Birthday: Onochie Anibeze, sports journalist per excellence celebrates

By Ori Martins

This is a man of many parts. He is a journalist. Many knew him as a sports journalist. His best known covered bits were football, tennis and athletics.

As a matter of fact, Onochie is numbered among the best Nigerian sports diarists that include the Most Capped African World Cup journalist, Mr Kunle Solaja,  the Great Historian,  Obasi Emeka , the late Sports Encyclopedia on TV, Tijani Kayode, and Acclaimed Football Statistician otherwise known as Mr Football, Ejikeme Ikwunze .

At a time what distinguished Onochie from the pack was his close relationship with Nigeria’s most accomplished football coach, Dutchman Clemens Westerhof. Of a fact, Onochie knew Westerhof that both of them overlapped like David and Jonathan!

In fact, no other Nigerian sports journalist can regale the audience and readers alike about The Westerhof Super Eagles Days better than Onochie. This is because, while the others reported the Dutchman as journalists, Onochie worked and walked with him as a partner in progress and an associate in pain! You know, progress is a reward and pain is paen.

Quite remarkably, Uncle Onochie sensationally transformed from a line editor (sports) to a title editor (editor, Saturday Vanguard). It was the second time Vanguard would be doing this trans – beat promotion in the sports desk. As before now, another sports guru, Ishiguzo, was made the chairman, editorial board of the newspapers. And since then, The Punch newspapers followed suit, with Dapo Sarumi becoming (deputy) editor of the newspapers and now Tana Aiyejina, the sports editor, has been promoted to the high ranking position of deputy editor of the influential Punch newspapers.

Since Big Brother Onochie assumed duties as the Saturday editor of Vanguard newspapers, the stable has really been refreshing. He has brought superb innovations that have made the tabloid a most read by hard copy readers irrespective of creed, tribe, profession or social standing.

Sir, as you celebrate today, may God continue to bless, guide and protect you and your family.

And I use this opportunity to beseech you to give us a book on, Super Eagles: The Westerhof Era! So also do I challenge Comrade Emeka  Obasi to write books on Nigeria Football: How It All Began. Of course, Fan Ndubuoke, the first SWAN president of South East extraction, former NFF board member, erstwhile SA to the NFF Chairman, ex chairman, Imo Sports Commission, must also publish a book on Nigerian football or sports. I give kudos to Kunle Solaja and Mr Football who have  produced two books each.

Deede Onochie, happy birthday and more blessings ahead.