…Describes Him As Ekiti’s ‘Precious Gift’ To The World
The governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the family of the doyen of highlife music, Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya, who passed on on Wednesday, aged 89 years.
In a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said Ekti State and indeed Nigeria have lost a global music icon with the passage of Dr Olaiya, who was one of the foremost musicians in the country.
Describing the late Ijesa-Isu Ekiti-born Olaiya as “Ekiti’s precious and priceless gift to the whole world,” Fayemi said Dr Olaiya was a passionate singer, great entertainer, multi-talented instrumentalist and composer, who had a good mastery of the stage.
Fayemi said his consolation lies in the knowledge that Dr Olaiya did not only live long, but lived well and impacted many lives through his music before taking his final bow, adding that it was the impact and uniqueness of Dr Olaiya’s music that earned him Ekiti State Honour in 2011, in addition to a car gift.
The governor said, “Dr Olaiya’s name has been eternally etched in the Nigerian music hall of fame, for creating an identity for himself as a multitalented musician.
“Although Dr Olaiya is dead, his legacies will continue to live on, especially in the hearts of millions of his admirers all over the world.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the family of the late Dr Olaiya. I urge the children to be consoled with the fact that Baba lived well, made a name for himself, and was honoured in his life time. Our prayer is that God will grant him eternal rest.”
