By Bilkisu Abdullahi-Yahuza
He is Michael Babatunde Aribido, his stage name is Mr. Unstoppable
Aribido hails from Ekinrin-Adde in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He was born on 20th, July 1975 to the family of late Chief Matthew Buraimoh Aribido and Madam Janet Etanibi Aribido of Blessed Memory, both of the royal houses of Ohi Ekinrin and Otun Adde both of Ekinrin-Adde community.
He started his primary education at Ohi Local school Management Board Primary School Ekinrin-Adde from 1979 to 1985. And proceeded to Community Comprehensive College, Ekinrin-Adde between 1985 to 1988 for his Junior Secondary education and later to Baptist High school, Ekinrin-Adde for his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) between 1989 to 1991.
In 1992 he proceeded to the then Niger State College of Administrative and Business Studies in Bida, Niger state now Niger State Polytechnic (Bida Campus), where he obtained a certificate in accounting and auditing in 1993.
Mr. Unstoppable proceeded to Niger state polytechnic, Zungeru, Niger state in 1993 where he obtained a diploma in management studies in 1996, and in the year 1998, he proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic Offa in Kwara state where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in marketing in the year 2001.
He was later posted to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the year 2002 for his National Youth Service Corps, where he had his primary assignment at Wema Bank, Abuja Main branch in central Area, Abuja.
He worked briefly after his youth service at the bank and later on at Dabrass Hotel in Abuja where He later got an appointment at Nigerian Bottling Company Depot in Ankpa Kogi State as a Depot Marketing Officer in the year 2004.
It was shortly after this that the storm that change the cause of his life finally visited him when he suddenly developed an eye problem which was later discovered to be an irreversible eye disease called glaucoma.
After running from pillar to post for so many years seeking both medical & spiritual solutions to this challenge which is yet to come to date, he decided to forge ahead in life and move from a pitiable condition to a condition where he could fend for himself in order not to beg for bread.
A chance meeting with Mr. Unstoppable revealed he is a comedian by birth, an entertainer by calling, and a presenter by training.
Thus, in 2005 he decided to venture into the broadcasting industry as a freelance or independent broadcaster.
So, he floated a media service company called Unstoppable Multi-Media Productions, which at that time was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The Multi-Media outfit helped him to produce and present Radio Programs such as the ‘Tunde Aribido show’ on Grace FM in Lokoja in 2009, and ‘Gbaskelele’ on Choice 103.5 FM Lagos in 2012, ‘Radio Thriller’ on Tao 101.9 FM Okene, Kogi State in 2015.
‘Gbaskelele’ came to Kogi 97.1 FM Egbe, Kogi State in 2016, Voice 89.9 FM in Ado- Ekiti in 2017, and also on Jatto 102.7 FM, Okene, Kogi State in 2019.
He has produced other programs like Radio Delight, Radio Gyration, Efeology, Koko.com, and ishélé ti o common.
The blind comedian is also the proud organizer of the Annual Okun People’s Day, an Entertainment Forum that brings people from all works of life together every 30th of December for a variety of Entertainment like Live musical performances, cultural dances, comedy, live game shows, and Live Radio presentations.
Mr. Unstoppable has used the platform to unveil his comedy album titled (Efeology), the first series which was unveiled at the first edition of Okun People’s Day, and the second series at the second edition of Okun People’s Day which was held on 30th December 2021 at Ekinrin-Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
He’s a producer and presenter per excellence, a stand-up comedian with a huge sense of humor.
Mr. Unstoppable is fluent in spoken English, pidgin English, and Yoruba.
His ability to hold his audience spellbound to his radio programs and live shows with a professional touch and natural talents stand him out as a good radio presenter and comedian.
Currently, he has ventured into music, promotion, advertisement placement, marketing services, content development, promotion of goods and services, and jingle production.
Mr unstoppable noted that as a freelance radio presenter in the Kogi state where there are few radio stations, it is difficult to excel in commercial broadcasting because of low patronage, high cost of production, and payment for airtime.
“The major challenge is that most radio stations are not concerned about the quality of their program but money how they will make out of it.
“They forget that it is difficult to market a program or get sponsorship for content that is not on air.”
He urged the parents, government, and the public to explore the talents of PwD to give them a sense of belonging and livelihood.
“We should not resign to fate but strive to make a better living while believing in God,” he stressed.
Mr unstoppable lamented that it was difficult getting a dependable woman to marry.
Aribido the ‘Unstoppable’ is a single father with a child. He lives happily in Kabba, Kogi State.
