Nigerian rapper and singer Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, was officially unveiled as the first-ever brand ambassador of GinjaBet during the betting company’s brand launch event at the Admiralty Event Centre on Saturday night.
The Chocolate City signee, celebrated for his creativity and connection with Nigeria’s youth, is set to play a pivotal role in GinjaBet’s mission of bridging sports, entertainment, and community engagement.
READ ALSO: GinjaBet Officially Launches in Nigeria, Unveils Brand Ambassador
Blaqbonez on His Love for Sports
In an exclusive interview with Sports247 at the launch, Blaqbonez revealed his deep passion for sports, particularly football.
“I just love sports. I love playing football, I love sports generally. All my life, it has just been one of those things I enjoy doing. Back in school, I used to play football regularly. Even now, I still play and I host football tournaments.”
When asked about other sports he enjoys, he added:
“Basketball, running, maybe swimming… I think I’m just naturally sporty.”
Promoting GinjaBet Through Community & Social Media
As GinjaBet ambassador, Blaqbonez plans to leverage his influence on social media and his grassroots football involvement to connect with fans.
“I already have this football tournament I play, and I’ll be bringing more people on board. I also see myself as a pundit, so I’ll be giving people tips and advice. For example, my first tip today—Chelsea is beating Crystal Palace.”
Staying Authentic as a Brand Ambassador
On how he intends to stay consistent across his platforms, Blaqbonez emphasized authenticity.
“I’m just going to be myself. Being myself is consistent. If there’s ever a conflict between my personal values and the brand, we’ll talk about it, but I feel like GinjaBet is already aligned with most of what I represent.”
Past Campaigns & Intentional Branding
The rapper also highlighted his experience with other brand collaborations, citing his past work with some notable brands.
“I’ve done a lot of brand campaigns in the past. But I’m very intentional—I don’t just align with any brand. It has to feel right. I even have some cool shoes dropping soon that align with my brand identity.”
The Bigger Picture
Blaqbonez’s unveiling marks a bold move by GinjaBet to connect with Nigeria’s entertainment-driven youth market, using music and sports as cultural touchpoints. Alongside CEO Joe Richa’s vision of responsible betting and community-driven engagement, the partnership positions GinjaBet as a brand set to resonate deeply with the Nigerian audience.
