Victor Uwaifo Didn’t Die of COVID-19 Complications, Son Debunks Rumours

The son of deceased music maestro, Prof. Victor Uwaifo, who died in Benin City on Saturday at the age of 80 has debunked news making the rounds that his father died of the dreaded COVID-19 complications.

Goodman Osarentin Uwaifo who spoke in company of his sister, Mrs. Evelyn Oghonmwen, insisted that his father died from complications resulting from pneumonia and not he dreaded virus as being rumoured.

The third son of the music icon said his late father was rushed to Stella Obasanjo Hospital also in Benin City on Friday, and he passed on at about 4pm from untreated pneumonia.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to clear this misinformation. We have heard rumours going around that our father, Sir Victor Uwaifo died of COVID-19. It is not true. He died of pneumonia and not COVID-19 complications. He was rushed to the hospital on Friday and passed on the following day on Saturday August 28. We did the necessary tests. He was treated for pneumonia.”

His house on Victor Uwaifo Avenue off College Road was a beehive of activities as people from different walks of life and neighbours trooped in to condole with the octogenarian’s children.

The younger Uwaifo, a pastor with Image of God Bible Ministry, Benin, said he was yet to come to terms with the loss of his father but had been able to weather the storm because of his strong faith in God.

He said: “I have mixed feelings over our father’s sudden death. Before he passed on, I had different feelings. I am yet to accept the reality of his death, I am very sad.”

He said his late father will be remembered for his works which he said are evergreen, noting that people like the multi-talented musicians are hard to come by.

Born on March1, 1941, the music legend was a writer, sculptor, musical instrument inventor and university lecturer.

He was the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism during former the administration of Chief Governor Lucky Igbinedion and 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.