Children of the late highlife music exponent, Victor Olaiya, are planning to immortalise him with an annual music workshop to be held in Lagos, the nation’s entertainment capital.
This was made known by a son to the late musician and trumpeter, Bayode, who also stated that his father would continue to be celebrated because he made a positive impact in the lives of many people, beyond his family members. Bayode, who is also the lead vocalist of the All Stars International Band, added that Olaiya, who died on February 12, 2020, deserved to be immortalised.
He said, “The family is currently discussing all the possible ways that we can immortalise our late patriarch who meant a lot to us. We would have the workshop and also organise a get-together for family members and close friends. The only two challenges I envisage are corporate sponsorship and lack of genuine interest by some supposed lovers and fans of Olaiya and his family.
“Whatever happens, we would commit everything at our disposal to kick-start this immortalisation process because he was such a lovely father.”
Speaking days after his father’s death in 2020, Bayode noted that the older Olaiya achieved all he wanted to. He had said, “I don’t think people have unfinished businesses before they die. I think my dad achieved all he wanted to. We practically forced him to do the remix (‘Baby Jowo’) with 2baba because he didn’t believe in remixing his songs. But, he loved some of the present day artistes and also collaborated with some of them. If there was anything he wanted to do, he would have done it. However, he used to go to some orphanages and old people’s homes to give them money and other things.”
Famous for hit songs and albums such as Baby Jowo, Feso J’aiye, Ilu Le O and Taxi Driver, Victor Olaiya, who was also a singer and trumpeter, was born on December 31, 1930, in Calabar, Cross River. However, his parents were from Ijesa-Isu in Ekiti State. – Punch.
