PRESIDENT JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, MEMORABLE WORDS!

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.:- John F. Kennedy

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.:- John F. Kennedy

If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.:- John F. Kennedy

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.:- John F. Kennedy

Liberty without learning is always in peril; learning without liberty is always in vain.:- John F. Kennedy

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.:- John F. Kennedy

So, let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved.:- John F. Kennedy

The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.:- John F. Kennedy

The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.:- John F. Kennedy

The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.:John F. Kennedy

The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, 'In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!' :- John F. Kennedy

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining:-. John F. Kennedy

There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.:- John F. Kennedy

Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.:-John F. Kennedy

We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch.:- John F. Kennedy

We set sail on this new sea because there is knowledge to be gained.:- John F. Kennedy

We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.:- John F. Kennedy

When we got into office, the thing that surprised me the most was that things were as bad as we'd been saying they were.:- John F. Kennedy

The men who create power make an indispensable contribution to the Nation’s greatness, but the men who question power make a contribution just as indispensable, especially when that questioning is disinterested, for they determine whether we use power or power uses us.:- John F. Kennedy

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

:- John F. Kennedy

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.:- John F. Kennedy

If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.: - John F. Kennedy

We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.:- John F. Kennedy

For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal.:- John F. Kennedy

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.:- John F. Kennedy

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.:- John F. Kennedy

All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea -- whether it is to sail or to watch it -- we are going back from whence we came.:-John F. Kennedy

We need men who can dream of things that never were.:- John F. Kennedy

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but recognize the opportunity. :- John F. Kennedy

UZOMA OKERE, A TESTAMENT TO A LAND WITHOUT LAWS!

As Nigerian Naval ratings stripped a lady naked in public, Thisday's Simon Kolawole called it "the audacity of hopelessness" but we at Icheokudotcom chose to call it "Nigeria, a land with no laws"! This is because in a lawful society, the thought of a civil-rights violation law suit emanating from such a vagrant display of brigandage, will be so overwhelming that it will deter such inhuman mistreatment of an innocent lady. The prospect of millions of dollars in judgment sum is enough to dissuade such dastardly act - a crude maltreatment meted out to a lady by thugs in Nigeria navy uniform; paid with tax-payers money, some of which were possibly contributed by the victim.

Umaru Yar'Adua must prove by his action in this case that he is really in charge of affairs in Nigeria and that he can be decisive. Umaru Yar'Adua must emphatically confirm by his response that the days of hooligans and vagabonds in power in Nigeria is over and that he has zero tolerance for such dehumanising barracks-mentality of some uniformed honchos. Icheokudotcom says that this the only punishment commensurate with the crime here is the dismissal of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, whose convoy perpetrated this vicious attack. It will serve as a deterrent and a warning against other egotistic mad-dogs in Nigeria especially the armed forces as well as the police. This arrogant admiral and his bunch of hooligans in uniform must be shown the way out of the Navy. Anything short of their dismissal and possible imprisonment with adequate compensation paid the unlucky victim will be unacceptable to any civilized mind and many Nigerians. Icheokudotcom calls on Umaru Yar'Adua to treat this incident with every seriousness as the whole world is waiting and watching to see how the macabre incident is finally

concluded.

According to the story, the convoy of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade (pictured here right), wanted to pass but traffic had built up. His aides, blowing siren to high heavens, were getting impatient that traffic would not clear swiftly for the “god” they were carrying to pass. They got out of their vans and started issuing barrack-like commands to motorists even when it looked very unreasonable under the circumstance that anybody could move out of the way as a result of the gridlock. They however found a scapegoat in a lady, Uzoma Okere, whom they molested and stripped naked for reasons that can never be justified by even the maddest of all men.

Icheokudotcom salutes the courage of Ms. Uzoma Okere (pictured here), for refusing to be intimidated by these Nigerian thugs in navy uniforms! Today the whole world has shared her story of brutality in the hands of the Nigerian Navy and we at Icheokudotcom pledges to stay on it until Umaru Yar'Adua acts upon it. It took a Rosa Park to defy the segregationist white south and today Barack Obama is the president-elect of America! May be Uzoma Okere's defiance will be the catalyst for the liberation of the silent majority of Nigerians who has been 'zombified' by their ruling military and political elites all these years. Kudos to this lady of courage, your whipping is not in vain and the blood you bled will heal Nigeria. Uzoma Okere refused to be cowed even as the gun-totting naval ratings manhandled her, tearing her blouse, brassieres and ultimately exposing her breasts to the free view of passers-by and ogling onlookers while dragging her in the mud. Uzoma Okere endured the slapping, the humiliation and stoically stood her ground in challenge of oppressive and represive NIgerian Navy Officials. Icheokudotcom says, it takes raw courage to confront a despotic Nigerian military elite; we are very proud of this Amazonia Uzoma Okere. Icheokudotcom hereby, for his complicity in this uncivilized maltreatment of a lady, declare Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, the worst person in the world!

The mad-dogs are still loose: - Naval ratings go wild again, kill policeman!

ORJI KALU, THE MAN FOR NIGERIA'S EMANCIPATION!

His name, Orji Uzor-Kalu known by many as the rabble-rouser of Nigeria politics and to Icheoku, as the Nigeria's real maverick! Unlike the other discredited worn-out mavericks, such as Arthur Nzeribe, Orji Uzor-Kalu is not a praise-singer and does not carry water for anyone. Orji Uzor-Kalu rather takes them head-on. His spectacular affront to Olusegun Obasanjo's ill-advised third term bid, stood him out among the pack. It is this his singular attribute of fearlessness among many others, that have particularly endeared him to our mind. This made Icheoku to once again, take a look at his viability for the office of the presidency of Nigeria and our verdict, without mincing words, is in the affirmative. Icheoku therefore affirms and urge Nigerians to give Orji Uzor-Kalu a chance at the presidency.

This is our second time at pushing his candidacy in recent times and we strongly believe that he can deliver for the people of Nigeria. Orji Uzor-Kalu has the mean, the style, the form, the substance, the mix and mingle, the reach, the ability, the look, the presence, the wherewithal and the charisma to be an effective president of Nigeria. Above all he is acceptable to other tribes and regions of Nigeria including the north, the west, the south and the east. Orji Uzor-Kalu is without any gainsaying, a presidential material!

Formerly a foundation member of the Nigeria ruling People Progressive Party (PDP) under which he became governor of Abia State in 1999; before quitting the party to form the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). This former governor of Abia State is currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PPA and also chairman of board of Slok Group of companies. Although PDP has been wooing him of late to come back to the party, but he has rebuffed them so far, scoffing at the possibility of his rejoining their fold. He is presently mobilizing the other smaller parties in Nigeria to come together to mount a formidable opposiiton to the ruling PDP. But whether he will succeed, knowing the treacherous political landscape of Nigeria leaves much to be desired. Icheoku says, Orji Uzor-Kalu should reconsider his resistance to rejoining the ruling party, since that will be his surest guarrantee to the presidency. Already, he has the wealth, contacts and experience to make him a serious contender for the office but what is lacking is a credible platform to launch him to Aso Rock. Icheoku knows the political terrain of Nigeria well enough to understand taht the incumbent party always muzzles every opposition out of contention, and hence encourages Orji Uzor-Kalu to swallow his pride and see the ruling PDP as his only viable and meaningful sea-route to Aso Rock. At worst, he should use the PDP as a ladder of opportunity to get into Aso Rock; thereafter he can kick it to the curbside or reform it to be more accomodating of other descenting view-points! Also all the Ali Baba and the forty thieves politicians in Nigeria are not reliable and they will sabotage his effort at the crucial moment when push comes to shove, like they did with Muhammed Buhari's ANPP.

Orji Uzor-Kalu's fury over the utterance of the leadership of the PDP that it plans to rule Nigerian for the next 60 years is one area of agreement with Icheoku as such idiotic comment exhibits crass arrogance. But for Orji Uzor-Kalu to be prepared to wait for Nigerians to rise up against the PDP will be a wait till hell freezes over as Nigerians are the most complacent and cowardly human-beings ever to walk the face of the earth. Like a paid call-girl, Nigerians will always stoically take it through the rear than to push for desirable change - from Buhari/Idiagbon to Babangida to Abacha to Abudulsalam to Obasanjo it is same old same old; Nigerian timidity in the face of oppressive earth-scorching brutality in the hands of their leaders. Fela Anikulapo Kuti preached resistance but died before any meaningful headway; Tai Solarin also went away unfulfilled; Beko Ransome Kuti also went home to his fathers, disappointed; Gani Fawehinmi has been like John the Baptist shouting from the mountain-top ever since this blogger can remember, but nobody seem to be listening to his clarion call that Nigerians should effect their destiny; so expecting Nigerians to rise up aganst an incumbent party is an unreasonable expectation under the circumstance. Orji Uzor-Kalu therefore, must come to terms with reality and explore the best option possible available for him - join the PDP in oder to realize his dream sooner than later.

That Nigeria will one day become a failed state like many others in Africa or lapse into a conflagrating culdrum, if the current pervasive downward-spiral trajectory is not checked as a matter of ultmost urgency; the henchmen of Nigeria having blatantly refused to yield the levers of power ever since independence, with one section of the polity continuously being blatantly marginalized is not a far-fetched possibility.

In conclusion therefore, Icheoku, not known to be a water-carrier of anybody, sees in this ebullient man, Orji Uzor-Kalu what the doctor ordered for Nigeria's emacipation from its doldrums. He is brave; he is successful, he is dynamic, he is sociable; he is hungry for the right reason - to bring desirable change to Nigeria; he exudes hope and confidence; he is young and he has made some exploitable contacts both in Nigeria and abroad. Orji Uzor-Kalu is, simply speaking, the missing link between Nigeria and the heights it can attain as a nation. Icheoku has written on this man before, and once again we are emphasising his attributes as the most positioned amongst the Igbo nation to take on the Nigerian project. Although some antagonists may label him as 'crooked' but Icheoku asks, who in Nigerian politics is a Mother Theresa? It takes a thief to catch a thief, so a smarter thief is all that Nigeria needs instead of a dumb one like Olusegun Obasanjo.

Now that we have thrown our hats in the ring, Icheoku will continue to urge Orji Uzor-Kalu to move back to the PDP and exercise his options from within, knowing fully well that succeeding from outside will be a deathly impossibility. Orji Uzor-Kalu has several contacts inside the PDP which he can effectively exploit to re-position himself and eventually secure the party's eastern nomination at the end of Umaru Yar'Adua's term; when it will be rightfully the turn of the Igbos to produce Nigeria's presiedent. Remember that even if Orji Uzor-Kalu were to be a Barack Obama of Nigeria, the Barack Obama of USA at least used a well established existing-platform of the Democratic Party, rather than one inconsequential third party, to secure the White-house. Orji Uzor-Kalu, Icheoku hopes you get it? Until then, let every Nigeria keep HOPE ALIVE! The Nigeria Project is a collective effort! All hands should be on deck! Nigerians, in one resounding voice, shout, YES WE CAN!

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

Today Sunday November 9th, 2008 'Icheoku dot com' brings to you part four of our new series "YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET M.K.O. TIBETAN". This man of God writes on whatever subject he deems topical and Icheoku merely publishes same seriatim, without any input whatsoever, since we are not all that versed in the ways of God to have an opinion. Today, Prophet Marcus Korodele Oluwatomisin writes on "GOD'S TIME". Please enjoy his perspectives:-

"The topic for today is TIME! What is time? Who created time? Who makes time work? In Ecclesiastes 3 vs.1-10 it says, for everything under the heavens there is time - time to cultivate, time to plant and time to harvest, time to be born and time to die.

No one has power over time, except the Author and the Finisher of our faith, the Almighty God. Looking at all the activities of every human race - Black, White, Asian, Hispanic and Indians, we all work according to time. In Europe and America, the white folks work conscientiously with time but the people of colour including blacks, disregard time and treat it with levity. This disdain for time is what makes us to lack behind, leading to western world reference to us as third world.

Reading Genesis 30 vs. 25 - 43, it tells us that God deliberately delayed Jacob’s time despite his urge and desire to work ahead of time. In Genesis 15 vs. 12 - 16, when the Lord Almighty decided to delay the freedom of the Israelites and made them remain in servitude in Egypt under Pharaoh due to their disobedience. God kept their suffering until the time appointed for them to walk their away from their punishment as recorded in Genesis 47. The good Lord knew the time that the Israelite will be freed from their slavery in Egypt, He raise one of them “MOSES” to carry out their deliverance from Egypt, this came to fulfilment in Exodus Chapters 12, 13, 14,15 and 16. From reading all these chapters, we see how God took the people of Israelites through the RED SEA, gave them manna from Heaven, delivered to them the 10 commandments and with all they went through in the wilderness, their shoes never wore out. This shows how great out Lord is, everything that happened to the Israelite was done by God and at his own time. Therefore Brethren, we should make haste while the sun shines!

Brethren a closer look at the negligent attitude of black people to TIME reveals that this is the single factor that make them to lose out on so many things. When a black person is invited to an occasion for instance and he happen to come late, the excuse he will give is that he is working on “African time”. Tell me brethren, does Africa have its own time or do we have our own God that is different from the only God of host? Please brethren, respect TIME and God’s time in your life will never pass you by. In Genesis 37, Joseph arrived in time surrendering himself to God with all he has and had gone through; this was credited to him and he was raised from grass to grace above the rest. Tell me, will any of you reading this piece, pray to go through what Joseph went through? In Genesis 39, Joseph was imprisoned, came out from prison and became a leader, therefore, what is the problem that you have that is making you to ignore or disrespect time? When the time came in Genesis Chapters 44, 45, 46 & 47, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers saying “I am Joseph whom you sold to slavery"; he fed them and brought them to himself. He advised them on how to be good people and urged everyone to forget the past because it is God that brought him there ahead of time to be their saviour in their situation in order to give them new lease on life.

The immorality in the world today has become comparable to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. When the time came, God allowed a plague called HIV/AIDS in order to checkmate the world so that we can turn back to God and respect the Law that says one man one wife. Brethren weigh yourselves in all you are doing if you are respecting time or wasting away time. For instance one that God has destined to travel to Togo for a reason, decided to embark on a journey to Canada, all the years this person will spend in Canada will amount to a waste, and therefore he may come out blaming God due to his lack of respect for God’s time in his life. Can any one judge God? No, rather God is the one to judge both the living and the dead. If a student does not get promoted to the next class, then it is time for the student to study harder, read all the important books, if not he will fail and see his contemporary being promoted; though they may still be friends but not classmates. Brethren, can you now weigh yourself if you are about to waste your time or if you have already wasted it, being friends is different from being mates. Dig deep into the Bible in Numbers 11 vs. 1 - 35, Moses sent ten spies to the land they were to posses, they came back with frightening news that they are like ants besides the inhabitants of the land. But Joshua and Caleb have seen all God Almighty is capable of doing during their journey and knew that the same God Lord will help them conquer the Canaanites. Therefore, what is that trouble in your life that God cannot see you through with? All you need to do is to use your God’s given time well and all that looks mountainous before you will be brought down in Jesus name, AMEN! In Joshua 1 vs. 1 - 9, Joshua was promoted at the right time because that was the time God designed for him. If all of you wait on God’s time, your promotion will come and all your heart desire will be granted unto you, all you need to do is to purge yourself with absolute submission of your body and soul to God Almighty. Read Matthew 9 vs. 20, Ephesians 4 vs.23, Joel 12 vs. 12 &13; I Timothy 2 vs. 9, I Timothy 6 vs. 1 - 12 and Psalm 49 vs. 6end.

Looking at the world today, everyone is struggling to become a millionaire without checking their foundation; because foundation matters a lot as stated in the books of I Corinthians 3 particularly 10 plus; I Timothy 3; I Timothy 6; Romans 8; Job 1 vs. 1-10; Ezekiel 16 vs. 44, Micah 3; Micah 2 vs. 1-10 and Malachi 1 vs. 6-12. All that the bible said is already coming to pass, the car rental companies asked the scientists to make a compass (GPS) in order to boost sales. This day in age the computer technology has taken over the running of the economy, now the time has come that the same technology is destroying the Global Economy as it is rendering people jobless, the job that 5 people were doing previously is today being done by a single computer system. The scientists have actually gone a bit farther now that they think by cloning human embryo they can create their own designer babies. What a fast pace but still God is supreme because they can never be faster than time. Parent these days are getting their children into very early school, therefore forcing them into early adulthood, forgetting that God in his word, the holy Bible said that for everything there is a season, time to born and time to die, time to sow and time to Harvest.

In conclusion therefore, I want you all to start thinking now as to where you belong because we all will carry the tag RIP at a stage, which is either Rest in Peace or Rest in Pieces.Think about this Brethren and chose today if you are willing to work with God’s time or if you want to create your own time. Remember II Samuel 14 Vs.14; Genesis 3 vs.19, Psalm49 vs.6-15 said from dust were we made and unto dust shall we return. All things will come to an end and there will come a time when our beautiful portrait will no longer suit the living room but the attic".

Until next week when I shall visit with you again, please remain blessed and have a fruitful week ahead. To the joy of mankind, the United States of America's presidential election outcome was as anticipated, to God be the glory! Please note that I am still on assignment overseas and will remain abroad through the end of November 2008; should you want to reach me before my return to the United States, you can try any of my international numbers in Ireland: 353861033987; London 07903093637 and Nigeria 8054853828. I will be shuttling through Europe and Africa and hopefully you will be able to reach me at one of these numbers. As always, I am always available for your spiritual needs and prayers. God bless!

KENYA'S KIBAKI IS A SHITLESS HYPOCRITE!

While declaring Thursday November 6th, 2008 a public holiday in Kenya to celebrate the election of Barack Obama to the US presidency, Mwai Kibaki said the Kenyan people are immensely proud of Barack Obama's Kenyan roots. According to him, Barack Obama's victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with Kenyans. To this Icheoku fires back and says, were Mwai Kibaki's to have respected the wish of the Kenyan people in their last election, it would also have resonated with the Kenyan people; but instead he chose to steal a mandate which was denied him in the ballot. Now he is adumbrating and foaming in the mouth about another country where election results are respected. Shame on this shameless anti-democracy Kenyan Mwai Kibaki!

What an irony of fate that such a man as Mwai Kibaki, who does not have regard for real democracy is now wallowing in the euphoria of a President Barack Obama's election victory? Mwai Kibaki should understand that were President George Bush to be like him, there will be no Barack Obama's victory to celebrate as he, Bush would have usurped the presidency of America just like he, Kibaki did in Kenya. Mwai Kibaki refused to respect the Kenyan people's will to yield office despite evidently losing to Odinga. Icheoku therefore says that Mwai Kibaki has no moral standing to be beating his chest about a democracy which respects one of democracy's principal cannon - election results!

All these inveterate African 'leaders' should and must learn one thing from President-elect Barack Obama's election victory - that democracy is sweet if practised well! Can any of them quantify the amount of joy Barack Obama has brought to the world simply by winning the United States of America presidential election? To the Kibaki's of this world, particularly in Africa, Icheoku says, they should stuff their congratulatory messages up their arses until they learn how to respect the will of their own people.

Except for Nelson Mandela who described Barack Obama's victory as a sign of hope for everyone; and until recently Mbeki, no other African leader has voluntarily yielded power or allowed an unfettered election to take place in their country; otherwise a lot of Barack Obamas would have risen in Africa to take Africa to its own promised land. But when tired and time-worn out senile old men perpetuate themselves in power, nothing moves forward as they continue to go round and round in a perpetual all motion and no movement Merry-go-round. And you wonder why Africa is the bottom-pot of all things negative in this world - wars, hunger, under-development, disease etc. These supposed leaders are out of ideas and their stage presence is since over! They have all overstayed and have since become boring. Their facial make-up not withstanding, their tired bones are manifest by the stale ideas which they propagate.

It is good when a good thing happens. Icheoku hopes that President-elect Barack Obama will help to clubber these African leaders back into their sensibilities so that Africa can finally learn how to take care of its own instead of being the world's "down-syndrome" child with constant needs. It is about time Africa learns how to fish! Look at the other African despots in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe -( Mugabe seeks new Obama relations ), Egyptian's Mubarak, Gabon's Omar Bongo or Libyan Moummer Qaddafi, who nobody really cares about , yet they cling to power, refusing to yield office for brighter young Obamas of Africa to take over the ship of the state. To hell with these decrepitude dictators in Africa and may their congratulatory messages not be well received or accepted or even acknowledged! They are not sincere and are worthless, coming from despots who trample upon democracy in their respective countries or fiefdoms! Enough of these African "leaders" bullshit! Icheoku says, it is about time change sweep through the African continent so that hope can be restored. Africans say, YES WE CAN!

NIGERIA, SAY NO TO FURTHER STATES CREATION!

Nigerians must cease this moment to take back their country and say no to further balkanization. States creation is not the development they need and clamour for. It is not viable, it is very divisive and continuously put more distance between families, friends and colleagues. Some of the existing states does not even have any meaningful geographical entity with sustainable source of water supply, agricultural land, and areas for future developments; yet these corrupt politicians who do not even have any mandate nor were elected in the first place, are hoofing and puffing about gerrymandering and balkanizing Nigeria, looking to create private fiefdoms where they can become the Lord of the manor. Icheoku asks, aside of Lagos State, Rivers State and may be Kano State, which other state in Nigeria can, truly speaking, exist or thrive on its own, independent of the cap-in hand monthly allocations from Abuja?

Imagine, from Lagos through Benin to Calabar there are over twelve state capitals within a land mass distance of less than one thousand (1000) miles. When juxtaposed with a state like California in the United States of America, which is about nine (900)hundred miles in length, from north to south, then the frivolity of this states creation exercise in Nigeria becomes manifests. What are they creating? What land-mass is being divided up here? A state like Enugu State with its less than four million population can easily fit into the city of Houston, Texas! A State like Gombe has more cattle and goats than human-beings which makes one to wonder aloud, the reasonableness of this effort. Between Asaba, Awka, Enugu and Abakiliki are four state capitals within less than three hundred miles radius? What is wrong with these Nigerian supposed political and military elites that they do not prioritize their activities? Or is this state creation a mere wedge-issue to distract Nigerians from holding their supposed "leaders" accountable for their democratic dividends? Maybe another avenue to loot the treasury - a nation of pirates and bandits in power?

Imagine the duplicity of bureaucracy and the cost of developing respective state infrastructures and needed manpower to run every new state. In 1979 Jim Nwobodo, governor of then Anambra State ran a wonderful government administering the area now balkanized into Enugu State, Anambra State and Ebonyi State which now, will require three Jim Nwobodos with three of his bureaucracies and manpower to still run the same area? Whether much changes in development has been recorded as a result of this new delineation is yet to be determined. Is this sub-divisions really necessary after-all?

What manner of development does Nigerians really want, spending scarce resources to pay for unnecessary bureaucracy when they could have been dispensed with? This blogger remembers fist-hand, the dislocation of families occasioned by useless state creations whereby a wife is forced out of the civil service of her state of birth because she was married to a man previously of the same state but who has been forced into another state. What is the use, one may ask? Icheoku would rather these non-viable states are merged and instead, additional local government areas created for administrative convenience only. Nigeria is a small country to have as many states as thirty-five talk-less of additional states. When one travels up to the desert northern part of the country, it becomes easily manifest that empty expanse of wretched earth and few donkeys are constituted into states with a few human-beings running them. It is apparent that no state in Nigeria is truly self-sustaining and this defeats whatever rationality bandied around for creating more. Why then create more of these pan-handling states to scramble for the withering Federal 'oil' purse? Icheoku says that it is merely for selfish reasons wherein anyone who feels marginalized from an existing state starts clamouring for his own area of influence; and like a big fish in a small pond continues this noisy agitation until some private acres of land are carved out for him as his own state where he plays the emperor who can do no wrong.

What Nigerians need is a consolidation of regional states into mega-cities just like Lagos State wherein majority of Nigerians live and call home. So if the Lagos experiment is working, Icheoku asks, why not replicate same in the east and in the north? Maybe an additional mega city Kano and a mega-city Enugu will suffice and then who needs a state? Japan, Canada and France are some of the advanced economies that do not have states but mere administrative prefectures. If only Nigeria can bring together all these independent resources being piece-mealed to each mushroom state into one huge purse and invest same in these mega-cities. With about twenty (20) million people each in these cities (Mexico-city has about 25million people) Nigeria will become a more viable place to invest as these consolidated populations can sustain industries, markets, companies and other related investments and truly become dependent on Internally Generated Revenue. Also the logistics of building an industry in Nnewi and trucking the finished product to Sokoto on non-existent roads will be a thing of the past as the product market and its manufacture will be within the same proximity. When 25million people pay their taxes including sales-taxes, the government revenue will be sufficient. Also it will make for easier management and accountability.

Icheoku calls on Nigerians to resist this proliferation of unnecessary states because they are not viable, they are wasteful and does not in any way speed up development. They are duplicitous and creates a chasm between families, friends and colleagues. Majority of these mushroom states do not have any stable, predictable and sustainable source of revenue. To this effect therefore Icheoku commends the remarks made by Umaru Yar'Adua that states and local governments should intensify their drives for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and de-emphasize their current over dependence on allocations from the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

This clarion call by Abuja, that States and Local Governments should hence forth depend less on the monthly FAAC allocations and intensify their IGR drives, will only be meaningful where the states are viable or endowed with resources they can harness or tap into? Where can a state like Yobe or Jigawa derive their viability from where they constitute mere parched desert wastelands?

In summation therefore, Icheoku calls on the people of Nigeria to please stop this madness of states creation. It is not the answer to the myriad of problems facing Nigerians, majority of whom already have been living together in Lagos since Independence in 1960. What Nigeria needs now are few additional mega-states with enough population and well developed infrastructures that will be self-sustaining. Therefore, SAY NO TO FURTHER STATES CREATION IN NIGERIA!

USA 2008 ELECTIONS: - THE FINAL EPILOGUE!

Our job is done! We are happy! American are happy! The whole world is happy that America got it right this time! President-elect Barack Obama is now the president in the waiting of the United States of America! Icheoku will now pivot to other issues of political and social concern to us and which matters to world. We are not saying that we shall no longer comment on President Barack Obama or the American elections and/or his future government; no, all that we are saying is that we are making room for other issues and will no longer spend the greater part of our coverage on the United States of America elections!

As we write our final epilogue of the historical election, Icheoku will take a look at what produced the outcome. Senator John McCain was gracious in defeat and had since indicated that he will do whatever is asked of him to assist Barack Obama govern. It is a widely accepted premise that Senator John McCain's loss was primarily because of the 'wild-eyed Alaskan Moose-hunter' Sarah 'the' Palin he chose as his running mate. A beauty and no brain hockey-mom who can see Russia from Alaska as her only foreign policy experience. The same blood-hound who said that Africa is a country with South Africa as the capital! The same eye-winking 'whore of Alaska' who believed that the great flood took place in Grand Canyon! The same Sarah 'Jezebel' Palin who said under no circumstance should a woman get medical procedure for her pregnancy even where she was raped or made pregnant by her father! Needless to say that her seventeen year old teenage daughter is pregnant out of wedlock under her watch? Anyway, Senator John McCain brought it upon himself by choosing such an air-head as his vice presidential candidate. Icheoku had earlier commented that her choice was an insult on American women for in the midst of the many so highly qualified women of America, it was such an ordinary low-level intelligentsia, Sarah Palin that Senator John McCain decided upon!

Also contributory to Senator John McCain's loss were those racist right-wing talk-radio jerks Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Bill O'Reily and Lou Dobbs whose inflammatory bigotry over-reached themselves during this election cycle. They painted their candidate Senator John McCain, in the eyes of decent Americans, as an extreme right-winger, having not disassociated himself from their full-throttle all cylinders support. By keeping silent in the face of their vituperation, Senator John McCain tacitly approved of this their discredited, divisive and corrosive campaign antics hence was perceived as a corroborator by the American people. Having lost his credibility, honor and candour, his straight-talk express acquired a new acronym, crooked-talk express and that was the final boom to descend on his moribund campaign. Senator John McCain's also sold his soul to the devil when he failed to coral his campaign away from giving false information on then Senator Barack Obama's very limited contacts with Bill Ayers.

The rest is now history and Icheoku wishes our dear Grandpa Senator John McCain the best of luck in his future endeavors. As for the future plans of Alaskan Moose-killer Sarah 'the' Palin, she need to consult her Kenyan 'marabout' pastor who foretold her governorship of Alaska to once again, foretell her future! But until then, she should stay in the wild Alaska and not bother the lower forty-eight until she is fully 'refined' in the ways of a civilized modern society. Sarah hunter Palin views are too scary and fundamentalistic that she is been designated an American Taliban!

As for President-elect Barack Obama, all that could be said in his honor has been said and any other attempt will be to belabor the obvious. Icheoku now wishes the newly elected president of America, God's guidance and protection as he now prepares to tackle the gargantuan task of governing America and by extension, the world.

Grandpa Senator John McCain and his alien-looking wife, Cindy McCain should now look for another hobby to pursue, while nursing their pain at the denial by the good people of America, of their application for the eighth mansion, the White-house! Icheoku says to the McCains, seven mansions are more than enough!

Icheoku now officially conclude our very special and extended coverage of the United States of America 2008 elections, particularly that of our endorsed presidential candidate, now president-elect Senator Barack Obama. However we shall keep an eye on his governance to ensure that he follows through with his campaign promises and will report to you accordingly. So remain a loyal visitor as we now tackle other issues affecting our collective social and political challenges of our time. Thank you for being there for us!

ICHEOKU BRINGS TO YOU THE FIRST FAMILY, BARACK AND THE GIRLS!

They are cute! They are together! They are happy! They will make America proud! Ladies and gentlemen, Icheoku takes the pleasure to introduce the America's in-coming first family to you! Please pray for their God's continuous protection and may the election of the man of the family bring to America and the world all that is good for them! Once again, Icheoku says what a wonderful family we have in the OBAMAS!

ICHEOKU SAYS, THANK YOU AMERICANS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

Icheoku formally congratulates the people of the great United States of America for being smart in this election. Once again, the people of United States of America has proved that they can rise above board when push comes to shove. By overwhelmingly rejecting the George W. Bush maladministration of the past eight years and voting to reject his sidekick, Senator John McCain, Americans has distanced herself forever from George W. Bush ignominious rule! George W. Bush, Americans say to you, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!

Only in America, the lighthouse of democracy in the world. President-elect Barack Obama came, saw and conquered the White-house and today he is poised to bring to the world his brand of the new vision of change and hope. Icheoku is happy to be part of the team that made this historical landmark possible. We wrote, we called, we contributed, we voted, we called on people to vote, we made phone-calls and we are happy our efforts were handsomely rewarded big time! But the greatest debt is owed to the people of the United States of America for turning into a new leaf. BRAVO AMERICA!

With one rational decision, Americans has spoken that bigotry is now a thing of the past! From the cotton plantations of the deep-south to now the White-house, what a transition! The Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of America are now jobless as racism has been finally laid to rest with the election of Barack Obama as president elect of the United States of America. Icheoku uses this opportunity to thank all Americans who made us proud with their valued votes by rejecting fear, intimidation, racism and crass-hatred to do right by electing the better of the two candidates.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you America! The world has forgiven us the sins of the last eight years and once again we shall become part of the world community where common sense and respect for other people's viewpoint shall reign supreme! America, this one is for you! All hail President-elect Barack Obama! Long live the newly elected President. God bless America! God bless Barack Obama and guide him as he brings to us the much anticipated hope and change! One world, one people, one destiny! Our fortunes are yoked together and together we shall rise or fall! With a resounding mandate, President Barack Obama can now go ahead to move this great country to the new direction as ensconced in his campaign! VIVA BARACK OBAMA! VIVA AMERICA!

CONGRATULATION: - ALL HAIL THE NEW PRESIDENT - LEADER OF AMERICA, BARACK OBAMA!

It is a new day in America! A non-violent revolution has taken place and today, November 4th, 2008 an African-American, Senator Barack Obama has been elected as the 44th President of the United States of America! And he has a MANDATE! All gratitude to God Almighty!

A president is always elected and a leader is usually born; hence it is often very difficult to find a president-leader in one person in any country. But, today, November 4th, 2008 a leader-president has finally emerged in the United States of America and to the Almighty God, be the glory! His name, President-elect Barack Obama!

Peradventure, this historic election marks a new beginning for the entire mankind: - for American-blacks, a turning point in history when their chequered past slave-status and racial discrimination has been over-looked to elect one of them as the president of the United States of America. To Americans-whites, a final forgiveness of their sin of slavery! To the other Americans including Hispanics, Indians and Asians this election of Barack Obama is an audacity of things possible and that someday, one of their ilks can also be elected president of United States of America! And to the rest of the world, a new beginning from the past horrendous eight years of a drunken United States of America foreign policy. In a short summary, America has, with this election of Barack Obama, finally hit the 'RESET BUTTON'!

Once again United States of America will become part of the world - a law-abiding integral part of the world community, that is. At least there will be no more unwarranted invasion of a sovereign nation without any justifiable cause whatsoever other than a pack of lies of the existence of weapons of mass destruction; which has since been discredited and proved false. Instead of ordering people around with gun-boat diplomacy of my way or the highway, there will be a more conducive atmosphere of brain-storming to find solutions to the myriad of problems confronting mankind. It is going to be entirely a new day in America and the world!

In President-elect Barack Obama America has luckily found both a president and a leader. All hail the president-leader of America, Barack Obama! Icheoku wishes Barack Obama God's continued protection as he delivers to American and the world at large, the dividends of the hope and change campaign themes upon which his election was made possible. Like King Solomon, all President-elect Barack Obama need now is to ask of God to give him the wisdom to navigate what has been entrusted upon him! Icheoku prays he is sure-footed in this terrain. Once again, congratulations, President-elect Barack Obama for a well deserved victory in the United States of America presidential election!

PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA SAYS, "CHANGE HAS COME TO AMERICA!"

Icheoku presents to you the full text of President-elect Barack Obama's address to the American people on the occasion of his winning the presidency of the United States of America, November 4th, 2008. Happy reading fellas!

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people. Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.

Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

BARACK OBAMA, THIS LITTLE ANGEL KNOWS BEST!

Little Eleanor Kissel, 3, holds up a sign from the shoulders of dad, Tom Kissel of Evansville, Indiana, at a rally for Democratic Party's presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama. An innocent child is the nearest best thing to God and what he/she approves is already signed-off by God Almighty. May the smile on this little beauty's face remain on Wednesday morning, November 5th, 2008 after Senator Barack Obama would have won the presidential election and become our President-elect Barack Obama.

Senator Barack Obama has outperformed the opposition in every department of the contest and his victory shall be well deserved. Oh, Dear God let the fruit of his labor come to fruition and may all the lands and nations on this earth rejoice that at last, a rational man has come to occupy the White-house to fester world peace!

Icheoku calls on all voting-age adults to help little Eleanor Kissel realise her dreams and sustain the happiness on her face. VOTE for her future, VOTE for Senator Barack Obama! Please heed her call and VOTE for Senator Barack Obama on November 4th, 2008! Duty calls for all reasonable, rational, smart, non-racist men and women of this country to VOTE for the better of the two candidates, Senator Barack Obama. Senator Barack Obama is our candidate of hope, change and the future!

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

Today Sunday November 2nd, 2008 Icheoku.com brings to you part three in our new series "YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET M.K.O. TIBETAN"! This man of God writes on whatever subject he deems topical and Icheoku will merely publish same seriatim without any input whatsoever, since we are not all that versed in the ways of God to have an opinion. Today, Prophet Marcus Korodele Oluwatomisin writes on "BY THE WORD OF GOD". Please enjoy his perspectives:-

"When we take a look at the creation of the world, the word of God rules supreme. When we look at the book of Luke 5, the fishermen had toiled for so many days and nights without catching any fish, until the Lord through his word instructed them to re-cast their net wherein they caught caught so many fish and their hope was restored. Going back to the word of God in the book of Genesis 1 vs. 10, God only spoke the world and creation took place. HE said let there be day called light and the night called darkness, the light shines and the darkness cannot comprehend it. In the book of Genesis 6 vs. 9-13, The Almighty God was displeased with every creature under the heavens because we have neglected him in our thoughts and deeds.

When we look at things today, many people through the word of their mouth have condemned themselves, family and company instead of waking up in the morning and blessing themselves like the American do say “God Bless America” and God is really blessing America. These people have both physically and spiritually killed themselves, family and country. It is the spiritual manifestation of the word from our mouth that we see in the physical. Many of my beloved brothers and sisters are here abroad condemning their country as opposed to praying for their country to become a better place, where they can return to when they leave this slavery camp called Diaspora; because we are just here like a fish out of the sea that can do nothing other than swim in the little box called aquarium that we are confined to.

For how long more are we going to keep working to enrich other people’s country? It is time to use the power that God almighty has given us that is the word of our mouth to put us where we belong. The power in the word of our mouth is sharper than two edged sword, it can kill and can give life, if used properly in the ways of the Lord. The Bible says that it is not what comes into our mouth that makes us sin but the word that comes out of our mouth. In Acts 9 vs. 23-26 God commanded Peter to kill and eat a particular meat but Peter condemned it by the word of his mouth. In Acts. 5 Ananias and Sapphira were killed by the word of their mouth. In Joshua 7 vs.16 -26 Achan by the word of his mouth destroyed himself and his family. Joshua and Caleb by their positive confession possessed the land of Canaan (promise land). In II Samuel 17 David by the word of his mouth had God deliver Goliath to him.

Therefore, what is that Goliath in your life today that God through the word of your mouth can not destroy? Is it marital problems, inability to find a wife or husband, house rent or mortgage problem or any other financial problems, or even childlessness? Just challenge God to do it for you - start making positive utterances (confession) today and HE will take you to your own promise land. Take this as your motto for the month of November, read it day and night, make it your Anchor, the word of God written in Hebrew 13 vs. 6.

Until next week when I shall visit with you again, please remain blessed and have a fruitful week ahead. May the United States of America's presidential election go on without a hitch and let the outcome be as anticipated, in Jesus name we pray, AMEN! Please note that I am still on assignment overseas through the end of November 2008 and should you want to reach me before my return to the United States, you can try any of my international numbers in Ireland: 353861033987; London 07903093637 and Nigeria 8054853828. I will be shuttling through Europe and Africa and hopefully you will be able to reach me at one of these numbers. As always, I am always available for your spiritual needs and prayers. God bless!