NOSE JOB FOR THESE NIGERIANS?

In a Mister Nose contest in Nigeria, which of these three men will come up tops and go home with the coveted trophy? Clockwise from left to right, Nigeria's Vice president Jonathan Goodluck, Peoples Democratic Party's chairman Vincent Ogbulafor and the Bank Executive Jim Ovia? Each of them is rather very richly endowed with prominent breathing apparatus - N O S E!

Look masculine or just another African feature which does not far remove them from their chronological ancestors, the chimpanzees? Were these men simpletons, they would have considered a nose reduction cosmetic surgery; but no, each has achieved a milestone in his respective calling and would rather that speak to his "handsomeness" rather than the singer, Michael Jackson's approach? Icheoku says, however, any of these men would qualify for the trophy and emerge as the Mister Nose of Nigeria!

TYRA BANKS, A LOOK-ALIKE OR WHAT?

This picture of a Tyra Bank's possible look-alike appeared with a story titled "Sleeping with my friend's husband has rendered me homeless", in a Nigerian publication, "Lagos Weekend" of February 27 through March 1 2009.

Icheoku queries, is this our Tyra Banks or someone that looks very much like her? If your guess is that this is a Tyra Bank's clone, then the two ladies need to meet each other; and such a meeting will be a roof-popper, chart-buster in the Tyra Bank's TV show? If on the converse it is a real picture of Tyra Banks, then Icheoku says, what a downer or mood-scorcher our ever amiable TB is in! Or was it just a painting of her?

Once again, be reminded that Icheoku culled the picture from a Nigeria publication, "Lagos Weekend" of February 27 - March 1 2009.

JACK STRAW, 419 "RE-BRANDING" NIGERIA?

In the spirit of current effort at re-branding Nigeria, some Nigerian 419 operators recently targeted the British Justice Secretary, Jack Straw? What a way not to re-brand Nigeria and someone still says Dora Akunyili will succeed with her planned make-over of Nigeria? Where does this effort at re-branding Nigeria, really start? From a president who did not win an election but was imposed on the country by a cabal or a criminal 419 operator who is still scheming his next victim? And it does not matter whether the next victim is the chief law enforcement officer of the United Kingdom? Icheoku says, we do not envy Dora Akunyili as she is between a rock and a hard place in this her improbable effort to make Nigeria, lovable once again.

According to sources, some Nigerian 419 criminal fraudsters sent out several hundreds of e-mails in the name of the Justice Secretary, asking for some money. The e-mails claimed Jack Straw had lost his wallet while on a charity-work mission in Africa and needed just $3,500 US dollars to enable him get back to London. The message read, "I would like you to assist me with a soft loan urgently to settle my hotel bills and get myself back home ". Such messages headed the Right Hon Jack Straw MP were sent to several council bosses, government chiefs as well as other British citizens. Secretary Straw confirmed that such e-mails were sent to a "significant number of people" in his address book but he said there were no security issues as it was his Blackburn e-mail address rather than his ministerial account that was compromised. According to him, "I started getting phone calls from various constituents asking if I was really in Nigeria needing 3,000 dollars. It was an issue for constituents, not the government".

Icheoku says, whoever falls victim to such idiocy is an imbecile, knowing that there are channels for the Justice Secretary to re-coupe, assuming he is stranded while on foreign mission, other than letter for help to the British public. What is the British embassy in Nigeria or the Office of Foreign Relations in London doing, when a mere phone call or personal visit would have solved whatever financial difficulty the alleged loss of a wallet could have brought upon the Secretary? More-so, such a high State official does not personally pay for his affairs while on official state matters and the whole scam would have been disregarded but in order to throw additional searchlight on Nigeria's effort at re-branding? Even the Secretary acknowledged the stupidity of the emails, when he said "But I think it was so obviously ridiculous that I could go off trekking in Africa and I would lose my wallet." Icheoku says, these Nigerian criminal 419 operators should at least research their ploys better, to know that an official of state such as the British Justice Secretary has avenues of recouping a loss rather than an open letter to the British public. What a hydra-headed dumb and dumber these Nigerian 419 criminals are? With so many such similarly situated Nigerians still out there to prey on unsuspecting victims, Dora Akunyili has a very steep hill to climb with this her re-branding of Nigeria effort!

YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET MKO TIBETAN!

The Topic for this Sunday, March 1, 2009, word from On HIGH through Prophet (Dr) MKO Tibetan is "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE"!

In Philippians 2:12 we are made to understand that we need to work hard because salvation is personal and freedom is not free; we have to work for it. In Isaiah 6:8, the Lord said “who shall I send to pay for the freedom”? He had to send his only beloved son to die for us to pay for our freedom. Jesus Christ made us to realize in Luke 23:26-46 when Simon of Cyrene helped carry his cross, that we should not cry for him but for ourselves, because freedom is not free as there is a price to be paid; and he, Jesus paid it in Golgotha!

In Matthew17:27, while in Capernaum, Jesus was asked to pay tax; and Jesus asked Peter to go to the river and the first fish he catches would provide for their taxes. From that alone, you can see that God is with Jesus Christ! So if you want good things in life pray also to God as He alone can provide them for you. Brethren in Christ, no matter your financial crisis, retrace your steps back to Jesus. In Jeremiah 6:16 the Lord asked us to seek the ancient paths, the good way and walk in it, in order that we shall find rest for our soul.

When you go through these chapters, the spirit of God will minister to you that salvation is not free. To live on this earth is not free, but you must be assured that if God is with you nobody can be against you; as he alone is the only one who can and have paid for our freedom! Finally, any traveler going to Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa must have to pay for everything because there is nothing that is free in Freetown!

Until next week, God be with you as you churn these words from ON HIGH in your mind and make use of it during the week ahead, and all the days of your life, AMEN!

RUKUNDO, A GENOCIDAL-CATHOLIC PRIEST, SENT TO PRISON!

A blood-thirsty killer in cassock, who revolted against the Lord's instruction to be "your brother's keeper", and instead became "your brother's killer", was sent to prison for 25 long years. When he dies, he will again be sentenced by our Lord to Hell in perpetuity, for the sins of hate, murder and genocide which he perpetrated against God's children in Rwanda! Behold the murderer, Emmanuel Rukundo, pictured here above; and he is a Catholic priest?

This mongrel, a Hutu, was a former army chaplain and took part in the abduction and killing of Tutsis, who had sought refuge at a seminary under his episcopal command?

It will be recalled that over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered within one hundred days, during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda; in which this blood-sucker, participated in. This sub-human specimen was also convicted for sexual assault, kidnapping and attempted rape of a young Tutsi woman!

Emmanuel Rukundo was arrested in Geneva in 2001. According to the findings, Emmanuel Rukundo used his office as a reverend father to monitor local Tutsis, many of whom were his parishioners and led them to their slaughter, in the hands of ethnic Hutu soldiers and militiamen.

The genocide, it will be recalled started when on April 6, 1994 the then Rwandan Hutu-President, Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot down by people believed to be Tutsis? Between the April and July 1994, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the ensuing retaliatory ethnic cleansing. However in July 1994 a Tutsi, Paul Kigame led rebel movement Rwanda Patriotic Front captured Rwanda's capital Kigali, thus bringing to an end the genocide. The resulting victory of the Tutsis rebel led to the fleeing of about two million Hutus to the then Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to Judge Joseph Asoka de Silva of the United Nation's court, "The accused was found to have abused his moral authority and influence to promote the abduction and killing of Tutsi refugees. Rukundo's acts were clearly part of the genocide. When he committed these crimes, he intended to completely or partially destroy the Tutsi ethnic group."

Icheoku would rather this priest recieved the life sentence demanded by the Prosecutors; to send a message that a killer masquerading as a priest in a white cassock, deserves to have the book thrown at him. It is also note-worthy that "Reverend Father" Emmanuel Rukundo is the second Roman Catholic priest to be convicted of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, based in the Tanzanian town of Arusha. Icheoku says, what would Jesus Christ say about this his "representative" from Rwanda?

For additional story on the genocide, now click:- Rwanda's 100 days of genocide

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, FAN INCURS A $27,000+ BILL?

What a whopper of a bill? For just watching a football game on his laptop, using a wireless card, a fan of Chicago Bears was slammed with a hefty telephone/Internet access bill of $27,000 USD! Holly Molly!

According to the reports, on November 2, 2008, one Wayne Burdick, was aboard a cruise ship in Miami waiting to depart on his scheduled Caribbean cruise. While still docked at the port, he set up his laptop and wireless card and accessed his Slingbox device which allowed him to watch a Chicago Bears game via an Internet connection. When the game was over, Burdick closed his computer and continued on his cruise; only to return home to find a bill from AT&T charging him over $27,000 for the three hours of Internet usage.

AT&T had charged Brudick the international rate for the Internet/television access at two cents per kilobyte, which totalled $27,788.93 for the time spent watching the game! Burdick pled his case to AT&T, saying he was still at the port and not in roaming territory. After speaking with nearly a half-dozen people at the company, he managed to get the bill down to $6,000; after providing evidential documentation that he was still technically in Miami at the time he used his wireless card.

LOUIS OBYO OBYO NELSON, PhD AND DIABETES CURE?

Icheoku congratulates Louis Obyo Obyo Nelson, PhD of Nigeria on his discovery of a potential cure for Diabetes! This chemist has by this discovery, "re-branded Nigeria" to the extent that his achievement could help in burnishing its image? Yet Nigeria has a minister of health whose name is not Louis Obyo Obyo Nelson? Talk about a nation that does not value her shinning stars or men and women with proven records?

Icheoku also learnt that GDP Ayurvedic Univer-sity (GDPAU), New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America has signed on for the commercialisation, marketing and sales of the anti diabetic drug. According to the University's Professor Ramesh C. Pandey, pictured below right, his institution has signed the exclusive-worldwide licence agreement for the commercialization, sales and marketing of the diabetic herbal drug, known as AD-1?

Unfortunately Nigeria has not learnt how to effectively represent her citizenry's interest in world affairs; that at the signing ceremony on February 3, 2009, it sent just a junior minister of health Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong to represent her government? Even the Senate President David Mark had to send a mere representative, the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Gyang Dantong to attend the signing ceremony? Icheoku wonders, does Nigeria really know the potential of what is at stake here? A potential cure for one of the killer-diseases which has plagued the world, defied western research and medicine; with the only known palliative being a daily needle-poking of the body to deliver a dose of insulin, and which afflicts over 180 million people world-wide? Does Nigeria realize that this drug has the potential to give her oil-revenue a run for its money, if properly managed? Ask Pfizer about their golden goose, Viagra! Instead of throwing the full weight and might of the Federal government, Nigeria is treating this discovery in a cavalier manner with which so many uplifting events has been met with since independence? Why couldn't the Minister of Health be there at the signing ceremony? A country really serious, would have sent even the vice president, himself a medical doctor, to this signing agreement, to project full support of the government.

The other good news here is that this PhD in chemistry, have obtained a US patent No. 6,531,461 B1 of March 11, 2003 for his finding. Icheoku asks, were there patent lawyers engaged by this scientist to adequately tie the parties' hands to ensure adequate future returns on his finding? How much involved is the Nigerian government and particularly Akwa Ibom government which financed the research? Icheoku believes that they were properly provided for in future returns on the findings too? Our effort is to ensure that this scientist is properly rewarded and not be short-changed on a finding whose potential is indeterminate. Also all future references to this chemist should incorporate his full names, and not just the present "Louis Nelson"which sounds "alien" and "foreign" and which does not properly identify him with his indigenous Nigerian names! Nigeria, please stand up in a thundering ovation for the great scientist, Louis Obyo Obyo Nelson, Ph.D; who has brought to Nigeria, a bountiful of good tidings with his discovery. Icheoku prays that before too long, his discovery will start to put smiles on millions of diabetics all over the world. Once again, Congratulations Louis Obyo Obyo Nelson, PhD!

Louis Obyo Obyo Nelson, PhD can be contacted via his Email: mailto:?@yahoo.com

To find out more about the other party with interest, click:- American Academy of Ayurvedic Medicine, Inc. (AAAM).... Founding ...

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, ADDRESSES CONGRESS!

It is energy! It is education! It is health-care! With these three cardinal policy-trusts in focus, United States of America President Barack H. Obama vows to lead the country out of its inherited and persisting economic down-turn.

The President vowed to vigorously lead the effort to get the United States of America out of the crushing recession and into a lofty and hopeful future. In his words, "Tonight I want every Americans to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before."

Continuing, President Barack H. Obama said, "The only way this century will be another American century is if we confront at last the price of our dependence on oil and the high cost of health care, the schools that aren't preparing our children and the mountain of debt they stand to inherit, that is our responsibility."

Icheoku says, good-luck Mr. President as you navigate through the molasses of the present economic quagmire, which your predecessor left for you! God's speed!

For the full and complete detail of President Barack Obama's address, click the two links, below:-

To watch the full video of the President's address, click:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MVtE7C-YVc

To read the complete text of the President's address, click:- Text: Obama's address to Congress - International Herald Tribune

For the Republican Party's response to the President's address, click:- Transcript of Gov. Jindal's GOP response to Obama speech - CNN.com

AS 2011 LOOMS, NIGERIAN POLITICIANS PREPARE FOR WAR!

What a breaking news, that is? Nigerian politicians, arming themselves to the grits, in order to continue holding Nigerians hostage? If there is any one out there, who still questions the type of democracy being practiced in Nigeria, Icheoku says, look no further? Just ask yourself, what are these fleets of armoured vehicles being procured, meant for? A total war and anarchy come elections 2011!

And these disgruntled, endemically- corrupt scoundrels, masquerading as politicians, who nobody really ever votes for; are telling Nigerians 'whether you like it or not, we shall continue to hold you down by our brute force'? Icheoku says, these politicians are armed-bandits who willy-nilly and forcibly, steal governance in Nigeria. They intimidate, maim, kill and bulldoze their way into offices and for this reason, do not feel they owe any obligation/allegiance of performance or good-behaviour to the Nigerian public. Icheoku says, what a state of siege Nigeria has been put in by these urchins; which invokes some nostalgia for the khaki boys! - at least they are usually very few of them looting the state's treasury unlike the politicians, who are a swarm of bandits.

In a civilized society none of this present crop of usurpers of office in Nigeria will ever be returned to office come 2011 should they continue on their present trajectory of abysmal performance or total lack thereof. Yet with this fact known to them, they are still hell-bent on stealing it by brute force. Look at the president, Umaru Yar'Adua whose only achievement in office is his incapacitation to perform the duties of his office? His promised rule of law is conceited? His other promise to declare power emergency on day one of his administration has been aborted by the Generator-Mafias of Nigeria, who has no regard to global warming or the environmental impact of the carbon-monoxide being pumped into the atmosphere by their machines.

With such a blank resume of performance, even President Umaru Yar'Adua is scheming and possibly arming for a second term in 2011? Icheoku asks what does he plan to run on? On what achievement- tableux does this very sickman from Katsina plan to run? None, zero, zilch, nada! And same goes with many of the governors and legislators, both federal and state. Icheoku says, were these politicians performers, there will be no need for all these armoured cars since their good-works would be sufficient to guarantee their tickets for second terms. But no, they have to fight and wage war against Nigerians to forcibly govern them and loot their treasury dry. Unfortunately, this is the political class of today's Nigeria without the Chukwuma Nzeogwus of the Nigerian military of yore to provide the very much needed cleansing?

It is an open-secret that some government officials and politicians have started preparing for war; and are now placing orders for weaponry including armoured-vehicles in preparation for the violence which they plan to unleash on Nigerians during 2011 election? Such armoured vehicles being ordered for the 2011 elections are of multiple-capabilities, - they can stop bullets as well as withstand IEDs! Who still doubts that Nigeria is a failed state, and now ranks with Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia? How can preparation for a change of government be tantamount to preparation for war? Only in Nigeria, the land of all possibilities!

Texas Armoring Corporation (TAC), of America, through its Executive Vice-President, Marketing, Jason Forston, confirmed that there are orders for various categories of armoured vehicles by “high-profile Nigerian politicians and government officials". According to a release by the company, to date, 100 of such vehicles, worth about $20 million USD, are being processed for these Nigerian government officials. Some of these vehicles are being armoured up to "Levels B6 and B7 to withstand AK-47 and M-16 weapons as well as Armor-piercing rifles". Icheoku queries, if these discredited politicians can find $20 million dollars for weapons procurement, why is there no electricity, food, good roads, health-care, and possible job-creation for the jobless youths of the country? This is exactly how not to prioritize! Nigerians, cry for thy beloved country is gradually but surely headed off the cliff in the hands of such politicians who would rather invest such scarce resources to protect their brigandage!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE'S OSCAR NIGHT!

With eight (8) Oscars in one night, Slumdog Millionaire ruled the 81st annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, USA. It came in with ten nominations, winning eight of them including adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing, music (score and song), best director, best adapted screenplay, sound mixing and film editing.

A story of hope amidst despondency in the squalor of Mumbai India, Slumdog Millionaire is about a poverty-raised tea-boy Jamal, an orphan, who artfully dodges a criminal gang that mutilates children to make them more pitiable beggars. Jamal witnesses his mother's violent death, endures police torture and struggles with betrayal by his brother, while single-mindedly hoping to reunite with the lost love of his childhood. Fate rewards Jamal, whose story unfolds through flashbacks as he recalls how he came to know the answers that made him a champion on India's version of America's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Slumdog Millionaire.

The film, an adaptation of Vikas Swarip's novel Q&A was written by Simon Beaufoy. It is about optimism and the power of hope; the two things one really needs to have in this world. It is said that if you have those two things, you have everything.

Icheoku says, congratulations to the team of Slumdog Millionaire, for the feat of February 22, 2009!

For the rest of the winners, click: 2009 Academy Awards: The Show, The Winners

SHEHU OF BORNU, ANOTHER ONE DIES IN A FOREIGN HOSPITAL!

Last month, it was the former governor of Yobe State that died in a Florida USA hospital, this time around, it is another high-up in Nigeria, the Shehu of Bornu, Mustapha Umar El-Kanemi! The ruler of Kanem-Bornu died in an Egyptian hospital at age 85, on Saturday, February 21, 2009.

Although of advanced age, but were there to be a working medical facility in Nigeria, may be the time wasted in flying a "comatose-patient" from Maiduguri to a Cairo hospital would have been avoided. Also an immediate medical attention soon after he collapsed, could have prolonged his rather fragile life for the people of the former Kanem-Bornu empire to continue to cherish? But no, as the evil-spirit holding Nigeria down, will not let her government do something to revamp the moribund health-care in the country. Icheoku says, shameless as they are, these officials fly to hospitals around the world for medical attention like a beggarly people; instead of spending some of the money they steal to provide a world-class health care system and center in Nigeria?

The late ruler was flown to Egypt on Thursday February 19, 2009, following a "cardiac-arrest" which led to his collapse at his palace. He ascended the throne of his fathers in 1974 and remained the king for thirty-five years until his death in 2009. He was the fourteenth Shehu of Bornu of the El- Kanemi dynasty of Kanem-Bornu empire? Icheoku says, sleep on Shehu and may Nigerian government feel ashamed in having their high-ups die in foreign hospitals?

YOUR SUNDAY, WITH PROPHET MKO TIBETAN!

TOPIC:- YOU CAN NOT DO IT ALONE!

You can not do it alone, please read Genesis 1:26; from what we read here the Lord made us to know that we cannot do it alone, - because he said let us come together and make man in our own image. God knows exactly what he wanted to do, yet he still called on others to make man? God knows us, - he says he is closer to us than the vein of our neck. Just like Jethro advised Moses in Exodus 18:13-23, God also called Abraham and because he was a stammerer, God chose Aron his brother to assist him.

Therefore brethren in Christ go back to God because you can not do it alone. When Pharaoh and his people observed the growth of the Israelites, he view for the support of his helmsmen to reduce the population of Israel Exodus 1:13-22. Also in 1 King 18:10, the Lord picked up Elijah to appoint Elisha who put aside the canal work to join Elijah, Acts 13:1-3, where the first recruitment was made when Barnabas was chosen, people call themselves into the vine-yard to give false doctrine and convert church fund.

Even in Nigeria, America and the world at large, there is no dignity in the job again but the Lord knows whom he employed because they want to do it alone. Acts 1:12-23. In John 15:5 the bible said when the Holy Spirit shall come, it shall comfort us but when it come he also said emphatically that without me you can do it nothing. Amos3:3, Eccl.4:9-12, Genesis37, 1Sam.17:45-50, if David could stand before Goliath, the Lord was with him; so who or what is the Goliath of your life that you believe cannot fall, if you attack it with the name of God? In verse 46 he says “the Lord will deliver thee into my hand and that I will smite thee”! Until next Sunday, churn these words and God keep and protect you, in Jesus name, Amen!

MUGABE, LOOKING DANDY AT 85?

One of Africa's foremost dictator Robert Mugabe recently turned 85! Icheoku says, happy birthday Bob; and asks, are you going to pass on, a sitting president of Zimbabwe?

A few years of retirement would have been ideal to rest your tired old bones, preparatory to the ultimate journey beyond to meet with your ancestors? But only you knows why you have glued your butt, with super-glue, on the seat of the government in Harare. Be that as it may, Icheoku wants to recognize your coming of real golden age and in a fairly good condition!

If I can look as good at 85 then I don't want to die at 70! Aside of Lady McCain, the mother of Senator John McCain of Arizona, USA; at 95, Icheoku must admit you are one heck of a good-looking old person. Bob, you are in a very good-condition for any old person at your age. Hopefully you will be the first head of state and/or government to attain the magical 100 years? How about a centurion president of Zimbabwe? That will be a very difficult, if not impossible record to break? Anyway, happy birthday, Mr. President for Life of Zimbabwe!

EZE-IGBO, ILOMUANYA'S COUNCIL OF RULERS GOT IT WRONG?

The chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Obinugwu Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, recently called for the abolition of the office of Eze-Ndigbo world-wide, in every community where it exists? Icheoku respectfully disagrees with His Royal Highness (HRH) and states, it was probably a product of a seemingly royal-incomprehension of the real purpose of the office of Eze-Ndigbo? Hopefully, it was a mere royal-gaffe, made in the heat of passion due to the intractable Igbo-infighting in matters of ascension and succession throughout their world?

The office performs creditably well for every Igbo community in their land of sojourn and hence is too beneficial to be simply waved-off as nonsensical and irrelevant. Moreso the office is merely ceremonial, limited in jurisdiction to the local "foreign" land where it exists and is in no way, a threat or competition to the traditional rulers or their domains in the South East of Nigeria? So, Icheoku asks, why abolish an office of such immense value and which is merely complimentary, and in no way threatening to the traditional stools in Igbo-land? Instead of seeing it as a competition, please see it for what it truly is, - merely holding forth for the Igbos as their "honorary ambassador" in their Diaspora or land of their forced economic/political exile?

Icheoku says, such ceremonial office should not be "giving the traditional rulers in the South East sleepless nights" as it means no harm. It merely represents Igbo interest in such foreign lands where it exists and does not necessarily translate into paramount "King of Igbo-land"? According to HRH, “a major desecration of the culture and tradition of Igbos in Nigeria is the rampant and illegitimate installation of Eze Ndigbo, meaning kings of Igbo in foreign lands.” To which Icheoku responds, there is no ground to start questioning the legitimacy or otherwise of the so called Eze-Ndigbo as it lays no claim to any domain, territory, land or subjects in South East Igboland; but exists simply as a point-man for the Igbos in such locality or area of residence outside traditional Igboland. According to the traditional ruler, "most of these parallel traditional rulers are mostly found in the North and South West of Nigeria", adding that, “they are neither recognized by the people of their home towns nor their State governments". Icheoku rebuts this assertion of His Royal Highness and says, there is no parallels between the Eze-Ndigbo and the bona-fide traditional rulers of the South East; they both have different, distinct and defined functions.

Further, the Eze Ndigbo does not function at the behest of or for their native local governments or state of origin, but is simply the arrow-head of the Igbos in such territory of their primary residence. He is the alter-ego of the Igbo community. He serves as the go-to-man on all Igbo matters or issues of concern affecting the Igbos in their host community. He is effective and needs to be encouraged, instead of the unnecessary war of superiority currently going on in the minds of certain traditional rulers in the South East. Continuing, HRH said that "the crises which Igbos residing in non-Igbo States are facing today are mainly due to the struggle for the "illegitimate Eze Ndigbo stool". To which Icheoku says, there is crisis in Oha n Eze, World Igbo Congress as well as other organizations and position-fillings in Igboland, so why single out Eze-Ndigbo for a specific mention? If there is crisis in the manner or process in which the Eze-Ndigbo comes into office just like everything else with the Igbos of the World, the traditional rulers as well as other Igbo organizations and parties with interest, should rally round to see how they can best arrest the situation. They can set down "rules of engagement" for interested parties for the office and officially coronate and recognize a duly elected or selected Eze-Ndigbo of the area under advisement, rather than the rancid rancour of the present seeming face-off?

There is no such thing, contextually and strictly speaking, as an Eze-Ndigbo and Icheoku stands to be shown one. It is a misnomer to even try to suggest or ascribe real importance to this Eze-Ndigbo office as he has no authority anywhere in Igboland, so why bother discussing a none issue as that? Igbo people are too republican that not even a traditional ruler has such a broad authority, talkless of an Eze-Ndigbo in a foreign land? There is no single Igbo monarch that presides over the entire Igboland, as every traditional ruler have their own respective domains; including Eze Ilomuanya, whose domain apparently is a new creation judging from its name, autonomous community? So why the ruckus? Also there is no one central authority that speaks for the entire Igboland in the South East except if the present chairman of the council could be subsumed as one such speaker of all (Okwulu-Oha/Ora). Nomenclature should therefore not be allowed to create a wedge-issue out of nothing, afterall even Odumegwu Ojukwu is an Eze-Ndigbo and Mommer Gaddafi is "King of the whole Africa"? So now what?

Eze-Ndigbo in the Diaspora of Igboland and overseas, represents the Igbos in such foreign geographical area where they reside and does not in any way, pretend to represent the enitre Igbo speaking people of the world or of Igboland of South East. As far as Icheoku understands Eze-Ndigbo as just a title, - like "Ebekuodike", "Ogbuefi", "Omenka" etc, the reason they are so many of them representing the thousands of Igbo enclaves throughout the world. Icheoku says, the office is merely complimentary and not supplementary of the traditional rulers of the South East; and queries why can't the Igbos sometimes disagree without being diagreeable? Why can't the Igbos have different opinions on the way forward without such being interpreted as rivalry? Instead of restraining such ceremonial "foreign" Igbo chiefs, an organised management of the process that springs them forth should be explored to ensure that a befitting Igbo son or daughter is flying the Igbo-flag of identity in such a foreign land? Eze-Ndigbo performs a very important function for the widely traveled, nomadic, easily-settling and highly dispersed Igbos of the world and should be supported rather than despised.

This office of Eze-Ndigbo is akin to having a president of a town's union or community outside the primary domain of a group's core habitation. What happens then when there are several of such towns from the same race, in such a foreign land that are desirous of forming one association for projection of strenght in numbers? What is the best name for the head of such association, other than the "Head of the Association" and when the association is of Igbo people it reads "Head of Igbo people"? But the Igbos known to Icheoku would rather "Igbofy" or "Igbonize" such a headship to read "Onyeisi" or "Eze-Ndigbo" of the particular area? But for semblance of power and authority, and to project great presence to the host community, "King or Eze" is preferable. The Jews have Rabbi in every city and country of the world where they live, but that does not water down the powers of the rabbi in Jerusalem? The muslims have their sheiks and Imams in every city and country in the world where they live, but that does not make the one in Jeddah to lose sleep? Nigerian Northerners living in South East have their Sarikis who does not attenuate the office of the Emirs or the Sultan? Americans have in addition to their ambassadors, heads of Americans living in every country of the world, so what is wrong in Igbos having a point-man in every corner of the world where they reside? The name Eze-Ndigbo is very appropraite to reflect their Igbo`ness, period!

HRH querried, "Is somebody who claims to be Eze (King) but cannot come home and sleep in his community for just a night, a king"? To which Icheoku retorts, this shows the depth of HRH comprehension of the office of Eze-Ndigbo. The village in the South East is not his primary domain or domicile, and therefore, it will be very presumptous for him to herald his arrival or entry to such his maternal/paternal community with much fanfare since he is not its traditional ruler and in due deference to the community's duly crowned ruler or king or Eze, period! So as often as he can, he queitly returns to be with his kindred and without notice to anyone but that does not mean he does not "come home and sleep in his community"? Icheoku says, it is very condescending for HRH to appeal to the Northern traditional rulers to "help in flushing out these Eze Ndigbo in their domains" because Eze-Ndigbo was not crowned by the Emir; he does not owe allegiance to the emirates and he is not in hiding! Icheoku says, to further solicit denial of privileges by the host government and/or institutions is acrimonious and to say that such Eze-Ndigbo does not mean well for Ndigbo both at home and Diaspora is a royal-denial of the obvious. Whatever HRH may personally have against the office of Eze-Ndigbo should not be allowed to subjectively influence the freedom of association represented in the central authority of an Eze-Ndigbo, which serves to protect Igbo interest all over the world, whereever they may be settled and thriving. If there is a single Eze-Ndigbo, somewhere, who His Royal Highness may possibly have some beef with, let it be an isolated case; but to condemn such a good office for the dump-yard is and should be frowned at by all men of good rationality.

One the raised issue security of lives and property of Igbos living in the Northern region and their general welfare, Icheoku asks HRH, around whom should such revolve? Who is to ensure compliance or who will the Emirs go to on matters affecting the Igbos as a people or will he have to come down to Orlu before it can be resolved? Some of the sundry problems enumerated by HRH can better and effectively be dealt with where an organized central "government" of the Igbos is in place such as represented in the Eze Ndigbo? Better protection, love and care for Igbo people in the North and elsewhere, can only be effectively gurranteed where there is one channel of representation of which Eze-Ndigbo factors in and very eminently too. Eze-Ndigbo is the father-figure of such Igbo community wherever they may be found and serves as the chief liasion person for the Igbos. Igbos need a go-to person in their land of domicile and HRH cannot be in Orlu and expect an Igbo resident in Birnin Kebbi to await his personal intervention in a matter which a designated Eze-Ndigbo in Birnin Kebbi would have solved immediately?

Finally Icheoku would rather HRH Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya engages his energies in more profitable and productive Igbo-causes that would benefit the Igbo-man in in general. Such causes like who will be the Igbo consesus candidate for Nigeria's presidency come 2015; the continued Igbo marginalization in Nigeria; the problems facing MASSOB; World Igbo congress in disarray; Oha-n-Eze; political harmony and astuteness in Igboland; criminality of bank-robbery and kidnapping in Igboland; corrupt Igbo governors and elected officials who privatize money meant for development of Igboland; River Niger bridge; lack of good roads in Igboland; resuscitation of Oji power station to supply power in Igboland; lack of any international airport in Igboland, disputes-resolution in Igboland; how the Igbos can become much savvy and effective player in Nigeria political terrain etc. The list of such goal-directed prime-endeavour is endless, rather than the present divisive-road HRH wants to travel now? This time in Nigeria is not for the Igbos to be waging war amongst themselves and for no just cause? They need every cohesion they can muster and according to Jesus Christ, he who is not against us is safe with us, so why not let Eze-Ndigbo be?

Icheoku says for a race, so mobile and easily setling and very assimilating like the Igbos of the World, not to have a rallying head in their land of sojourn, is simply foolhardy and its suggestion or likelihood, a reflection of a not thought-through outburst by a person who should know better. His Royal Highness Eze (Dr) Cletus Ilomuanya, Icheoku says, please retract your present course of travel as it is very unpopular among the majority of non-power seeking or grabbing Igbos; those Igbo men and women who simply want a fair shake from the society. As for politicians, they can dine with the devil to hold unto power and those of them in Abuja, what have they done for the Igbos lately? Please pick and fight only the good fights in the future! As a potentate ruler and now chairman of the whole South East council of traditional rulers, you must avoid like a plague, very highly-charged divisive subjects like the issue of Eze-Ndigbo and try to be a rallying center of gravity for the entire Igbo race.

SOCKS, THE FIRST CAT PASSES ON!

It is with shock and a deep sense of loss that the Clintons announced the passing away of their beloved cat, Socks. He died today, February 20, 2009 of cancer; at the age of 18 years - which in human years translates to about 126 years! What a ripen golden age, and she was the First Cat.

Socks adopted parent, Betty Currie, former Bill Clinton's personal secretary confirmed the death today in Hollywood, Maryland, USA.

According to a statement released by the Clintons on the death of the former First Cat, "Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere. We're grateful for those memories, and we especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years."

Socks was fondly called the tuxedo cat, a derivative from his mostly black with white down the front and belly and on his feet, suggestive of a fashionable dandy in a black evening jacket with a white shirt peeping out?

While alive, Socks enjoyed sun-bathing and his most favorite food of choice was chicken dinners. He had no apparent survivors as he was, most likely was spayed. Icheoku says, sleep on Mr. First Cat!

SUICIDE, IN A CATHEDRAL!

A faithful "parishioner" tired of living in the global economic meltdown, believing that God is all forgiving, went into a church, knelt down in front of a cross at the alter and blew his brains out. Before he pulled the trigger, he prayed God to please forgive him what he is about to do and then a cracking-pop sent him out of this world. Icheoku asks, would God forgive such an act? Also what types of sin does God forgive?

According to our reading and understanding of the scripture and Christianity, God forgives only an already-committed sin (past-sin) but not a yet to be committed sin (future sin). God does not forgive a prospective sin as nothing has, by then, be done to warrant His forgiveness. Suicide is only an act upon completion, hence a suicide-intendee has not done any transgression for which to ask for or receive a forgiveness of sin? Upon commission, such suicide is no longer alive to so ask for forgiveness and hence no such petition really went before God, strictly speaking. On this premise therefore, this parishioner will not likely be forgiven if our understanding of the teachings of Christianity is good enough.

But the question needing an urgent answer is, is suicide really a sin? The 6th commandment says "thou shall not kill" but was silent on the taking of one's own life; so the act forbidden by God is the depriving of another of his or her right to life. It therefore appears that if one chooses out of his or her free volition, to terminate his/her own life, that no sin was committed in doing so? This is correlative to individuals right to property of which one's own life could be subsumed to belong to that individual. This argument is the single most cogent reason why a successful suicide is not a crime known to law; admitted that some jurisdictions might compel medical observation or institutionalisation for its attempt. Logical? It is debatable, depending on one's christian faith as well as morality.

The church chosen by this suicide to display his bloody cranial-content was the Crystal Cathedral of Reverend Robert H. Schuller in Anaheim, Orange County, California, United States of America. The man in his forties shot and killed himself in front of a cross inside the televangelist church on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Before carrying out his carefully orchestrated exit from this earth, inside the temple of the Most High, the man handed a note and his driver’s license to an usher, then in a piety-manner, walked to the cross, knelt down as if in prayer and shot himself in the head. The usher at the sanctuary, confirmed that she greeted the man when he entered and that he handed her a note and two identity cards, with instruction that “You may want this.”

The glass-walled 10,000-member Crystal Cathedral, has been described as the Ark of Noah, magnificent, grandiose, edifying and opulent; and is home to the “Hour of Power” evangelism world-wide broadcast.

MUZZAMMIL HASSAN, A PHARISEE?

When Jesus Christ warned the people about the pharisees, he was not mincing word then and today, that warning still holds true. And so is the founder of the Islamic Bridges Television station, Mr. Muzzammil Hassan, pictured here right. "Do what I say but not what I do" and so the man desperately trying to build bridges between violent Islamic extremists and the West, today, proved that certain types of violence is ingrained in certain peoples' DNA. The apostle of tolerance could not himself tolerate his wife walking away from him and so he beheaded her instead. What an irony of life and a self-inflicted injury?

The headless body of Aasiya Zubair Hassan, 37, pictured left, was found at the said Bridges television station in Orchard Park, Buffalo-New York. The accused, Muzzammil Hassan, 44, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder of his previously soon to be ex-wife. Muzzammil Hassan turned himself in when he went to the police and reported that his wife was dead; following which he led officers to her body at the television station. Late Aasiya had filed for divorce on February 6, 2009 following several episodes of domestic violence and obtained an order of protection barring her husband from their Orchard Park home. He killed her during the week of Valentine's day, on February 12, 2009; exactly six days after learning of the impending divorce. Instead of crying her a river to forgive and take him back; buying her a banquet of roses; buying her one heck of a present; taking her out to her choice restaurant for a candle-lit romantic dinner to profess his endless love and thank her for the two beautiful children she gave him, it was her head that was being sawed-off her body by the callous hands of this maniacal eunuch? Muzzammil Hassan, Icheoku says, you deserve a slow, tortuous and painful death and in some cultures, you will be tied at a stake in the wilderness for the birds of prey to dis-bowel you and feast on your entrails.
The couple worked at Bridges TV, a satellite- distributed news and opinion channel, which they founded in 2004 in an effort to counter and negate impressions of Muslim violence and extremism in America. Icheoku says, these Muslim stereotypes prevalent in America and the West generally has now been made whole by Muzzammil Hassan's infradig`nous act of terror. His heinous beheading of his wife tells the remaining story of a supposed stereotyping and fills necessary gaps? This criminal misbehaviour is speculatively linked to attitudes in Muslim societies which sanction terrorist honor-killing, founded on cultural notions that women are subordinate to men and could be disposed at their whims? It is believed that Muslim men in general consider divorce a dishonor on their family and fanatical Muslims, like Muzzammil Hassan, believe further that “honor-killing” is justified as a punishment to a woman for bringing dishonor on a family; so he cut off his wife's head to maintain his stupid "honor"? Icheoku says Muzzammil Hassan should be hung by his genitals until he is disgorged and dishonored! How this sub human-specimen still holds tenaciously to such mundane belief after several years of sojourn in America defies every logic. Needless to say he graduated magna cum laude with an MBA from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester in 1996?

The couple above right, seen in a picture taken inside their television studio when the going was good, lived at Big Tree Road in Orchard Park Buffalo New York. They are from Waziristan, Pakistan.from where they migrated to the United States several years ago. They have been married for eight (8) years and have two children together, a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old girl. The accused Muzzammil Hassan also has two older children, ages 17 and 18 from a prior relationship. Icheoku asks, what happened to the mother of the two grown-ups or was she also a victim of "honor" killing? Some investigation should commence in that direction, to also unearth the fate suffered by the other woman.

Beheading is real as this recently separated body and head of a sixteen year old Indonesian school-girl shows. Decapitation is not a folk-lore and this is what the scumbag Muzzammil Hassan has caused to happen to his wife, the mother of his two beautiful children? So why should we allow such horrendous murder to be imported to the West disguised as culture? Icheoku says, such barbarism has no place in our western civilization and the book should be thrown at this vermin Muzzammil Hassan. This will say to other would be "honor-killers" that we have zero tolerance for such medieval practices. There is no justification whatsoever to slaughter a fellow human-being with a sharp knife and if this lunatic is not drastically dealt with, other fanatics lurking in our midst, might consider such an option in settling their domestic family disputes in the future. The other day it was in London, then Canada and now New York, which goes to show that these fanatics have no respect for our way of life, our rule of law and must therefore be stopped now, before they bloody our system! Icheoku heretofore declare Muzzammil Hassan the unofficial al-queida terrorist in our midst and says, Enough of this imported terrorism!

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