BARACK OBAMA, ICHEOKU WISHES YOU GOD'S SPEED THIS TUESDAY!

The exploration, the declaration, the fund-raising, the primaries, the nomination, the campaign, the debates and then the campaign. It has been a grueling twenty-one months but you sure did mesmerise America and she is awe-struck by your talents and abilities; and if Icheoku says your smile too was a factor, are we stoking your 'trouble'? Icheoku says we don't think so and Barack Obama concurs.

However you have done whatever is expected of any mortal running for the presidency of the United States of America and you delivered! The rest is for Divine intervention to move those minds still wavering to firmly pivot to you. Icheoku believes HE will do that in addition to staying with you as you race through the finish line, on Tuesday November 4th, 2008, like Jamaica's Usain Bolt!

The "O" in the picture above right stands for Obama and if the heavens says "YES" nobody can say no! Psalm 127 vs 1 tells us that "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain". It is our conviction at Icheoku, as people of faith, that your effort at the presidency is with the LORD's approval and blessing; and surely you will enter the promised land since our Lord does not mince words. You are the sentinel who watches the tower and the lord is with you!

Icheoku strongly believes that your guiding angels are legion and that they will surely chaperon you into the White-house. This Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 marks the official formal and final step to your occupation of the White-house and you feet will remain assured. Like the eagle, you will take off without any hiccup! Icheoku is preparing a congratulatory message for publication at midnight that same Tuesday after the battle has been won by you but lost by the other guy; and we are optimistic that our wish shall come through and not a thousand John McCains can prevent it.

Until then, Icheoku wishes you God's speed as you cruise to victory in the presidential election on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008. Please visitor, hearken to Barack Obama's call, GO VOTE! Vote for Barack Obama + Joe Biden for America's good and you can do it now!

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT DECLARES WAR AGAINST BLOGGERS!

As if the arrest and detention of Jonathan Elendu of the www.ElenduReports.com was not enough stain on Nigeria's image as a suppressor of freedom of expression, these coyotes have struck again - this time on Emmanuel Emeke Asiwe of www.Huhuonline.com! Icheoku says "na them go tire" as all these attempts at silencing fearless journalism will be in vain - all their intimidation will surely come to naught. Their attempt to muzzle civilized opposition to their lacklustre governance shall fail! "Soldier go soldier come, barracks no dey close" Umaru YarA'dua, shame on you for going despotic!

Ibrahim Babangida's government killed Dele Giwa to silence true journalism but did he outlast Nigeria? No! What about the midget of Kano state, Sani Abacha? He is gone! And Olusegun Obasanjo, he is now history so let Umaru YarA'dua play the field, someday he too will become history if his terminal sickness does not get him before too long. Umaru YarA'dua claims to be an educated with a bachelors degree in chemistry yet he behaves like a junta. What happened to his avowed respect for the rule of law? It is as pitiful as it is regrettable that these class of "human-beings" are running the affairs in Nigeria and you ask yourself, why the Nigerian engine is sputtering? This latest arrest smacks of a society that is in chains and is evidence that the clueless Umaru YarA'dau's government is too jittery!

Emeka Asiwe was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos as he arrived the country for a burial. According to family members, shortly after his arrest, Asiwe was reportedly flown to the SSS headquarters, Abuja and detained. He has not been allowed access to lawyers or family members.

On the allegation of "subversive reports" the SSS accuse bloggers of engaging in, Icheoku asks is it the truthfulness or lack thereof that is the beef or that the SSS would rather such story does not take flight? Whatever reports that was made concerning Umaru YarA'dua, Icheoku says that it is he, Umaru Yaradua that is the "subvertor-in-chief" as he subverted the will of Nigerians when he corroborated with the madman of Otta, Olusegun Obasanjo to subvert democracy in Nigeria. In other words, who elected Umaru Yaradua in the first place or with whose mandate is he really ruling Nigeria? In the strict sense of it, Umaru Yaradua has no standing even to arrest anybody because he is occupying Aso Rock wrongfully since he never won any election, as none was conducted.

In conclusion, Icheoku calls on the Nigerian authority to release forthwith their current blogger-guest. If only they know the reach and power of the blog-sphere community they will know that they are messing with the wrong crowd. Nigeria authority should learn how not to mess with bloggers. They should stop arresting some beautiful minds that Nigeria have and face the spiralling criminality which has turned Nigeria into a state under siege.

VINCENT OGBULAFOR, A WHACK JOB!

Vincent Ogbulafor the unrepentant, "unelected but imposed" chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria was recently quoted as saying that his PDP will continue to rule Nigeria, uninterrupted, for the next six decades (60years). According to this oxygen-nose, it does not matter what anybody thinks as he does not care a hoot if Nigeria becomes a one-party state!

Icheoku says, what a way to enthrone a real working democracy in Nigeria? To tell every other aspiring opposition parties in Nigeria, that they might as well jump off the bridge since they do not stand any chance at ever rising to power? One party state has never worked in any polity and any attempt to impose it on Nigerians will be resisted. Even in Mexico where it was tried it for several years and witnessed the worst official corruption in the history of their country it did not succeed and thrown out by the people recently. The Vincent Ogbulafors of Nigeria should be apprised of the words on the marble of the great American 35th president, John F. Kennedy, who in a 1962 speech at the White House said "those who make peaceful change impossible make a violent revolution inevitable". Vincent Ogbulafor and his fellow co-travellers in this their dream-land of perpetual rule, must be careful not to stretch the tolerance of Nigerians.

The irony of his statement is that these usurpers in PDP were not even elected by Nigerians hence have no real mandate whatsoever to impose their warped will on the rest of the country. Were it that they have the mandate of Nigerians, may be Vincent Ogbulafor could be assumed to be speaking the minds of the people of Nigeria; but the whole world including Nigerians are witnesses to the way these band of fringed-loonies raped democracy in Nigeria under the supervision of Olusegun Obasanjo throughout the last ten years.

For the records, what has Vincent Ogbulafor achieved since he assumed the chairmanship of the PDP? First Olusegun Obasanjo is still the head/chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP despite all his rabble-rousing that he is going to implement the Alex Ekwueme panel's recommendation that the way Olusegun Obasanjo assumed the board chairmanship of PDP should be revisited. What has this lucky bastard achieved since assuming office when he cannot persuade the lords of the manor at Abuja to treat the River Niger bridge as a national emergency or is he waiting for its final and total collapse before fire-brigading anything thereon? Or is Vincent Ogbulafor and his party not aware that the dilapidated bridge's lifespan has since expired? What has Vincent Ogbulafor achieved since becoming chairman of the PDP when the Andy Uba generated crisis in Anambra state is still festering? It is instructive to remind our visitors that it is the same Uba family through Chris Uba that kidnapped a seating governor of Anambra state and visited the state with unbridled mayhem without any repercussions whatsoever? Does it mean that Vincent Ogbulafor is a mere ghoulish figure-head chairman without any meaningful authority or power whatsoever? Remember the days of Tony Anenih's chairmanship and how everybody trembled at this feet.

Vincent Ogbulafor, Icheoku says it is this kind of rhetoric that invites the khaki boys back to power, especially when there is no democratic dividends coming from your PDP controlled government to the people of Nigeria. It is this kind of uncontrolled political loose-talk that makes agitation by the disenfranchised majority get so loud that discord sets in in the land. Vincent Ogbulafor, if you must open your wind-pipe this loud, at least make sure that a fair election is allowed to hold in Nigeria and if your party is elected, then and only then can you pretend to be holding the brief of the Nigerian people. Vincent Ogbulafor if you must shout on the mountain top on how you will perpetuate your illegitimate rule on Nigerians, is it not fair that you let Nigerians decide if you are the caliber of people they want to perpetuate in power? How did you even get to the mountain top in the first place or did you rig yourself to the top?

Finally Icheoku says that were Nigeria a real democracy there is no way the PDP would have returned to power in 2007 judging from the ineptitude of their past Olusegun Obasanjo's administration; talk-less of ruling Nigeria for 60 years. Were Nigeria to be a democracy, Olusegun Obasanjo would have since been arrested and tried for all his crimes against humanity, economic treason, massacres of Odi and Zaki-Ibiam communities and his incestuous relationship with his daughter-inlaw - his son's wife! Yet Vincent Ogbulafor continues to allow and/or tolerate this denigrate person, Olusegun Obasanjo to remain his party's board of trustees chairman? Vincent Ogbulafor, our advise to you is to shut up or better still, stop making unguarded statements; leave it to your spokesman who may be better trained to read the polity and know what not to say to upset the apple-cart. Vincent Ogbulafor, you should endeavour to have something written on your epitaph such as the man who finally brought about the second river Niger bridge to fruition otherwise your chairmanship of the PDP means nothing to the zone which you are representing in the party's arrangement. Do something to honor your legacy and stop provoking the people of Nigeria by flaunting a stolen illegitimate "mandate". How dare you suggest that your Peoples "Democratic" Party will rule Nigeria for sixty years? What have you been snorting lately, Mister Nose? Get it?

Mr Loud-mouth shouts again and says 'Only PDP Can Check Military Intervention -Ogbulafor '

THE MALDIVES ISLANDS, CONGRATULATIONS !

The Maldives, a group of about 1,200 islands, 200 of which are inhabited, separated into a series of coral atolls, north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean is free at last. The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch control, and later under British protection. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, and three years later, declared itself an independent republic. For the very first time, since her independence from Britain in 1965, the people were allowed to chose their leader and they spoke overwhelmingly by throwing away the old guard. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had ruled the islands for about 30 years, was defeated by Mohamed Nasheed, a former "prisoner of conscience", in what was seen as the country's first truly democratic election.

Mr Mohamed Nasheed, the leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), pictured left, who is known on the islands as "Anni", won 54 per cent of the vote in a two-horse presidential race with the outgoing president, Mr Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, pictured below. Mr Nasheed becomes the third president since the island nation in the Indian Ocean was granted independence from Britain in 1965. Over 209,000 Maldivians were registered to vote in the contest and turnout was extremely high at 86 per cent. In a statement following his victory, Mr Mohamed Nasheed said "We are very happy that President Gayoom peacefully conceded defeat'!

While in power President Gayoom was repeatedly criticised for his abysmal human rights record and style of governance. As a prominent pro-democracy activist Mr Mohamed Nasheed was targeted by the authorities and was a constant guest of the government as a prisoner of conscience for his pro-democracy activities. He served several jail terms and was tortured while in custody. But he was magnanimous in victory praising the "dignity and honour" shown by Mr Gayoom after he accepted the election result.

Some of the islands were severely damaged during the December, 2004 Tsunami.

Icheoku says that what happened in The Maldives is a message in real democracy where the peoples voice is heard and respected. African "leaders" such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Kenya's Kibaki, and Nigeria's ruling PDP should take a cue from the good example of the outgoing president of The Maldives and know when to take a graceful bow. Once the people had freely expressed their will, such must be respected. With this peaceful concession of power, whatever sins the outgoing president Gayoom committed or may have committed have been washed away!

Once again, Icheoku says congratulations to the people of The Maldives for regaining your voice and may your new president-elect bring to you, lots of fulfilment of hopes and aspirations!

OBAMA ASSASSINATION PLOTS: - DOMESTIC TERRORISM!

Two additional white supremacists rednecks, racist bigots were arrested in Tennessee & Arkansas on October 22, 2008 for once again threatening the life of Democratic Party's Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. These depraved urchins are the third batch of so far arrested evil-plotters since this election campaign cycle - lunatics who were planning to bring harm and mayhem to this country. The first was the 22 year Floridian Raymond Hunter Geisel (pictured here right) from Miami, who was arrested earlier this year by the Secret Service and charged in court for threatening to assassinate our dear Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama - see BEHOLD, THE FACE OF TERROR! Following him were three other possible assassins from Colorado. Now enter the latest anti-American, hate-filled racists douche-bags Daniel Cowart 20 of Bells Tennessee and Paul Schlesselman 18 of West Helena Arkansas. It is not a ploy nor coincidence that these plots are unravelling but by the special grace of God Almighty and the yeoman's job of our secret service, no harm shall ever come the way of our future leader Senator Barack Obama. The devil can plan all it wants but it shall come to naught.

Daniel Cowart (pictured here left with a rifle) and Paul Schlesselman were charged in a criminal complaint with making threats against a presidential candidate, illegal possession of firearms (a sawed-off shotgun) and conspiracy to rob a gun dealer. The two planned to massacre 88 people and behead 14 African-Americans, before assassinating Senator Obama while dressed in tuxedos and top hats, the complaint revealed. The numbers 14 and 88 are symbols in skinhead culture, referring to a 14-word phrase attributed to an imprisoned white supremacist: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” and to the eighth letter of the alphabet, H. Two “8“s or “H“s stand for “Heil Hitler.

These bastards discussed a "killing spree to include targeting a predominantly African-American school and attempting to assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama. Both knuckle-heads met via the Internet a month ago and have "very strong beliefs and views regarding 'White Power' and 'Skinhead' views. Cowart had bought one rifle and stockpiled two handguns, both stolen from his grandfather. They planned to steal another high-powered rifle from a gun store in Jackson, Tennessee, as well as a series of robberies to finance their bloody actions. "Schlesselman stated that they planned to drive their vehicles as fast as they could toward Senator Obama shooting at him from the windows. Both individuals further stated they knew they would and were willing to die during this attempt. Daniel Cowart who never graduated from high school, lived with his grandparents in a southern, rural part of the county and no family information is available on Paul Schlesselman (pictured here right in glasses) except that Helena-West Helena, on the Mississippi River in east Arkansas’ Delta, with a population of 12,200, is 66 percent black and is in one of the nation’s poorest regions, trailing even parts of Appalachia in its standard of living.

In late August, the alarm was also raised when it was revealed that three men who wanted to assassinate Barack Obama, were arrested with a weapons cache near the Democratic Party's convention in Denver, Colorado. See FBI investigates 'Obama assassination plot'. However the US Attorneys office later gave all clear saying that there had been no credible threat against Obama because no sufficient evidence of a “true threat” was found. The three men were said to be drug abusers who probably were under the spell of high dose of methamphetamine. “From a legal standpoint, the law recognises a difference between between a true threat and the racist rantings of drug abusers. The three men — Shawn Adolf, (bottom left in blue), his cousin Tharin Gartrell, 28, (top right with blond hair), and Nathan Johnson, 32, (top left in grey t-shirt), have long criminal records for illegal gun possession, drug dealing and theft. There were multiple outstanding warrants for their arrest and all three were being held on drug and firearms charges

The spectre of assassination arose in May 2008 when Senator Hillary Clinton had to apologise after appearing to suggest that the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968 during his presidential campaign was a good reason for her staying in the race. Mr Obama is often compared to John F. Kennedy; but it is his skin colour that has added to concerns for his safety in a country that has more than 200 million legally held firearms and 30,000 gun deaths each year.

Icheoku says who has put a bulls-eye on this harmless, kind, loving and apparently benevolent patriot who wants to bring positive change to America? Senator Barack Obama is harmless and means very well for this our great country and all the machinations of the devil will be in vain. All these urchins can plot all they can but at the end of the day, Barack Obama will be safe and God willing, he will be our 44th president. Only six days to go and every smart America must renounce these rascals and say to them that the present day America has no room for this kind of bigotry, by voting overwhelmingly for Senator Barack Obama on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008. Viva Senator Barack Obama! God's speed as you coast through to a well deserved and hard-earned victory on November 4th!

Archive Topic: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy

Video: FBI investigates 'Obama assassination plot' - Times Online

TED STEVENS' UNFLATTERING END?

The lesson of the guilty verdict in Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens corruption trial was succinctly articulated by Harry Reid, the Senate Majority leader. According to Harry, “This verdict is a personal tragedy for our colleague Ted Stevens, but it is an important reminder that no man is above the law. Senator Stevens must now respect the outcome of the judicial process and the dignity of the United States Senate"

The "no man is above the law" aspect of his remarks is what does not obtain in so many countries of the world including NIGERIA where the likes of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo have proved over the years to be above the law! Ibrahim Babangida at one time asked a duly constituted judicial tribunal to come to his home if they so desire his testimony. That Dele Giwa as well as Bola Ige were murdered in cold blood without any meaningful investigation speaks volume that these two men are really above and beyond the reach of Nigerian law, if any? But Senator Ted Stevens is Icheoku's object of commentary today so we must pivot back to the senator.

Senator Ted Stevens, the Senate’s longest-serving Republican and Alaska’s dominant political figure for more than four decades, was found guilty of violating federal ethics laws for failing to report gifts and services that he was given by friends. The jury of District of Columbia residents convicted Senator Ted Stevens, 84, on all seven felony counts he faced in connection with charges that he knowingly failed to list on Senate disclosure forms the receipt of some $250,000 in gifts and services used to renovate his home in Girdwood, Alaska. The home pictured here left, was remade (upgraded) under the supervision of his wife, Catherine Stevens, from A-frame cabin to a grander, two-story residence fitted with two decks, a new garage and amenities like a whirlpool, a steam room and an expensive gas grill.

The indictment charged that he had received some $250,000 in gifts and services from a longtime friend, Bill Allen, the owner of a huge oil services construction company, and gifts from other friends like a sled dog and an expensive massage chair. Mr. Allen, who was convicted for his role in a scheme to bribe Alaska state lawmakers to help his oil exploration projects, agreed to cooperate with the government and have his telephone conversations with Mr. Stevens recorded. Mr. Allen, who was the prosecution’s chief witness, testified that Mr. Stevens knew he was receiving the goods and services free and even sent an emissary to ask that no bills be sent.

Mr. Stevens’s defense was largely built on the notion that he had not asked for, and had no use for, many of the goods and services he received. In the case of the massage chair, he said it had not been a gift from Bob Persons, a friend and restaurant owner who had bought it from a Brookstone store and sent it to the Stevenses’ Washington home. It was a loan, Mr. Stevens testified, even though it had remained in his Washington home for more than seven years and he once wrote to Mr. Persons that he enjoyed using it and even fell asleep in it.

Although Senator Ted Stevens was still defiant after his conviction claiming that he was innocent but his republican party Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was more realistic, issuing a statement saying that, “Senator Stevens was found guilty by a jury of his peers, and now must face the consequences of those actions. As a result of his conviction, Senator Stevens will be held accountable so the public trust can be restored.”

In conclusion, Icheoku says that Senator Ted Stevens should be made to pay restitution, resign his seat in the senate but should not serve term. Our reason is his very advanced age coupled to his long service of over four decades for Alaska. Let Ted be allowed to spend his twilight years reminiscing about all the things he did right like this airport in Anchorage right, watching the sun set in his home rather than in the big house gritting his teeth over some gift which he should not have received. Senator Ted Stevens conviction is more than enough punishment and if Scooter Libby could be pardoned, then let Grandpa Ted enjoy the same magnanimity. But this is just our thoughts and in no way meant to affect the course of justice!

See generally this link U.S. v. Stevens: Indictment and Trial Exhibits for the full gamut of the trial.

HOW FAT CAN A GROOM GET?

It was a very big fat wedding for the world's fattest man, Manuel Uribe, 43, who married his his long-term girlfriend, hairdresser Claudia Solis in Mexico on Sunday October 26th, 2008.

Manuel Uribe who once weighed over 1000lbs, was named the world's fattest man by the Guinness Book of Records in 2007. Although Manuel has been losing weight gradually but he has remained confined to his bed which he has not been able to leave in the past four years. However that did not stop him from making the 30-minute trip to the civil ceremony at a makeshift altar in a local town hall in his home town of Monterrey, Mexico.

Manuel Uribe was dressed in a white satin shirt and with a sheet covering his legs while his bride was wore a strapless ivory satin dress, a tiara and holding a bouquet of fresh lilies, looked equally as excited, smiling for the swarm of international photographers. As the couple was declared husband and wife, Mr Uribe broke into tears later saying that "I have a wife and will form a new family and live a happy life." For the traditional first dance as newlyweds, the newlyweds held hands and swayed to a romantic ballad. For wedding limousine, Manuel Uribe, a former car parts dealer was transported to the wedding on a specially-reinforced four-poster bed, draped with cream and gold and adorned in bright sunflowers, on the back of a truck left. Mr Uribe's doctors were among the 400 guests at the wedding reception which had a "low-calorie banquet" with meat, creamed mushrooms and buttered vegetables.

Icheoku says how much fat could a man pack when women are always derided for being fat? Is it fair enough for a man to be this fat on his wedding day and will that be ok for the bride? Anyway, on matters of the heart, only the parties know what attracted them to each other. On this note Icheoku wishes this amazing couple Manuel Uribe and his lovely wife Claudia Solis Uribe happy married life. However, Icheoku will keep its antennas up to learn how they eventually start their proposed family, especially the copulation aspect of it!

Former world's fattest man to wed his fiancee

THE LAST LAP OF THE MARATHON!

As we enter the last lap of the race to the White-house, several things are known while some other things are not known. Among those "known- knowns" (deference to former defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld) are that Senator Barack Obama ran a brilliant campaign; that Senator Barack Obama has a message and was a steady hand in the tiller throughout the campaign; that Senator Barack Obama is as cool as a cucumber under any circumstance unlike his senile challenger Grandpa Senator John "McErratic" McCain who flies off the handle at the slightest discomfiture; that Senator Barack Obama's message has resonated throughout the land and Americans are turning out in droves of several thousands to catch a glimpse of this man of hope whose message has entered into their head; that Senator Barack Obama is leading in every polls with sometimes double-digits; that Senator Barack Obama has made some hitherto red state a toss-up state with many of them leaning blue; that if the trajectory remains the same, Senator Barack Obama will be cruising to a landslide victory on November 4th, 2008; also that Senator Barack Obama is an erudite scholar, very eloquent, inspiring, highly charismatic and every bit, presidential.

However the major "unknown" is what some "anti-change" Americans might choose to do on November 4th! These American 'Talibans' fundamentalists might decide not to vote for Barack Obama, even against their own interest, simply because he does not have, according to their warped mind, the "right" skin coloration to occupy "their" White-house? But the good news however, is that the current political tornado blowing across the land appears to have enough momentum/force to blow Senator Barack Obama into the White-house despite the possible drag of these disgruntled far right-wingers. Although Icheoku would rather these urchins wake up early to smell the coffee and join the throng of meaningful change now; but should they strung it out, Senator Barack Obama's all inclusive presidency will make a believer out of them; such that regrets will be all they will be left with for not partaking in rushing him through the finish line. Another good news is that these parochial bigots seemingly are in the minority, as for every one of them, there are three children of theirs who have grown above pettiness and is supporting Senator Barack Obama with every sinew in their body.

Our verdict at Icheoku is that it shall be well and that America will get it right this time around! To do otherwise will be too obvious of their racist apron string and no meaningful America will like to be tagged a "RACIST BIGOT" on the morning of November 5th, 2008 with a shockingly unexpected result. Only a vote for Senator Barack Obama on or before November 4th, 2008 will truly secure America's place in the eyes of the world as a genuine country which really lives by its code of land of the free and home of the brave. The generosity of Americans is at stake in this election so also is her fabled fairness! Senator Barack Obama has worked very hard, convincingly and decisively shown that he deserves and merits the White-house prize shown above right. Icheoku says a White-house tenancy by Senator Barack Obama is worth all the stellar effort he has displayed for America throughout this campaign season! America should therefore reward merit and approve Senator Barack Obama's application to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Senator Barack Obama has earned the right to its occupancy fairly, squarely and convincingly!

However, please remember that the last lap of the marathon is usually the toughest and we all must gird our loins to ensure that we help Senator Barack Obama in every way we can, to cross the finish line first. So on November 4th, 2008 please VOTE for Obama+Biden ticket for the real change that America and the World deserve and need for our collective better tomorrow! Will you be part of that change or are you planning to become a sore Grinch that will attempt to steal our Christmas? Advise yourself accordingly and VOTE RIGHT!

YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET M.K.O. TIBETAN!

Today Sunday October 26th, 2008 Icheoku.com brings to you part two in our new series "YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET M.K.O. TIBETAN"! This man of God writes on whatever subject he deems topical and Icheoku will merely publish same seriatim without any input whatsoever since we are not all that versed in the ways of God to have an opinion. Today, Prophet Marcus Korodele Oluwatomisin writes on "WHAT IS YOUR NAME". Please enjoy his perspectives:

******At birth a child is either male or female and in some cultures the child is given a name after eight (8) days. For example a one time child named Nelson Mandela and another named Martin Luther King Jr. There are some children who came with their names at birth such as twins, triplets and those born at Christmas or other festivals/events. As a child grows, he/she passes through kindergarten, primary, secondary and perhaps tertiary institutions of higher learning. Upon completion of studies, he or she may acquire another insignia such as doctor, lawyer or pilot etc. Subsequently those names and titles may narrow down to either good or bad, capable or incapable; efficient or inefficient etc - See Isaiah 3: 10 - 11.

For example, if a monkey travels abroad in company of a priest as his pet for thirty-two (32) years, upon return, the monkey's ticket will still be tagged "monkey" amidst the tickets of other passengers. In other words, the monkey returns home as monkey no matter the length of time it stayed abroad. Speaking closer home about Nigerians, experience has shown that rushing off to overseas in search of greener pastures and other learning does not always translate to an urbane civilized highly disciplined mind. Sometimes at parties or events those Nigerians abroad arrive very late to the event each claiming "African Time" as the excuse for being late which sometimes may be as late as four hours. Unfortunately these Africans who have been living in the midst of Europeans and Americans refused to learn from them how to keep time and to have meaningful value for time and life. Their original name, third-world countries" continue to follow them wherever they go under the sun like a snail dragging its shell. That is what is in a name!

The final name every person will bear is deceased! Fortunately there is no amount of money one can have to avert this name-tag. See also II Samuel 14:14; Genesis 3:19. At the last hour, the deceased will be named R.I.P. (rest in peace).

Now going back to the two names we started our conversation with - Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., and President Nelson Mandela. The former had a vision that both Americas and African Americans shall live and work together as fellow compatriots adding that he may not live to witness it and he did not live to witness it. The prophesy is nearing full fulfillment with the imminent election of Barack Obama - the first African American to stand real chance at the White-house. The latter stood up squarely against oppression of his people and gave them freedom but lived to see it. Both men were destined by their names for the roles which has immortalized them in history. So while some people by their names are achievers other names suggest mediocrity. So as you struggle thorugh life, doing your best with little return on investment, ask yourself, could it possibly be that your name is the cross which burdens you?

Till next week when I shall be with you again, remain blessed and please note that I will be on assignment overseas through the end of November 2008. Until then, if you are desirous of any immediate attention, please try any of my numbers in Ireland: 353861033987; London 07903093637 and Nigeria 8054853828; I will be shuttling and hopefully you will be able to reach me at one of them. As always, I am available for your spiritual needs and prayers. Have a nice productive and prosperous week ahead and see you next Sunday!

ENUGU STATE, THIS IS CRAZY!

Each successive administration in Nigeria always raises the expectations of the people that they will pivot from the previous government being shown the way out. Unfortunately they often disappoint the people by following the same path to no destination which marred the previous government being succeeded. What's up with these Nigerian governments that an impoverished State like Enugu, with more needs than most of the other states in Nigeria and with very limited resources, being not a Niger Delta oil-producing state, is planning a 200 million Naira wasteful gallivanting by its house of assembly members to the United States? Their publicly stated mission is to attend a seminar to educate themselves on how to properly legislate? Icheoku says this ain't right and smacks of a government which does not set its priorities right. What seminar is worth the peoples' 200 million Naira (about $1.2million dollars) in a State where the average Joe lives on less than $2 a day gross income?

A prudent, more goal-directed government would have scaled down on the number of attendees to save cost; better still they could have invited the seminar organizers to send in a representative to Enugu State to teach these so called legislators how to legislate! Or make the members take a compulsory class on legislating in one of the numerous institutions in Enugu State or have some consultants organize one for them. Icheoku wonders out loud, what was their business in the first place being legislators when they do not know how to legislate - their primary assignment? Or is it the Nigerian proverbial refresher course which has been proven that nothing is ever refreshed of the NIgerian attendees? Otherwise why the more of the same with successive governments? For a simple education, a legislator for Enugu State should concern him/herself with those aspects of life challenges facing the people of Enugu State particularly his/her constituency, which needs some improvements and then tailor whatever legislation to take care of those needs. Such a local legislator from Enugu State does not need to travel to America to find a solution to the basic peculiar problems facing a man at Amodu-Awkunanaw! It does not make sense and it defies every logic except that of embezzlement! Why go to Harrods for what is available at Ogbete?

What are they going to learn in America about legislating in Enugu State? How not to steal elections? How to conduct an orderly elections? How to first stand for election and be elected and not merely selected into positions? How to be honorable? How to prioritize their legislative agenda and not be selfish about that? How not to be endemically corrupt? How to be more accountable and responsible? How not to directly collect their constituency allocations for their private use? It is as pitiful as it is regrettable that all these charlatans in governments throughout Nigeria and now particularly in Enugu State are doing, is to exploit every opportunity to siphon the peoples' money and sometimes use it for frivolous ends. What has anybody in government in Nigeria ever learnt from such seminars when evidence on the ground does not translate that such seminars were ever attended by anyone? The reasoning of the Enugu State House of Assembly for embarking on this frivolity, is that such overseas trip was done in the previous Chimaroke Nnamani government, so it is now their turn to enjoy similar trip; which Icheoku will observe that some of these legislators will be stepping out of the shores of Nigeria for the first time in their lives with this trip. Icheoku says, since some of the members have gone before, why couldn't such previous attendees brief the new members on how to legislate or even drop out from this one? Couldn't the administration organize locally-sourced consultants from the abundant Universities political science and law departments in Nigeria to lecture or organize seminars for the legislators on the art of legislating?

Irrespective of the subterfuge being given for this wasteful jamboree, Icheoku says it is uncalled for as it is an exercise in wasteful spending! And for a state like Enugu State where some people have no jobs, no drinking water, no electricity, no good roads, no medical care, no food etc, it is atrocious to waste such enormous amount of resources for a mere junketing. Admitted that 200 million Naira ordinarily may not sound too much for a State but a more prudent government could have spent this money rather responsibly to create new jobs or fix one of the severally broken things within the infrastructure of the state. Spending it for a seminar in America does not make sense as you are wasting scarce resources that could have been more wisely applied to benefit the state. The legislators will not improve nor will they change or reform their habits as proved from past experiences so why embark on another fruitless exercise? Icheoku heretofore and unequivocally condemns this ill-advised extravaganza and suggests that it should be scrapped or at least scaled down! Two hundred (200) million Naira could be better spent improving things in Enugu State, Nigeria than on a junket in America!

Now, the story titled U.S. Denies Enugu Lawmakers Visa For Seminar Abroad which many discerning minds have called irresponsible appropriation of scarce resources!
***Plan by governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State to organise a N200 million seminar for the state's House of Assembly members in far away United States of America has met with a brick wall as the U.S. embassy has denied all of them visa. The seminar which was scheduled to commence on October 28 had visa been issued to the lawmakers should have ended on November 14. Governor Chime is sponsoring the trip to U.S. in what some analysts said was a move to woo the Assemblymen to support his current administration as well as his re-election bid for a second term in office.

Sunday Independent authoritatively gathered that the decision by the embassy not to grant the visa to the lawmakers was connected with the forthcoming U.S. Presidential Elections, slated for November 4. Informed sources said that the visa were not issued because the duration of the seminar coincided with the November 4 date for the U.S. Presidential Election. Our sources revealed that the U.S. authorities felt that the period of the election was not the best to allow visitors, especially those whose purpose of visiting the country was not so cogent, hence directed the embassy in Nigeria not to issue visa to the 31-man delegation. Those slated for the trip include the 24 House of Assembly members, Clerk of the House, Governor's Liaison Officer to the House, Chuka Utazi and Adviser to Chime on Special Projects and Diaspora Matters, Jude Akubuilo. The latter is said to be anchoring the seminar.

It was gathered that the U.S. embassy had given a November 26 date for the delegation to return for interview, a decision that shocked everybody. A source confirmed to Sunday Independent that following the decision of the U.S. the members have started making alternative arrangements to travel to Britain for the seminar. When contacted by this newspaper, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Marcel Njeze confirmed that the members are making an alternative arrangement to travel to Britain. He said that they were not denied visa by U.S. embassy. Njeze said that the members have already agreed that the trip should come up between now and early November to avoid the vagaries of the cold winter weather that would set in by mid November. "Why would United States embassy stop us from traveling during the elections? We are not going there to vote. We are not Americans. The fact is that we don't want to be caught up by the winter that is usually cold over there. The embassy gave us November 26 for interview, but we had earlier slated this trip for October and early November before winter sets in. So, we are now making another arrangement for Britain " Njeze said.

Factional Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State , Chief Ray Nnaji, had earlier faulted the plans to send the members abroad when the House is not on vacation. "I don't see anything wrong with the trip as long as the financial burden on the State is not much. The last administration in Enugu State did the same. But my worry is the timing. "Now, the House is in session and I don't think that it is right to send the lawmakers out of the country for two weeks. What happens if there is an emergency situation in Enugu State? The whole thing looks questionable to me," Nnaji said.

Another opposition politician who chose not to be quoted said that by the trip, "Chime has once again vindicated those who accused him of squandering public funds." The source said that it was to his knowledge that a return ticket for each of the legislators to the U.S. would gulp nothing less than N350, 000, not to talk of accommodation and feeding allowances for members of the delegation. The politician however disclosed that he was not surprised by the kind of expenses being bequeathed on the State by the Governor who according to him, "recently organised a grandiose traditional wedding for his new wife at the expense of the State." ***

ELENDU REPORTS PUBLISHER HELD IN NIGERIA!

Reports reaching Icheoku Publishing indicates that the publisher of ElenduReports, Mr Jonathan Elendu is being held in Nigeria by the Nigerian authorities. His alleged crime is exercising his fundamental rights of expression; which the Nigerian authorities insists consists of reporting very embarrassing news-story about very corrupt Nigerian prominent political "leaders". However they are not denying that his reports are true but that they are embarrassing to the Nigerian political "leaders" hence a threat to national security?. Mr. Jonathan Elendu, was also accused of sponsoring a guerrilla news agency?

Mr. Jonthan Elendu is being held in solitary confinement by the State Security Service (SSS) without charge following his arrest at Nigeria's Abuja International Airport upon arrival from the United States of America, on a vacation via KLM Airline around 7.30 p.m. on Saturday 18th of October 2008. Mr Jonathan Elendu’s arrest is coming in the heels of the closure of John Momoh's Channels Television, another independent media outlet based in Lagos, because it speculated that Umaru Yar'Adua might resign the presidency because of his failing health? Icheoku says that the era of press-muzzling is back in Nigeria! What a vicious cycle?

Icheoku says that despite the war-cry of "rule of law" by the current Yar'Adua's administration, it would appear that nothing has changed from the days of the military juntas including the last ignominious Olusegun Obasanjo regime. When the Nigeria National Assembly voted down Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, little did we know that the chickens has come home to roost with another reign of press strangulation. Why would a citizen be held for reporting what is true and commonly available in the public domain, if not to silence his effort to reach out to the millions of information-deprived Nigerians whose source of information is practically restricted to the government megaphone Nigeria Television Authority and News Agency of Nigeria? If Umaru Yar'Adua is sick and it is reported, so what or does the reportage make Umaru Yar'Adua no longer deathly sick? Please give me a break!

These gumbahs holding Nigeria hostage all these years since independence must be held to account. It is not a civilized act for Nigerian authorities to try to shield her leaders from the populace, including what ailment the sick Umaru Yar'Adua is suffering from! Icheoku calls on the authorities in Nigeria to release without any further delay Mr. Jonathan Elendu so that he can continue the pursuit of no-holds bare reporting he is doing; trying to educate and inform Nigerians on the foibles of her supposed leaders. Nigerian authorities are like the Ostrich which buries its head in the sand pretending to be hiding; but unbeknownst to them the whole world knows of their decrepitude and highly corrupt profile. Their reasoning is that since the Nigerian populace are ignorant of their activities, it is all well and dandy and the party can continue as an uninformed masses can do no mischief.

However Icheoku affirms that this intimidation cannot work and urge Umaru Yar'Adua to reign in his henchmen and order the immediate release of Mr. Jonathan Elendu. An informed nation is an empowered nation! Hopefully, with the help of the ElenduReports of this world, the Nigerian populace will one day be empowered to engineer a real "Green Revolution" which will sweep away the old ways of doing things in Nigeria; so that Nigerians will be truly free and for Nigeria to finally be able to move forward. It happened in the Baltic States with "Orange Revolution", in Pakistan with the "Lawyers Revolution" and in Thailand with the "Peoples Revolution". The Russian Bolshevik and French Bastille are now more of historical facts!

ASHLEY TODD, THE BITCH OF TEXAS!

Her name is Ashley Todd and Icheoku says she is a B I T C H! At Icheoku we do not usually go out of our way to call people names but this 20 year old Texan deserves all that is thrown at her. This becomes more relevant if one is an avid historian of this our great country's chequered racist past where so many black-men have been lynched or hung on tree-tops because of similarly situated fraudulent allegations. Ashley Todd falsely and maliciously alleged that a blackman molested, mutilated and robbed her; which allegation, has since been debunked.

As we write this commentary, Icheoku believes that so many African American males are presently languishing in various prisons in America, convicted on fraudulent allegations and accusations of crime which they were innocent of. Needless to say that some of them equally may have been executed for no real just cause except for the Ashley Todds of America. It shall not be well with this daughter of mischief, the Jezebel of our time otherwise known as the BITCH of Texas!

How dare this whore make up such a callous story knowing the calamitous reception it will get at this time, when the wounds of the past hatred is about being finally healed with a Barack Obama's election as president of this great country? Some screaming headlines even had it that Ashley Todd was "mutilated" by a balckman. Icheoku also hopes that Ashley Todd is just a lone lunatic as any conspiracy will unmask the extent these monsters will go just to sow the seed of discord among Americans. Luckily, Ashley Todd's sins caught up with her before she could do further damage. Because of her infradignous accusation, the reversed "B" on her cheek stands for bitch and Ashley Todd is hereby declared by Icheoku as the ignominious BITCH OF TEXAS!

Now watch the video: Police: Woman With 'B' Scratched In Face Faked Political Attack!

Also read the full story:

"A Senator John McCain campaign volunteer Ashley Todd made up a story of being robbed, pinned to the ground and having the letter "B" scratched on her face in what she had said was a politically inspired attack, police said Friday. Ashley Todd, 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas, admitted Friday that the story was false, said Maurita Bryant, the assistant chief of the police department's investigations division. Todd was charged with making a false report to police, and Bryant said police doubted her story from the start. Dressed in an orange hooded sweat shirt, Todd left police headquarters in handcuffs late Friday (pictured right below) and did not respond to questions from reporters. The mark on her face was faded and her left eye was slightly blackened when she arrived in district court. Todd was awaiting arraignment Friday on the misdemeanor false-report charge, which is punishable by up to two years in prison. She will be housed in a mental health unit at the county jail for her safety and because of "her not insignificant mental health issues," prosecutor Mark Tranquilli said.

Todd initially told investigators she was attempting to use a bank branch ATM on Wednesday night when a 6-foot-4 black man approached her from behind, put a knife blade to her throat and demanded money. She told police she handed the assailant $60 and walked away. Todd, who is white, told investigators she suspected the man then noticed a John McCain sticker on her car. She said the man punched her in the back of the head, knocked her to the ground and scratched a backward letter "B" into her face with a dull knife. Police said Todd claimed the man told her that he was going to "teach her a lesson" for supporting the Republican presidential candidate, and that she was going to become a supporter of Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Todd told police she didn't seek medical attention, but instead went to a friend's apartment nearby and called police about 45 minutes later.

Todd could provide no explanation for why she invented the story, police said. The woman told investigators she believes she cut the "B" onto her own cheek, but did not provide an explanation of how or why and said she doesn't remember doing so, police said. Police said the woman reported suffering from "mental problems" in the past, and that they do not believe anyone put her up to the act. Tranquilli said Todd will remain jailed over the weekend pending a psychiatric evaluation, which won't happen until Monday at the earliest. Bryant said somebody charged with making a false report would typically be cited and sent a summons. But because police have concerns about Todd's mental health, they are consulting with the Allegheny County District Attorney.

Todd worked in New York for the College Republican National Committee before moving two weeks ago to Pennsylvania, where her duties included recruiting college students, the committee's executive director, Ethan Eilon, has said. "We are as upset as anyone to learn of her deceit, Ashley must take full responsibility for her actions," College Republican National Committee spokeswoman Ashley Barbera said in a statement. Police reported Todd's claims Thursday, as a photo of her injuries made it onto numerous blogs and news sites. By Friday, police said they had found inconsistencies in Todd's story. They gave her a lie-detector test, but wouldn't release the polygraph results. Police interviewed Todd after she contacted police Wednesday night and again on Thursday, Bryant said. They asked her to come back Friday, ostensibly to help police put together a sketch of the man. Instead, detectives began interviewing her. "They just started talking to her and she just opened up and said she wanted to tell the truth," Bryant said. Police suspected all along that Todd might not be telling the truth, starting with the fact that the "B" was backward, Bryant said. "We have robbers here in Pittsburgh, but they don't generally mutilate someone's face like that," Bryant said. "They just take the money and run."