Late Victor Uwaifo’s Burial Rites Commence Oct 14
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The family of popular musician and University lecturer, Sir Victor Efosa Uwaifo (MON), who died August 28, says a new burial arrangement for the “Mammy Water” crooner will begin on Thursday, October 14, 2021
A flyer announcing the ceremony indicates that the burial activities will kick off with a day of tributes, vigil, mass/service of songs at Ogbe Hard Court, Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, from 2 p.m to 6 p.m on October 14, 2021
This will be followed by lying-in-state from 11 a.m to 1 p.m on Friday, October 15 with a requiem Mass held the same day at Ogbe Hard Court, Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, from 1 p.m to 3 p.m.
The programme also shows that interment will take place at the late veteran musician’s home at 4-12 Victor Uwaifo Avenue, off College Road, Ekehuan, Benin City, from 4 p.m to 6 p.m on October 15, 2021.
There will be social activities in Sir Uwaifo’s honour at Garrick Playground, opposite the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Ekehuan Campus in Benin City at noon on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
The burial activities will be capped with a thanksgiving service at Holy Cross Cathedral on Mission Road in Benin City at 9 a.m on Sunday, October 17.
A music legend, writer, sculptor, musical instrument inventor, and University lecturer, the late Uwaifo was a one-time Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism in Edo State.
Also, he was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series, and Akwete music. He recorded under the name “Victor Uwaifo and His Titibitis”.
Well-educated, Uwaifo had B.A. Honours (first-class valedictorian), Master’s degree, and PhD in Architectural Sculpture (Thesis: A reinvention of Benin Royal Ancestral Pieces, University of Benin, Nigeria).