It was recently reported that Sir Victor Uwaifo was planning to sue the songstress Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye a.k.a. Simi over her popular song ‘Joromi’ allegedly for contravention of his copyright. He was even quoted as saying, “she is in trouble”. It would seem however that the Professor of Art, who is currently on the board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), is yet to make that move.
The legendary musician has had countless hits including one titled ‘Joromi’ in his hay days and has in the recent past continued to be active in music and even dedicated his time to doing collabos with young musicians. In fact, it was upon the release of ‘Joromi’ in 1969 that his popularity went through the roof bringing fortune with it.
Uwaifo, who has served as commissioner for arts and culture in Edo State, was also quoted to have said that he had taken Pepsi to court where he is asking for N500million for using one of his songs, ‘Arabade’, in one of its adverts without following the due process.
The highlife maestro, popularly known as Guitar Boy to this day, has remained relevant in his chosen career many years after he released his first album. As many who are either in or follow closely the highly competitive industry will tell you, this is no mean feat. The multi-instrumentalist summed it up in a recent interview when he said, “It’s one thing to be an artiste and it’s another thing to stay on the scene for a long time”.
Born on March 1, 1941, the Benin-based 77-year-old Uwaifo has indeed stood the test of time and is a living legend of highlife in Nigeria and beyond. The chairman of Joromi Organisation, a multi-track recording and television studio in Benin City also runs an art gallery and the Victor Uwaifo Foundation.