Reputed for his folkloric highlife melodies garnished by the dexterity of his guitar and callisthenics dance steps, Uwaifo was a music exponent whose career of 57 years shot Nigeria and Africa to global spotlight.Under the tutelage of celebrated highlife musicians like Bobby Benson, Sir Victor Olaiya, Stephen Osita Osadebe, young Uwaifo mastered an inborn musical skill that brought him global renown.
From his prodigious energy and talent, Uwaifo bequeathed to posterity massive art and culture production that is too enormous to have been spawned by the technology of an individual. He waxed 12 albums, recorded many songs and had a tome of lyrics. An eclectic art experimentalist with a streak of perfectionism, Uwaifo sculptured architectural and iconic masterpieces dotting diverse places both home and abroad. He built his car, invented his trademark guitar with 18 strings, amongst other things.
Although he played music at St Gregory School band with the likes of Segun Bucknor, he sharpened his skills by featuring in Victor Olaiya’s Cool Cats highlife group on holidays. He continued this trend after school when he played for E. C. Arinze’s, Fred Coker’s and Stephen Osadebe’s highlife bands. With sufficient tutelage, he formed his Melody Maestros in 1965.Uwaifo has been acclaimed the most academically honoured musical legend in the country, having at age 54 obtained a B.
For all he lived, Uwaifo has left Nigerians, especially musicians and artists, with vital lessons. To young people and professionals who want to excel, Uwaifo’s life and accomplishments are a study in tenacity, focus and incredible self-control. His life signals to learners that genuine success is achieved through dedication to professionalism, commitment to excellence, patience and openness to mentorship.
Yet someone was too LAZY to do the right thing. Shame!!
How does these 2 news gets connected The Guardian newspaper?
Wrong link