Nweze, SWAN’s Mr Spencer Dies
By Tony Nezianya
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my bosom friend, Alphonsus Nweze, who was killed in a car crash while commuting from his workplace in Onitsha to his home in Asaba. These two major cities are linked by the majestic River Niger, connected by the bridge built by Dumez Construction Company in 1963.s
Nweze and I lived and practiced sports journalism together in Lagos. We both worked for different federal government-owned news organizations; I was at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Iganmu, while Nweze was at the now-defunct New Nigerian, also in the Iganmu/Ijora area.
We maintained our friendship even after a transfer took him to the commercial city of Onitsha. He chose to live in the Delta state capital, Asaba, while working in the vibrant commercial hub of Anambra. We would always catch up whenever I came home to Onitsha.
With the 2025 Onitsha Ofala festival approaching, it was time to invite old friends. It was in the process of trying to contact him that I received the sad news of his premature departure.
Adieu, Phonso. He was one of the best sports writers under Fan Ndubuoke’s national leadership of the sports writers’ association. He brought so much fun to our group, especially during our stay at Shiroro Hotel when he mistook a crystal glass wall for a door. From then on, we nicknamed him “Mr. Spencer,” after a character in a British TV skit from that era.
Our own Mr. Spencer of SWAN is gone. He has gone to be with his maker. A man with a good heart is gone. I will miss him dearly.
Tony Nezianya is the Publuc Relations Officer of Nigeria Olympics Committee
