Experienced Nigerian sports journalist, Dr. Mumini Alao, announced that his collaboration with the late sports broadcaster, Fabio Olanipekun, significantly inspired him to pen his autobiography. Dr. Alao released his autobiography on Sunday, August 10, 2025, during a star-studded event at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba. The event featured several distinguished figures, including former Lagos State Governor and current Minister of Works and Housing, H.E. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who served as the guest speaker, and Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), who presided over the event. Other notable attendees included former Minister of Sports and current Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL); and Mr. Amaju Pinnick, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The gathering also welcomed ex-Nigeria international athletes Segun Odegbami, Joseph Dosu, Joseph Yobo, Etim Esin, Mutiu Adepoju, Dominic Iorfa, Waidi Akanni, Desire Oparanozie, and Taiwo Oloyede, along with renowned sports broadcaster Modele Sarafa-Yusuf. The spark for the idea came from Fabio Olanipekun. In a conversation with reporters, Dr. Alao mentioned that he had encouraged the late Olanipekun to compose his autobiography because of his extensive understanding of Nigerian sports. Tragically, Olanipekun died in 2022 before he could achieve that goal. “I recall collaborating with the late Fabio Olanipekun at the NTA during the 1998 FIFA World Cup.” While collaborating on sports analysis, I discovered that he possesses an extensive knowledge of Nigerian sports history. I consistently motivated him to author a book so that those of us following in his footsteps would have a point of reference. He promised me he would, but sadly, he died before he could accomplish that goal. Therefore, I thought to myself that if I could offer Fabio that guidance, I ought to adhere to it as well. I made the decision that if I lived to see my 60th birthday, I would pen my life story.
