CELEBRITY
Fabio, the Grand Master at 80: When nickname becomes the real name
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Two iconic Nigerians from two sectors that have magnetic pulls on the citizens clock 80 today 2 March 2022. The Grandmaster of sports journalism, Fabio Lanipekun is 80 and shares the great occasion with the charismatic Pastor Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
It is also the Ash Wednesday, already the ash colour of the afro hair of Fabio Lanipekun, illustrates the day. Some years back, the coincidence of the birthday with Pastor Adeboye was put to Lanipekun; the grandmaster said he was oblivious of the coincidence.
He remarked that he was eternally grateful to God for letting him have something in common with the man of God who years ago was ranked by the influential Time Magazine as the third most influential individual on the Planet Earth.
Foreign names have become a common phenomenon in Nigeria. But the trend is more towards Biblical and English names.
Fabio is an Italian name. How did the grandmaster get an Italian name? He explained that he was born as Adesola Lanipekun and that Fabio, the name that he is popularly known, was actually a nickname!
It stuck while he was in his third year at Methodist Boys High School, the institution that has the honour of being the inaugural winners of the Principals’ Cup when it was called the ‘Schools Cup’ in 1948 before changing to Zard Cup in 1959 and Principals Cup since 1965.
According to Lanipekun, he read an 1886 romance book titled “Vendetta”. It was a story of a forgotten fellow, Fabio Romani, an Italian count who was thought to be dead. The novel was written by Mary Corelli.
Lanipekun said he was fascinated by the central figure of the novel, Fabio Romani. “I enjoyed the book that I started calling myself ‘Fabio”, remarked Lanipekun.
That was the origin of the nickname that has over seven decades become his name. He remarked that his parents initially objected to it each time school friend came to ask after ‘Fabio’. But somehow, it has stuck.
He 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.
That was when he enrolled at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London in 1964. This is symbolic as even up till now, in spite of the pervasiveness of sports writing across all platforms, there is hardly any school of journalism or mass communication that sports writing is offered as a course.
Lanipekun therefore ranks as possibly the only active journalist trained in sports writing. That probably explains his often critical mind of most writings in newspapers.
In the late 1980s as a Group Sports Editor at Concord Press, I had a teacher in Fabio Lanipekun. Each time I drove into the National Stadium, Lagos where the sports desk of the NTA was domiciled, ‘Baba Fabio’, as we used to call him, would flag me down to either commend or criticise any write up in my publication.
His views were usually well informed and deeply rooted. He cherished in-depth and analytical write ups. Gradually, he started shaping my mind.
My most cherished meeting with him was outside the Nigerian shores at the 1987 U-16 World Youth Tournament in Canada. As a rookie reporter, I needed him for guidance. He was also around when I covered my first Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria in 1990 as well as my first attendance of the World Cup at Italia ‘90 and my first Olympic Games at Barcelona ‘92.
But my first knowledge of him was almost 10 years before I ventured into journalism. At first it was his trendy look – afro hairstyle and the alluring smiles that adorned his face – that drew him to me each time I watched him present sports programme on the only television station one could get in Ibadan, the WNTV, first in Africa!
At the time, ‘Sports Galore’ on WNTV on Saturdays made interesting viewing. I can’t forget his signature signing off: “Am backing sports all the way, what about you?”
He joined the WNTV/WNBS (Western Nigeria Television/Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service) after a brief spell at the NBC Lagos (Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation), the fore runner 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.
At Sydney 2000, Coleman who for 46 years worked for BBC was awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honour of the Olympic Movement. Lanipekun worked briefly with him as news assistant at the BBC World Service.
When he returned to Nigeria, he had another mentor in Ishola Folorunsho before switching to WNTV/WNBS on February 17, 1969. On May 18, 1969 he had his first coverage of a football match for the WNTV when he ran commentaries of the Ghana versus Nigeria World Cup qualifying match in Accra.
He rose to the position of Manager, Sports at the NTA before retirement. It is a paradox that in spite of Lanipekun’s knack for documentation, it will amount to searching for a pin on the seashore for one to get audio visuals of old football matches at the NTA.
Ten years ago, the issue was put to Lanipekun. “We had a well organised audio-visual library at the WNTV Ibadan. In those days, within five minutes, you can trace any material at the library.
“But when the NTA took over in 1976, they did not keep up to the evolving technology. We started with bulky video tapes. Now those are no longer in use. The globe has digitalised.”
The legacy of Brazilian football legend Pelé has taken a new turn after Neymar Santos Sr, father of Brazil star Neymar Jr, confirmed the acquisition of the commercial rights to Pelé’s name and image through his agency, NR Sports.
Speaking at the Pelé Museum in Santos, Brazil, Neymar Sr said the deal marks a new chapter for one of the most iconic brands in global sport.
“We are proud. I think it’s a very strong brand. We want to strengthen its identity and adapt it to the current era,” he said, describing the project as deeply emotional and nationally significant.
Although financial details were not officially disclosed, Brazilian media estimate the acquisition at around $18 million. The rights had previously belonged to US-based company Sport 10, which many in Brazil accused of underdeveloping a national treasure.
A ‘Repatriation’ of Pelé’s Legacy
NR Sports described the agreement as a “repatriation” of Pelé’s brand—bringing back to Brazil “one of the greatest symbols in the history of world sport.”
Pelé’s daughter, Flavia, attended the announcement and welcomed the move, saying the family had tried—and failed—to reacquire the rights after Pelé’s death in 2022.
“There are no words to describe the emotion of bringing back a brand that embodies soul, humanity, and love. It’s priceless,” she told AFP.
The unveiling was accompanied by an emotional tribute at the Pelé Museum, which erected a massive green screen with Pelé’s iconic logo. A video shared on Pelé’s and NR Sports’ official accounts celebrated the “universal language” of Brazilian football, showing some of the King’s most memorable goals from his World Cup triumphs in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
Neymar Jr: ‘Pelé Was Born to Change Everything’
Neymar Jr, who recently returned to Pelé’s former club Santos and has surpassed the King as Brazil’s all-time top scorer, featured in a promotional video congratulating his father’s company.
“Some are born to play, others are born to change the game. Pelé was born to change everything,” the 33-year-old forward said. “Pelé never stopped being one of us, and now he is officially part of Brazil, again and forever.”
A New Era for an Underused Global Brand
For years, Pelé’s image rights were more prominently exploited abroad than at home—a situation that drew criticism from the family and Brazilian football circles. The new deal is expected to revitalise the Pelé brand through modern marketing, partnerships, and heritage initiatives anchored in Brazil.
“This is the beginning of a motivating project for us. We are very moved,” Neymar Sr added.
Pelé, who died in December 2022 at age 82, remains an enduring symbol in Santos, São Paulo state, where he played from 1956 to 1974 and where thousands still visit his mausoleum.
With the rights now back in Brazilian hands, NR Sports says the goal is clear: preserve, expand, and enrich the legacy of the King of Football for generations to come.
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Lionel Messi expressed his wish to one day return to Barcelona’s Camp Nou on Monday, having made a brief visit to see the newly revamped stadium where he spent 21 years of his illustrious career.
The 38-year-old Argentine World Cup winner, who joined Barca’s youth academy at age 13 and went on to become the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, left the Catalan side in 2021 when they could not make it financially viable to keep him.
Having won 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League crowns and three Club World Cups with Barca, Messi now plays for Inter Miami after two years with Paris St Germain.
Barca reopened the Camp Nou on Friday, 895 days after its closure, unveiling a revamped stadium by staging an open training session attended by 21,795 fans.
“Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times like the happiest person in the world,” the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner wrote on Instagram on Monday.
“I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do.”
Messi extended his contract with Inter Miami in October, and has previously said that the Major League Soccer club would likely be his last.
“You’re always welcome at your home, Leo,” Barca posted on X.
-Reuters
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Argentina has paid a powerful tribute to its greatest football icon, Diego Armando Maradona, by unveiling a special commemorative silver coin celebrating both the late legend’s 65th birthday and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The coin, released on October 30 — the date that would have marked Maradona’s 65th birthday — honours his unforgettable solo goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, often described as “the goal of the century.”
The Central Bank of Argentina announced that the limited-edition coin features a football motif on one side, while the reverse captures Maradona’s legendary dribble from his own half, past five English defenders, before coolly slotting the ball home in Mexico City.
That match, etched in global memory, also produced another of football’s most talked-about moments — the “Hand of God” goal, scored just minutes earlier. Together, those two goals defined not only a game but an era, as Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, their second in history.
“This coin immortalizes a symbol of Argentine pride — a goal that transcended sport to become a moment of national identity,” said the Central Bank in a statement.
The release is also timed to build excitement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada — marking 40 years since Maradona’s most celebrated tournament.
Maradona, who passed away in 2020, remains one of football’s most revered figures. His blend of artistry, audacity, and passion continues to inspire generations of players and fans alike.
Across Argentina, tributes poured in from fans, clubs, and former teammates, with many visiting murals, statues, and shrines dedicated to the No.10. In Buenos Aires, street musicians played “Live is Life” — the anthem that once accompanied Maradona’s famous pre-match warm-up routine at Napoli — as a reminder of his enduring magic.
For Argentina, this special-edition coin is more than a collector’s item; it is a national homage to an eternal legend, a man whose left foot and spirit still define the heartbeat of Argentine football.
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