Updated: Life and times of veteran highlife musician, Victor Uwaifo, who died at 80 – Newstrends
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Updated: Life and times of veteran highlife musician, Victor Uwaifo, who died at 80

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The Nigeria’s entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning as legendary musician, Sir Victor Uwaifo, has died.

His nephew, Uwaifo Peter The Rock, broke the news on his verified Facebook page Saturday evening.

Uwaifo Jnr, who is a gospel artiste and multi-instrumentalist, wrote: “Daddy whyyyyyyyyyy (?) Did you leave us now?

“Prof Sir Victor UWAIFO has gone to rest. Black Saturday for me now. One week now after collaborating with me.”

But he did not disclose the cause of his death.

The late singer featured in a track titled “Hallelujah” off his son’s upcoming album about a week ago.

The ‘Guitar boy’ as he was fondly called celebrated his 80th birthday in March.

He was also the first professional musician to be awarded with the National Merit Honours of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Uwaifor the first Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.

 

Born in Benin City, Edo State, Victor Efosa Uwaifo started music at an early age. Indeed, he began playing guitar when he was 12 years old. His earliest music influences surprisingly were records of Spanish and Latin American music.

Sir Victor was not only good in music, he was also a brilliant student when it came to academics too.

After attending Western Boys’ High School Benin and St Gregory’s College, Lagos, from 1957 to 1961, he made First Class in the university. He also had a master’s degree from the University of Benin

He had studied Graphics at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and graduated in 1961–63 before proceeding to the University of Benin in 1994, where he studied Fine and Applied Arts and majored in Sculpture.

Uwaifo jammed with Olaiya’s All Stars band during his secondary school days. After completing his studies, he played with E.C. Arinze’s highlife during late hours.

He also briefly worked with Stephen Osadebe and Fred Coker before forming Melody Maestros in 1965. The band released Joromi which became a hit in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. It has continued to enjoy airplay till date.

Uwaifo made history in Nigeria when he won the first Golden record in Nigeria and Africa for his hit song “Joromi” in 1996.

He developed the Akwete rhythm sound between 1965 and 1968. In 1969, he launched another beat called Shadow which was accompanied its own dance; a mixture of Akwete and twist.

The sound was released when soul music was popular in Lagos and lasted a few years. After the launch of Shadow, his band, Melody Maestros went on tour of various Nigerian cities.

Uwaifo had travelled to many countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, Hungary, Rome, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, Spain, and Canada.

In 1995, Uwaifo was invited by the United Nations Staff Day International Committee to perform during the UN Golden Jubilee celebration.

He had a total of 12 golden records to his credit.

Additional reports from Wikipedia and Nigeria Summary

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Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko

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Jide Kosoko

Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko

Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has weighed in on the controversial issue of sex-for-roles in the Nigerian film industry, stating that some actresses deliberately enter the industry with the intent of using sexual relationships to advance their careers.

Jide Kosoko shared his views during a recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, where he challenged the popular notion that directors and producers always impose such conditions on actresses.

He emphasised that no one can be coerced into engaging in sexual exchanges for roles.

“If I said I need you to warm my bed so that I can give you a role, and you said no, they cannot force you to do it. And if you want that role by all means, that means you want to dance to his tone,” he explained.

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The veteran actor clarified that while making such demands is inappropriate, the decision ultimately rests with the individuals involved.

“I’m not saying it’s right to have introduced that to you, but if you fall for it, that’s your own business. How does that concern the whole world? All this sex-for-roles thing, forget about it,” Kosoko stated.

He went on to assert that some women intentionally exploit such situations to gain recognition in Nollywood.

“I know some ladies that equally come into the industry with the determination that, by the time ‘I sleep with this and sleep with that, I will get my name. I know of some popular actresses. I know of even a Magistrate,” he revealed.

 

Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko

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Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital

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Ahmed Ololade popularly known as Asake and his father, Fatai Odunsi

Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital

Afrobeats sensation Asake has admitted his father, Fatai Odunsi, to a specialist hospital in Ikoyi, where Chinese medical experts are providing treatment, a reliable source has confirmed.

A neighbour of Odunsi confirmed the development.

Speaking in the local Isale Eko dialect, she initially requested more time, saying, “Call me again around 6:30 pm. By then, I should have gone to their house, so I would be able to give you more information on what you asked.” Later, around 7 pm, she confirmed, “I have confirmed from his (Odunsi’s) wife that he has been admitted to a specialist hospital in Ikoyi where Chinese experts are currently attending to him.”

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A source within Asake’s management, speaking anonymously, described the situation as an oversight. According to the insider, Asake has started fulfilling his financial obligations toward both his father and his daughter, Zeenat. However, the source could not confirm whether the artist plans to rekindle his relationship with Zeenat’s mother or provide financial support for her.

“The entire thing was an oversight, but all has been sorted. He has reunited with his family and promised to give them whatever they would need to keep him going. To the best of my knowledge, he has begun fulfilling the promises he made and that is why there is now calm. I have no knowledge of what has or will happen to the baby mama; what I know is what I have told you,” the source revealed.

In a viral video, Odunsi shared an update on their reconciliation, stating that Asake had pledged to buy him a new house and cover his medical bills. He confirmed that real estate agents were actively searching for a suitable property. Additionally, he noted that Asake had agreed to take full responsibility for his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat. However, he did not address whether the artist would rekindle his relationship with Zeenat’s mother or provide her with financial assistance.

Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital

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Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60

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Renowned Yoruba Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi

Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60

Renowned Yoruba Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has shared the painful journey of her childlessness at over 60, revealing years of heartbreak, betrayal, and unfulfilled dreams of motherhood.

In an emotional conversation on Abiola Adebayo’s Talk-to-B podcast, Jayesimi recalled how she battled multiple miscarriages, a turbulent marriage, and society’s harsh judgment, all while carrying the weight of longing for a child.

Jayesimi, who tied the knot on October 22, 1988, said her struggle with infertility began shortly after her wedding.

Though she conceived before the marriage, she suffered a miscarriage soon after, marking the start of an agonising journey.

“We had too many tests, with several attempts to conceive,” she recalled. “My husband and I had misunderstandings, and five years into the marriage, he stopped checking on me for months. He began using a pillow to demarcate the bed, slowly pushing me out of the marriage.”

The veteran actress revealed that her husband ultimately forced her out, and just two weeks after she left, another woman—already pregnant—moved into their home.

“I resorted to taking alcohol and sobbing for years,” she confessed. “I had to move on when the pain became unbearable.”

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Following the failed marriage, Jayesimi attempted to find love again, hoping it would lead to motherhood.

She met an Alhaji who was eager to help her conceive, but even after two rounds of IVF, she was left with nothing but disappointment.

“One day, I conceived without even knowing,” she recounted. “I was 40 years old at the time. But when I went to the hospital, the doctor told me it was an ectopic pregnancy. I cried my heart out.”

After the painful loss, she eventually left the relationship when the man’s wife started waging war against her.

In her desperation, Jayesimi once considered adoption, but her mother vehemently opposed the idea.

“If you adopt any kid, I will feed them to death,” she recalled her mother’s chilling words. “It was then I knew I was in for a long ride.”

Now, looking back with regret, the actress blames her mother for robbing her of the chance to be a mother.

“If I had not listened to my mum, I would have adopted a long time ago,” she lamented. “I am not fighting her, but I want her to stay clear of me because she’s the cause of my childlessness.”

Despite the pain, Jayesimi remains resilient. She shared how she has been mocked—even by the children she helped raise.

“This acting job is just a blessing in disguise,” she admitted. “It has helped me sustain the watered ground of mockery.”

At 60, the actress now seeks one final chance at motherhood—not through marriage, not through failed treatments, but through adoption.

“What I want to do now is get a child who will be my company,” she declared.

 

Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60

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