CORAZON AQUINO, PHILIPPINE MOURNS A PRESIDENT!

The Iron-lady of the Philippine, the lady whose husband was gunned down at Manila International airport upon his return from exile in 1983, who later brought down the dictator that killed her husband and subsequently became president; remember her? Philippines Margaret Thatcher is no more! Former President Corazon Aquino, died of colon cancer on Saturday, August 1, 2009; at her home in Manila, aged 76.

Her 1986 "people power" revolt brought down Ferdinard Marcos' 20-year repressive regime in the Philippine and she is accredited to enthroning the presently lasting democracy which Philippine is enjoying till today.

Philippines have declared a 10 days national mourning for their beloved former president and a revolutionary; who was affectionately referred to as the "mother of the Philippine" and "a woman of both strength and graciousness."

Philippines will chiefly remember her for being the polar opposite of Imelda Marcos and for not spending their national treasure, buying as many as 3000 pairs of shoes while in office? Icheoku says, adieu Coraz; as you now dive into the warm embrace of your husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. for a reunion, and perpetual love bliss, where there will be no Ferdinand Marcos to interrupt your happiness anymore! To the Philippines, Malacanang Presidential Palace and the Aquino family, Icheoku says, please accept our condolence as you mourn the loss of your dear former president!

MOHAMMED YUSUF, ANOTHER VICTIM OF NIGERIA'S EXTRA-JUDICIAL MURDER?

In their usual refrain, the authorities in Nigeria claimed that, "Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shoot-out while trying to escape"? Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the northeastern Nigeria, Moses Anegbode, on behalf of the Nigerian authorities, broke the news to the world and Icheoku says, there they go again!

In the same manner Niger Delta activist Ken Niweigha was captured and summarily executed few months ago, the Nigerian authorities has once again dispatched their "public enemy No. 1" to the world beyond, without any recourse to the judicial process? Having arrested him, why not try him in a court of law to afford him that opportunity which his sect never gave to all those innocents, they maimed and killed? When will this lawlessness by the Nigerian authorities stop and the president's promised rule of law truly respected? Or was a captured rabble-rouser not included among those Nigerians entitled to the promised rule of law? Icheoku says, we do not think so; as the law is meant for those people who do not respect the law and Mohammed Yusuf pictured top left, was one heck of such an intended beneficiary of the rule of law, being a chief law-breaker extra-ordinaire, himself! Should we say, a terrorist deserving a cell at Guantanamo?

We do not in any way condone violence of any type, especially the type of baseless mayhem which was unleashed on innocent Nigerians by these lunatic fundamentalists, who do not want to do better for and by themselves; and want the rest of Nigerians sucked into their stupidity and ideological idiosyncrasy! If we have our way, every fundamentalist religion or sect will meet with such fate as Mohammed Yusuf and his dumb followers deserved; but we are no longer in medival times as the rule of law reigns and must be allowed to thrive and thrive for all, including this lunatic Mohammed Yusuf. The Nigerian security forces had finished their job with the capture of the renegade and would have transitioned him to the Justice department for prosecution and eventual execution, if convicted? But for these security forces to now take the laws into their hands and become the hangman, without any trial whatsoever, defiles all the pontifications on the rule of law being bandied around and orchestrated by President Umaru Yar'Adua.

This is the fork on the road and where Icheoku disagrees with the Nigerian authorities - the 'modus-operandi' employed to bring their brand of justice to Mohammed Yusuf. We hereby denounce unequivocally, the state murder of Mohammed Yusuf, irrespective of the heinous acts of terrorism allegedly perpetrated by him and/or under his command. An eye for an eye makes the world go blind; so why would the Nigerian authorities now co-tow the same pathway created by Mohammed Yusuf and his band of thugs, by totally disregarding the red letters of the law as it appertains to an accused?

The problem with this type of extra-judicial state murder is that the whole world is watching and bearing testimonies as to the lawlessness of the Nigerian authorities? Nigeria is not an island and must operate as part of a decent world humanity whose membership, the comity of nations, is obliged to conform to certain ethical decorum with respect to human lives. More-so, the bare-faced lie of his "trying to escape" is as laughable as it is ridiculous; as no person shackled down in a body manacle, handcuffs and leg-chains could possibly "try to escape", under that condition of restraint, except that person is a Houdini but fortunately, Houdini has since been long dead! Why didn't the police give a chase? Where were those police dogs? Why was the escapee's legs not targeted? How can somebody who was found hiding inside a goat's pen in his in-laws' hut, "try to escape", hamstrung and surrounded by fierce looking, battle tested Nigerian army and police? Oh no, tell that to the marines!

With Mohammed Yusuf, 39, his deputy Bukar Shekau and several hundreds of his followers now killed in battle, whatever remains of the nefarious bloody-letting dogs, 'Boko Haram Sect', now in disarray will eventually wither away as a snake without head is not fearsome. Also Icheoku says, kudos to the Nigerian security agencies for timely containing this crisis! We particularly congratulate the newly appointed Inspector General of police Ogbonnaya Onovo for giving a very good account of himself, on this his first baptism of fire! Nigeria is a boiling conundrum which periodically boils over, leading to destruction of lives and properties; but luckily the good guys always wins and Nigeria is better of, for that.

Borrowing a page from the Human Rights Watch, Icheoku concludes that the manner of Mohammed Yusuf's dispatch was "extremely worrying." With an estimated number of 10,000 Nigerians so far killed as a result of sectarian violence in Northern Nigeria, Icheoku says it is about time Nigerians really sit down to find a way out of the woods which a force amalgamation of 1914 forced them in. All this adhoc reaction of sending in security agents each time to go flush out and kill anarchists and/or agitators will not cut it; as it is akin to fire-brigade approach of arriving after the fire had already started? The question should be, how do Nigerians prevent the fire from starting in the first place? Icheoku says, a national sovereign conference to chart the way forward for the future might be a good starting step, and in the right direction. Periodic violence is too disruptive for any meaningful progress in Nigeria, as it not only scares away prospective would-be investors but tarnishes Nigeria's image further.

Alternatively, the political elites of Northern Nigeria should be held to account for the dire poverty in the North, which fuels this intermittent eruptions of disgusts. A hungry youth is an angry youth and this is the feeder-lot that supplies unlimited manpower to lunatics like Mohammed Yusuf? Where a people have nothing to live for, because of very endemic corruption and ineffective leadership which deny them practically everything, including basic amenities like running water and electricity, where would such low-lifers find their life's anchor, but in a sect leader who preached paradise and forty virgins? Icheoku says, now go rendezvous with your forty virgins, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf!

THE BEER SUMMIT:- A PRESIDENT, A PROFESSOR AND A POLICEMAN!

Hopefully the tripartite emergency beer race-summit, summoned by President Barack Obama produced the desired result; provided of course, whatever agreements or lack thereof, was not under the influence?

The White House "summit", was intended to douse the race tension, generated by the unlawful arrest of a black Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr by a Cambridge Massachusetts white police officer Sergent James Crowley. Icheoku wishes the trio, later joined by the vice president Joe Biden, well and hopefully the gaffe of "stupidly" has now been interred with this 'beer-summit' and we can move on to greater issues.

What happens thenceforth, Icheoku cannot predict as we are under no illusions that race problems will suddenly evaporate just because Mr. President had beers with the two present symbols of race relations in America; but at least it has re-focused Americans once again, on what their greatest under-belly ache has always been - judging a person by the color of his skin and not the content of his character?

Once again, Icheoku says, borrowing from Rodney King, why can't we all just get along; irrespective of the melanin or lack thereof flowing under our skins? No oppressed person laughs at shenanigans of his oppressor and vice versa, so let us all be mindful of this "reservation" in dealing with one another! Anyway, kudos to President Barack Obama for initiating this pattern of dispute resolution!

RODELL VEREEN, CAUGHT MAKING LOVE WITH A HORSE?

How big could this guy's manhood possibly be that a mare would so much feel it, as to cry out loud; particularly in view of the natural endowment their stallions are equipped with? Does this guy look well equipped, you bet? Icheoku however would rather a test is conducted to determine what his manhood is made of; and possibly for a Guinness World Book of Records mention?

And so it was that in United States of America, state of South Carolina, a man was so infatuated with his neighbour's horse that he not only fell in love with it, but repeatedly physically copulated with it?

Rodell Vereen, pictured above right was arrested and charged with buggery, for having sex with a horse? The owner of the horse caught him on videotape, humping her animal; then staked out the stable and caught him in the act red-handed and at gun point? Icheoku says, where are all the women of South Carolina that a mare should steal this man's love and affection? And the horse's name is Sugar?

What a coincidence that this 21 year old sweet lass, Rodell's love interest and object of his affection got this guy's brain so cracking to earn her two of his visits? Are men really dogs; and would plug all pluggables depending on the circumstance? Rodell Vereen, 50, has been charged with trespassing and buggery; and faces up to five years in prison if convicted. This will be in addition to any extra term for probation violation as he was serving a three year probation when he committed the present offence?

According to the story, Rodell Vereen who was on a repeat love-visit to his beloved mare when he was nabbed, had plead guilty to making love to the same horse last year and was placed on probation and the state's sex offender list? The incident happened at Lazy B Stables in Longs, about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The owner, suspicious of strange things happening in her stable, installed surveillance cameras which on July 19 caught Rodell mounting her horse? The owner laid in wait and armed with a shotgun, pined Rodell down until the police arrived and arrested him.

Icheoku says, this is Sodom and Gomorrah come alive in South Carolina? It will be recalled that it is the same South Carolina that the governor abandoned his duties and embarked on a love-trip to Buenos-Aires Argentina to meet with his paramour? What horny-bee have stung these South Carolinas that they are strangely exhibiting out their libido in these ways?

IKEDI OHAKIM'S JUMP, OKIJA SHRINE FINGERED?

A presently gathering but yet to be confirmed report has it that Governor Ikedi Ohakim was forced by an oath he took before being allowed into the government house in Owerri, to dump the PPA for PDP? This is Brutus stab as it was the PPA that came to his rescue after PDP rubbished him, and provided him with a platform to run for governorship when all roads seemed to have been foreclosed on his ambition. What a way to pay back a once in a lifetime favor? Was this a back-stab, a Judas Iscariot treachery on the PPA or just a fast one, pulled by a conniving political whore who saw an opportunity to free himself from the vice-like control of Orji Uzor Kalu and his mother and decided to take it? Icheoku asks, did Ikedi jump or walk or was he pushed or forced?

According to the source, Chris Uba, the former Anambra State political heavy weight and the man who made former Anambra State governor Chris Ngige swear by Alusi Okija, also administered the same dreaded Alusi Okija on Ikedi Ohakim? This was on behalf of Olusegun Obasanjo, who wanted a guarantee that Ohakim will keep his promise to defect back to the PDP, if allowed to become governor of Imo State in 2007? Icheoku is still working on our source but Olusegun Obasanjo himself, practically confirmed that much, when he said that Ikedi Ohakim was only fulfilling a promise he made to defect back to PDP and nothing more! In Olusegun Obasanjo's own words, Ohakim's decamping was "a pre-arranged agreement he entered with the PDP before the election"? This begs the question, what manner of man is this Ikedi Ohakim that will jump ship of a political building block at this time of Nigeria's fledgling democracy? But his apologists argue that question of morality pales in contrast to the wrath of the Okija deity, which will descend upon his family should he renege on the sworn agreement? This latest saga of Ohakim bailing-out on a political party that catapulted him into relevance, adds to the retinue of occultist oath-taking Nigerian politicians; and their unbridled quest for power and the length they are prepared to go in order to just make it to the seat of power? Nigerian politicians, where are thou soul?

An up and coming young man with a bright political future just had it thrown away by this his defection; becoming just a number instead of teaming with the dynamic Orji Uzor-Kalu to carve a niche for the South East in national political discourse. Dee Sam Mbakwe, where at thou spirit that will let such a sabotage of the government house wherein you once gave the NPN a bloody nose? Our beef here is not necessarily against Ikedi Ohakim but that democracy be allowed to thrive through competition and options. Why should everybody be lumped into one political party, which will be tantamount to a military dictatorship where you either fall in line or be whipped into line or possibly sidelined. Re-echoing one commentator's observation, "It was shameful that the governor had opted for the seemingly easy option of cutting and running, instead of facing up to the blackmail and pressure of PDP and, in the process, helping to strengthen democracy in Nigeria." The question here is, why this chickening out from the war front which otherwise would help nurture democracy in Nigeria?

The governor's former party PPA in a statement said, "the governor’s defection was a betrayal of trust and a cowardly approach to politics. It is, therefore, regrettable that Governor Ohakim has now buckled under PDP pressure to display a palpable lack of courage and conviction. Rather than lead, he has chosen to capitulate. Rather than inspire the growing legion of party members to stir the PPA to greater heights in the great state of Imo, he has decided to cut and run". Icheoku agrees wholly with this summation of the governor's betrayal; and adds that this bad example of how not to be a leader is as dangerous as a military take-over of government?

Governor Ikedi Ohakim has followed the despicable governors of Bauchi and Zamfara States into political infamy; and for violently kicking away, the very ladder with which they climbed into political relevance in the first place, it shall not be well with them. This is a discredited path which no follower/s of Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe or an apostle of his, should follow. The mark of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort but during adversity; not unmindful of the pressure-cooker intensity of the ruling PDP to force Nigeria into one party state? Icheoku says, this standing by itself is not sufficient for Governor Ikedi Ohakim to turn a traitor and turn his back on the PPA that made him governor of Imo State. Even factoring in Alusi Okija does not justify his action either.

Icheoku emphasises that the proposed electoral reform bill which provides unequivocally that "a political office holder who decamps to another political party shall resign from such a post immediately" is a provision whose time has since come! Icheoku and co will not be wasting a comment on such political harlotry as exhibited by Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, had the National assembly done their work to pass this bill. May be President Umaru Yar'Adua and his PDP dominated national assembly is stalling on the passage of the bill to enable the Ikedi Ohakims of Nigeria politics to finish their carpet-crossing before they could enact it into law. The time to act on the reform is now, before the damage would have been done irretrievably and far-reaching havoc wrecked on Nigeria budding democracy, with the imposition of one autocratic central political party?

By Governor Ikedi Ohakim going back to PDP, a political party that scornfully tossed him out of their moving train to be crushed thereunder in 2007, shows that the man has no core and lacks a sense of self and decency. How dare he lick back his spittle? Does this man still have what it takes to be called governor of a state which the late Dee Onunaka Mbakwe once governed? Icheoku does not think so; and says, the earlier the Imo State House of Assembly commences an impeachment proceedings against this defector-governor, the better for the integrity of the people of Imo State. What PDP did by poaching Governor Ikedi Ohakim is pure greed as they concluded they must also consume a state out of the two held by an opposition political party? It does not bode well for democracy. Governor Ikedi Ohakim's defection is very unfortunate, it impacts adversely the sagacity of multiple political parties needed in a democracy, thereby stiffling differing view-points and should be condemned by all true democrats, who wish Nigeria's democracy well.

OGBONNAYA ONOVO, THE NEW IG OF POLICE!

Happily reporting to duty as Nigeria's 14th indigenous Inspector General of Police, here pictured left is, Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo!

Icheoku says, congratulations to Nigeria's new Inspector General of Police, IGP Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo, on his elevation to the position of the number one police officer in the land! In other words, he is now the Nigeria's First Police! To President Umaru Yar'Adua, we extend our gratitude too, for braving all the interest groups' pressure to put the right person on the saddle, to guide the Nigeria police as they perform their security assignment in Nigeria. Ogbonaya Onovo is simply the best there is, to occupy the office; and with the work at hand in this challenging times, no other appointee would have been a better choice; judging from his retinue of experience?

To IGP Onovo, Icheoku says, your job has been cut out for you, as the criminality in Nigeria must be stopped cold, and at whatever and any cost possible. No excuses will be good enough for Nigerians and you must bring the "can do" attitude inherent in the people of the South East to bear on the task ahead; and put a stop to the lawlessness of kidnapping and armed robbery nearly paralysing Nigeria. The country expects nothing less from you, than to give them back their lives which have nearly been taken over by some criminal elements in the country. Please do not give anyone reason to say, "I told you so" to President Umaru Yar'Adua, who went through the eye of the storm to appoint you the IGP! The only appreciation President Umaru Yar'Adua and Nigerians expect from you is perfomance, period! You must deliver security to Nigerians and only this will make or mar your administration.

At 56, Inspector General Onovo still have four more years before attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years, during which period, he must try to establish himself as the best Inspector General of Police Nigeria ever had. Alternatively, if he leaves office in three year when he attains the mandatory 35 years of service; he still would have three years to prove his mettle. Either way, IGP Onovo must make it possible for Nigerians to once again, be able to sleep with their two eyes shut at night; and drive freely on the roads without being maimed and killed by hoodlums or otherwise kidnapped for ransom by men of the underworld. Once Inspector General Onovo can accomplish this, his legacy will only need some little gap-fillers as it would have already been enshrined?

A native of Enugu State, born in February 7, 1953; married and a father of a son and a daughter; Ogbonnaya Onovo armed with a degree in Political Science from University of Nigeria Nsukka, enlisted in the Nigeria Police on August 1, 1977, as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Since then, Ogbonnaya Onovo has served in various capacities in the Nigerian Police including as Divisional Crime Officer, Administrative Officer, Unit Commander, Second-in-Command to Squadron Commander and Squadron Commander of the Police Mobile Force. Onovo was subsequently promoted Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in January 1981; Superintendent of Police (SP) in October 1984, Divisional Crime Officer and Commander of Surveillance, Chief Superintendent of Police, Staff Officer in the Force Secretary's Office in June 1987, Assistant Force Secretary in the Force Headquarters in 1989, Assistant Commissioner of Police in March 1990, Deputy State Police Commissioner (Second-in-Command), Commissioner of Police (CP) in April 1997, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1998, Commandant Police Academy Kano in May 2000, promoted AIG in May 2001 and made head of Research and Planning Department at the Force Headquarters as well as Force Secretary which position he held until February 2002, Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in March 14, 2002 and Second-in-Command to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the Force Headquarters and occupied the office of the DIG "A" - Finance and Administration. Ogbonnaya Onovo became Criminal Investigations Department head between 2003 and 2006, and DIG in charge of Administration in November 2006. Onovo equally attended several professional, development and leadership training courses within the Police and other Federal Government and international agencies including the Cadet ASPs Course; Detective Course; Junior Command Course; Middle Management Course; Senior Management Course; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Course; and International Humanitarian Law Program in SanRemo, Italy, among others.

Icheoku says, with a resume` like his, who else could better serve as Nigeria's Inspector General of Police than Ogbonnaya Onovo himself? The new chief has climbed the ropes, learnt all the curves and tricks of policing, horned his skills on experiences garnered over the years of service, which are as diverse as Nigeria itself; have served in various capacities in the police, as would properly equip him adequately with every needed advantage to perform and perform creditably very well. President Umaru Yar'Adua succeeded with this pick, choosing a round peg for a round hole and Nigeria will surely be better off with such a wise choice. IGP Onovo simply stated, cannot just afford to fail or not perform well.

However, with this appointment, it is not yet Uhuru for the people of the South East regarding their full political re-integration in Nigeria? The folks over there should not start basking in the euphoria of the moment, now that the feudalistic North has finally relented and appointed one of their kinsman, the IGP? The people of the South East should not see Ogbonnaya Onovo's appointment as a patronage or a victory; but a well qualified and deserved appointment where the best there is, was appointed and he agreed to serve his fatherland as the IG of police. In Nigeria, no tribe or section should be patronized just for the heck of it, but that the best always be allowed to wear the mantle and deliver for all Nigerians accordingly. Icheoku calls on Nigerian leadership not to unreasonably and irrationally patronize anyone group, including the Igbos, just for political-correctness. Once there is a job to be done, let the most competent Nigerian be allowed to handle the job, period!

Be that as it may, and all sentiments aside, Icheoku hopes that the new IG of police will look up to the other of his kinsmen/women from the South East, who have discharged their duties to Nigeria, creditably and satisfactorily; and use their performance as his new benchmark. Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla, Professor Dora Akunyili and Professor Chukwuman Soludo, just to mention a few, readily come to mind as such Igbo men and women under advisement here. The IGP's anticipated stellar performance in office will further affirm that certain people from certain part of Nigeria, are really endowed with a unique, natural 'can do' abilities. Therefore, IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo, the ball is now in your court to prove the "Okoro" in you!

Also Inspector General Ogbonnnaya Onovo must try and follow in the foot-steps of former Senate President Ken Nnamani, and avoid the corruption triggering banana-peel syndrome, which saw three of his most recent predecessors soiled in office? IG Tafa Balogun went out of office in handcuffs for misappropriapriating 17 billion Naira belonging to the police; IG Ehindero got entangled in a 23 million Naira corruption scandal found in a car trunk, while IG Mike Okiro has a 160 million Naira unpaid loan hanging on his neck? Once Ogbonnanya Onovo cleverly navigates his way through the pile of crap, which is always thrown at an IG's feet, then part of his legacy would have been written in gold and the rest will become mere filling of the gaps.

Once again, congratulations IG Ogbonnaya Onovo on your new appointment; we also reiterates our gratitude to President Umaru Yar'Adua and salute his courage in allowing the most qualified and most senior of the Nigerian police, to assume the office of the IGP; despite the wishes of Arewa Consultative Forum and other Nigerian pressure groups, to the contrary? Our prayer also, is that the Nigerian cabal will give him a free hand to police Nigeria adequately and restore the much needed but lacking security to a country, which has otherwise been ranked a failed state?

***(Just a little factoid for you:- IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo, is now the 14th indigenous IGP Nigeria has ever had; IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo was a classmate of the last IG Mike Okiro, who was also Onovo's best man during his (Onovo) wedding. It is also worth a mention that Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo served four past IGPs as a DIG, which greatly burnishes his credentials for his current job as Nigeria's IGP!) ***

MOTHER KILLS SON, EATS HIS BRAIN?

When you think it could not get more weirder in Texas, a San Anthonio mother, hacked her son to death, decapitated him and with fork and knife, savoured his cranial contents? Icheoku asks, what manner of barbarism and cannibalism is this, that a mother would kill her son to enjoy his brains? Only in the land of the demented, which Texas is not too far away from qualifying as?

Otty Sanchez, 33, was charged with capital murder in the death of her 3 1/2 week old infant son, whom she partially ate before being discovered and arrested. She has been charged to court and placed on a $1 million dollars bail. According to family sources, Otty Sanches has been a revolving door at a psychiatric hospital before the incident, since no sane being will kill her own son, cut off the head, placed it in a platter and with fork and knife ate up the brains? Gruesome? In Texas, not really! She also chewed off his tiny baby toes for snacks! This is the type of story which makes novelist Stephen King grin like a child in a candy store; it is hair-raising and spin-chilling indeed!

Whether it was post-partum psychosis that led a mother to eat her own child's body-parts, Icheoku does not have a clue but condemns the cannibalism and calls for maximum allowed penalty for the accused man-eater of a mother. It will be recalled that it was in the same Texas that a mother, Andrea Yates, methodically drowned her five children in a bathtub in 2001. Also in 2004, Dena Schlosser killed her 10-month-old in her Plano Texas home, by slicing off the baby's arms. According to her, she killed the baby as a sacrifice and because she want to give her to "God"? Icheoku denounces such nut cases who think that biblical Abraham's call to sacrifice Isaac gives them reason to commit such heinous act as the murder of one's own child? It is condemnable and in view of so many wanna-be mothers who literally go the ends of the earth to seek a child, why did these monsters not give these children up for adoption or even abandon him as in this case; but instead, she craved his brains and now the rest is history.

VERNOM FORREST, THE MAN WHO BEAT SHAUN MOSLEY, IS DEAD!

He knocked his opponents out in a few and now, it took only some bullets to knock him out cold and forever. Ex-boxing champion Vernom Forrest, 38, is dead; shot to death multiple times in a robbery, this weekend in downtown, Atlanta Georgia. Like many cases involving black-folks, no suspects having been arrested yet and he might as well go down as one of the statistics of unsolved murder of black-males of America?

According to the story, the 1992 Olympian stopped at a gas station to put some air in his car tires when a panhandler approached him and asked for some "change". As he pulled his wallet out to find fella something, the man became greedy and decided to take everything. He snatched the purse and ran for it but Vernom, being the boxer he is, decided to fight back. He pursued the fleeing purse snatcher. Icheoku says, that was mistake number one, never pursue a man who needs your stuff so much and probably more than you do, that he had to snatch it from you and make a dash for it? Continuing, the thief feeling cornered, turned but already Vernom had begun to go back to his car, but nevertheless, started firing at the retreating Vernom, hitting him multiple times? Fulton County Georgia medical examiner's office confirmed the homicide, stating that autopsy result showed Forrest died from "multiple gunshot wounds involving the torso and thigh."

The lesson of this sad incident is, 'do not bring out your wallet out to hand folks some "change" as they may turn instantly greedy'. If you ain't got a "quarter" and there is no independent one dollar bill hanging loose somewhere in your pocket, lie to him that you have only credit cards! Safety is very important and probably Vernom was killed for some loose change, of plus-minus one hundred dollars, as no one carries that much cash-money in his wallet anyways? We live and we learn, and this may have the downer effect of people giving to some down on their luck people any hand, anymore.

Forrest, a native of Augusta, Georgia, who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the Barcelona Olympic team along with Oscar De La Hoya. He later won welterweight and junior middleweight titles and compiled a professional record of 41-3 with 29 knockouts. He won his first world title by defeating Raul Frank at Madison Square Garden for the vacant IBF welterweight belt in May 2001, and less than a year later handed Shaun Mosley his first career loss to capture the WBC title. Forrest also recorded a boxing win over Ike Quartey and Carlos Baldomir for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title.

Vernom Forrest was not married but was survived by his son, Vernon Jr.

It will be recalled that Vernom Forrest's death makes it the third high-profile death of a boxing champion recently:- Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello, the mayor of Managua, Nicaragua, was found dead at his home on July 1 in an apparent suicide; and just last two weeks, Arturo Gatti was found dead in a condominium in Brazil with his wife as the prime suspect? Icheoku says, whatever it is that is knocking our boxers out and cold, should please cease and desist as three are quite an alarming number to go just these few weeks. Farewell, champ!

AMERICAN IDOL'S ALEXIS COHEN, IS DEAD!

She gave Simon Cowell, her all, - her fingers, her mouth and her arse? There was no part of her body that she spared in trying to convey to Judge Simon Cowell, how disgusted she felt for not making the American Idol contestant cut in Philadelphia 2007? In short, she was Simon Cowell's known nemesis who refused to be "told off"!

And unbekownst to her, her performance-audition was horrible; one of the worst there was that contested in that seventh edition of American Idol. However, she thought otherwise, thinking she was that yet to be discovered "rockstar" who the judges' myopia failed to discover? Alexis Cohen died in a motor accident this weekend, she was 25 years old.

Alexis, a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania and a former two-time "American Idol" contestant was struck and killed by a car in Seaside Heights, Ocean County, New Jersey on Saturday July 25, 2009. Autopsy report indicates that Alexis suffered massive trauma to the chest, head and abdominal cavity.

Alexis Cohen auditioned for American Idol competition in its seventh season in Philadelphia in August 2007 and again in 2008 during the show's eighth season in Kansas City. At the Philadelphia audition, Alexis sang Grace Slick’s “Somebody To Love.” Judge Simon Cowell said her performance was possessed, and even though Randy Jackson recommended Alexis sing in a cover band, all of the judges passed on sending her to the next round. After Alexis left, Simon Cowell compared her look to Willam DaFoe, who played the Green Goblin in Spiderman. Even though Alexis was initially polite to the judges, she went off on Simon Cowell after leaving. Alexis’ rant included such memorable lines as “Well, Simon didn’t like me, but he’s a big, fat, fuck,” “I thank you, I will leave with my dignity,” “I’m going for actressing,” and “If I could legally moon you, I would.”

During her second coming at the eight season in Kansas City, Missouri, Alexis appearing in a glittering outfits, said, "I returned for my fans and to call Simon an asshole, and I didn’t scream a bit! It’s actually funny, boy were they rude! I thanked them for all their insults. Anyways, I’ve been in two movies since my last audition: one’s a feature film, even though I get paid piss. American Idol had one trained actor audition, and that was me. Anyways thanks for your support all along, sorry my high school enemies bothered your site, but hey it makes good for ratings! Anyways the sharks are gonna come back out and call me crazy, but I didn’t curse a word this year, and I even shook Simon’s hand while calling him an asshole, Great for television, Thanks for everything".

Her rant became an instant hit where she went off against the American Idol judges for not finding in her "the idol" they were looking for? Alexis gave the finger to the camera several times and declared, "I'm going for actressing." Icheoku says, whatever that means?

Continuing her rant, Alexis said, "I'll make it one day. One day, somehow, some way. And I hope that someone sees that I have some talent somewhere whether it be in acting or singing or whether it be the fact that I have the chutzpah and the fuck to be able to get up and talk — to be able to say what I'm thinking, to be able to say what I mean, to be able to speak the heart, to be able to talk, to be able to lead. I will be victorious, always be victorious, all rising."

Now she has gone, to the land beyond; killed by a motorist and at a youthful age of 25. Icheoku says, so long 'Miss Acid-Mouth', what a run you had on earth as the world now mourns you for being the girl who stood up and fought for what you believed was Simon Cowell's overbearing mouthing, and for refusing to be intimidated or made to feel like a nobody. Also thank you American Idol, for bringing Alexis Cohen to us, Adieu Alexis!

AT LAST, THE KING'S HEAD GOES HOME TO HIS BODY!

A king that resisted Dutch slave traders, in the then Gold Coast had his head chopped off and shipped to Denmark as a keepsake; and as a deterrent to warn others of the futility of resistance? Now tired of keeping their gruesome trophy, the Dutch has agreed to ship and have shipped back to Ghana, the severed head of King Badu Bansu for a formal internment among his subjects, his people. Icheoku says, the Dutch for putting up for their "laboratory stage play", a human head and that of a Ghanaian King, were nothing other than barbarians!

After spending 171 years in a forced exile in a foreign land, pickled and bottle up in a solution of Formaldehyde, the King's head has now finally gone home to his body, to be with people in Ghana and to be formally interred with his forebears and other kings of yore!

This is a good case-study of the cruelty and barbarism of the Dutch, who not only hung a King but went further to decapitate him just because he resisted their attempt at poaching the best of Africans out of then Gold Coast, as slaves. Icheoku says, King Badu Bonsu II was a hero who called the bluff of the Dutch's solicitation of slaves and refused them his acquiescence to their nefarious slave trade! It does not matter that he died with his honor intact; as the Dutch feeling humiliated by his resistance, hung him and later cut off his head as a trophy, which they probably presented to their own King or Queen in the Netherlands? Icheoku demands that the Dutch pay reparation and compensation for this heinous royal murder; as well as undertake whatever cost inherent in atoning for this sinful act of brutality, towards finally uniting the King's head with his body for his proper transition, in a manner atypical of traditional African way?

The King's head was cut off and taken to the Netherlands by Major General Jan Verveer in 1838; according to the Dutch account, in retaliation for King Badu Bonsu's killing of two Dutch emissaries, whose heads he displayed as trophies on his throne? Icheoku asks, what were the primary mission of the Dutch emissaries if not to persuade and strong arm-twist the King to become an accomplice in their slave trade; and allow them unfettered access to the best Africans they could possibly poach and sell in their criminal slave enterprise? We insist that the apology by the Dutch government for the Dutch involvement in slave trade is not sufficient and can never be sufficient since they appropriated the entire proceeds from the trade and used it all to develop Dutch-land; without repatriating any or some of them to the motherland as compensation? Icheoku says, the Dutch should pay compensation for their illegality; and at least for this King who they killed in cold blood to clear the way for their trade in human-beings. The Ghana government of President Attah Mills should take up this in very high diplomatic circle and insist that justice be served for King Badu Bonsu III and for the millions of other Africans who were forcibly kidnapped, shipped and sold into slavery by the Dutch.

Icheoku affirms that slave trade was not only "unfortunate and shameful," as it "inflicted so much harm on so many people in so many parts of the world," but it was the most heinous of all man's inhumanity to fellow man; for which the descendants of slave-traders should be so ashamed of their forebears' activities that they pay whatever sum is assessed as a fair compensation to the slave-victims descendants? Icheoku says, if the Jews can get compensation for Holocaust why not Africans for the heinous atrocities of slavery; and now with this specifically identifiable case for which Dutch government was complicit, wherein their paid soldier, hung, decapitated and hauled away the head of a Ghana King as a trophy back to Netherlands? The Dutch engaged in this nefarious trade for over three hundred years, after killing off such resistance as King Bada Bonsu III; exploiting the best Africa has to offer in terms of its human resources and selling them off for profit throughout Western civilization; and without returning any proceeds of sale to the motherland? Icheoku says, the Dutch human-plunderers were human-pirates who should be so ashamed of their slave trading past that they should cover their faces in shame.

The King's head was discovered last year in a jar of formaldehyde gathering dust in the anatomical collection of the Leiden University Medical Center, Holland in the Dutch-land. The man who "helped reunite the chief's head with his body" discovered the bottled-up head by accident, where it was locked away in a dark dungeon of a cupboard somewhere discreet, for more than 170 years. Could it be that the Dutch were still exerting vengeance on this King by so locking his head away in such isolated inhuman condition, for this King's perceived "arrogance"?The "discoverer of the King's head" was researching a story about a novel he was writing of an an Ahanta boy brought to Holland in 1837 as a slave. Icheoku says, holy macro, so it was not only the head of the Ahanta King that was shipped to Dutch-land? Has anybody seen the bones of this young innocent boy yet? According to the researcher, in 2002 when he found it locked way, "the staff took it out of the round jar and put it on the laboratory sink for me. It had been turned white by the formaldehyde but it was still life-size and he looked as if he was asleep. I felt, 'this is so wrong, you should go home''. Imagine a royalty being put in a laboratory sink by a Dutch technician, in such a cavalier manner and without any show of respect or dignity whatsoever?

Thank God for the return of the King's head! The delegation which returned King Bada Bonsu III's head were received at Kotoka International Airport Accra by government officials and members of the beheaded King's Ahanta clan, of Ashanti region. It will be recalled that in 2006, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland returned to New Zealand the preserved heads of nine tattooed Maori tribesman decapitated by British colonialists, for trophy in the 19th Century. Also, the same British slave profiteers through its Natural History Museum returned the remains of 18 indigenous Aborigines people part of a population that was violently displaced and some of which were forcefully yanked away from their native Australia to make way for British settlers?

For a little historical perspective, then Gold Coast (present day Ghana) was "discovered" by the Portuguese in the 15th century; then taken over by the Dutch, who were eventually bought out of their priceless possession by the British. The Ahanta Clan is part of Ashanti tribe and is located very near the coast, the reason the Dutch were so desperate for a quick access to their human-merchandise because of easy access to point of shipment? They were the first to trade with the Portuguese but as the Dutch took over and greed forced their hand into the most lucrative of all trades - slave trade, King Badu Bonsu fought back when he realised that this band of Europeans were up to no good. He chose to die fighting and standing tall in death, instead of going on all fours to allow the Dutch unfettered access to their human cargo. Icheoku says, warrior welcome home; now as you stand to be united with your other half, may you find the heart to forgive the murderous Dutch slave traders and their General Verveer for their lunacy, trading on human-beings! Long live your memory and bravery, King Badu Bonsu!

HARRY PATCH, FINALLY MAKES HIS EXIT!

And so it is that the 'last of the Mahicans', British world war veterans, has now kicked the bucket. Last July 18, 2009 when his compatriot Henry Allingham died at 113, it was Harry Patch who remained as the last British survivor of World War 1; but barely two weeks later, he also turned cold. Harry Patch "quietly slipped away" on Saturday morning at the Fletcher House care home in Wells, southwest England, aged 111 years.

Born in southwest England in 1898, Patch was a teenage apprentice plumber when he was called up for military service in 1916. After training he was sent to the trenches as a machine-gunner in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. When the war ended in 1918, Harry returned to work as a plumber, got married, raised a family but didn't start talking about his war experiences until he turned 100 year.

One of his most memorable recollections of the World War battles was the 1917 battle of Passchendaele in which he was wounded; according to Harry Patch's account, it was "mud, mud and more mud mixed together with blood. Anyone who tells you that in the trenches they weren't scared, he's a damned liar: you were scared all the time." During World War II, Harry volunteered for the fire service and helped in rescue and firefighting after each German bombing raids. He outlived three wives and both of his sons.

Aptly described as the last of the titans, there are no other known British, French or German veterans of WWI still alive; however there is one United States of America known veteran still kicking it at 108, - Frank Buckles of Charles Town, West Virginia.

Harry Patch's funeral will be held in Wells Cathedral, South West England. Icheoku says, now rest the tired old bones, soldier!

TONY ALAMO, A MAN OF GOD INDEED?

Screaming,"I'm just another one of the prophets that went to jail for the Gospel," as he was marched off to jail to await his sentencing, Envangelist Tony Alamo of New Jerusalem Church, will most likely spend the rest of his natural life, an imprisoned sexual pervert who took girls as young as 8 years to bed?

According to his perversion, the age of puberty and not biological age is the determinate factor in girls' maturity; hence once a girl starts seeing her period, she is matured enough in the eyes of "God" for wifely duties, including sex and procreation? And he is a acclaimed man of God?

Tony Alamo, formerly Bernie Lazar Hoffman, was a one-time street preacher who built a multimillion-dollar Evangelical New Jerusalem ministry, with a 15-acre compound headquarters at Fouke, Arkansas. His ministry also has operations stretching from Arkansas, to California and New York.

The 74 years old preacher was convicted on all 10-count Federal indictment which accused him of taking underage girls for "wives" and across state lines. He will be sentenced to prison in about eight weeks and could receive up to a total of 175 years in prison for violating the Mann Act, a law originally aimed at stopping women from being sold into sexual slavery and/or prostitution. Each of the ten count also carries a possible fine of $250,000 respectively, which will burn a $2.5 million dollars hole in his pocket?

It took a jury of nine men and three women about 11 hours to hear his case and about one day to reach a verdict. According to Jury foreman Frank Oller of Texarkana, Arkasas, said jurors deliberated more than a day only to ensure they considered everything. The testimony convinced them the 74-year-old evangelist kept the girls as sexual partners, not office workers as his defense team claimed. "That was the evidence. That was proven, we came up with a full decision that we are quite satisfied with."

Tony Alamo preached a brand of Christianity known as apocalyptic Christianity which dwells on end time teachings. He is a charismatic religious leader who controlled every aspect of his religious subjects' lives. No one obtained food, clothing or transportation without his knowledge and approval? His sect were so enamored in him that they only did as he commanded; his wish was their command as no member of church want to draw the anger of their "Papa Tony." Tony exploited this awe to prey on young daughters of his loyal parishioners who believed he is a prophet. Tony Alamo told his followers God instructed him to marry younger and younger girls. According to the victims testimony, Tony Alamo told them, "God commanded them to be his sexual partners"? Icheoku says, really?

Tony founded the New Jerusalem ministry with his wife Susan in the 1960s; and after his wife passed in 1982, he became more firebrand, attacking Catholicism and the Vatican with vengeful fury? His ministry also designed and sold denim jackets for celebrities, including the late Micheal Jackson who wore one of Tony's designer jacket in his "Bad" album? This caused the Federal government to swoop on him and seize his assets for tax evasion, after the court declared his operations as a business and no longer a church.

Icheoku says, as yet another man of God falls from grace, what will humanity not do or preach in the name of God? Sometimes, Icheoku wishes that the days of brimstone from heaven still exists till today? However recourse will be had in that every deceit or crime always has an end and so it is that Tony Alamo's criminal enterprise has ran out of gas and its full shameful course. WWJSD - what would Jesus say of do? It will be recalled that David Koresh of Branch Davidian, Waco Texas similarly once held his followers captive until they died in a Federal raid of his church compound in the eighties?

GATES ARREST, WAS CAMBRIDGE POLICE STUPID?

May be a more politically correct word would have been used instead? But, hey, this is American society where a nigger is always seen as a nigger and it does not matter if that nigger is the brightest bulb in the chandelier or is a Harvard University Professor or his home address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

So, when once in a while a blackman speaks out passionately and candidly, expressing how he truly feels about race relations in America, some people interpret that as being too strongly worded? But these are the same people, who, having not been on the receiving end of racism in America, and do not know what it is, to be a minority in America questions such opinion as was expressed?

Pictured above right is the man whose wrongful arrest is provoking this perfect storm, Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., the director of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research; and a tenured professor of Harvard University. Gates also makes regular Television appearances on issues of race in America and has produced a documentary which aired on CNN.

So President Barack Obama spoke as a blackman, who knows how it means to be a 'nigger' in America society. That is the real America the world does not know about, but which is the undercurrent of the society, where a man is primarily judged by the color of his skin and not necessarily the content of his character or his true abilities? There is simmering tension in the land and hopefully it will not ever boil over; with each passing day, a man's heart somewhere in America is boiling with vengeful thoughts on how to get at someone or render a pay-back?

But what is the solution, Icheoku asks? A good staring point is for us all to start talking about our differences and as often as the opportunity calls; and in an open honest manner. That way the walls of prejudices will begin to crumble in earnest as we understand one another better; but to continue to pretend that all is well or that prejudices of race does not exist or that things are honky-dory is a fallacy of the moment which incubates in American society and that is what fuels each person's suspicion of one another. Icheoku proclaims that racism exists and cuts across everyone in America, whether whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native-Americans etc. It is all about protecting what each thinks is his rightful entitlement and the preservation of their race? Let us acknowledge that fact, and then we can take the next step towards exploring ways of improving and making it better?

And so it was that a neighbor could no longer recognise her neighbor in a sunny afternoon daylight in Cambridge Massachusetts; that she called 911 and reported her neighbor as a break-in suspect? But that 'break-in suspect' neighbor was merely trying to push his way into his own house, having misplaced his keys earlier in the day? The police came and the neighbor who was already lounging in his house, was marched off in handcuffs and the rest is now history. Not being on video, we can only rely on "he said, he said" account of what transpired that fateful July 16, 2009 day in Cambridge Massachusetts.

Whether the Cambridge police department was "deeply pained" by President Barack Obama's statement or not, Icheoku does not really care to know; but suffice it to say that Mr. President's comment was borne out of frustration that some sections of the American society are still treating disrespectfully, fellow Americans as if they are second-class citizens? Our position is that two wrongs does not make a right and the Cambridge police chief should have avoided joining issues with the president. We all should rather find a way of bridging the racial divide in America instead of protesting the obvious or being in denial as to what really exists.

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr was arrested inside his house for breaking into his own house? If really it was a neighbor that called the police, Icheoku asks, why did that neighbor not recognise his neighbor, Professor Gates? OJ Simpson is languishing in prison today for similarly "stealing his own stuff"? But unlike OJ, Professor Gates does not have the notoriety of past accusation of murder and so people rallied around his cause and his charge of disorderly conduct was dropped. If in doubt, how many Network Televisions parade a blackman or any minority in their prime-time slot or any other full fledged anchor-person; yet some deny there is no racism in America?

Icheoku says, whether or not Gates 'flew into a verbal rage' was no reasonable ground to arrest an owner for breaking into his own house; once proper identification has been made to determine his identity? Since when has verbiage become a crime in the land or was he a madman to just fly off the handle without any provocation or prodding? Normal practice dictates that Sgt Crowley, upon ascertaining Gates identity, would have greeted and left, after explaining to Gates that they had received a report of a possible break-in into his house? Therefore, the real question here should be, why did Sgt. Crowley and co overtly prolong their look-in call and not leave immediately after ascertaining Professor Gates identity; and that an owner was the alleged break-in suspect? Peradventure, is it possible that they were surprised that a 'nigger' could own and live in a house in that neck of the woods, in Cambridge Massachusetts and decided to probe further, provoking the "verbal rage"?

Sgt. James Crowley, as a professional police office, would have after confirming the identity of the accused, conduct a cursory visual sweep of the home to further confirm through pictures and artifacts that Professor Gates is, who he said he is? This way, the whole world would have been saved all these pains of re-starting conversation on race. The matter would have died off quietly, but instead subsequent events prolonged an otherwise police check into the spat which is percolating through our society today. Also, it is very surprising that Officer Crowley does not know or recognise Professor Gates whose eminence is world-wide and a network television persona. Also, being one of the few academia in Harvard makes him a 'sticking sore-thumb', standing out conspicuously in Cambridge and requiring no further introduction? But no, may be through over-zealousness or the rush to be a police officer before this university professor, Sgt Crowley over-reached and today, the world is focusing at Cambridge as another American city with a profiling police department? Icheoku says, if this could happen to a person of Professor Gates stature, imagine what the average Joe blackman is going through in America and this is 2009 and not 1950?

Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts chimed in to say he was troubled and upset over the incident; while Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, said had she spoke with Gates and apologized on behalf of the city, and issued a statement which called the July 16 incident "regrettable and unfortunate."

Icheoku calls on all altercation parties to now sheath their sword; as many Americans have deduced what possibly transpired. As a society, we must learn how to treat each other with respect, understanding that we are all in it together as fellow Americans and this is what will help bring down the walls of racial tension in our society. Icheoku says, irrespective of the rage in the tone of a provoked Professor Gates, Sgt. Crowley would have shown a cooler head and carried out his duty more professionally? But bee that as it may, we beg to move on now from this matter!

ATLAS COVE, WHAT'S ALL THE YORUBA FUSS ABOUT?

Icheoku says, so what if MEND attacked a Nigerian National Petroleum Company owned and operated oil facility located in Yoruba-Land of Lagos State? After-all the Yorubas are the highest single beneficiary in Nigeria, of the pillage, which has been going on in the Niger Delta since independence in 1960? A foxy-race which cunningly goad, leech and encourage the Hausa-Fulani to continuously traumatise Nigeria with their inept and bad leadership. And as soon as they succeed in starting a fire between two sides, conveniently recoil to their shell in the South West and with pretended innocence, starts reaping the bounty of a harvest which they never planted? Enough is enough of this people's always holier than thou attitude and it is about time someone called them to order!

That Nigeria is suffering today under the sick Mr. Slowman was a Yoruba man's doing; a despicable fella whose eight years of bloody visceral occupation of Nigeria brought more harm than good to many Nigerians? When the midget of Kano, Sani Abacha struck, it was with another Yoruba renegade Oladipo Diya? When Buhari struck, it was also with Babatunde Idiagbon and Babatunde is not an Ijaw name? Obasanjo was there previously from 1976 through 1979 but the lot did not improve in the creeks of Nigeria? When Theophilus Danjuma and his co-mad dogs, messed up Nigeria in 1966, resulting in the Biafran civil war, it was with the active connivance of the likes of Adekunle Benjamin, Olusegun Obasanjo, Obafemi Awolowo and such other Yoruba mercenaries that Biafra was forced to abort her attempt at self governance. The Yoruba inexplicably took sides with the Northerners despite numerous and obvious reasons to do otherwise, and through their Obafemi Awolowo introduced starvation as the best instrument of warfare into the lexicon of war-faring. As a a pay-back, they convinced bloody Yakubu Gowon to sign the infamous indegenisation decree through which they commandeered all companies in Nigeria; thereby unfairly gaining and usurping all the economic advantage in Nigeria to the detriment of other tribes? Ernest Shonekan also became a tool in the hands of Ibrahim Babangida to rubbish Abiola's election victory and by extension, Nigerian democracy in general? So with this litany of transgressions, who should really be crying foul here? No, not the same group of people who have sabotaged every bold step ever put forward by other patriotic tribal-nationalities in Nigeria to permanently fix what is wrong with Nigeria? Now that the chicken came home to roost briefly, just for one night in their neck of the wood, they are crying bloody murder, that the stench is too strong; albeit, without any grounds whatsoever, since they are as guilty as the Hausa-Fulani nemesis of Nigeria? Icheoku asserts unequivocally that over 75% of all development in Yoruba-Land including Lagos State, as well as the torched Atlas Cove is owed to the proceeds of the pillage in Niger Delta and we stand to be corrected! So what the heck is this fuss about?

But just for the sake of argument, let us postulate and assume that Atlas Cove jetty is Yoruba's, Icheoku asks, what is wrong in striking at a property which belongs to an accomplice of a crime? The Yoruba's shameless support of the Hausa-Fulani oligarchs' atrocious vice-hold on Nigeria over the years, has transformed them into a people who many a Nigerian would rather they are not part of Nigeria? Was Olusegun Obasanjo not a Yoruba man and did he not rule Nigeria for another 8 years after his first calling, during which time he visited his fair share of atrocities on the Niger Delta people? Was it not during the incestuous Olusegun Obasanjo ignominious eight years terrorist-rule in Nigeria that Odi community of Niger Delta Bayelsa State was almost decimated? Was Olagusonye Oyinlola not one of those fingered with the extra-judicial murder of Ken Saro-Wiwa and where is he also from, Tiv-land? Heck No! Anyway, this commentary is not meant as a diatribe or to poke a finger in the eyes of any particular tribe, no; it is simply that Nigerians in general should see the carnage in the Niger Delta as a national tragedy which every right thinking Nigerian is obligated to help in resolving. Every Nigerian should see it for what it is - the repercussion of sinful act of every Nigerian who has benefited either directly or indirectly from the oil resources of the Niger Delta!

The trailing reactions coming from the South West to the successful expedition of the brave boys and girls of MEND at Atlas Cove, has once again called to question Nigeria's continued existence as one entity? The vituperation shows that Nigeria, really, is not one country and the earlier the hard truth is told the better; so that each nationality therein, which are unhappily yoked together all these years, might feel free to move on as they may please. Things have been blowing up over the years and in various parts of Nigeria including bombs at Ikeja military cantonment which killed over 10,000 innocent Nigerians, also Nigerians of the Niger Delta have been under the sledge-hammer of the Federal armed forces for some years now but nobody seriously uttered any harsh re-vibrating words in condemnation! But now that Atlas Cove went up in flames, suddenly, it is going to lead to a tribal war and such other stupid rantings as does not make any sense?

But does anyone in Nigeria still take these Oduduwa loud-mouths serious, after the missed opportunity of June 12 and the humiliation their race suffered when MKO Abiola was stopped cold from the presidency and subsequently killed? What about their Cicero of Oke-Onaa, Bola Ige? When patriotic Yoruba-duty called on both occasions, they instead turned tail only to emerge from their hibernation now, to huff and puff about a looming tribal war? Common, Nigerians know better and also know the jerks among their society! Icheoku remembers vividly too, that these people and their Obafemi Awolowo clandestinely and cowardly chickened out during Biafra's attempt to permanently reconfigure Nigeria for the good of all? These people are the most insidious bane of Nigeria and the single reason why nothing meaningful can ever come out of any struggle to free Nigeria from the northern 'Cabal-istic' shackles. With them, you never know where they stand on any issue affecting the greater Nigerian State as their 'yes' most times means 'no'? In some fashion, if connivance, deceit, treachery and sabotage has any natural known abode, it is across the River Niger, West of Nigeria; and this is the reason Icheoku says, they should hush and stop beating their chests about an impending tribal war because Atlas Cove was torched?

Laughably, South-west zone Action Congress, some faceless traditional rulers, some so called elders and some very corrupt local government council chairmen in Lagos State have demanded an unreserved apology from MEND, over their milestone Atlas Cove hit? Icheoku says, not in this lifetime should they get their wish! What a bunch of impostors these people are, who chickened out from a 'tribal war' for a good cause when it mattered most, when their nose was cut off during June 12 democratic struggle in Nigeria? Icheoku says, this Prince Tajudeen Olusi, should understand that MEND was simply crying out loud for attention, and by visiting the mayhem on Atlas Cove was merely pushing all available envelopes against a recalcitrant feudalistic Nigerian government. Their attack on Atlas Cove oil jetty was not borne out of any specific vindictive animosity against the Yoruba race or Lagos State; they simply saw a window of opportunity to strike at a possible Nigerian jugular-vein and decided to take it?

Hopefully this Prince now sees the light; otherwise, MEND should disregard his useless threats of this being "the last of such" attack or that any attempt to repeat what happened, "would be met with serious consequences which the attackers would live to regret.” What Nigerian armed forces could not achieve, a knee-jerk people without liver is threatening to accomplish? Anyway, it is the usual Yoruba blow-hot, empty threat which several tests of times have proved them incapable of seeing through, as they lack the guts to carry them out? Further, the attack on Atlas Cove jetty was not misplaced in any way since Lagos State is part of Nigeria and has benefited tremendously from the oil exploitation of the Niger Delta. Also it is very arrogant of this Prince Olusi to claim that “Lagos State has always provided refuge to several displaced Nigerians fleeing from conflicts and disasters', since Lagos is not his exclusive preserve and Nigerians can and should feel free to live in any part of Nigeria without let or hindrance or any prior authorisation or permission of anyone, including this so called Prince Whatever his name is and his fellow sons of the soil?

MEND, please be assured that thousands of Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo and his Yoruba Council of Elders can only bark but not bite over an issue which was never directed at them, but to the federal government of Nigeria. No target or place should be safe any longer in Nigeria as long as those Nigerians inhabiting the enclave keep quite and pretend the issue of the Niger Delta is not their business or concern; or pretend it is a problem between the Hausa-Fulani and the Niger Deltans. All have sinned and come short of glory in Nigeria that has benefited from the oil in the Niger Delta while remaining aloof and indifferent to the challenges facing the region. If this Adeyinka Adebayo sees it as a matter capable of triggering inter-tribal war, Icheoku asks, between which tribes does he want to wage this his war? Will it be between Yoruba and who, since Niger Delta cuts across nine states and impacts over ten tribes? Who will be on the receiving end of his artilery? - The Ijaws? The Itshekiris? The Ibos? The Efiks? The Ikwerres? The Edos? The Ondo Yorubas? The Ibibios? The Kalabaris? The Efaks? The Efangs, etc? In short may be this man is advocating a regional war or another civil war or a war to end all injustices in Nigeria, at the end of which every group goes its separate ways to pursue their respective destinies within their secured mutually exclusive territories? Icheoku says, the extension of violence by Niger Delta militants to the South-West was not "an invitation to an inter-tribal conflict" but a cry for help whose time has since come. Every Nigerian is yoked in the Niger Delta conflict together and together they shall solve it; but to pretend or wish otherwise is basking in ocean of fantasy.

A Nigeria tabloid, Sun Newspapers was economical with the truth in its editorial on the Atlas Cove incident, wherein it "strongly condemn the attack on the Atlas Cove Jetty" describing it as 'dastardly and despicable'? What an editorial in denial of the facts on hand as it relates to the ongoing freedom struggle in the Niger Delta? What forced the hands of the Federal government of Nigeria to pursue peace, if not the bravery and audacity of such attacks as was carried out on Atlas Cove? Icheoku says, the militants reserve the right to blow up anything, anywhere, in any part of Nigeria, including the Atlas Cove jetty and/or any other facility, funded from proceeds of sales of the Niger Delta oil; and if this is what it takes to get the full attention of the oppressors, so be it! But for this tabloid, Sun Newspapers, to editorialise that the Atlas Cove attack was "unprovoked and unjustifiable" shows the yellowness of that paper and/or the lack of editorial dept of its editorial staff. How dare this newspaper state such a fallacy of nonsense as a given, that the attack was unprovoked? Was it not the Hausa-Fulani who left their desert enclave in the north for a military adventure in faraway South of south Niger Delta? Was this their ill-advised military adventurism provoked and by whom or what? After-all the owners of the land in Niger Delta are merely trying to assert their ownership and control rights over what is in their land? Is this sufficient reason to send in the killing machine Nigerian armed forces to wreck such havoc as is ongoing in the Niger Delta? We don't think so!

The struggle in the Niger Delta has since become 'ethnicised' by other Nigeria tribes which have kept silence while the most vicious ethnic cleansing of Nigerians is going on in the Niger Delta; and while carrying on as if the life which has been drastically interrupted in Niger Delta is not their business or are lesser of theirs? There is at present no lasting unity and/or peace in Nigeria, so who gives a damn if the tension boils over and Nigeria unravels? It is President Umaru Yar'Adua who has to accept on behalf of the Hausa-Fulani north that occupation of any type is not good; and commence a meaningful dialogue with the necessary parties in the Niger Delta, so as to find an agreeable way forward out of the imbroglio they created with their unwarranted invasion. Further, the routing of the Nigerian Naval Force at Atlas Cove jetty is just another good eye-opener of the unpreparedness of the Nigeria Navy to defend Nigerian territorial waters at its hour of need. Were it to frog-jump and horse-whip innocent Nigerians on the streets of Lagos, for not yielding fast-enough the congested roads for their siren-blaring goons to pass, then they are very methodical indeed? But to defend an ordinary jetty from a non-professional fighting force of MEND, they could not muster and Nigeria prides itself the 'giant' of Africa? Their apparent mediocrity was the primary reason Olusegun Obasanjo hurriedly handed over Bakassi to the Cameroons, because the Nigerian Navy was not prepared to be humiliated in battle by the Cameroon gendarmes? It is a manifestation of the deep rot of an inept governance of a people by the worst dregs of its society, wherein Naval ratings and their commander are left with no weapons on hand to guard and defend such a vital facility as Atlas Cove jetty. Without MEND Nigerians would not have known this about their navy, so in a way, that was positive.

It is also a lie for anyone including Sun Newspaper to claim that the militants have no country other than Nigeria; because Nigeria does not accept Niger Delta as part of them, otherwise the decay therein would not have been allowed to fester for this long. More-so other Nigerians would have joined the protesting MEND and the greater Niger Delta people to secure for them, a fair shake of modernity paid for by their oil wealth? Also a 'Bayelsa Country' does not sound bad at all for a name; and in view of the lunatic Hausa mad-mallam who suggested that all Niger Deltans be killed off to end the disturbance to oil flow, make the idea of a sovereign Niger Delta country, which can guarantee their existence, a necessary future option? Icheoku condemns the Sun Newspaper's editorial as a manifestation of the dearth of courageous journalism in Nigeria since the death of Dele Giwa by Babangida's parcel bomb; and as a manifestation of what is wrong with the fifth estate in Nigeria.

In summation therefore, every Nigerian whether Yoruba, Igbo or other ethnic groupings including the oppressors, Hausa-Fulani and the oppressed Niger Delta tribes, should be prepared to take some little pain before the genie of Niger Delta struggle is completely put back in the bottle. To achieve equity in Nigeria, all the benefactors of the Niger Delta oil must see themselves as accomplices to injustice, hence if they are visited with some late Sunday night barrages of machine gun-fire or one of the installations in their neck of the wood torched; they should suck it up and see it as a necessary sacrifice which they must make, in order to fix what is broken in Nigeria. But to threaten a tribal war in an inter-connected society is reckless; Ondo State is part of Niger Delta and by necessary implication have freedom-soldiers in MEND and being a Yoruba-land, which tribes will be fighting against each other in this Adebayo's impending internecine tribal-war? Moreover no Yoruba orchestrated tribal war can be as earth-scorching and vicious as the ongoing northern Feudal war being fought with the Nigerian armed forces in the Niger Delta?

Therefore, no one in the Niger Delta should be moved by such boisterous threats from the people of Western Nigeria, whose cowardice is of general knowledge. All things considered and the Yoruba blustering not withstanding, one clear lesson of the Atlas Cove incident and its attendant aftermath is that Nigeria is not really one country nor a nation of people. Imagine the Yoruba West threatening tribal war and stating that they have been "very accomodating to other Nigerians"? What does that mean? Imagine a Lagos State that was fully developed with proceeds of Niger Delta oil, being former capital of Nigeria, in the verge of being appropriated exclusively by one of Nigerian tribes? How can any Nigerian tribe ascribe to themselves the ownership of any part of Nigeria when Nigeria is supposed to be a country and belongs to every Nigerian? How can a people be referenced as strangers in their own supposed country that another group of people reserves the right of expulsion or exclusion of that others, from a particular section of the geography? Icheoku says, if any body or group of people need to apologise for the attack on Atlas Cove, it is the Yoruba who have inserted their tribal sentiments into a national matter; notwithstanding that Atlas Cove is situated in Lagos State? This Yoruba inserted myopic tribal dimension is very omnious and higlights the deep-rooted animosity and misgivings among many nationalities which were clubbered into Nigeria. In any event however, the best solution probably may be for every person to just go their separate ways peacefully, instead of the continued stress of putting up in a 'humpty-dumpty' of a country, called Nigeria, which no member thereof really wants to belong to or work hard enough to sustain? Until there is a resolution, Icheoku salutes the bravery of the Atlas Cove incident!