TUMP/KIM SUMMIT IN VIETNAM: ANY HOPE?

ICHEOKU says the photo-op not withstanding, time to demand tangibles has come. ICHEOKU says supports incremental rewarding of the regime in North Korea as they take steps to denuclearize. Best of luck to President Donald John Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un as they deliberate in Hanoi. God's speed fellas.

VOTERS APATHY: HELPS BUHARI WIN A SECOND TERM.

ICHEOKU says Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressive Congress (APC) was reelected to a four year second term in office in last Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 presidential election, defeating his closest rival, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar. The reelected president received 15.2 million votes as against Atiku Abubakar who ended up with 11.3 million votes. 

Voter apathy, triggered by the deferred election of February 16th, 2019 which saw many previously traveled people not embarking on such journeys again, was partly to blame for the election result as 35.6% of registered voters participated in the election; thus leaving 64% of would be voters out of the election. As is always the case with many election, voters disinterest in any election always favors the incumbent and it reflected in the Nigeria's election. About 73 million people were duly registered to vote in the election, but only a mere 27 million plus actually cast their votes, favoring the president against his closest challenger Atiku Abubakar. 

By exercising their votes as they did, it would seem that Nigerians, despite their hardships, are on the verge of repairing their notoriety as a fantastically corrupt people by rejecting a fantastically corrupt polygamist and the world's acknowledged face of corruption in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar. They choose the ascetic Muhammadu Buhari against the raunchy and over indulging Atiku Abubakar, thereby telegraphing a powerful message that they are tired of corruption and technically signed on to the president's ongoing effort to root out corruption in Nigeria. 

ICHEOKU says Nigerians now hope that the retained president has learnt enough lessons from his first term and will now consolidate on the gains as he retools the areas that is not producing as expected. Nigerians also hope to see him live up to his renewed promise to correct all the observed anomalies of his first term in office, including being fair to all regions in appointment as well as running a more inclusive broader government where every Nigeria will feel welcomed. 

Hopefully he will keep his promise to finally solve the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen problems; and continue to do what is necessary to improve the lives and living conditions of Nigerians. Also if the president can learn to trust other people from other parts of the country more and cease belonging only to his Fulani nation, possibly, his second term will be a much improvement from his first. That the president must intensify the war on corruption and be fair across the board about it, and sparing nobody, regardless of loyalty and party affiliation is one of the reasons Nigerians voted to retain him. 

ICHEOKU says congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, who in his remarks following his victory said, "I am deeply humbled that you found me worthy of continuing to serve you." Hopefully every Nigerian will this time feel that the president belongs to nobody but to all Nigerians. Best of luck President Muhammadu Buhari and may your second term be an improved version from your first.

HELLO VIETNAM: TRUMP MEETS KIM PHASE 2.

 

ICHEOKU says the whole world is watching and praying for both leaders to reach a deal that will once and for all solve the Korean Peninsular impasse. God's speed.

TRUMP AND KIM'S SECOND SUMMIT: VIETNAM HOSTS.

ICHEOKU says wishes the two leaders amazing grace and God's guidance as they continue in their effort to find a peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsular stalemate. Hopefully what they started in Singapore will graduate into something more tangible in Vietnam. 

Query, will Vietnam once again be placed in history as the place where the America and North Korea hostility was finally resolved; after the America and Vietnam hostility ended many years ago. 

ICHEOKU says God's speed to America's President Donald John Trump and North Korea's Leader Kim Jong Un, as they hold their second summit in Hanoi on February 27th through February 28th, 2019 and help them reach a deal. ICHEOKU says may God also bless their host, Vietnam's President Nguyen Phu Trong. 

CARDINAL GEORGE PELL: CONVICTED OF SEXUAL MOLESTATION.

ICHEOKU says the Catholic Church again suffered yet another setback in its sexual abuse  scandal by its clergy, which is gradually degenerating into a plague, as its highest ranking clergy in Australia and former Treasurer of the church in the Vatican, Cardinal George Pell, was convicted for sexually molesting two minors. He now faces a long prison sentence and possible defrocking by the pope and excommunication by the Catholic Church. What a shame. 

When you think you have heard the last of it, the scandal which came to the shore over a decade ago has steadily continued to claim victims from the church; and has thus so degraded the church in its piety that it is going to take a miracle for the church to recover fully from its former self. 

But the greatest tragedy of it all is the pretentiousness of these men in cassock, whose claim to celibacy has now been totally debunked; a matter made worse because they were raping and sexually molesting little alter boys. ICHEOKU says the panacea is for the church to deregulate its anti marriage rule and allow those clergies who want to marry to marry; while those who want to keep lovers should also have the freedom to love accordingly. There is no contradictions in serving God and also being human with flesh and blood. 

ICHEOKU strongly believes that sexual activities, including molestation, is generally wide spread among the clergy in the church; only that some societies frown against going up against men and women of "God"; otherwise many more would have been outed. Anyway, ICHEOKU says is not here to pass judgment on the church or its clergy; and will neither on Cardinal George Pell, but maintains that since he did the crime, he should also do the time. What a pedophile.

R. KELLY INDICTED: WHO WANTS R. KELLY GONE?

ICHEOKU says although having sex with a minor is a crime generally frowned at; a statutory rape, which is not statute barred from prosecution due to passage of time; but why this sudden focus of searchlight on the rhythm and blues singer or as he would call himself, King of R&B by the media? Could it be an attempt to pivot attention away from their beloved black homosexual, sissy, girlie man Jussie Smollett and give the sleazy news American audience something to keep them salivating for more. 

They tried with New England Patriot owner, Robert Kraft's paying for sex news out of Florida, but it didn't move the needle away from the Jussie Smollett hoax. Now, R Kelly must be hung up to dry for some sexual dalliances of so many years past, since 1998. Then throw to the mix the fact the Michael Avanati is part of the "investigative" team that discovered an alleged R Kelly's sex tape involving a minor and it gives one reason to wonder what are these people really up to. What credibility is still left in Michael Avanati, whose last summer's mischief against Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh is still very much fresh in our memories, to give his "discovered" tape credence. 

Anyway, ICHEOKU is not here to hold brief for R Kelly or doubt the veracity or credibility of all the stories of sex with minors; but in view of so many made up stories, especially some for financial gains and sometimes fame, ICHEOKU says until all the facts computes, nobody should be in a rush to crucify R Kelly or in any other way call for the boycott of his works or to force books and records sellers to pull his works. Such rush to judgment must be avoided in this case as well as in every other case in America, until such alleged crimes are proved beyond reasonable doubt. So, until R Kelly is put through the crucible of Lady Justice and tried by a jury of his peers and convicted, ICHEOKU will err on the side of caution and not be a party to all those lynch mobs calling for his head on a platter. 

It comes with the territory of fame and fortune, as so many who did not sow always seek to cash in on the misfortunes of the fortunate. It is not good; it is not best practises and it ought to and must be condemned by all. Like OJ Simpson, they tried him once but he beat them; yet not being satisfied, they want another go at it and this time, they hope to succeed, so that they can put him away and forever destroy his career. Just another black man American whose sin is probably standing tall and not being apologetic about it. 

Nobody questioned Hugh Hefner when he was cavorting with hundreds of girls, many of who were young enough to be his granddaughters and probably underage too. Nobody questioned the other Playboy gambling millionaire who also cavorts with so many girls and who said on national television that he wants to be a heir to Hugh Hefner's lifestyle. But R. Kelly wants to be a black Hugh Hefner and it is a no, no; as no black person must be allowed to be a Hugh Hefner in America. His status is so sacred, sanctified and sacrosanct that it must not be duplicated and of course, definitely not by a black man. It was akin to Billy O'Reilly's once righteous indignation when Pepsi Cola wanted Kanye West to feature in their commercial but went mum when the same commercial featured Black Sabbath  Osborne. 

ICHEOKU says racism in America is a fact of life and repeatedly rears its ugly head every now and then. Michael Jackson suffered persecution because of his skin color and never recovered from it until he took his own life; ditto Prince, Mike Tyson and so many other successful black people of America, particularly males, who are always put through the ringer for daring to be famous and rich. The rule of the thumb seems to be, if you are black, don't get successful as you will be taken you down. Hopefully, R Kelly is not such a victim of society that will build you up and will not hesitate to also take you down. ICHEOKU says hopefully, the allegations will not be just another exercise at pillorying another successful black man in America, just for the heck of continuing the trend. ICHEOKU will however, wait for the justice system to take its course and either finds R Kelly guilty or leave the guy alone to enjoy his fame and fortune, just like others. 

However, with the information that R Kelly's semen was found on one of the accuser's clothes, ICHEOKU wonders if anything was learnt by this guy from the Monica Lewinsky's blue dress debacle. Who still gets so careless and reckless to get some with any clothes still on. Why the rush and why can't they patiently wait for the person to fully undress and make sure that they shower after the whole shebang. But unfortunately, humans don't easily let history be their guide nor learn from it. ICHEOKU however disagrees with R Kelly's lawyer that Kelly did not force anyone to have sex with him or that as a rockstar he doesn't have to have a non consensual sex; because consent is not necessarily a dispositive an issue in sex with minors, which is Statutorily rape and does not require consent; the act alone is enough to consummate the crime. But we shall see if R Kelly will be able to beat his traducers this time around like he did in 2008.

JUSSIE SMOLLETT: CHARGED WITH FELONY.

ICHEOKU says the lying, attention seeking, homosexual gay, sissy, girlie-man of Empire fame, Jussie Smollett, has been indicted for making a false police report, a felony carrying up to three years imprisonment if convicted. As ICHEOKU previously wrote that his story doesn't add up, his watery tale has now been found to be a self manufactured hoax. Hopefully the court will throw the books at him to serve as a deterrence to other would be future copycats. 

What a disgraceful show of shame as his action has now endangered all future would be victim of hate crimes, as they will be believed with only a grain of salt, when and if at all. A shameful fall from grace to grass, and you wonder how anyone can ever recover from such a reputational damage; a matter made worse because it was self inflicted and for no apparent reason other than attention seeking, self pity. The guy possibly has a personality disorder of bipolar. He is black and gay; and as if those two are not enough strikes already, now he has added yet another checkmark of being an inveterate liar to the mix. What a pitiful humanoid. 

SHOOT AT SIGHT OF ELECTION RIGGERS ORDER: ICHEOKU APPROVES.

ICHEOKU says corruption is the only reason "do or die" politics thrives in Nigeria. People run for offices, kill and maim innocent Nigerians in the process, in order to get elected just because of what they can steal from Nigerians, using the instrumentality of their "elected"  offices.  As a result, criminals and bandits, as well other heartless people who have no business being in governance, who have no compunction whatsoever, dominate the Nigerian political scene. Some of them cannot even read or write, talkless of having the capacity to follow legislative process of law making; and if they are governors, are just interested in revenue allocation and pocketing same, alongside bribes, which sometimes ends up in their dashiki dress pockets. 

These munchkins have no scruples about fermenting trouble and visiting bodily harm and injury on anyone who dares stand in their way or challenges them for the office. By so doing, they scare away from politics, decent civilized men and women, who actually know what needs to be done to right the path of Nigeria and make it competitive amongst comity of nations. This fraudsters, thugs, thieves, bandits and prostitutes' domination of the political terrain is the reason Nigeria is stunted and stagnated, because a Steve Wonder cannot effectively fly an airplane; and Nigerians are bleeding as a result 

Therefore, it goes without saying that any effort to drain the Nigerian swamp of these swampy nincompoops, who would have all been behind bars were Nigeria a civilized functional society, is a step in the right direction. The fact of even trying to stop their brigandage, by stopping their thugs and urchins from snatching ballot boxes during elections, should be commended, applauded and supported by all men and women of good faith, who has no bad intentions for motherland. It is to this effect therefore, that ICHEOKU supports the order by President Muhammadu Buhari, to treat anyone seen or caught tampering with the will of the Nigerian people, by rigging the forthcoming election, as a criminal and summarily dealt with. 

These bastards and their sponsors are messing with our general well-being by tampering with our collective decisions. They are depriving Nigerian citizens their legitimate choices, as made with their votes; which unfortunately, previously, usually did not count due to the nefarious activities of supplanting real votes with manufactured votes by these bottom dwellers. Enough is enough and if summarily wasting these deviants' lives is what it will take to restore sanity to the political process in Nigeria, so be it. Voting is a civic duty, so if you don't want to be shot, cast your vote and return to your house or your legitimate business and let the electoral officers do their job, under the close watch of accredited party's precinct workers and poll watchers. Anyone seen loitering around any polling Station should be affixed with bad intention and either shot or arrested for prosecution, period.

Ever seen anyone volunteering to help a truck pusher push his load up the hill? If not, why then do these bandits always pretend that they are trying to help Nigerians solve their problems by seeking their votes and will go all out to secure victory at all cost, including killing and maiming opponents, fellow citizens, as well as rigging elections and you call this just to have an opportunity to "help" Nigerians? ICHEOKU says the only reason they do what they brazenly do, is to amass stupendous wealth and steal themselves dumb from the public treasury, period. 

This proclivity to turn a simple electioneering process into a real war has succeeded in keeping honest and decent people out of politics and it is about time it stopped. Just take a look at the National Assembly, the Senate, governorship houses, as well as all tiers of political offices in Nigeria, and you will count several of the occupants who were once 419 kingpins, kidnappers, armed bandits, fraudsters and people of very questionable characters. A situation which succeeded in turning the political class in Nigeria into a gathering of vultures who are feasting on the carcass of Nigeria. Olusegun Obasanjo once called them out on their questionable characters, as well. 

They all went into offices through political thuggery and banditry, with some of them engaging in ritualistic human sacrifices, just to get into their power holding positions. This is the reason they do not feel obligated to the citizens, hence they do not care about doing things for the people in order to earn a reelection nod from the people. So if President Muhammadu Buhari sincerely means his order to the army and the police, and fairly exercises it throughout the country, without selectively targeting it at some opponents, then it is a welcome relief and let the tree fall where it may. Let the right people be elected by the people and that way, the people can hold them accountable if they fail to perform. 

ICHEOKU says it is about time decent people entered politics in Nigeria and put an end to all these useless and ruthless blood suckers, many of who has blood of Nigerians on their hands, just because they want power. A people who could care less about how many people they trampled upon, killed and sacrificed just to grab power are a people who shouldn't be anywhere near power. Their unconscionable activities of rigging elections have robbed Nigerians, their legitimate votes; and deprived them the free exercise of their enshrined right to freely choose who shall be their leaders. By skewing the electioneering process, they successfully hijacked our collective destiny; and by putting decrepitudes who were not elected by the people in power, they kidnapped our common will. 

ICHEOKU says desperate times calls for desperate measures, so whatever it takes to achieve this objective of sanitizing the political process in Nigeria is a fair game, as extirpating this menace of election rigging is a thing whose time has since come. Therefore President Muhammadu Buhari should be commended for checkmating this idiotic nuisance or at least for trying, so that elections in Nigeria will no  longer be a competition amongst only those who can terrorize the citizens the most. Politics should not be left for only those who can pay more to motor park touts and street urchins and feed them with drugs and alcohol, as well as supply them with weapons with which to ferment trouble and cause mayhem in the land. Why must electioneering campaign in Nigeria be a bloody battle fought with real weapons, with real resulting casualties; instead of the battle of ideas which politics is and ought to be. 

But be that as it may, ICHEOKU is emphatic that the PDP missed a glorious opportunity to excel when they accepted the cancellation of last Saturday's election; as nothing is assured going forward. The APC controlled Aso Rock has tested their waters and sized them up and have reached their conclusions. So let no body fret around or needlessly hyperventilate, when the APC goes all out to achieve a predetermined outcome next Saturday, and the heavens will not fall. It is politics and polls do often get it wrong, otherwise Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton will be in the White House today. And yes, tens of thousands may have showed up in some campaign rallies, but over 70 million prospective voters were registered by INEC and these people are yet to vote. 

Therefore, the votes on Saturday could, against all odds and permutations, somehow tarry differently and in favor of a dry bone which magically rose again. It is the magic of voters turnout and which party was able to motivate their base the more. Recall what the Lord said in Ezekiel 37:5 that dry bones shall rise again; so surprises wear different shades and forms; and might stun Nigerians on Saturday. Power is powerful; and a lot of bad things as well as good things can be done with power, the reason so many have died fighting to secure and acquire it. But hey, let us prayerfully hope that the election will hold as rescheduled on Saturday February 23rd, 2019 and that votes will actually count. May the better strategist win. 

DUCHESS OF SUSEX MEGHAN MARKLE: READY TO POP.

ICHEOKU says wishes the soon to be new mother all the best as she carries her pregnant to full term, a safe delivery and a bouncing healthy baby. Salute.

MCCABE 60 MINUTES CBS INTERVIEW: NOT PROBING ENOUGH.

ICHEOKU says it is possible that the CBS 60 Minutes Sunday evening News program has outlived its usefulness and it is about time it is rested. The program has surely seen its glorious days which unfortunately is now behind it. What it now presents is a shadow of its past storied self. A program which used to be very insightful and incisive that it earned itself a must watch television program on Sundays evenings, but it no longer lives up to its billing. It is steadily on the decline and the management of CBS should seriously consider resting it or re-branding it, in order not to entirely lose its viewership. 

Everyone tuned in to see some questions answered by the former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, concerning Election 2016, Hillary Clinton's Email-gate scandal and of course the Russian Collusion scandal. But at the end of the interview many people were disappointed that they were left more confused than they were when they tuned in to the CBS 60 Minutes program interview of the former deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Andrew McCabe. None of the needed questions were asked nor answered and the man who is the chief architect of it was right there to be confronted with the questions but it never happened.

Many people were expecting the moderator to ask the former deputy why the FBI did the shoddy job on Hillary Clinton's interview and email scandal investigation; and why no Special Counsel was appointed to investigate her; but such was considered necessary with the Russian Collusion. Whether it is true that the Russian Collusion investigation was triggered from a dossier paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign and finally, knowing what he knows today regarding lack of any evidence so far about a Russian Collusion, whether he would have instigated it and if he has any apology to tender to both President Donald John Trump and the American people for the wild goose chase which the investigation so far turned out to be. 

ICHEOKU says these and so many other questions were begging for answers, but CBS moderator Scott Pelley either went blank or purposely went soft on the former deputy director and intentionally guided his questionings only to the usual Trump bashing, instead of getting to the nitty gritty of what actually went down under the then James Comey and Andrew McCabe led Federal Bureau of investigation. Like many people that watched the program, ICHEOKU says was disappointed, as it was a wasted one hour, seating on the edge of the sofa waiting for the bombshell to drop, particularly as to the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the foundational basis for the Russian Collusion. 

The only thing that anybody probably took away from the interview is his allegation that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein wanted to wear a wire to secretly record President Donald John Trump, for use in a possible Article 25 removal of the president from office. However when prodded further on what led to the alleged conversation with Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe stuttered that he didn't remember and you wonder if he had remembered every other thing that took place in the FBI, why only pull blank as to that material fact. 

Anyway, glad that he is now gone from the FBI and hopefully, the cleaning of house of the bureau will continue until completely restored to its previous non partisan, equal opportunity investigative agency. Hopefully too, the Hillary Clinton's emailgate scandal can be reopened and a thorough investigation done, in order to ensure fairness and prevent such lopsided work from ever being done in the future. But overall, the 60 Minutes CBS interview of Andrew McCabe was lackluster to say the least. Not worth the time spent watching it. 

JUSSIE SMOLLETT: SIMPLY A GAY GUY SEEKING ATTENTION.

ICHEOKU says it turned out that the whole alleged "roughing up" was staged managed by him, the same guy, Jussie Smollett, who had claimed that he was a victim of homophobic attack as well as racial lynching. It is so sad and pitiful that a human being would go to this length to falsely state an attack which did not take place; trying to start a race war as well as gay bashing in America. 

ICHEOKU says this guy is sick and needs to have the book thrown at him in order to discourage any such future made up story, either by him or by anyone else. Imagine the tension he needlessly created in the land, especially among blacks and homosexual communities, who were suddenly made to become afraid for their lives, thinking that the hateful days are back again. What will happen tomorrow when a real issue erupts. ICHEOKU says to Jussie Smollett, SHAME ON YOU.

AMAZON PULLS THE PLUG: DEMOCRATS A PARTY OF JOB KILLERS.

ICHEOKU says Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has once again demonstrated that she has a very shallow understanding of Economics and does not in fact know how taxation works. She naively thought that the City of New York would write Jeff Bezos a check for $3 billion, not knowing that the said tax incentive will only protect Amazon from paying taxes to New York to the tune of $3 billion over the coming years while the incentive lasts, before eventually lapsing and then taxation will kick back in. 

Meanwhile as the incentive lasts just for the company, its employees and other attracted companies, including mom and dad pop-up stores, cafes, restaurants, hotels, taxis and Uber Lyft transportation services, general contractors and suppliers alike, will all still be paying taxes to the city, which aggregated in the long run, will far exceed the $3 billion tax incentive granted to the company. So overall, it would have been a win win for the City and State of New York, except that there is a new leader for the Democratic Party and her name is Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and she thinks otherwise. 

The funniest thing about the whole thing is that this crazed out, wild-eyed feminist Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thought that the $3 billion would be paid to Amazon by the City of New York, not understanding how incentive really works. She said that the $3 billion should rather be spent on teachers, the subway and other local needs; only that she forgot that the $3 billion is not sitting anywhere in any bank vault or account belonging to the City and/or State of New York; but was the long term prospective but deferred taxes which Amazon would otherwise have paid to New York. Now, the people of New York have been left holding the plate with no Amazon and no $3 billion, thanks to an ill-informed but overtly easily excitable freshie Congresswoman named Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Her low information and youthful exuberance have cost New York an opportunity at 25000 jobs, including ancillary benefits of having 25,000 residents or commuters working at the now evaporated Amazon sub headquarters. Many of these employees would have come from the neighborhood and surrounding cities or boroughs of New York, but have now   missed a great chance at having a great jobs, paying rents and mortgages as well as property taxes, providing for their families, having a company provided health insurance and enjoying other benefits associated with working for the world's richest man and his company, spending on restaurants and cafes, as well as on laundry and dry cleaning services; and other businesses in the neighborhood. Locating the headquarters would have also help gentrify the neighborhood and turned into a huge commercial hub with a lot of thriving small businesses, supporting the headquarters.  

ICHEOKU says if only Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez had done her homework researching the issue very well, rather than making it a let-me-shine event. It is thoughtless and it is brainless to chase away Amazon as New York will lose more than Amazon which will readily find another City to build its other headquarters, outside the City of New York. ICHEOKU is emphatic that so many American Cities will give an arm to have Amazon look their way and can even grant the company more mouth-watering incentive than a paltry $3 billion, the long term derivative benefits considered and weighed against the incentive. There are so many other Cities that will throw the red carpet for Amazon to move in and feel much welcomed than the thoughtless New York democrats who now have completely lost their minds as to what is more important to the people. 

What a missed great opportunity and hopefully there will be some lessons learnt here, especially by the leaders of the Democratic Party who have allowed their party to be hijacked by the crazed out, wild eyed, farthest of the far leftist wing of their party, led by this easily excitable young woman, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The leaders of the Democratic Party must not just lay down supine and surrender to this phenom without at least a fight. They must fight to regain control of their party because not do so will spell doom for the party, which was once the delight of American workers. A party which is previously known for being workers friendly, which attracted membership of Unions and which had always made looking out for the common and downtrodden ordinary Americans their cornerstone, must not give up to these crazies trying to upturn everything. 

Unfortunately, they seem to be deathly afraid of the hurricane Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as everyone of them is avoiding going up against her, afraid that she might sweep them away. But why this cutting off of the nose to spite the face by preventing 25,000 good paying jobs from anchoring in New York. ICHEOKU says it is one hell of a mistake which should never have been made. So what if money is spent to make more money; it is called trade and investments and New York would have still recouped every cent of it. Also, so many other ancillary jobs would have been created in addition, which overall would have easily seen 50,000 jobs come to New York as a result of Amazon. Services would also been attracted including cleaning and janitorial services to help keep the multi complex tidy. It would have been the same Hispanic people, Ocasio-Cortez primary constituents, who control the cleaning business, that would have also greatly benefited by commandeering the cleaning business. But all these have now gone out the window due to irrational obtuseness. What a shame.

NNAMDI KANU IS WRONG: ATIKU IS A NIGERIAN JUST LIKE ANY OTHER NIGERIAN.

ICHEOKU says playing a devil's advocate, who is even a Nigerian in the real sense of it, strictly construed? What is paramount is that there is enough evidence to read the citizenship of a person within the geographical entity which he or she calls home. Afterall, a country is merely a geopolitical construct, within an accepted and agreed, and also recognized delineating borders and boundaries. Such borders and boundaries can under some circumstances be expanded to take in new acreages as well as everything on it. Sometimes too, it can also be shrunk by ceding territories to neighboring countries, as was done with the former Nigerian Bakassi peninsular. The law of the land is unequivocal that what is on the land belongs to owner of the land, except where expressly excluded. Therefore, any new territory being acquired or ceded, comes with all the baggage thereon, including its citizens. 

There is no country in the world that did not go through the process of formation, including the United States of America. At independence in 1776, America started off with only thirteen States, with Delaware being the first State. The other States subsequently started joining the Union, with Hawaii being the last State and became what is today known as the United States of America. So, it will be a self defeating argument for anyone to make that because the rest of the 37 States, especially Hawaii, which was admitted into the Union as a State much later in 1959 and long after America was forged, came subsequent 1774 independence, that their citizens are not Americans enough. 

Ditto the five Southwestern States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California which were previously Mexican territories before America took them over. Louisiana and Alaska were also purchased after 1776 from France and USSR respectively. So are American citizens from these mentioned States not "real" Americans simply because they were not part of America when America got her independence in 1776? How about Sicily and Napoli as well as the Southern Island of Italy, which were later annexed to the mainland to become what is today known as Italy. Are Sicilians not Italians enough just because they joined the party after it had already started? Okinawa Japan is still protesting their annexation by Japan; but are Okinawans not Japanese for the purposes of continuing this argument? 

Even without going too far on a frolic of exploration, how about those Biafrans who were born during the Biafran war, when Southeastern Nigeria seceded from Nigeria and was a full fledged independent country, with its own currency and a functioning government which lasted for three long years. So, are these people not Nigerians for the purposes of furthering this debate; moreso, since there is no existing gazette anyway formally readmitting the then surrendering Southeastern Nigeria Biafra back to Nigeria. So, is it a safe argument to make that Biafra is still not part of Nigeria because they seceded, which automatically would disqualify everyone from the region from participating in the affairs of Nigeria, especially those who were born between 1967 and 1970, for not being born in Nigeria and therefore does not enjoy full Nigerian citizenship rights. 

ICHEOKU says had once personally canvassed the argument, albeit sarcastically, that both leading candidates in the February 16th, 2019 presidential elections, Muhammadu Buhari and Abubakar Atiku, are not Nigerians. That Buhari's duck-seller father met his mother during one of his market trips to Daura and therefore inherited the nationality of his father, thus made him technically a citizen of Niger Republic, just like his father. A matter made worse because the elder Buhari never applied nor received Nigerian citizenship by naturalization, which would have otherwise conferred citizenship on his son Muhammadu Buhari. At the time of Buhari's birth, the elder Buhari was an itinerant trader shuttling between Niger and Daura, but later settled down in Daura just to be with his wife, the mother of Muhammadu Buhari. 

As for Atiku, ICHEOKU had argued then that because he was born in Cameroonian Adamawa Highlands before it became part of Nigeria through the referendum of 1963, that Atiku is also, technically, a foreigner. Continuing, ICHEOKU alerted that Nigerians will be forced to chose between two foreigners as their president, one, a Nigerien and the other, a Cameroonian. But these were mere political jiving and nothing more, period. So, it is somewhat surprising that anyone would take this to heart and make it a basis for a serious discussion, regarding who is qualified for this election. 

But assuming that the Nigerian citizenship of both candidates were even seriously triggered, ICHEOKU makes bold to say that Abubakar Atiku is even more Nigerian than Muhammadu Buhari, because in his case, there was a formal step that made him and his Adamawa Highlands kinsmen Nigerians. A plebiscite was conducted and they decided to to join Nigeria; unlike in Buhari's case where there was no recorded process which made Buhari's father a Nigerian, which would have conferred citizenship on his son Muhammadu Buhari. So, if both men's circumstantial backgrounds were strictly considered, both would have suffered the same fate of not being born Nigerians for the purposes of running for president. But the imperative here is that both men are duly recognized, rightfully entitled and so privileged Nigerians. Buhari was born in Nigeria by a Nigerien father and Atiku was born in a land which later became part of Nigeria. So, except for needless mischief, the question of both men's nationality or their Nigerian citizenship status is moot and a case closed. 

In fairness to Abubakar Atiku, ICHEOKU reiterates that he is a Nigerian as of right, just like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and any other person holding a Nigerian passport or other identifying Nigerian documents. And truth be told, if all the veneers are completely pulled back or the bone stripped of all the flesh, nobody in the real sense of it is indeed even a Nigerian. Every Nigerian took the ancestry of their pre-1904 amalgamation indigenous forebears, before they were clobbered together and baptized Nigerians when  the colonial masters named the resulting geographical space Nigeria. Hopefully this matter will now rest and everyone and anyone still pursuing the argument of where either candidate was born or their not Nigerian enough for the purposes of the presidency, should please back off. It is defeatist and also questions the intellectual capacity of such protagonists. 

Unfortunately, this is yet another needless distraction from the Biafran quest, the first being the Jubril el Sudani maniacal nonsense. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must endeavor to pull himself together and reorganize his thoughts as he is steadily loosing his logical cohesiveness. Whatever happens, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must guard against entirely losing his credibility or inadvertently force the people to start questioning his overall mental equilibrium and soundness of the mind. As a leader of IPOB, he should understand that a lot of hope are vested on his shoulders, admitted he has given so many other former admirers reason to question both his motive and methodology. Possessing such a questionable disposition is not a good attribute for any leader to have. 

The Atiku being a Cameroonian and Buhari being a Sudanese idiocy must end forthwith and in order to avoid further erosion of the respect and credibility left with him. He should focus his attention solely on propagating the Biafran cause which helped foist him on the world as an acknowledged leader of IPOB and also understand that leaders do not make unguarded and easily debunk-able statements. If only he can find the humility to stop thinking and seeing himself as the "god" of Biafra and allow people with real knowledge to help him with the quest going forward, he will be much better at what he is doing. 

But such thoughtless and unguarded spitfire outbursts, simply manifest a fatigue syndrome, which is understandable; considering the traumatic experience of this past two years in the hands of the Nigerian authorities, which resulted in a long detention. It is also clear that frustrations because of the seemingly stalled effort is beginning to weigh him down and this needless acting out is symptomatic of it. 

A leader normally does not obviously covet the crown so much as to suggest the effort is for a personal deification and aggrandizement. They pretend reluctance. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must curb his enthusiasm, showiness and stop parading himself as a Demigod, whose feet must be kissed and the ground on which he walks on, worshipped. Like every bona fides Biafran, ICHEOKU admires his courage and fortitude; but laments that his rudderless approach, his god-complex, egotistical propensity and the two distractions of Sudanese and Cameroonian cockamamie, are now big dents on his otherwise attractive image of a man on a mission to salvage a people. 

ICHEOKU has strong doubt if he will ever fully recover from the self inflicted wound, particularly as to his integrity and credibility. The worst thing any person can do to them self is to cause the people who once held them in very high esteem to begin to question their own judgment and wondering how they fell so easily for such a fluke or at worse questioning the mental acuity of their once revered hero. 

Anyway, it is not late for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to do some serious introspection and refocus himself back on the big picture Biafran project, which made him who is. It is the real Ebeano which attracted millions of otherwise non impressionable people and he must not take their affection for granted nor allow his newly found fame to otherwise live rent free inside his head. 

The leaders of Biafran land who he was able to meet, including the late Alex Ekwueme and Joseph Achuzie, Ben Nwabueze, governors and political, spiritual and commercial leaders, as well as many intellectuals believed in him as a leader and not an Emperor Moon before who they must bow. Alongside millions of other Biafrans, these select Biafrans will like to get their former Nnamdi Kanu back. But this all over the map, conspiracy theorist, rabble rousing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must return back to wherever hellish pod he sprouted from. The entire Southsouth and Southeast Biafrans, as well as friends and admirers, want their original Nnamdi Kanu back, period. Enough of the needless distractions. 

GORDON BANKS: THE GOALKEEPERS' GOALKEEPER, DEAD AT 81 YEARS.

ICHEOKU says he was once the safest hands in front of the goal post, a player’s nightmare, who literally stood between them and the goalpost, and stopped nearly every shot fired by them from entering the English side's goalpost. 

Gordon Banks was a world famous goal tender extraordinaire. He died of old age related infirmities at 81 years old, another evidence that time do indeed fly as his feat seemed like yesterday. May his soul now rest. Adieu, goalie Banks.

EL CHAPO GUZMAN CONVICTED: AN INGLORIOUS END OF A DRUG LORD.

ICHEOKU says the question remains, was It worth it afterall that after all these greed fueled madness of nearly 18 long years, that the once most powerful underground drug lord, whose reign of terror eclipsed the notorious Colombian Pablo Escobar, finally met his end. The don of the Sonara drug cartel, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, is going away for life, never to come out except in a pine box coffin. 

A drug lord who was once feared for his ruthlessness and penchant for meting out slow torturous death by installments;  including that of his family members, but is now going away forever and for good. What a riddance. El Capo Guzman stands convicted on all ten Federal crimes charges and is facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole, which according to the prosecutor, there will be no escape and no return from, ever. 

Unlike the Mexican prisons from where he twice tunneled himself out, American super maximum security prisons, including the one in Colorado which is 200 feet below the ground, is to put it mildly, impregnable. Therefore, pulling off his trademark tunneling out of prison from there, will prove a daunting and extremely impossible task for El Chapo and will take him several life times of trying but still a mission not accomplished. If special circumstances, including thousands of Americans lives lost to his drugs as well as DEA agents killed in the course of finding him, are factored in, he might be looking at special isolation cell unit where he will be spending 22 hours alone in solitary confinement daily; possibly without any visitations, including by his beautiful model wife. 

ICHEOKU says many people facing his situation would pray to find a cyanid capsule to pop in following sentencing and make it quick instead of pining away to his eventual end which life prison sentence without the possibility of parole is.  Moreso, he stands no chance in hell of ever testing freedom or knowing a life near to anything he had before his arrest. A once richest man on earth worth in excess of $100 billion, who had smuggled and sold over 200 tons of drugs in America, and lived the life of the super wealthy and famous or rather notorious, with several palatial mansions and other perks of life, to now end it in a tiny 6 by 12 cell with fully restricted movement and under round the clock surveillance, must not be the way he had planned to spend the rest of his life on earth. But for his crimes, Joaquin Guzman deserves all that he gets, plus more; admitted he has entered the history books as a drug lord of record, who alongside Osama Bin Laden, took America's best to track down and bring to justice. What a life.

RACISM AND RAPE HAUNT OFFICIALS: AS THE DRAMA IN VIRGINIA UNFOLDS.

ICHEOKU says never in the history of any State in America has the stakes been so compounded and convoluted as is presently in the Commonwealth of Virginia, where the three highest ranking officials of State are embroiled in various scandals, ranging from racism to rape. First it was the governor of the State Ralph Northam who was caught in a medical Year Book wearing a black face alongside another friend of his who was garbed in a KKK white hood. 

Calls for him to resign triggered a revelation of a sexual molestation scandal involving the Lieutenant Governor, Justin Fairfax, who would have ordinarily succeeded him, thus making him ineligible to serve as governor as well. As if that was not enough headache already for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the third highest ranking State official, the Attorney General, who would have stepped in as governor were both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to resign, is himself involved in a black face scandal as well. Then the fourth State official, the Speaker of House of Assembly, also was involved in another black face scandal as editor of a magazine that published various pictures of white people wearing black faces. 

ICHEOKU says only in Virginia, the capital of KKK and the State which first introduced slavery in America and even went to war leading the confederacy in order to maintain and keep slavery going. The ground zero of the "good ole boy" entitlement culture of white superiority, where the Charlottesville melee took place and where it is still so cool to be white because of its immeasurable pecks, so it is little surprise that that many racist people exist in Virginia.  Now, their inner lining has been exposed for the whole world to see how deeply entrenched racism goes in Virginia and by extension the entire United States of America. But the governor, a man who called for the legalization of infanticide, must be a very mean fellow and must have done so many bad things, that painting his face black would be among the least of horrible things which he probably did. 

However, with the sexual molestation and rape accusation leveled against the Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, a definitely more heinous crime than being a racist, it would seem that the racist governor is going no where, at least not any time soon; since he now appears to be a saint compared to his deputy who sexually molested and raped women. The fact that he is black and in Virginia make his matter more troubling, as he will never get a break until he resigns his office. He will not survive such a career killing allegation, particularly in this era of Me-Too Movement, where incensed feminists are gun-ho mad and seeking revenge from men, who they see as predators and who has had their way with them for far too long. They have smelled blood in the water and will go for the kill of; their pound of flesh they must take, which makes Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax a toast. He will not survive the scandal and will eventually heed the call to resign his office and if he doesn't go voluntarily, he will be forced out, either through indictment or impeachment. 

Sexual molestations of any kind, including rape, is a complete no, no; and has become    such a lightening rod in America that it nearly torpedoed the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, even though the allegations against him were all trumped up, made to just prevent his ascension to the Supreme Court. If feminists were that mad that they manufactured false witnesses, imagine what they could do in the case of Justin Fairfax; except that he is a Democrat and black, and appears to belong to the genre that must be handled softly and gently; otherwise where is CNN and MSNBC going wall to wall with the coverage of the scandal and calling for his head on a platter. Where are Democratic Party leaders jostling for camera space to chime in their condemnation and demand that he resigns, with some even calling for his arrest and trial? Where are Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Kamara Harris, Dianne Feinstein and other Democratic leaders swooning over each other to make their voice heard in condemnation. But no, it is only when it is a Republican or there is a vacant seat to be filled in the Supreme Court that their holier than thou pretentiousness rent the airwaves. 

Anyway, regardless of how the Commonwealth of Virgin drama concludes, one thing is certain and that is, that what happened in Virginia, unlike Vegas, will not stay in Virginia as the whole world has been invited into their dark historical past of racism which is still continuing till this day. Whether the governor eventually resigns or the Lieutenant Governor is impeached or the Attorney General steps down or the Speaker relinquishes his Speaker-ship, it is a high noon drama playing out in Virginia and it is indeed very tragic. ICHEOKU hereby calls for all the four State officials to simultaneously resign and their offices, let others take; except if it is a case of Sodom and Gomorrah where Lot could not find any honest person in order for God to spare the city. What a pity. 

JOHN DINGELL BIDS THE WORLD FAREWELL: HE WAS 92 YEARS.

ICHEOKU says he was indeed a giant, a congressional giant that is. He represented his State of Michigan in Washington DC for 59 long years, from 1955 to 2015, when he resigned from politics, thus earning him the title, the longest serving member of Congress.

Congressman John Dingell was 92 years old. He died of old age related infirmities. ICHEOKU says adieu Jonnie.

SAY NO TO COMMUNISM: WE WERE BORN FREE AND WE WILL STAY FREE - PRESIDENT TRUMP.

 

WE ARE AMERICANS: We do the incredible. We defy the impossible. We conquer the unknown. I am asking you to CHOOSE GREATNESS. - PDJT

ELIZABETH WARREN SHOULD RESIGN HER SENATE SEAT IMMEDIATELY.

ICHEOKU says now that the former Pocahontas has been caught pants down in her lies, about being a Native American, she has lost every credibility and can no longer effectively function as a United States Senator from the Great State of Massachusetts. Therefore, her office, let another take; as such a blatant lie is not good for America and quite unbecoming of a political leader. First she claimed that she was a Native American and got benefit from it through a Harvard's teaching employment. Second, she claimed on national television that a DNA analysis affirmed that she is of Indian heritage and third, she later flatly denied ever being the originator of the claim and that she has never intentionally misled anyone about her heritage. 

But now, her hand written entry where she claimed to be a Native American has surfaced, debunking all her claims and denials; thus establishing her as a liar. As a result, she has lost her honor and credibility and should no longer represent the Great people of Massachusetts Commonwealth in the United States Senate. How can such a liar effectively still function with such a tag or would the people she represent be honored to have a proven liar as their representative in Washington DC. The honorable thing for her to do at this moment is to resign her office as a Senator. Such a politically exalted position should not be occupied by a person who lies, especially Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has always been pretending otherwise to be a person of higher moral authority. 

ICHEOKU says such a liar cannot continue to serve as a Senator of the United States of America, having lost her moral authority, especially among America's up and coming young lwomen who looked up to her as a role model. Her repeatedly lying about her Indian heritage and gaining benefits as a result therefrom, and which she continued to do until President Donald John Trump called her out on it and stayed on it until vindicated, without which she would have continued with the lies and benefiting from it, has damaged her effectiveness to function. Nobody should pride him or herself as a Senator which such a baggage on her or his back. Her continuing to remain in office sends a wrong message, especially to the easily impressionable youths of America that it is okay to lie and that lying pays. It is not a good optics and it is destructive to the society's moral fiber, as well as the ethos of truthfully speaking and therefore Elizabeth Warren must be held to account for what she did. 

Her resignation from the Senate will be quite in order and the only appropriate thing to do under the circumstances because she has sullen her image irreparably and her apology is not accepted. She knew better or should at least have known better, but she continued to defend her Indian heritage up until just few weeks ago, and she is a fully grown adult and member of the United States Senate. It was obvious to her, during all these several months she was battling President Donald John Trump for calling her out as Pocahontas, that she is not a Native Indian. She knew the real truth about her caucasian heritage, but she simply made a calculated decision to carry on with the ride on the Native American train heritage, and as far as it could take her and as long as it continues to confer her free passes; and until the wheels came off, which unfortunately for her, they have just did. 

It is shameless and inconsiderate of her to cash in on the plight of the real Native Americans. Senator Elizabeth Warren should therefore, show some real remorse and make some recompense, and use whatever is left of her honor to do the right thing by resigning her office immediately. She is somewhat irreparably politically damaged and short of resignation, American people will not grant her any audience as she wishfully takes a stab at the Democratic Party's presidential candidate nomination. Although the real Pocahontas is fully acknowledged; but this fake Pocahontas Elizabeth Warren, will forever be known as the white woman who falsely claimed to be what she was not and took full advantage of it to the fullest, conferring benefit on herself which ordinarily should not have been hers. It somewhat smacks of fraud. ICHEOKU therefore calls on Senator Elizabeth Warren to resign her Senate seat and to do it NOW!

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS: CHOOSE GREATNESS, A HOME RUN.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and my fellow Americans: We meet tonight at a moment of unlimited potential. As we begin a new Congress, I stand here ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all Americans. 

Millions of our fellow citizens are watching us now, gathered in this great chamber, hoping that we will govern not as TWO PARTIES but as ONE NATION. The agenda I will lay out this evening is not a Republican Agenda or a Democrat Agenda. It is the agenda of the American People. Many of us campaigned on the same core promises: to defend American jobs and demand FAIR TRADE for American workers; to rebuild and revitalize our nation’s infrastructure; to reduce the price of healthcare and prescription drugs; to create an immigration system that is safe, lawful, modern and secure; and to pursue a foreign policy that puts America’s interests first. There is a new opportunity in American politics, if only we have the courage to seize it. Victory is not winning for our party. Victory is winning for our COUNTRY. 

This year, America will recognize two important anniversaries that show us the Majesty of America’s Mission, and the Power of American Pride. In June, we mark 75 years since the start of what General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the Great Crusade — the Allied liberation of Europe in World War II. On D-Day, June 6th, 1944, fifteen thousand young American men jumped from the sky and sixty thousand more stormed in from the sea, to save our civilization from tyranny. Here with us tonight are three of those heroes: Private First Class Joseph Reilly, Staff Sergeant Irving Locker, and Sergeant Herman Zeitchik. Gentle men, we salute you. 

In 2019, we also celebrate 50 years since brave young pilots flew a quarter of a million miles through space to plant the American flag on the face of the moon. Half a century later, we are joined by one of the Apollo 11 astronauts who planted that flag: Buzz Aldrin. This year American astronauts will go back to space on American rockets. 

In the 20th century, America saved freedom, transformed science, and redefined the middle class standard of living for the entire world to see. Now, we must step boldly and bravely into the next chapter of this Great American Adventure, and we must create a new standard of living for the 21st century. An amazing quality of life for all of our citizens is within our reach. We can make our communities safer, our families stronger, our culture richer, our faith deeper, and our Middle Class bigger and more prosperous than ever before. But we must reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution — and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good. 

Together, we can break decades of political stalemate. We can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. The decision is ours to make. We must choose between greatness or gridlock, results or resistance, vision or vengeance, incredible progress or pointless destruction. Tonight, I ask you to choose GREATNESS. 

Over the last two years, my administration has moved with urgency and historic speed to confront problems neglected by leaders of BOTH parties over many decades. In just over two years since the election, we have launched an unprecedented economic boom — a boom that has rarely been seen before. We have created 5.3 million new jobs and importantly added 600,000 new manufacturing jobs –something which almost everyone said was impossible to do, but the fact is, we are just getting started.

Wages are rising at the fastest pace in decades, and growing for blue collar workers, who I promised to fight for, faster than anyone else. Nearly 5 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps. The U.S. economy is growing almost twice as fast today as when I took office, and we are considered far and away the hottest economy anywhere in the world. Unemployment has reached the lowest rate in half a century. African-American, Hispanic-American and Asian-American unemployment have all reached their lowest levels ever recorded.

Unemployment for Americans with disabilities has also reached an all-time low. More people are working now than at any time in our history — 157 million. We passed a massive tax cut for working families and doubled the child tax credit. We virtually ended the estate, or death, tax on small businesses, ranches, and family farms. We eliminated the very unpopular Obamacare individual mandate penalty — and to give critically ill patients access to life-saving cures,we passed RIGHT TO TRY. My Administration has cut more regulations in a short time than any other administration during its entire tenure.

Companies are coming back to our country in large numbers thanks to our historic reductions in taxes and regulations. We have unleashed a revolution in American Energy — the United States is now the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world. And now, for the first time in 65 years, we are a net exporter of energy. After 24 months of rapid progress, our economy is the envy of the world, our military is the most powerful on earth, and America is winning each and every day.

Members of Congress: the State of our Union is Strong. Our country is vibrant and our economy is thriving like never before. On Friday, it was announced that we added another 304,000 jobs last month alone — almost double what was expected. An economic miracle is taking place in the United States — and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan investigations. If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. It just doesn’t work that way! We must be united at home to defeat our adversaries abroad.

This new era of cooperation can start with finally confirming the more than 300 highly qualified nominees who are still stuck in the Senate — some after years of waiting. The Senate has failed to act on these nominations, which is unfair to the nominees and to our country.

Now is the time for bipartisan action. Believe it or not, we have already proven that it is possible. In the last Congress, both parties came together to pass unprecedented legislation to confront the opioid crisis, a sweeping new Farm Bill, historic VA reforms, and after four decades of rejection, we passed VA Accountability so we can finally terminate those who mistreat our wonderful veterans.

And just weeks ago, both parties united for groundbreaking Criminal Justice Reform. Last year, I heard through friends the story of Alice Johnson. I was deeply moved. In 1997, Alice was sentenced to life in prison as a first-time non-violent drug offender. Over the next two decades, she became a prison minister, inspiring others to choose a better path. She had a big impact on that prison population — and far beyond. Alice’s story underscores the disparities and unfairness that can exist in criminal sentencing — and the need to remedy this injustice. She served almost 22 years and had expected to be in prison for the rest of her life. In June, I commuted Alice’s sentence –when I saw Alice’s beautiful family greet her at the prison gates, hugging and kissing and crying and laughing, I knew I did the right thing — Alice is here with us tonight.

Alice, thank you for reminding us that we always have the power to shape our own destiny. Inspired by stories like Alice’s, my administration worked closely with members of both parties to sign the First Step Act into law. This legislation reformed sentencing laws that have wrongly and disproportionately harmed the African-American community. The First Step Act gives non-violent offenders the chance to re-enter society as productive, law-abiding citizens. Now, states across the country are following our lead. America is a nation that believes in redemption.

We are also joined tonight by Matthew Charles from Tennessee. In 1996, at age 30, Matthew was sentenced to 35 years for selling drugs and related offenses. Over the next two decades, he completed more than 30 Bible studies, became a law clerk, and mentored fellow inmates. Now, Matthew is the very first person to be released from prison under the First Step Act. Matthew, on behalf of All Americans: WELCOME HOME.

Now, Republicans and Democrats must join forces again to confront an urgent national crisis. Congress has 10 days left to pass a bill that will fund our government, protect our homeland, and secure our Southern Border. Now is the time for Congress to show the world that America is committed to ending illegal immigration and putting the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers OUT OF BUSINESS. 

As we speak, large, organized caravans are on the march to the United States. We have just heard that Mexican cities, in order to remove the illegal immigrants from their communities, are getting trucks and buses to bring them up to our country in areas where there is little border protection. I have ordered another 3,750 troops to our Southern Border to prepare for the tremendous onslaught.

This is a MORAL issue. The lawless state of our Southern Border is a threat to the safety, security and financial well-being of all Americans. We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens. This includes our obligation to the millions of immigrants living here today, who followed the rules and respected our laws.

LEGAL immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways. I want people to come into our country, but they have to come in legally. Tonight, I am asking you to defend our very dangerous southern border out of LOVE and DEVOTION to our fellow citizens and to our country. No issue better illustrates the divide between America’s WORKING CLASS and America’s POLITICAL CLASS than illegal immigration. Wealthy politicians and donors push for open borders while living their lives behind walls and gates and guards.

Meanwhile, working class Americans are left to pay the price for mass illegal migration — reduced jobs, lower wages, overburdened schools and hospitals, increased crime, and a depleted social safety net. Tolerance for illegal immigration is not compassionate — it is cruel. 1 in 3 women is sexually assaulted on the long journey north. Smugglers use migrant children as human pawns to exploit our laws and gain access to our country.

Human traffickers and sex traffickers take advantage of the wide open areas between our ports of entry to smuggle thousands of young girls and women into the United States and to sell them into prostitution and modern-day slavery. Tens of thousands of innocent Americans are killed by lethal drugs that cross our border and flood into our cities — including meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl.

The savage gang, MS-13, now operates in at least 20 different American states, and they almost all come through our Southern Border. Just yesterday, an MS-13 gang member was taken into custody for a fatal shooting on a subway platform in New York City. We are removing these gang members by the thousands, but until we secure our border they’re going to keep streaming back in.

Year after year, countless Americans are murdered by criminal illegal aliens. I’ve gotten to know many wonderful Angel Moms, Dads and families –no one should ever have to suffer the horrible heartache they have endured. Here tonight is Debra Bissell. Just three weeks ago, Debra’s parents, Gerald and Sharon, were burglarized and shot to death in their Reno, Nevada home by an illegal alien. They were in their eighties and are survived by 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Also here tonight are Gerald and Sharon’s granddaughter, Heather, and great-granddaughter Madison. To Debra, Heather, Madison, please stand:few can understand your pain. But I will never forget, and I will fight for the memory of Gerald and Sharon, that it should never happen again. Not one more American life should be lost because our nation failed to control its very dangerous border. In the last two years, our brave ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of criminal aliens, including those charged or convicted of nearly 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes, and 4,000 killings.

We are joined tonight by one of those law enforcement heroes: ICE Special Agent Elvin Hernandez. When Elvin was a boy, he and his family legally immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. At the age of eight, Elvin told his dad he wanted to become a Special Agent. Today, he leads investigations into the scourge of international sex trafficking. Elvin says: “If I can make sure these young girls get their justice, I’ve done my job.” Thanks to his work and that of his colleagues, more than 300 women and girls have been rescued from horror and more than 1,500 sadistic traffickers have been put behind bars. Special Agent Hernandez please stand: We will ALWAYS support the brave men and women of Law Enforcement –and I pledge to you tonight that we will NEVER Abolish our heroes from ICE.

My administration has sent to Congress a commonsense proposal to end the crisis on our Southern Border. It includes humanitarian assistance, more law enforcement, drug detection at our ports, closing loopholes that enablechild smuggling, and plans for a new physical barrier, or wall, to secure the vast areas between our ports of entry. This is a smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier — not just a simple concrete wall. It will be deployed in the areas identified by border agents as having the greatest need, and as these agents will tell you, where walls go up, illegal crossings go way down.

San Diego used to have the most illegal border crossings in the country. In response, a strong security wall was put in place. This powerful barrier almost completely ended illegal crossings. The border city of El Paso, Texas, used to have extremely high rates of violent crime — one of the highest in the country, and considered one of our nation’s most dangerous cities. Now, with a powerful barrier in place, El Paso is one of our safest cities.

Simply put, WALLS WORK and WALLS SAVE LIVES. So let’s work together, compromise, and reach a deal that will truly make America SAFE. 

As we work to defend our people’s safety, we must also ensure our economic resurgence continues at a rapid pace. No one has benefitted more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 percent of the new jobs created in the last year. All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before — and exactly one century after Congress passed the Constitutional Amendment giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in Congress than ever before. As part of our commitment to improving opportunity for women everywhere, this Thursday we are launching the first ever government-wide initiative focused on economic empowerment for women in developing countries.

To build on our incredible economic success, one priority is paramount –reversing decadesof calamitous trade policies. We are now making it clear to China that after years of targeting our industries, and stealing our intellectual property, the theft of American jobs and wealth has come to an end. Therefore, we recently imposed tariffs on $250 billion dollars of Chinese goods — and now our Treasury is receiving billions of dollars. But I don’t blame China for taking advantage of us — I blame our leaders and representatives for allowing this travesty to happen. I have great respect for President Xi, and we are now working on a new trade deal with China. But it must include real, structural change to end unfair trade practices, reduce our chronic trade deficit, and protect American jobs.

Another historic trade blunder was the catastrophe known as NAFTA. I have met the men and women of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Hampshire, and many other states whose dreams were shattered by NAFTA. For years, politicians promised them they would negotiate for a better deal. But no one ever TRIED — until now. Our new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement — or USMCA — will replace NAFTA and deliver for American workers: bringing back our manufacturing jobs, expanding American agriculture, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring that more cars are proudly stamped with the four beautiful words: MADE IN THE USA.

Tonight, I am also asking you to pass the United States Reciprocal Trade Act, so that if another country places an unfair tariff on an American product, we can charge them the exact same tariff on the same product that they sell to us.

Both parties should be able to unite for a great rebuilding of America’s crumbling infrastructure. I know that Congress is eager to pass an infrastructure bill –and I am eager to work with you on legislation to deliver new and important infrastructure investment, including investments in the cutting edge industries of the future. This is not an option. This is a necessity.

The next major priority for me, and for all of us, should be to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs — and to protect patients with pre-existing conditions. Already, as a result of my administration’s efforts, in 2018 drug prices experienced their single largest decline in 46 years. But we must do more. It is unacceptable that Americans pay vastly more than people in other countries for the exact same drugs, often made in the exact same place. This is wrong, unfair, and together we can stop it. I am asking Congress to pass legislation that finally takes on the problem of global freeloading and delivers fairness and price transparency for American Patients. We should also require drug companies, insurance companies, and hospitals to disclose real prices to foster competition and bring costs down. 

No force in history has done more to advance the human condition than American Freedom. In recent years we have made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Scientific breakthroughs have brought a once-distant dream within reach. My budget will ask Democrats and Republicans to make the needed commitment to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years. Together, we will defeat AIDS in America.

Tonight I am also asking you to join me in another fight that all Americans can get behind: the fight against childhood cancer. Joining Melania in the gallery this evening is a very brave 10 year old girl, Grace Ee-line. Every birthday since she was 4, Grace asked her friends to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She did not know that one day she might be a patient herself. Last year, Grace was diagnosed with brain cancer. Immediately, she began radiation treatment. At the same time, she rallied her community and raised more than $40,000 dollars for the fight against cancer. When Grace completed treatment last fall, her doctors and nurses cheered with tears in their eyes as she hung up a poster that read: “Last day of Keemo.” Grace — you are an inspiration to us all. 

Many childhood cancers have not seen new therapies in decades. My budget will ask Congress for $500 million dollars over the next 10 years to fund this critical life-saving research. To help support working parents, the time has come to pass SCHOOL CHOICE for America’s children. I am also proud to be the first President to include in my budget a plan for nationwide paid family leave — so that every new parent has the chance to bond with their newborn child.

There could be no greater contrast to the beautiful image of a mother holding her infant child than the chilling displays our nation saw in recent days. Lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth. These are living, feeling, beautiful, babies who will never get the chance to share their love and dreams with the world. And then, we had the case of the Governor of Virginia where he stated he would execute a baby after birth.

To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb. Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life. And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: all children — born and unborn — are made in the holy image of God.

The final part of my agenda is to protect America’s National Security. Over the last two years, we have begun to fully rebuild the United States Military –with $700 billion dollars last year and $716 billion dollars this year. We are also getting other nations to pay their fair share. For years, the United States was being treated very unfairly by NATO — but now we have secured a $100 billion dollar increase in defense spending from NATO allies. As part of our military build-up, the United States is developing a state-of-the-art Missile Defense System.

Under my Administration, we will never apologize for advancing America’s interests. For example, decades ago the United States entered into a treaty with Russia in which we agreed to limit and reduce our missile capabilities. While we followed the agreement to the letter, Russia repeatedly violated its terms. That is why I announced that the United States is officially withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF Treaty. Perhaps we can negotiate a different agreement, adding China and others, or perhaps we can’t,  in which case, we will outspend and out-innovate all others by far.

As part of a bold new diplomacy, we continue our historic push for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Our hostages have come home, nuclear testing has stopped, and there has not been a missile launch in 15 months. If I had not been elected President of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea. Much work remains to be done, but my relationship with Kim Jong Un is a good one. Chairman Kim and I will meet again on February 27and 28 in Vietnam.

Two weeks ago, the United States officially recognized the legitimate government of Venezuela, and its new interim President, Juan Gwydo. We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom — and we condemn the brutality of the Maduro regime, whose socialist policies have turned that nation from being the wealthiest in South America into a state of abject poverty and despair. Here, in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country. America was founded on liberty and independence — not government coercion, domination and control. We are BORN FREE, and we will STAY FREE. Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will NEVER be a socialist country.

One of the most complex set of challenges we face is in the Middle East. Our approach is based on principled realism — not discredited theories that have failed for decades to yield progress. For this reason, my Administration recognized the TRUE capital of Israel — and proudly opened the American Embassy in Jerusalem.

Our brave troops have now been fighting in the Middle East for almost 19 years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, nearly 7,000 American Heroes have given their lives. More than 52,000 Americans have been badly wounded. We have spent more than $7 trillion dollars in the Middle East. As a candidate for President, I pledged a new approach. Great nations do not fight endless wars.

When I took office, ISIS controlled more than 20,000 square miles in Iraq and Syria. Today, we have liberated virtually all of that territory from the grip of these bloodthirsty killers. Now, as we work with our allies to destroy the remnants of ISIS, it is time to give our brave warriors in Syria a warm welcome home.

I have also accelerated our negotiations to reach a political settlement in Afghanistan. Our troops have fought with unmatched valor — and thanks to their bravery, we are now able to pursue a political solution to this long and bloody conflict. In Afghanistan, my Administration is holding constructive talks with a number of Afghan groups, including the Taliban.

As we make progress in these negotiations, we will be able to reduce our troop presence and focus on counter-terrorism. We do not know whether we will achieve an agreement — but we do know that after two decades of war, the hour has come to at least try for PEACE. Above all, friend and foe alike must never doubt this nation’s power and will to defend our people.

18 years ago, terrorists attacked the USS Cole — and last month American Forces killed one of the leaders of the attack. We are honored to be joined tonight by Tom Wibberley, whose son, Navy Seaman Craig Wibberley, was one of the 17 sailors we tragically lost. Tom: we vow to always remember the heroes of the USS Cole.

My administration has acted decisively to confront the world’s leading state sponsor of terror: the radical regime in Iran. To ensure this corrupt dictatorship never acquires nuclear weapons, I withdrew the United States from the disastrous Iran nuclear deal.

And last fall, we put in place the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a country. We will not avert our eyes from a regime that chants Death to America and threatens genocide against the Jewish People. We must never ignore the vile poison of Anti-Semitism, or those who spread its venomous creed. With one voice, we must confront this hatred anywhere and everywhere it occurs.

Just months ago, 11 Jewish-Americans were viciously murdered in an Anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. SWAT Officer Timothy Matson raced into the gunfire and was shot seven times chasing down the killer. Timothy has just had his 12th surgery — but he made the trip to be here with us tonight. Officer Matson: we are forever grateful for your courage in the face of evil.

Tonight we are also joined by Pittsburgh survivor Judah Samet. He arrived at the synagogue as the massacre began. But not only did Judah narrowly escape death last fall — more than 7 decades ago, he narrowly survived the Nazi concentration camps. Today is Judah’s 81st birthday. Judah says he can still remember the exact moment, nearly 75 years ago, after 10 months in a concentration camp, when he and his family were put on a train, and told they were going to another camp. Suddenly the train screeched to a halt.

A soldier appeared. Judah’s family braced for the worst. Then, his father cried out with joy: “It’s the AMERICANS.”

A second Holocaust survivor who is here tonight, Joshua Kaufman, was a prisoner at Dachau [Dah-kow] Concentration Camp. He remembers watching through a hole in the wall of a cattle car as American soldiers rolled in with tanks. “To me,” Joshua recalls, “the American soldiers were proof that God exists, and they came down from the sky.”

I began this evening by honoring three soldiers who fought on D-Day in the Second World War. One of them was Herman Zeitchick. But there is more to Herman’s story. A year after he stormed the Beaches of Normandy, Herman was one of those American Soldiers who helped liberate Dachau [Dah-kow]. He was one of the Americans who helped rescue Joshua from that hell on earth. Almost 75 years later, Herman and Joshua are both together in the gallery tonight –seated side-by-side, here in the home of American Freedom. Herman and Joshua: your presence this evening honors and uplifts our entire nation.

When American soldiers set out beneath the dark skies over the English Channel in the early hours of D-Day, 1944, they were just young men of 18 and 19, hurtling on fragile landing craft toward the most momentous battle in the history of war. They did not know if they would survive the hour. They did not know if they would grow old. But they knew that America had to prevail. Their cause was this nation, and generations yet unborn. Why did they do it? They did it for AMERICA — they did it for us.

Everything that has come since –our triumph over communism, our giant leaps of science and discovery, our unrivaled progress toward equality and justice — ALL of it is possible thanks to the blood and tears and courage and vision of the Americans who came before.

Think of this Capitol –think of this very Chamber, where lawmakers before you voted to end slavery, to build the railroads and the highways, to defeat fascism, to secure Civil Rights, to face down an evil empire.

Here tonight we have legislators from across this magnificent Republic. You have come from the rocky shores of Maine and the volcanic peaks of Hawaii; from the snowy woods of Wisconsin and the red deserts of Arizona; from the green farms of Kentucky and the golden beaches of California. Together, we represent the most extraordinary nation in all of history.

What will we do with this moment? How will we be remembered? I ask the men and women of this Congress: Look at the opportunities before us! Our most thrilling achievements are still ahead. Our most exciting journeys still await. Our biggest victories are still to come. We have not yet BEGUN TO DREAM.

We must choose whether we are defined by our differences — or whether we dare to transcend them. We must choose whether we squander our inheritance — or whether we proudly declare that WE ARE AMERICANS: We do the incredible. We defy the impossible. We conquer the unknown.

This is the time to re-ignite the American Imagination. This is the time to search for the tallest summit, and set our sights on the brightest star. This is the time to rekindle the bonds of love and loyalty and memory that link us together as citizens, as neighbors, as patriots. This is our future –our fate — and our choice to make. I am asking you to CHOOSE GREATNESS. 

No matter the trials we face, no matter the challenges to come, we must go forward together. We must keep America FIRST in our hearts. We must keep Freedom alive in our souls. And we must always keep FAITH in America’s Destiny – that One Nation, Under God, must be the HOPE and the PROMISE and the LIGHT and the GLORY among all the nations of the world! Thank you. God Bless You, God Bless America, and Goodnight!