Name a Stadium, Competition after Zachary Nkwo-Fon Echikiye

Fon Echikiye has said a competition or stadium be named after his late mentor Zachary Nkwo who was laid to rest on Saturday 5 August 2017 in Buea.

The Cameroon Radio and Television employee was speaking to reporters shortly after Tokoto’s higly-attended funeral Mass at the Saints Peter & Paul University Parish Molyko.

“His death is an abrupt stop to a kind of supreme sports commentaries. I is also a challenge to us all, but I think we can never do it in the same words and style,” Fon told reporters.

“I think a competition or one of our stadia be named after him,” he added.

Cameroon's finest sports commentator, Zachary Nkwo, who died on the 4th of June 2017 aged 69 was laid to rest Saturday 5 August in Buea.

The late CRTV former staff's funeral Mass saw a huge crowd of mourners, a college of priests and other religious.

Congregation of Mourners

The Mass which began at 11 a.m. local time was co-officiated by two Bishops: the Bishop of the Diocese of Kumbo, Monseigneur George Nkuo & his colleague of the Mamfe Diocese, Nkea Andrew.

Consecration

In all solemnity and drawing inspiration from Mathew 11: 28, Monseigneur George Nkuo and his colleague of the Mamfe Diocese, Nkea Andrew interceded that the humble soul of this northern star be welcomed into the kingdom of God.

Monseigneur Nkea said there was danger for those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ, to say the least.

From the Buea regional hospital mortuary, the corpse was ferried to Professor Julius Ngo’s Camp Sic residence for viewing.

Many who testified to his healing commentaries came in their numbers to have a last glimpse of the man who made hearts throb to the rhythm of football games in the 70s and 80s.

Also talking to a battery of reporters, Senator Mbella Moki, his former colleague Njomo Kelvin, Publisher of The Rambler Newspaper, Charly Ndi Chia, Molyko Stadium Coordinator, Monjongi Thomas, all regretted the loss.

Mr Ndi Chia in particular condemned Cameroonians for prioritizing death over life.

Charly Ndi Chia

“When Uncle Zach was, permit me use this word because no other word is coming, desperate, when he need food on his table and coins in his pocket, no-one showed up. But see the population that is here to bury him,” Mr Ndi Chia grumbled.

In a social media post titled “Oh Zac: What a shame!” Albert Njie Mbonde said,

“In my scattered thoughts and emotions, I continue to ponder over the demise of Zackary Nkwo.”

“Who was never moved by his football commentaries? Who can deny his contribution to our sports?”

“Yet, on a day u are bowing out: No delegation from the ministry of sports, no delegation from the ministry of communication, no FECAFOOT, no football teams. Not even the local administrative authorities? Oh blessed Jesus!”

Zach's Mentee, Njie Mbonde granting interview after Mass

“Uncle Zach, not even your own colleagues and mentors with whom you worked? Or are they aware that your final whistle was to be blown today?”

“Uncle Zach, I see people being posthumously decorated. I know you were decorated alive, but what didn't you do to have merited one?”

“However, I am humbled by the efforts of Njomo Kevin, who stood by you to the extra time. Kudos to the young reporters who came to applaud your field performance. You bow out as a victor, a memory to keep for generations to come.”

After the high-profile Mass, the casket was ferried back to Bokwaongo, where the all-time best football commentator’s mortal remains now lie six feet deep.