From The Archives

Victor Uwaifo

Victor Uwaifo

Victor Uwaifo

Born 1 March, 1941 in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria, Sir Victor Efosa Uwaifo is a Nigerian musician famous for his Joromi music.

His best known songs, Guitar Boy and Mamiwater (Mermaid), recorded a huge success in 1966.

Uwaifo, a sculptor and philosopher, made history in Nigeria when he won a Gold Disc in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa, presented by Philips West Africa with his song, Joromi, in 1968 and to date, he has a total of 12 Gold Discs.

In 1982, the Alhaji Sheu Shagari-led Federal Government of Nigeria, in appreciation of his talent and contribution to the country, honoured him with a national award of merit, thus becoming one of the foremost professional musicians to receive such award.

The former Edo State Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism is a Justice of Peace (JP), Public Notary and Lay Magistrate, who is recognised by four Nigerian presidents—President Sheu Shagari made him a Member of the Order of the Niger, while Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo invited him to to a private private dinner at the Government House and wrote him a birthday congratulatory message personally signed by the resident himself.

In 1995, Dr. Uwaifo was invited by the United Nations Staff Day International Committee to perform during the UN golden jubilee celebration. He 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, Who is Who in the Commonwealth and Men and Women of Distinction in the Commonwealth, among other international recognitions.

The Guitar Boy exponent is the chairman of Joromi Organisation, a multi-track recording studio in Benin City. He also runs and manages an art gallery and Victor Uwaifo Hall of Fame.

—Kayode Aponmade

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