President Buhari Mourns the Death of Pa Victor Olaiya

Following the death of Veteran highlife musician, Pa Victor Olaiya, condolence messages have been coming in from different quarters.

 The President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolence. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President paid tributes to the deceased.

The president also extended his condolences to the family and well-wishers of Pa Victor Olaiya, and urged the younger generation to emulate the highlife maestro.

Pa Victor Olaiya died on February 12 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a long battle with stroke. He was a legend and an iconic figure of Nigerian highlife music.

Read Femi Adeshina’s post in full below:

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS POPULAR HIGHLIFE MUSICIAN, VICTOR OLAIYA

President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the family, friends and all lovers of vintage highlife music as played by Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya, who passed on at 89.

The President notes that the highlife maestro, known for his mastery of the trumpet, brought joy and delight to people across generations, with his songs which were both entertaining and didactic.

According to President Buhari, “His place in history is guaranteed. He sang, not just for the entertainment value, but also taught critical lessons on life, good neighbourliness, and national cohesion. He will be sorely missed.”

He urges the younger generations of musicians to learn a lesson from Olaiya, so that their songs can also remain evergreen, and outlive them. Noting that the departed musician’s works transcended Nigeria, the West Coast, and, indeed, the African continent, the President prays God to rest Olaiya’s soul, and comfort all those who mourn him.