Victor Uwaifo.

Contents 1 Birth 2 Education 3 Contribution To Nation Building 4 National Recognition 5 International Recognition 6 Employer Of Labour 7 Interests and Hobbies 8 Marital Status

[edit] Birth

Victor Uwaifo, a legend of our time, music maestro, icon, sculptor and philosopher was born in the ancient city of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria in 1941.

[edit] Education

Doctorate (Honoris Causa) from Northgate University Bellingham, U.S.A. Bachelors degree BA first class honors and a Masters degree University of Benin, Nigeria, 1994 where he read Fine and applied Arts and majoring in sculpture. Studied graphics at Yaba College of technology Lagos and graduated with a distinction in 1961 – 1963 Secondary school education; Western Boys’ High School Benin and St. Gregory’s College lagos 1957 - 1961

[edit] Contribution To Nation Building

Victor Uwaifo, a house hold name in Nigeria and also popular beyond the shores of African Continent. He made history for Nigeria when he won the first Gold Disc record in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa presented by Philips, West Africa with the unprecedented chart buster ‘JOROMI’ in 1996. Victor Uwaifo who has a total of 12 gold discs up to date has traveled to many parts of he world including U.S.A. , Russia, Japan, London, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Paris, Hungary, Rome, Ghana, Cote de Voire, Togo, Republic of Benin etc. Above all he is a lecturer in the department of Fine and Applied Arts in one of Nigeria's formost Universities, the University of Benin, Benin City , Edo State.

[edit] National Recognition

The Federal Government of Nigeria in appreciation of his multi ferrous talents and contributions to nation building honored him with a National honors Merit awards in 1983 which reads in part…”whereas you have been nominated and appointed as Member of the Order of the Niger to have and hold and enjoy the privileges of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of the said Order MON”

Sir Victor Uwaifo thus became the first professional musician in Nigeria to receive such an award. He is a Justice of the Peace and has served in many capacities. Victor Uwaifo again scored another first when he was appointed as the Honorable Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism and Member of the State Executive Council , the highest policy making decision body in Edo State, 2001-2003.

The popularity of Hon Sir Victor Uwaifo is so vast that he needs no postal address and having one is just a formality. You can write him a letter simply addressed as “Sir Victor Uwaifo Nigeria or, Benin City Nigeria” and out of the 150 million people (population) of Nigeria, the letter will be delivered at his door step and this is the extent of his popularity spanning over 4 decades.

Appointed as Justice of Peace (JP) Public Notary and Lay Magistrate, Sir Victor Uwaifo has been recognized by four Nigerian Presidents 1. President Shehu Shagari who awarded him the National Honors of MON 2. President Buhari who invited him to perform at the Government House 3. President Babangida who invited him to a private Dinner at the Government House 4. President Olusegun Obansonjo who wrote him a birthday congratulatory message personally signed by the President himself.

[edit] International Recognition

As a testimony of Victor Uwaifo’s popularity, in 1995, he was invited by the United Nations Staff Day International Committee to perform during the UN Golden Jubilee celebration in New York via a letter dated August 1995 and signed by Rudolph Shaw- Chairperson. Victor Uwaifo is cited in the Groove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1983 edition, documented in the “Who is Who in Nigeria”, “Who is Who in Africa” and “Who is Who in the Common Wealth” and also in the “Men and Women of distinction in the Common Wealth”. Victor Uwaifo is an Honorary Member of the Biographical Advisory Council, Cambridge, England. Member of the performing Rights Society (PRS) London. Member Advisory board America Heritage University (AHU) California, U.S.A.

[edit] Employer Of Labour

Victor Uwaifo who is now an institution and reference point, mentor and role model is the Chairman of Joromi Organization, superstar multi-track Recording and Television studios in Benin City. Victor Uwaifo runs and manages an Art Gallery and Victor Uwaifo Hall of Fame, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

[edit] Interests and Hobbies

Holidaying and visiting tourism sites and other places of attraction. His hobbies are: swimming , body building, gaming, reading, writing, and bringing up children in the fear of God so that they will not depart from God when they grow up.

[edit] Marital Status

Victor Uwaifo is a Christian, a philanthropist and benefactor to some people within and outside the music industry. He is happily married with children.