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..How I sold kerosene, Uwaifo sold kolanuts in Benin – Igbinedion

Legendary entertainer and octogenarian music maestro, Sir Victor Uwaifo, aka Guitar Boy, Saturday night declared that he has never smoked or taken drugs, but rather, music makes him high.

“I have never smoked in my life; I don’t drink. It’s now that I started taking wine. Music makes me high, I don’t take drugs”, Uwaifo, celebrated musician turned university teacher, disclosed at a dinner party hosted in his honour to commemorate his 80th birthday by the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, at his palatial Garden of Eden residence in Benin.

Responding to the Esama’s kind gesture and encomiums, Prof. Uwaifo, who lectures at the University of Benin, and who turned 80 March 1, 2021, advised that “If you are doing any of these things, stop; it is not too late. Guide your‎ children from taking drugs and avoid imitating people”.

Igbinedion,‎ who in his opening remarks, described the music legend, writer, and sculptor as “a great man”, urged Nigerians not to destroy but to build people.

According to the Esama, “You are a great man; one of the greatest human beings in life. To clock‎ 80 years, you must have a good mind”.
Igbinedion recalled that in their childhood days in Benin, “I was selling kerosine, while Uwaifo was selling kola-nuts”.

He explained that he was out of the country when‎ Uwaifo celebrated his birthday, which perhaps explains the belated celebration.

A deeply appreciative Uwaifo, said “Tonight, Chief Igbinedion has surprised me. This is the man who rose from grass to grace; who conquered poverty”.

‎He counselled that “Any person who wants to know, must be given the opportunity to know, and keep knowing. If you go through the crucible of life, then you will know the value of life; you must add principles”.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a 75- inch Plasma television and other gifts to Prof. Uwaifo and his wife.

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