Fabio Lanipekun joined the WNTV/WNBS after a brief spell at NBC Lagos, the forerunner to the present day NTA
By Kehinde Okeowo
Veteran broadcaster renowned for his football commentaries in his days at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Fabio Lanipekun, is dead. He died on Sunday at the age of 80.
The news of the death of the ace broadcaster was announced by his son Adesola Fabio Lanipekun Jnr, who broke the news via a WhatsApp chat with the Theniche newspaper.
He wrote ” Can you believe it? My dad passed away about 3 hours ago. It was like he waited for his 80th birthday to say goodbye”
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His former colleague at NTA, Mrs. Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, described him as a wonderful boss while eulogising and announcing his death on her Facebook wall on Sunday.
“I mourn the death of my former boss and mentor, the legendary Fabio Lanipekun. He passed on today, four days after his 80th birthday.
“A cerebral, hardworking, and no-nonsense boss, Fabio encouraged my move from NTA Ibadan to the Headquarters (then in Lagos). He burnished my skills, taught me discipline and handwork, and gave us opportunities to shine, knowing as he did, that our light did not dim his own.
“I was with him on his 79th birthday along with some of my former colleagues but missed his 80th as I was declaring my governorship candidature on the same day.
“May God grant him sweet repose and bless his devoted wife and other family members,” she said.
Mr. Fabio Lanipekun has been a media practitioner since 1962 when he was a reporter with the now defunct Daily Express which was based in the Apogbon area on Lagos Island.
He is one of the earliest Nigerian media practitioners to train specifically in sports journalism.
He joined the WNTV/WNBS (Western Nigeria Television/Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service) after a brief spell at the NBC Lagos (Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation), the forerunner to the present day Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
He started as a newspaper reporter before switching to television. He had a mentor in David Coleman, an English sports commentator in BBC. David Coleman who died nine years ago.
The sports world will surely miss the legendary sports broadcaster. Fabio Lanipekun, who many called the grandmaster, while others call him the encyclopedia of sports.