Aare (Prof) Lai Labode, the celebrated cultural icon, fashion mogul, and Aare of Egbaland, is the face of a new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Father’s Day campaign that pays tribute to the quiet, deliberate work of building a legacy.
The campaign, titled “Still Walking,” draws a striking parallel between Aare (Prof) Lai Labode’s decades-long journey and the meticulous craft behind every bottle of Blue Label. From his role as Balogun Onsite of Ijaiye to his work as Chairman of the Lai Labode Héritage Foundation, Group MD/CEO of CashToken Rewards, and Chairman and Creative Director of Lai Labode Couture, the multi-hyphenate’s story is one of mastery built over time, choice by choice, much like the rare blends that define Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
At the heart of the campaign is an intimate Father’s Day moment, where Aare (Prof) Lai Labode is presented with an engraved bottle of Blue Label alongside heartfelt letters from his children. The exchange offers a rare, personal glimpse into his journey through fatherhood, set against the backdrop of a man who has spent fifty years building family, businesses, tradition, and culture.
“At Johnnie Walker, we believe that the finest things in Life are never rushed, and in Aare Lai Labode, we found a man whose life proves exactly that” — Ifeoma Agu, Group Head of Culture, Influencer & Advocacy — Diageo South, West & Central Africa.
A voiceover featured in the campaign captures the spirit of the collaboration: it speaks of a story told in fifty steps, of strides carefully chosen and pours as rare as one in ten thousand, framing a life dedicated to leaving a name heavier than it was found.
The campaign also includes a behind-the-scenes segment exploring the cultural significance of Aare (Prof) Lai Labode’s signature looks, and a segment titled “Speaking to Progressives,” where Aare (Prof) Lai Labode responds to prompt cards with his trademark philosophical reflections.
The “Still Walking” film debuts across different social media platforms, Instagram, with the Father’s Day segment rolling out on Instagram Reels on June 21, just in time to honour fathers across Nigeria and beyond.
Johnnie Walker is the world’s most iconic Scotch whisky brand, crafted in Scotland and enjoyed in more than 180 countries. Built on the founding philosophy of Keep Walking, the brand has stood for personal progress and the relentless pursuit of ambition for over 200 years. Johnnie Walker is distributed in Nigeria by Diageo and is available at premium retail and hospitality outlets nationwide.
