Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has congratulated eminent Benin-born musician and former Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Edo, Sir Victor Uwaifo, who has been inducted as one of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO’S) Human Living Treasure Legends. Celebrating the music maestro, the governor noted that Uwaifo was a multi-talented artist, whose inventiveness, talent, doggedness, and hard work had taken him farther in life than many of his contemporaries.
He said: “Sir Victor Uwaifo is not only recognized in music, but also in the academia, fine and applied arts, and culture. Even now, musicians are winning the Nobel Prize for literature. I am therefore not surprised to find that one of the foremost musicians and legends of highlife music in West Africa is being honoured as a living treasure.”
Speaking further, Governor Obaseki recalled how, in his heydays, Uwaifo sang such masterpieces as “Guitar Boy”, “Joromi”, and “Mami Water”, adding that his innovative rhythms such as “Shadow”, “Akwete” and “Ekassa” livened his youth.
“Uwaifo use music and sculpting to touch us in many ways, and we will not forget him. He is a flagbearer of Edo State in culture all over the world,” said the governor.
Meanwhile, he also noted that the musician had made the world a better place for everyone and that he had contributed significantly to helping the western world understand Africa and its cultural nuances.Uwaifo is also the first professional musician to be awarded with the National Merit Honours of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).