Cobhams Asuquo joined the rest of MultiChoice Nigeria’s Chief Customer Officer, Martin Mabutho’s family and friends to celebrate his life well spent at Landmark Center, Lagos on September 25, 2021. The event saw his loved ones come together to honour Martin’s memories.
Cobhams who performed Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ took a minute to also say some words of affection about the much loved MultiChoice executive who would have turned 48 today.
He said, “I never did have the pleasure to associate with Martin directly. A mentor called me and said to me ‘you know you are doing this for your friend’. And I said, ‘I don’t know if I ever did know him’. My mentor said, ‘anytime you ever had to do something for DStv, he made such a case for you, and I thought you guys were friends’. I’m just saying this to say that a lot of times when this happens, we have to find the right things to say about people we don’t know. But I think what’s really important is I get to meet someone who I may not have had as close a relationship with, but who had a close relationship with me and changed my life in ways that I did not know. And to find out at such a time like this has got to hurt a little I think, and if you were me, I think you’ll feel the same way.”
Wana Wana, Declassical Choir & Orchestra, and Praiz also took to the stage to perform songs in celebration of Martin.
The event tagged ‘Memories of Martin Mabutho’ was hosted by Chigul and Dotun, and had in attendance industry leaders, dignitaries and public figures including the CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe; the Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, Pule Mphothwe; popular comedian, Basketmouth; TV personalities Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Toke Makinwa, all of who attested to Mabutho’s impact in his short but very full life.
Speaking at the event, Martin’s Wife, Thato Mabutho shared that her husband was a great father and partner. She said, “Today is a special day and as we usually say International Martin Mabutho day. I just wanted to say, the way Martin was – he wasn’t a person you’ll meet. You wouldn’t meet Martin, he’ll happen to you. And even though he’s not here physically, his energy is still so strong, we can all feel his presence.”
Martin died on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, in Cape Town, South Africa following a brief illness. He would have turned 48 years old this month.
In a career that spanned more than 20 years at MultiChoice, Martin kick-started his MultiChoice journey in 1999 and was later appointed Brand Manager at MNet in 2003. He led the Marketing and Sales effort for DStv Mobile in Sub-Saharan Africa before being appointed MultiChoice Nigeria’s General Manager, Sales and Marketing in 2013.
In 2018 he was appointed Chief Customer Officer, responsible for driving the MultiChoice Nigeria customer group strategy covering customer value management, sales, marketing, customer experience and care.
Martin is survived by his wife Thato, his four kids and his parents.
