Perhaps more famous for his unmatched golden, graceful voice and unprecedented word artistry.
Sir Okonkwo had that lofty, lovely endearing voice… in the tonal structure of a Majek Fashek, to explain the further.

They call him the Blind man’s TV. That was when football had dignity. When football had its fever. Every Saturday evening across the nation you could pick up commentaries from distant states and stations, sometimes across the country, coming and going with the waves, sitting at the feet of our big uncles around the powerful transistor radio.

Sir Ernest Okonkwo’s iconic commentary in Saudi 89, particularly at the legendary Daman miracle encounter is forever held in profound nostalgia! Remember his frenzied almost two minutes breatheless shout of a goal when we equalized 4 – 4 Remember his words on marble when we won on penalties… “The Russians have been RUSHED out of the competition”

During my Enugu days in the 90s I recall running into an ex international, Chimezie Nwanaga , who actually came to buy drugs for his family in our pharmacy. I beamed with smiles when the elderly folks stood to welcome him in, as they spotted his car. When football had dignity!

My smiles were borne out of recalling the nickname Sir Ernest Okonkwo had for him : Chimezie Nwanganga! (shakara efizy) a way of depicting the ball confidence of the skillful machine in the field of play.

We have had a handful of fine commentators bred at the legendary RADIO NIGERIA… the likes of Richard Asiegbu, Tolufa Soyinbo, Emeka Odikpo… all the same tonic class. Yet all these and more sports journalists and pundits consider Sir Ernest Okonkwo the irreplaceable legend.

As I write, I could still hear his voice “Nigeria is to meet Portugal again!”.. as the Flying Eagles eventually beat the USA 2-1 with their stubborn kessy Keller in goal at Saudi ’89.

I could still hear his voice admonishing the entire Nigerian nation at the end of the opening match of Algeria 90 Africa cup of Nations, after the Super Eagles lost 1 – 5 to Algeria, with the deadly duo of Lakdar Beloumi and the Rabah Major rough handling Nigeria.

Sir Okonkwo spoke and spoke kind words of consolation and hope to the 180 million Nigerians listening at home that night (even those who had access to TV yet shut down the TV volume and switched to the deafening, pulsating, electrifying radio coverage and commentaries.

Worthy of note was that Sir Okonkwo in his golden, soothing voice kept recalling how several nations in the distant history of football lost their opening matches but still went all the way to the finals to even win it.

It almost turned out to be so for Nigeria! We went on and on, game after game until we reached the final again with the hosts Algeria, which we sadly lost by a lone goal.

OH Nigeria! Herbert Anijekwu, Ayo Ogunlana, Mike Obiku, Mike Obi, Andrew Uwe, et all.

We lost it. But we sure cannot afford to lose the nostalgic comforting thrills of the legendary Ernest Okonkwo.

If wishes were horses, a national stadium or its likes should be named after him. He that lives on in our memories should as well live on in our antiquities.

Sir Ernest Okonkwo of the blessed memories : May your gentle soul rest in God’s perfect peace. Adieu Senior comrade!