Obaseki, Okowa, UNIBEN, Idahosa mourn Uwaifo

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday mourned the passing of legendary musician and art teacher, Prof. Victor Uwaifo, whose death was reported on Saturday evening.

In a statement issued in Benin City, Obaseki expressed shock and sadness over the news of Uwaifo’s death, noting that his passing at this time was a huge loss to Edo State, Nigeria, and Africa.

“I received the news of the loss of legendary musician and art teacher, Prof. Victor Uwaifo, with shock and sadness. He was talented, phenomenal and an illustrious son of Edo State, who wowed the world with his array of skills, notably his music talent,” the statement reads.

Obaseki prayed God to grant the Uwaifo family, friends, associates, and well-wishers the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Also, the management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) expressed grief over the demise of Uwaifo, who was its second Alumni Honorary Graduate.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami, said: “The news of the loss of a legend and great son of Benin Kingdom is shocking and painful. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, Edo State, the university community, his friends, and loved ones.”

On his part, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, commiserated with the Uwaifo family, the Benin Kingdom, and music enthusiasts over Uwaifo’s death.

He also condoled with the government and people of Edo on the demise of the musician, who died at 80 at the weekend after a brief illness.

In a statement issued in Asaba by Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Olisa Ifeajika, he expressed shock and sadness at the passing of Uwaifo, saying he was a star, whose demise was a huge loss to lovers of his genre of music.

Okowa prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort his family and all those mourning him.
MEANWHILE, representative of Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, described the death of Uwaifo, as a huge loss to the entertainment industry.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Friday Aghedo, the lawmaker, who added that Edo and Nigeria at large have lost a legend, described Uwaifo as “the pride of Edo in the Nigerian creative industry.”