A Birthday Tribute To Alibaba At 50 By Lafup

One of my greatest teachers and coach once wrote…”Many Colours Make a thunder King”, I think he was referring to you Boss. I still clearly remember the very first time I met you in person and it was live on stage as I introduce you to stage at Costain West Africa’s 60th Anniversary at Civic Centre Lagos( Nov. 22, 2008). It’s was my biggest gig then even with a clear pay-cheque never received before then. My shock was, one of the event collaborator from Nigerian Stock Exchange had wonder why the little me got the Job when the big Boss Ali baba was there. The excuse was their regular MC showed up late at their previous event and the MD, Phil Walton wanted him changed. Phil was cool with me anchoring the event so long I could pronounce his name lol.

So that year, I was paid 150k and I felt this is it! All for one of the stake holders in the company to step in and ask who I was? In her words…who is Lafup? Ta lo mo(who knows him?) we need an A-list , we are having over 10 foreign high commissioners, industry bosses, Bank Mds and you say Lafup!” she brought out her cheque book and said if the problem is budget take this( the woman signed a cheque of 1.5 million naira) and said call Alibaba and say it’s from me! ” i didn’t know how to feel but the only prayer on the then Ibadan boy was this my own 150k make them no commot inside am or say make I return cheque. Mr Walton, the MD came back to me and said, Lafup! I like the way pronounce my name so, I’m good with you still. You’ll run it with Alibaba okay?

On the day of event, after being pressured to hand over to Alibaba, I did and the lanky dude just came up ask all the big shots to kindly listen to “this young”man anchoring, he again ask the audience if I was doing a great job and they all said yes and Ali said I think Lafup should continue his Job or what do you guys think? Ali handed me the mic and went back to sit. I ran the show like it was my last. Ali came up for only 3 mins not to over shadow me but to prop and hype me before people who hoped i fail. That meant everything Boss a rear thing people in your level do. May you get all the roses you deserve while you’re Still here. HBD mentor @alibabagcfr