“Despite the
fact that I don’t have Scandinavian ancestors, playing in the snow and visiting
the las vegas strip has always been my ultimate fantasy” says Lasisi a banker
from one of the old generation banks who was sacked about 5 yrs ago, with a
bleak future and a gloomy disposition staring at him with disdain, and
frustration hanging on his droopy neck, with clothes old and dirty, and his dark skin
lacking wash while his thin hair is gradually falling out of his
once cerebral scalp, his eyes looking dreamy as if he has had a wrap or two of Indian
hemp(cannabis) as his feet get tucked into old slippers of different colors.
Planning his
next line of strategy that would save him from his current quagmire, he echoes
the words “sure banker wetin be today number” as he attempts to get the
attention of the premier lotto agent(baba ijebu) his refined pidgin at the
obalende axis of Lagos raised lots of unanswered questions like “oyinbo o jawo
mo o street ti take over” said a bystander at the pooling boot, some nostalgic
goose pimples suddenly took over him as
the agent repeated more coherently and audibly the numbers 1,1, 60, 61 and single 5.
After
following Lasisi’s story closely, I couldn’t help but ask myself how many people believe gambling can save them
from their predicament and how a local much older gambling game like kalo kalo evolved into a more sophisticated Baba ijebu,
and then online betting like sure bet, and merry bet which appeals to a more
tech savvy audience. Can we then say we are in the “golden era” of sports in
Nigeria?
I also hope government would be able to
capture value with an efficient tax system that serves these markets, and who
knows in the subsequent future online merchandising of local league jerseys using an E-payment
portal like Verve, Pay Attitude etc would become popular among the ruling class, with
a visionary government in place, I can say
the future of online sport retail is bright.
Share your
thoughts with me concerning Baba
Ijebu, online betting and whether it sends positive omen towards a bright future
for football merchandising.
Sport betting is here to stay. When the odds of winning are high and bookmakers are competing to monopolize the biggest bonuses, plus quick payouts... Nigeria has reached an era where integrity in business will be high priority.
ReplyDeleteWhen one bookmaker messes up, you have another 20 something bookmakers to try. Personally Kokobet.com has stood out in my mind. First their brand is stronger than anything I have seen on the internet lately and their odds are great. My friends won tens of thousands which we spent recklessly because we knew we would win again. Baba Ijebu for ever... sports betting for ever. Skiborobo Skiborobo... Ooshay Baddest.
PS: I think sport betting companies signed Lil Kesh, Phyno, Olamide, Skuki, etc