The Nigeria Football Federation has described as “most sorrowful” the death of sports broadcasting pathfinder, Adesola ‘Fabio’ Lanipekun which occurred on Sunday, 6th March 2022, four days after the latter’s 80th birthday anniversary.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “To read about the death of Mr Fabio Lanipekun, only days after we celebrated him for reaching the landmark 80 years, was a painful thing. It was hard to believe. We all read the history of how he blazed the trail in sports broadcasting starting from his time at the WNTV in Ibadan, and his distinguished and stellar career at the Nigeria Television Authority.
“He was an oracle of the industry. We are consoled by the fact that he lived an exemplary, fruitful and fun-filled life. He was a professional to the core and loved his job deeply. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and grant the family he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
Mr Adesola ‘Fabio’ Lanipekun joined the octogenarian club only four days before his demise on the afternoon of Sunday, 6th March.
He headed the sports desk of Western Nigeria Television after studying sports journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London, United Kingdom and later moved to the Nigeria Television Authority, where he attended dozens of major international championships and games before retiring as Manager, Sports of Nigeria’s leading broadcasting house.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN) has urged the Federal Government to immortalize the doyen of Sportscasting in Nigeria, Late Fabio Lanipekun.
The Chairman of the most vibrant chapter of the association, Debo Oshundun stated this in a statement shortly after the demise of the highly revered journalist on Sunday.
According to him, Late Fabio’s feat in sports writing and development in Nigeria deserves all commendations and be accorded all respect.
“He was a hero and should be honoured even in death. We appeal to the Federal Government and the Lagos State government to immortalize Fabio, just as they did with ace commentators, Ishola Folorunsho and Ernest Okonkwo by naming a section of the Teslim Balogun Stadium after them”.
Despite dropping his pen at the ripe age of 80, Oshundun commended the veteran sport journalist’s contributions saying his advice will be missed in the pen pushing profession.
“Pa Fabio was one of those we ran to for advice and now that he’s gone we are going to miss him deeply”.
“He left a big shoe that’s very difficult for anybody to step into but we pray for the repose of his soul and also pray for the family at this difficult time,” the Lagos SWAN boss prayed.
