Veteran Sports Journalist, Fabio Olanipekun Is Dead

Veteran sports journalist and broadcaster, Adesola Fabio Olanikpekun, has died at the age of 80.

Naija News reports Olanipekun died on Sunday, March 6 after a brief illness. The veteran sports journalist died four days after his 80th birthday.

The deceased was a founding member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and former staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

Confirming his demise in a post on her Facebook page, broadcaster and politician, Modele Sharafa-Yusuf, said the sports industry has lost a veteran and an icon.

Sharafa-Yusuf who worked closely with the deceased at Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), said Olnaipekun will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

The gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State also joined several others to extol his virtues and prayed for the repose of his soul.

She wrote: “I mourn the death of my former boss and mentor, the legendary Fabio Lanipekun.

“He passed on today – 4 days after his 80th birthday.

“A cerebral, hard-working & no-nonsense boss, Fabio encouraged my move from NTA Ibadan to the Headquarters (then in Lagos). He burnished my skills, taught me discipline & hardwork 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 candidature on the same day.

“May God grant him sweet repose and bless his devoted wife & other family members.”