I have dreaded writing this piece especially facing the reality of perhaps writing a tribute in memory of a friend whom I could sincerely describe as a brother and confidant. This is one script in my life I have found so painful to start the first lines, but I must bear this courage to celebrate a vibrant leader and great sports lover who in his own stead gave salient contributions to the growth of sports development in Akwa Ibom State.
There would have been so many issues on the burner in the ever expanding dynamic world of sports to have analysed especially with the commencement of the new football professional season and the chances of our darling side Akwa United where hopes have been raised with a possible top four finish with the strong quality in the side, I would have written about the FIFA elections coming up and the chances of a possible successor of Sepp Blatter from Asia, I would have written about the return leg of the first round fixture of the CAF Confederation Cup holding in Uyo this weekend between Akwa United and Vitas Mokanda Football Club of Congo or the lingering postponements of the National Sports Festival which has now become a national embarrassment, but I must pay tribute to Late Lawrence Okorie, the immediate past Vice Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter who passed on eternal glory on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.
Late Lawrence Okorie was a sports enthusiast, an enigma in this very dynamic field. I got closer to him few years back when he was the Vice Chairman of SWAN in Akwa Ibom State and ever since then, we have maintained a perfect and healthy cordial relationship more as brothers as his daily visits and calls kept us closer while we shared ideas consistently.
Our visits to most sporting events in the state especially matches involving Akwa United would not be complete if we did not call each other or keep seats just in case whoever got to the stadium first and the excitement of match previews and criticisms from the stands left lasting impressions among his colleagues.
He stood by the truth at all times and was always very vocal on issues. He always gave an objective assessment of issues in his sports column in the Pioneer Newspaper on Fridays and was always up to date on his stories.
He was everybody’s man like him or hate him as he was a good mixer and was readily on ground to assist as a great team player in the task given. Some few years back, the Thanksgiving Service for the SWAN Games was held in his church. About two years ago when I was Secretary of the Local Organising Committee of the SWAN Games, this erudite journalist featured in the indoor games representing Pioneer Chapel winning a medal in draughts and we shared the glory of his strides among colleagues for the feat.
He did not feature in the next edition last year, but he was fully present at all the matches that were played which historically took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Press Centre, along Information Drive, Uyo. He watched each game passionately and I recall at the final of the football event between the Consolidated and Federated Chapels, he clearly told me before the game started that the Federated Lions will win even though my heart was with my home team the Consolidated Warriors and his prediction came to pass.
Late Lawrence Okorie covered so many sporting events in the country including the biggest sporting fiesta in the country, the National Sports Festival in Bauchi 2000, the Gateway Games in Ogun State and the edition which took place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
When the senior national team, the Super Eagles found a home at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, he was always on ground to watch the team play and cheered the team ceaselessly. He once described the Nest of Champions as the new destination of Nigerian football which today has become a reality as the Super Eagles have played in Uyo severally and the recent Super Four tournament which unfortunately he could not watch.
Late Lawrence Okorie also loved the European league and was a great fan of Arsenal. He spoke glowingly of the team despite the near misses of winning the league at the end of the season and was a firm believer in the Arsene Wenger renaissance at the Emirates Stadium.
He had wide contacts outside the field of sports also and was very close to high ranking political chieftains in Akwa Ibom State. There was virtually no part of any Local Government Area he would not know a political chieftain and he sustained the relationship with them consistently.
He served the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council with diligence, honesty and transparency and led the Pioneer Chapel as Chairman, a tenure he died in active service. He was also a member of the state delegation that went for the national elections last July which produced Waheed Odusile from The Nation Newspaper as National President.
I recall the memories of that trip and how the whole delegation from Akwa Ibom State led by Elder Patrick Albert, the State Chairman bonded as a family and the experiences we gained from the event shaped new perspectives in our everyday lives which has helped the union grow bigger today.
During the 2015 Thanksgiving Service of the union which took place at Esit Eket, he assisted the committee immensely all through the daily shuttles from Uyo to the host community in the area with the provision of his Chapel bus to facilitate the schedules of the committee which was successful.
Lawrence Okorie never lived to witness or celebrate the post the post success story of our darling football team, Akwa United after his endless and passionate support every season. He never watched the team play and win the Super Four Trophy for the first time in their history especially when the fixtures moved to Uyo for the second round. He never lived to watch Akwa United win that competition neither did he live to witness the team win a historic maiden away fixture in the CAF Confederation. Cup and the good start of the team in the current football league season against Sunshine Stars of Akure where the team pulled a draw last weekend.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 virtually shook my world as the news of the untimely and painful exit of Lawrence Okorie became a reality. The news shook the foundations of the union as a vibrant leader bowed out without saying goodbye.
Even my several visits to your bedside along with some colleagues never gave us any hint that it would be the last time we would see. Our last discussion two days before your passage never betrayed what the rest of that week would portray as being gloomy because your friends had faith in God that you were recovering and we expected to see you back with the ‘’ crew’’ on ground.
This week, precisely on Saturday, February 27, 2016 Lawrence Okorie will be laid to rest after a funeral service which will take place at the Press Centre, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council. His journey to the great beyond will begin, the end of a chapter of a great leader, the end of an era of a team player, the last lines of this great son of Akwa Ibom State will be finally dotted as the roll call will bid him farewell.
You lived a great life my friend and brother. You were a good man. We will miss you.
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