The headlines scream of Udoji, apartheid and about OPEC's strangle hold on the world; U Roys Natty rebel is the new national anthem, Fearless Fang battles vampires in Boom and you could buy a bottle of 7up and that ever suspicious gala roll from money straight out of your hip pocket, and not a wheel-barrow. I swear guys it was that cheap!

But lets continue - the chances of you not catching some penicillin resistant strain of VD infront of the Ludo night club were still 70 - 30 in your favor, and the taffy* in the Shrine itself still came rolled in liquorice Rizzla and not in a page liberated from a copy of "Songs of Praise" or O.A Lawals "Economics Made Easy". Nigeria was a cocky MF to say the least, bordering on full adulthood, promises expectant as she gathered herself still recovering from images of kwashiokor and the disaster that was Biafra. It was in this state of semi - stupour that the NFA slowly blossomed from that annoying weed in your backyard to what it is now a 3XL bamboo jungle capable of withstanding a nucelar hit. The foundations laid by the various Dan Anyams of the past were paying off, as football absorbed everything in her way, becoming the number one focus of the country. It was no longer a spectator sport like boxing or public executions but had become the pulse of the nation. Nigeria now basked in the glory of unification and the success of her coming out party the opulent fandango called FESTAC. Stadia went up, theaters went up, antenna went up, importation went up, the demand for cement went up, everything went up, meanwhile the metatmorphosis continued in the NFA as she grew from tadpole to frog. Her teams among other things now wore uniform socks and arrived for away games on time**.

The league florished and she grew in size to embrace more and more teams indirectly creating a steady infusion of talent and skill, both foreign and local. It was "all good" as they say here in the United States, and the term "play that funky music" applied not just to white boys - but to us as well . Naija football was fun I tell you true! While these younger teams were often reflective of the tribal stew we find in Nigeria - something that can be attributed to the facts that they were often situated in cities with diverse populations and that their sponsors often had foreign affiliation(s); this sadly could not be said for the bigger and older teams, whose player base consited more along the line of tribal affiliation as opposed to buying strength and need. The Rangers consisted mainly of Igbos, the Shooting Stars of Yorubas, and the Kano Pillars or Mighty Jets were predominantly made up of a diaspora of our northern brothers. Now this all created a delicate catch 22 scenario, because in as much as it fueled some very very healthy rivalries, it also added to the "us" against "them" frame of mind and that just after Biafra, was as dangerous as leaving a rat in charge of the local dried fish wharehouse. Considering all of this, and the fact that many a fan may have faced each other in opposing camouflage just years earlier, things often had the tendency, to um, for the lack of a better word, become ugly.

Enter the dragon!The voice of reason and dedicated scholar of the game in the form of one Ernest Okonkwo who, had he been a native american, would have been called "he-who-spoke-the-truth-in-colour ". The man was just that = a man among boys in comparison to other commentators that the Federal broadcasting house seemed to churn out just like termites from a mound - no insult intended. He will probably be best remembered in my mind for blending us all, former foes and suspicious cousins, into one, namely Nigerians as the nation groaned and wept with him in the agony of an own goal, when he lamented "oh noooooooo Nigeria has scored Nigeria". That one critical moment probably did more in terms of healing and bringing us closer as a nation than anything else in that decade. In our sorrow very much like the space shuttle disaster later on in the United States, we were suddenly unified in pain. If this is not the case please tell me of just one other event that even came close to solidifying us as this one did!

Ernest Oknwkwo was as "user friendly" as computer keyboard in braille and added spice to almost everything he covered or touched. He created and made the nicknames "Mathematical" for Segun Odegbami, "Chief Justice" for Adokiye Amasiemeka and "Chairman" for Christian Chukwu...household names. He was to Nigerian football at a most critical time, what Howard Cosell was to boxing, Dick Vitale to College basketball or Keith Jackson to American rules college football, namely the voice of impartiality and pure athletic competition. Nothing more nothing less. The Al Michaels of Africa...Sir Ernest would not take no shit either (pardon my french or should I say american)...No Sir not Lord Ernest! - and yes he would let you know in no uncertain terms that same afternoon if he thought that either a team or an individual player's performance was sub par. To ad to his most unique style he also coined unsurpassed new football terms in any of the many native languages used frequently from his vast arsenal. Just ask the then Calabar Rovers and the then team members should still be able to tell you the meaning of the word "dive...in at least 10 tounges - thanks to his honor, who took gross offense to a flop in the 18 by a Rover forward (name witheld on request). A lackless Rangers team got to feel the wrath of his golden tounge during an attempt to run out the clock, and advance on the merit of a 0-0 tie against the Police of Senegal. He blasted their tactic and called their "give-me-I-give-you-trouble-come-Okala" mode of play boring and inept. Talk about guts. Let me tell you this, Lenox Lewis would be sporting a new belt right now if my boy, had been a judge at that fateful night in Madison Square Garden and thats for sure! He also like a painter with brush and easel, relayed the soap opera that was Rangers v Mehalla. Remember the picture he tinged of "our boys" being forced to play on artifical turf late at night and finally loosing in Egypt and then, the creme de la creme in the form of another outstanding peformance with the subsequent sequel and return match played in Enugu at high noon, more for the suffocating heat and the benefit of the visiting Egyptians in their dark away colours, than for drama. Who can ever forget his one line summation after it was all said and done? "Mehalla saw wahala" and then the sheer class of the man by remembering the victims of the same day stampede, during his very next coverage.

Ernest coined the name Chairman.......

Then there was also his cool, calm and collected narration of the clash of the titans in the form of the classic IICC Shooting Stars series with their arch rival Rangers International. Both teams as we know it formed the foundations of the soon to be African Champion the then Green Eagles. The Rangers were a fully loaded Mercedes and their team featured just to name a few Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala, the Atuegbu brothers Andrew and Alloysius the "tank", as well as the virtual back line of the Eagles defence while the Shooting Stars were just as potent a force and presented a line up that boasted among others of Felix Owolabi, Best, Muda Lawal*** and the epitome of every defenders nightmare, the man-o-war Segun Odegbami. On the blast of the game whistle and true to expectations, they both set upon each other like a pack of crazed dogs to participate in what has to be one of the more entertaining eliminations I have ever witnessed, and not to beat my own drum, I have seen quite a few. I tell you this one was one hell of a dandy and regardless of who you supported, as the game unfolded your respect for the other team only grew and grew under the coaxing of you-know-who. He never lost control or strayed from focus of the overall picture, which was may the better team win and may there be no injuries to any of our Eagles, period. Though I now know who he wanted to win, he never insinuated it even once!

....as he did Mathematical.

Coming in a time and a place where hearts are often worn on sleeves regardless of the consequences, this was as refreshing as a breath mint to a mouth hosting halotosis. Even as the two teams lay spent after the final overtime on the neutral grass, dreading the upcoming penalties, hewhospokethetruthincolour remained as cool as the other side of the pillow and led us through the shoot out saying just enough to add to the drama of the event, and then finally slipping into complete silence, as fate unfolded and the Rangers won. Ernest Okonkwo will eventaully be inducted into our version of the Hall of Fame (and hopefully CAF's as well) not just because he was a good announcer but beacuse he never misplaced his values but remained a Nigerian first and an Igbo second. Ernest Okonkwo, he-who-spoke-the-truth-in-colour, I am proud to say is my hero.

* Indian hemp

** Remember we're talking Naija time

*** RIP

Robot  Villager

# 1 It was the best of times and it was the worst of times... with these words Charles Dickens starts o...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 25.10.2007 11:06

ojemba  Villager

# 2 Suya You take me back to the days when Nigeria had what could have been said to be flicker of hope. Alas that hope died with the likes of Ernest and today the nation is a waste land of mediocrity and unrivalled criminality. In those days we watched the "Green Eagles" on NTA with the TV volume turned off and Ernset Okonkwo blaring on Radio Nigeria. I remember some of his classics like when Odiye headed the ball past Okala into his own net in the world cup qualifying finals against Tunisia when Nigeria only needed a draw. With a pin drop silence in the background you could hear Ernst screaming "Nigeria has scored Nigeria". I guess the best one could get out of the situation was that at least Nigeria scored and I believe this was Ernest's only way of consoling the sullen spectators. That was Ernest for you. Posted by ojemba| 25.10.2007 12:27

SUYA  Villager

# 3 What about this classic line on Baba Otu Mohammed? I believe it went something like this “He beats Christian Chukwu, and then Christian Madu and finally Emmanuel Okala. This guy must be a Muslim.” :D It had us on the ground rolling in laughter even though the Rangers had just given up a goal. Another one was his ode to Mehalla as I wrote…..”Mehalla saw wahala”.:lol: Having said that Ojemba….biko what can I do to personally lure you back to CE. WE all miss you.:cry: Posted by SUYA| 25.10.2007 13:26

SUYA  Villager

# 4 Another thing Ojemba is it not ghastly that we dont have any photos of him on the net? Yet type in Nigerian and football while doing an image search and you will even get a photo of the ngwere* colony that lives in Aba stadium. Yet no Okonkwo.....:mad: * igbo for lizard Posted by SUYA| 25.10.2007 13:45

Hamattan  Villager

# 5 Many thanks Iweji for taking me back the memory lane. I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity of working with the great Ernest Okonkwo, and sharing a close relationship during and after our encounter. This happened during the first visit of Pope John Paul to Nigeria, and the place was Onitsha. I was among the broadcasting crew from radio Nigeria Enugu that covered the event. Ernest was drafted from Lagos to head the commentary crew which included some of his products, someone like Richard Asiegbu (for Ernest Okonkwo also taught courses in commentary and OB (Outside Broadcast) at the Radio Nigeria Training School). We all stayed in the same hotel at Onitsha and his room was opposite mine. I hung out with him each evening after work. Although I was younger and a junior producer, he treated me as a fellow professional and encouraged me. In his words I had the stuff broadcasters are made of, and I bet you that statement from him became a major driving force in me, and is partly responsible for the few things I have been able to achieve so far in my job as broadcaster. Thanks again for bringing up good memories of a great time, a good friend, and a great Nigerian. Posted by Hamattan| 25.10.2007 15:24

SUYA  Villager

# 6 Hamattan that is simply amazing because I went into broadcasting/ journalism because of him as well. Much to the dismay of my dad who is a Dr and had hoped I would follow his foosteps. If you do have a picture of him do you mind sharing it with the rest of the world? You can send it to me at Ojinmah@thetimesofnigeria.com and I'll make sure it gets on the www. Posted by SUYA| 25.10.2007 16:05

Hamattan  Villager

# 7 =SUYA;2091813219>Hamattan that is simply amazing because I went into broadcasting/ journalism because of him as well. Much to the dismay of my dad who is a Dr and had hoped I would follow his foosteps. If you do have a picture of him do you mind sharing it with the rest of the world? You can send it to me at Ojinmah@thetimesofnigeria.com and I'll make sure it gets on the www. Unfortunately I do not have any of his pictures with me, but I can inquire from friends who may. Posted by Hamattan| 25.10.2007 16:37

UglyMan  Villager

# 8 Iwedi, bros: This your avatar ( which I believe is you or at least looks like you) and your reference to your "Dr." dad have confirmed what I suspected all along that you are the slim lanky chap, known for his proficiency in the English language and reading of novels, in our days in the final year of high school. I believe you came from that school in Umuahia to join us in our last year at our school whose name starts with the letter "A" with a Reverend Dr. O. as our principal. My brother, I salute you. It feels good to see that you are still as sharp as ever. I am proud. More power to you. Posted by UglyMan| 25.10.2007 18:13

tanibaba  Villager

# 9 Iwedi, I agree with you that Ernest was a true Nigerian and was generally accepted as such. In addition to your recollections, one distinguishing title that he had was "Mr. IT-IS-A-GOAL". Even Ebenezer Obey sang about it. This is also a well written piece which deserves commendation. However, i disagree with you with respect to certain claims and statements 1 ) The man was just that = a man among boys in comparison to other commentators that the Federal broadcasting house seemed to churn out just like termites from a mound I am not sure if Ernest will want to be identified with a statement like this. We have excellent and successful broadcasters, commentators and others that were produced by FRCN during that period. This mentality that "only my own or my man is better (something they call self-righteous whatever) going out now. will continue this later taslim Posted by tanibaba| 26.10.2007 08:40

vikiviko  JJC

# 10 He was the finest Radio Commentator Nigeria ever had. He did his job with such professionalism and creativity. Hearing Radio commentaries then was more interesting than watching live matches on television. The FRCN where he held sway has lost its glory , quality broadcasters are no more in the mould of Ernest. Perhaps only the likes Emeka Odigbo i can recall tried in raising the standards. More Trainings should be given to aspiring commentators. I can bet am a very good football commentator Posted by vikiviko| 26.10.2007 09:27

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---