JACK KEMP, DEAD AT 73!

Republican Jack Kemp is dead! He died at his home in Bethesda, Maryland of cancer; on Saturday May 2, 2009. Jack Kemp was 73.

A former quarterback for the New York's Buffalo Bills, a nine term Congressman representing western New York and later had an unsuccessful presidential run in 1988. He was also once President George H. Bush's housing secretary and later Bob Dole's presidential running-mate.

Left to mourn him are his wife Joanne and their four children as well as what is left of the Republican party? Icheoku says, three score plus ten, plus three is a fairly good old age and we pray the bereaved family and friends will find the fortitude to bear the loss. The loss of a beloved one is always painful, irrespective of the age and whatever shortcomings in life prior to death? To the departed, may you find peace according to your work here on earth, Amen! Adieu, Jack Kemp!

YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET MKO TIBETAN

There will be no sermon this Sunday, May 3, 2009! The prophet is indisposed and hopefully he will be back next Sunday. Until then, read your Bible and do good; remember that heaven and hell are real; and after death comes judgment!

SAMANTHA OROBATOR, A NIGERIAN-BRITISH DRUG COURIER?

A Nigerian born British citizen, who went to Laos to buy some "merchandise" was taken into custody after 1.5lb (680g) of heroin was found on her person at Wattay airport in Laos, en-route London.

Samantha Orobator-Oghagbon, 20, who got pregnant in prison (possibly raped by Laos prison authorities), was arrested August 6, 2008. In Laos, anyone caught with more than 1lb (500g) of heroin faces a mandatory death sentence by firing squad upon conviction?

Miss Orobator was born in Edo State Nigeria in 1988 and moved to Camberwell, South London in 1996; where her aunt, Sabaina Orobator helped with raising her. Her father lives in Nigeria while her mother, Jane Orobator and three young sisters live in Ireland.

Samathan Orabotor_Oghagbon is currently being held at the notorious Phonthong prison, where most prisoners rely on their families for food and welfare due to the deplorable conditions therein. Unfortunately for Orabotor, she has no family in Laos to bring her any provisions including food, so she must contend with the available which consists of two bowls of pig fat water soup and 18oz (500g) of sticky rice? What a five star menu? One of her sympathizers articulated her condition as follows:- there is no one there to visit her, no one to talk to and she doesn't speak the language of Laos! Also there is lack of medical care in Laos prisons, which had caused the death of a British citizen Michael Newman in his prison cell last year after he was refused medical treatment. A French national, Francis Prasak, also died in a Laos prison in January 2001 after his requests for medical treatment was also ignored. Icheoku asks, what fate then awaits this 20 year old pregnant mother to be, when other precedents are so horrifying? Laos, it should be recalled is a communist nation of about of 6 million people, under the vice-grip of a dictator and shares border with Thailand.

Miss Orobator according to sources, led a troubled life and had made several suicide attempts in the past. She also suffered from low self-esteem as a result of sexual and physical abuse by men, family and friends." As is always the case with such couriers, Miss Orobator-Oghagbon claimed that she was forced into carrying drugs for a third party? Wonderful? Icheoku says, a faceless third party, really?

SPELLING'S $150 MILLION DOLLARS MANSION FOR SALE; VANITY?

Who is really rich but that person who finds contentment in what he/she has? Who is really happy but that person who finds joy in doing what positively affects mankind? Who really has a bed but that person who sleeps soundly at night? Who really has a home but that person who finds peace and happiness in such a place, which is considered a bastion? The ability to impact a positive change in the life of another is happiness defined. It usually manifests itself as a deep, heart-felt smile and not a pretentious drug/alcohol-induced plastic show of teeth? Click on the picture top right and appreciate the enormity of this property!

With the above premise as a backdrop, recall that the Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 1:2 , that "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." Icheoku says there is never a time this passage was more apposite than the recent putting up for sale, of the biggest mansion in the United States of America? Some said that it is so big that it is bigger than the president's home - the White House? That the Hollywood property known as "The Manor", owned by Aaron and Candy Spelling is on the market, is not necessarily the story here; but that a person would give up such a "paradise on earth" of a mansion in Holmby Hills, Hollywood, California? Icheoku says, such is only possible when the person can no longer find joy from being "enslaved" to such a cavern? The asking price for the 4.7 acres property is a "meagre" $150 million dollars USD and hopefully buyers will be queuing up to try to out-bid one another?

The Manor is a town unto itself with first class amenities including a barbershop, a beauty salon, a 100 vehicles parking lot with 16 covered carports and about 100 rooms each customized for specific purposes. Built in 1991, the three-story 56,500 square feet mansion incorporates an automated projection screening (movie) room, a bowling alley, a flower-cutting room, library, gym and media room, wine cellar/tasting room, a silver storage room with humidity control, a swimming pool, a reflection pool, a pool house with a kitchen, a tennis court, fountains, a waterfall, a spa, a koi pond, a roof-top rose garden, a mixed garden and a citrus orchard. To house the mansion staff, there is a service wing with five maids' bedrooms and two butlers' suites with kitchenettes, five fireplaces and four wet bars? Icheoku asks, who wouldn't want to be a servant in the manor? The mansion has so many rooms that not even Candy Spelling is sure of the exact number of rooms, but it is believed to be in excess of 100? Some of the rooms includes ceilings that reach up to 30 feet high?

Candy Spelling said she is re-locating to a pent-house condo which she bought at Century City, Los Angeles California for $47 million? According to Candy, she is simply down-sizing from a $150 million dollars home to a $47 million dollars pad, because she just found out that the manor is too big for just one person? Icheoku says, what an epiphany that she just suddenly realized that a 100 rooms plus home is too indulgent for one person to call home? In her final eulogy to the mansion, Candy Spelling said, “I have a lot of wonderful, wonderful, wonderful feelings about this house and special things that I went through in "building" it, with a love that you can’t even imagine; yet I feel like I’m moving on to a new chapter in my life.”

Icheoku says, should no buyer be found for such excess, may be Candy should consider donating the property to the state of California for public use! Late Billionaires Hearst and Vanderbilt estates made similar gift-gesture of their "paradises on earth" when they got fed up with their own vanity and gave it up? That will be the good thing to do and exactly what sociology would recommend as no rational mind will judiciously think that such a monumental housing scheme befits single occupancy? It will be recalled that Aaron Spelling's magic hands produced such hit-shows as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Dynasty” and “Beverly Hills 90210” before he died in 2006. The Manor is really a trophy property, comparable to the Playboy mansion!

27 NIGERIAN UNITED NATIONS PEACE KEEPING FORCE SOLDIERS, SENTENCED TO LIFE?

Mutiny as defined, is a conspiracy among members of a group of similarly-situated individuals, typically members of the military or the crew of any ship to openly oppose, change or overthrow an existing superior authority! Or to disobey an order which they are legally bound to obey? Or cause a revolt or rebellion against a constituted authority?

Icheoku asks, does demanding for ones' duly entitled payment rise to the level of a mutiny? The dictionary says NO! However, the authorities in Nigeria think otherwise and have sent away for life, 27 patriotic Nigerian soldiers, for an offence which they did not commit? The protesting soldiers did not oppose or change or overthrow any existing authority? They did not disobey any lawful orders but were merely demanding to be paid their earned income? Also the soldiers did not revolt or cause a rebellion against anybody, so where is the beef for which they have been severely punished? A coup de tat would qualify? A violent uprising would? A wilful unruly disobedience to a legal order would? A mayhem would? But a protest-demand for payment of earned entitlement does not, will not and should not qualify as a mutiny; if any, the authorities that precipitated the protest, by not paying or withholding earned emoluments, are the culpable party here. The underlying question should be, why were these soldiers not paid their earned entitlements? Eight hundred (800) soldiers worldwide participated in the United Nation's Peace Keeping Mission, NIBAT 15, in Liberia between August 2007 and April 2008; 773 of them were paid for the job done leaving 27 of them, who happened to be Nigerians, unpaid; and now their attempt to draw attention to their plight have led to their being pilloried?

If the soldiers protest was deemed unacceptable, may be the authorities should have done the right thing by paying them and hence muted the protest. But no, they withheld or refused to pay them, and these soldiers, family men and women who like any other Nigeria have needs and responsibilities, protested and their reward is a life sentence? What a damper and downer on a group of young men and women who want to do right by and for their country? Icheoku says, such a travesty should not be allowed to stand as a dismissal from service would have been a more appropriate punishment, if it is established that protesting for ones' earned income is now against Nigerian military code of ethics? But why should a disciplined body like the military fail and/or refuse to pay salaries of her staff or was it another case akin to the former Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun; who used to put money meant for the salary of policemen and women into a high yielding interest account, to scheme off profit before "remembering" that everyone have needs and responsibilities? A judicial investigation is needed to unravel why these 27 Nigerian soldiers were not paid their entitlements when their counterparts from other parts of the world were duly and timely paid! This is the right and correct thing to do instead of merely addressing its symptoms with this harsh sentences!

The Brigadier- General Ishaya Bauka's military court martial's life sentences on these soldiers is rather too excessive and should not be allowed to stand. It lacks rational and once again puts Nigeria in the bull-eye of world mockery as a land where real culprits loom free while innocent patriotic soldiers are penalised for merely asking to be paid their lawfully earned income. If any person is liable in this case, it is the authorities who withheld money which belonged to someone else, the protesting soldiers. Icheoku calls on the appellate authorities to overrule this judgment and not allow it to stand as it lacks merit. We are emphatic that a peaceful protest, no matter how unsavory it may be to the authorities, does not rise up to a mutiny; for which these soldiers have been unlawfully sentenced to life imprisonment. These soldiers "merely blocked a road" for some hours and did not damage any property or injured or killed anyone, so why the harsh punishment?

Icheoku says their life sentence is an excessive, outrageous, cruel and unusual punishment; at worst these soldiers could have simply been dismissed for insubordination but certainly not sent to prison for life based on the adduced evidence. A protest-demand to be paid an earned income is not mutinous and should have not attracted such a stiff punishment as life imprisonment; there are so many other deterrents for the action of these "convicts" which at best constituted gross indiscipline but definitely not mutiny.

PRESDIENT BARACK OBAMA, CLOCKS 100!

President Barack Obama, your first one hundred days in office has been a beehive of activities, tackling both domestic and foreign problems facing our great country. For these, we are grateful and pray that the Almighty Lord will continue to protect that which He has painstakingly made possible.

From the economy to foreign relations to the Somalia pirates imbroglio and now the Mexican swine flu; anyone who said you have been idle must be thinking with "half his brain tied to his back".

Icheoku says, the journey so far has been good and we sure look forward to the rest of the journey with you, as you lead us to our eventual destination! Once again, congratulations Mr. President on your first 100 days in office!

ARLEN SPECTER, DEMOCRATIZED!

As the tent of the Republican Party continues its deathly shrink, one of the few republicans with a moderate viewpoint, with half his brain tied to the front, devoid of rabid extremism, the senator from Pennsylvania, has jumped ship! With his departure, the residue now left of the Republican Party is a fully 'Talibanized' amalgamation of very few die-hard good old boys and their mistresses; transforming the well accommodating Republican party of the old into a religious, bigoted, club of right-wingers whose breed are rapidly dying off? Icheoku asks, does the present day republican party still qualifies as a political party? The senator of 29 years from Philadelphia, Arlen Specter, 79, is now a democrat! Alleluia! Icheoku says, welcome to your natural political home, Senator!

Unfortunately the right-winger hacks, instead of a reality-check, are trying in vain to explain away the monumental loss which their party suffered today with this departure? Thankfully, the Democratic Party under the charismatic and dynamic leadership of President Barack Obama has become such a huge tent that there is space for Arlen Specter, as well as other fidgeting, intending 'departees'! Icheoku says, we shall not be surprised if Senator John McCain follows suit. In declaring his intent to cross-over, Senator Arlen Specter said, "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans." Welcoming the move, President Barack Obama, in a telephone call to Arlen Specter said, "We are thrilled to have you!"

Arlen Specter, like John McCain is a known maverick who votes mostly according to his conscience and not on party lines. He cast a deciding vote against the confirmation of Republican Party Judge Robert Bork for the Supreme court; voted "not proven, therefore not guilty" on the impeachment of Bill Clinton; voted for President Barack Obama stimulus package against his former party's objection and he is a rare pro-choice Republican? In the words of an observer, Arlen Specter did not make the switch early enough and surprisingly, Specter's growing doubts about the Republican Party took so long to percolate?

Icheoku says, if he survives this move and gets re-elected to the Senate, Senator Arlen Specter would have become a truly all round living survivor: he survived an open heart surgery, brain cancer and lymphoma! Adding a political survivor to the resume will make Arlen an the legendary cat with nine lives and Icheoku's Survivor Extraordinaire! Once again, welcome Arlen!

(Read Senator Arlen Specter's statement.)

SEBELIUS KATHLEEN, SWINE FLU SPEEDS UP CONFIRMATION?

Icheoku says the only good thing so far to come out from the Mexican swine flu is today's speedy confirmation for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of Kansas governor, Kathleen Sebelius.

With 54 Democrats, 9 Republicans and 2 independents voting "YES" and 31 Republicans, as usual voting "NO", with "half their brains tied to their back" in deference to their master Rush Limbaugh, the nation now has a secretary to lead the effort at checkmating the Mexican swine flu? The roll call was 65-31 votes to confirm and thus the former governor of the state of Kansas was sworn in to head the department of Health and Human Services as its secretary. Icheoku says, congratulations to Kathleen Sebelius and wish her God's speed in midwifing President Barack Obama's health care reform to fruition.

It is noteworthy that the Republican extremists were only against her candidacy because she is a moderate who maintains a rational approach to women's right to choose?

Icheoku says, may be the right thing for these brand of republicans to do, is to move over to Pakistan's Swat Valley to live with their ilks among the Talibans; as the United States of America has so far moved irretrievably with progressive ideals, to continue to accommodate their very myopic life of ideologues!

SWINE FLU, ATTACK OF THE MICROBES!

With 149 already killed and about one thousand stricken, what exactly is swine flu? Swine influenza aka swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus. It causes high levels of illness and low death rates among pigs. Pigs infected with influenza virus have a runny nose, lethargy, cough and decreased appetite. The virus likely spreads from pig to pig through contact with infected mucous secretions. Swine flu is caused by any virus of the family orthomyxoviridae, that is wide spread among pigs(swine) populations.

Strains of swine flu virus also can be directly transmissible to humans. Most human infections occurred following direct contact with infected pigs? People who work with poultry and swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at higher risk of infection from these animals if the animals carry a strain that is also able to infect humans. Swine flu can also mutate into a form that allows it to pass from human to human such as the Mexican outbreak which is believed to have undergone this mutation? Influenza or flu is a continuously occurring event among animals, especially birds population.

However, there has been at least one documented case of human-to-human transmission of swine flu. In March and April 2009, over 1000 cases of suspected swine flu in humans were detected in Mexico and the Southwestern United States of California, Texas, New Mexico? The Mexican 2009 swine flu outbreak, of a new strain H1N1 influenza virus was first detected by in March 2009. As of April 26, 2009, Mexico City schools, universities, and all public events remained closed or suspended while other schools in the U.S. closed due to confirmed cases in students. On April 27, 2009, Mexican government officials announced a nationwide shut down of schools.

This never-before-seen strain of swine flu has turned killer in Mexico and is causing milder illness in the United States and elsewhere. While authorities say it's not time to panic, they are taking steps to stem the spread and also urging people to pay close attention to the latest health warnings. They urge people to take common-sense precautions including covering your coughs and sneezes, with a tissue that you throw away or by sneezing into your elbow rather than your hand. Washing ones hands frequently and if soap and water aren't available, with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or gels is also advised. As a precaution, people are advised to avoid close contact with someone who's sick and avoid crowded gatherings in places where swine flu is known to be spreading.

The good news however is that swine flu is sensitive to and treatable with the flu drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Face mask is also advised to effectively cover a person's mouth and nose so that if a person is around someone who is infected, there is a decreased likelihood of transmission. It is said that the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of face-masks by those who are not ill, whilst going about their normal activities. Currently there is no vaccine for swine flu but vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of common influenza and includes fever, cough, sore throat, lethargy, lack of appetite, while runny nose, nausea, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A few other patients have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

People should avoid touching their mouth, nose or eyes with their hands unless they've washed their hands. If people do cough, they should either cough into a tissue and throw it in the garbage immediately, cough into their elbow, or, if they cough in their hand, they should wash their hands immediately. Generally, swine flu viruses spread through uncovered coughs and sneezes or by touching your mouth or nose with unwashed hands? Swine Flu is spread between humans through coughing or sneezing of infected people and touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth. Flu viruses can live on surfaces for several hours, like a doorknob just touched by someone who sneezed into his hand. The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.

This particular Mexican swine flu has unusually been aggressive on healthy young adults, much like the deadly Spanish Flu of 1918, unlike most other influenza strains which devastate young children and elderly adults as well as others with weaker immune systems. Icheoku hopes medical sciences will once again rise up to the challenge and stop this swine flu inn order to save humanity from possible extinction assuming it takes a turn for the worst!

IBRAHIM BADAMOSI BABANGIDA (IBB), ATTACK OF THE GENERAL?

For crying out loud, it appears that disgruntled Nigerian gestapo-generals are suddenly conflicted with their conscience and are now speaking out? Icheoku asks them, what suddenly came over you and what have become of you lately? First it was Yakubu Gowon who lamented the disappointment by the political establishment who has caused the polity so much pain that they are fast losing faith in democracy? Now the evil genius himself, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida has added his hollering voice, barking about lack of medical services in the country? Icheoku says, when coup-plotting generals start to shout, their minions in uniforms may be getting their subliminal message that it is ok to strike; and President Umaru Yar'Adua must be wary of these midnight wolves as it portends danger?

As head of a government-kidnapping and hijacking military junta for eight years, Icheoku asks, what did Ibrahim Babangida do to develop medical facilities in Nigeria? Nothing! Nada! Zilch! Some years later after he was disgraced out of office by June 12th, he is now preaching against "convenient overseas' treatment" by some government officials? What a pathetic hypocritical scumbag, this fox of a military man is? He is not called the evil genius for nothing as his conniving and contriving double-faced Janus of a person becomes obviously manifest, each time he tries to take a faulty step towards his futile rehabilitation before the Nigerian people. That this gospel of anti-overseas treatment is coming from a son of a gun, who himself gave impetus to the practice; and having himself, just returned from one such overseas medical checkup and treatment in France is mind-boggling. This is a man whose penchant for staying alive to enjoy his looted money from Nigerian treasury is such that he is phobic of any pain no matter how mild; that he jets out to check it out? That he is now antagonising other government officials who compete with him with the practice he institutionalised is a cause of concern especially as to his mental health? If Icheoku remembers correctly, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, as then Robbin Hood of Nigerian government went to the America Hospital in France for radiculopathy surgery; wherein Domkat Bali, before he was humiliated out of office, came back from visiting him in his hospital bed to report that Babangida is doing ok?

This is a man who taught Nigerian government officials how to be callous, mean, base, to loot the treasury, kill people with parcel bomb, annul free and fair elections, wipe away oppositions, frequent overseas for medical treatment? Here he is now, preaching dearth of medical facilities in Nigeria? He sure truly lives up to his alias "Maradoner? Icheoku says, were this mallam to look in the mirror he would readily see that he was addressing himself instead? Ibrahim Babangida annulled the freest and fairest election ever conducted in Nigeria and such is his pariah-state now in Nigeria, except for his praise-singers, that what late MKO Abiola once said concerning him, "with a friend like IBB no one needs and enemy", has made him a denigrate person of Nigeria? Now, this self-acclaimed prince of Minna has opened his gap-toothy mouth to advocate the development of medical facilities in Nigeria which he never found necessary to do while in power for eight long years? A power he stole through the brigandage of a military coup de tat? What a despicable person, this mallam is and he finds a place where he is still allowed and recognised to speak; and on such a solemn occasion as Olikoye Ransome Kuti's memorial lecture? Icheoku asks, IBB when you had the opportunity, what did you do to provide and/or improve medical services in Nigeria and you had the money then due to the gulf war oil windfall?

The only reason people like this snivelling wicked man from Niger State still thrives is that Nigeria is not a civilized place otherwise he would have since been put away for all the atrocities associated with his regime? First was his treasonous forcible take over of government, then came the killing of Dele Giwa, Mamma Vasta, Gideon Orka and crew; followed by the looting of Nigeria treasury of $12.4 billion dollars; also for refusing to answer to a constituted authority of the Justice Oputa commission and lastly, for conspiring with Sani Abacha to take over government by not retiring him alongside, when he was pressured to hand over power to weakling Ernest Shonekan? On any of this count, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida would have been sent away for a long prison sentence if not to the execution stake; but no he is in Nigeria, a country where criminals reign supreme and now he is talking?

In his offensive statement, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida said, “If by now those who are highly placed to develop medical facilities in the country find it very convenient to go on medical examination overseas, then something is fundamentally wrong". To which Icheoku responds, Ibrahim Babangida wasm once highly placed as the head of a military junta in Nigeria, but failed to do something? Again, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida had opportunity to develop medical facilities in Nigeria but his wickedness blinded him and he also failed to do so? Further, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida personally, finds it very convenient to go on overseas medical checkup/treatment, and he just recently came back from one in France? It is obvious that Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida has now finally confirmed what the whole world has known all along, that something is fundamentally wrong with him; as no greater tragic-personality in Nigerian history exists, other than himself.

Our advise is that all these grumpy old retired Nigerian generals should let the polity be, as they have been traumatised enough by them and their inhuman actions when they had power. Please Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Icheoku admonishes you to hush as you do not have the moral standing to address such issue as medical health services in Nigeria, since you ignored it when you had the opportunity and means/resources to do something about it. Nigerians are tired of you and your devilish ways and hence pray that you disappear, like we advised your brother in coup planning Yakubu Gowon, into the doldrums. Nigerians do not need any advise from their former nemesis whose liberties while in power was rather excessive and draconian? If this is an effort at your rehabilitation, IBB, then you are stuck as your consultants are doing a heck of a shoddy job. You cannot rewrite history and this your very attempt at lampooning "convenient overseas medical treatment by officials" is simply too ironic, coming from a pharisee like you. Away with IBB, the evil genius and his advise!

YOUR SUNDAY WITH PROPHET MKO TIBETAN!

Brethren in the Lord, the topic for today's interaction is JOY! Presently, on Main Street, High Street and Wall Street we see bitterness on the faces of everybody; the faces of people in the world is not very happy today and you ask why? Even the faces of young school leavers, married and unmarried directors, travellers and traders etc, has been overcome by sadness. Simply put, sadness has covered the entire world and you ask why?

According to the book of Genesis 1, after God created everything, he was happy with what he has created? God created happiness for himself by his creation and as you know, as mere soldiers, we are only passing through this place but once and nobody can create joy for you but yourself! Remember some people are on their sick bed, some people are in wheelchairs, some people have cancer, some people have just one month to live, many other people have received their death-date already and some people are even in prison, so why don't you create joy for yourself, why not be happy? Medical science has made it clear that it takes 72 nerves to frown and just 14 nerves to smile? So why not be happy with less tasking of your nerves? It really cast less to be happy. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Religious people have a reputation, partly deserved and partly not deserved of being gloomy; but you would never guess how many times in the Bible, amazing joy was mentioned. Being in the right relationship with your God and your fellow man is a source of great joy. The person who knows where he or she stands with God can feel joy in all situations, for it is not dependent on other externals.

Joy in the Bible's view, is not the same as pleasure or amusement. It is more enduring, as it is not based solely on the pleasant sensations of the moment but also looking forward to eternity. The Bible could be called an "anti-sin" book. It is! Also we need to remember that it is a 'pro-joy book! His angel endures but a moment in his favour. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with gladness. Read Psalm 30:5 & 11; Psalm 33:21; Psalm 46:4; Psalm 63:5 and Romans14:17.

Until next Sunday when we meet again, ask yourself if all the worries in the world is enough to deny you your joy and happiness; remember no matter how bad your situation, there are so many people out there, you are better off? Now, rejoice and be glad and joyful! Keep God close to you, Amen!

GOLDEN GIRLS' BEA ARTHUR, DEAD AT 86!

Known by the moniker, Dorothy in the Television comedy, "The Golden Girls", Bea Arthur who played Dorothy, the daughter of Sophia Petrillo, late Estelle Getty, is dead. She was 86 years old and died of peacefully in her sleep at Los Angeles California, USA. She had cancer.

She was tall, baritone-voiced, witty, vivacious and matronly. Her use of "Ma" to address her mother, Sophia and the way she drags it out was quite endearing.

The Golden Girls,” created by Susan Harris aired as a series on NBC from 1985-92 and reruns till today. It focused on the lives of four previously married but divorced or widowed and aging women who shared a house in Miami. Three retirees - Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan - and the mother of Arthur, Estelle Getty, lived together in the house.

The group portrayed the lives of older women as lively, uncertain, dramatic and passion-filled as those of college sorority sisters. They dealt with various serious life issues ranging from aging, gun control, gay rights to domestic violence. "The Golden Girls" was so riveting as Sophia told stories of her days as a young girl growing up in Sicily-Italy; how they pound their clothes on a rock in a stream to agitate the dirt; with her seeming bouts of dementia? Dorothy always stops her by saying, while making a face, "Ma"?

The twice married and divorced mother of two sons, Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel in New York City in 1922. Those who watched "The Golden Girls" know that a gifted actress has passed on and I count myself a fan. Icheoku says, adieu Dorothy as you join your TV mother Sophia in heaven!

A MAN AND HIS LAMBS!

Icheoku picture of the week shows a Pakistani man who is hitching a ride with his two sheep? Please notice the special relationship between both animals and their owner and how relaxed they are? Isn't that peace on earth, that both man and animals are getting along very well? Man's adventurism is unlimited, especially if that man lives in the Taliban controlled Swat Valley of northwestern Wazaristan, Pakistan? Until tomorrow, enjoy this ingenuity of a man and his animals' camaraderie! Now, you may click on the picture for a more detailed-pixelled outlook? Peace on earth!

GOWON, AWAY WITH DEMOCRACY?

Icheoku says, was Yakubu Gowon sending subliminal message to his primary constituency, the military or simply playing the role of a "prophet", when he said that democracy in Nigeria may soon lose its appeal? In the very own words of this Birom man, “Unfortunately, democracy may not take firm roots in an environment of debilitating and excruciating hunger and poverty, compounded by weak or non-existent basic infrastructure, social injustice and physical insecurity. ..... ........the continued presence of corruption, its attendant unemployment and poverty; social insecurity and uncoordinated governments’ policies and programmes, over the decades, would make government by the people lose its appeal".

To Yakubu Gowon, Icheoku says, the only military intervention that may be acceptable to Nigerians again, will be that intervention that will hold every past leaderships in Nigeria, including yourself, accountable! A pure Jerry Rawlings - type of military putsch that will purge the Nigerian society of all its canker-worms! Only such will suffice, otherwise Nigerians should say to Gowon, no deal! Thanks, but no, thanks!

Experience has shown that the problem with Nigeria leadership is not in their dress-code, 'khaki or agbada', but in the ineptitude of the ruling class as found both in the civilian and military wing of the leadership. They are both corrupt and uncaring! The bitterness left in the mouth of Nigerians by the trio of endemically corrupt gnomes Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha and Olusegun Obasanjo military regimes, proved that the military is as light-fingered as their civilian counterparts? So Gowon was preaching to the choir to observe that there is corruption in the democratic government of today, as Nigerians hopelessly live it daily and the military is not sacred either? If Gowon's expectant military cannot take care of business properly and clean the Augean stable very well, Icheoku says, they should remain in their barracks and not disturb the relative freedom in the country now; more-so such adventurism is no longer popular but belongs in the last two decades with his ilks.

The Nigerian-Biafra civil war villain, who permitted and supervised the worst genocide in the history of mankind and who himself narrowly escaped the firing squad for his alleged role in the Benue-Plateau coup that killed Muritala Mohammed, is now pontificating holier than thou, when every present day Nigerian problem could be traced and squarely placed on his feet? Who is Gowon to now advocate a better government for Nigerians when he had the most promising opportunity to make Nigeria great but blew it? It was during Yakubu Gowon's puerile government that Nigeria became awashed with petrol-dollars during the oil crisis of 1973, which brought billions of dollars into Nigeria's coffers that Gowon was allegedly heard saying, 'there is too much money that he does not know what to do with it'? Icheoku says, if this son of Plateau State had any modicum of foresight whatsoever, he would have diversified and fully invested the Nigeria economy in such a way that it would today, rank among world's emergent economic powers; which would have earned her an invitation to the recent G20 world economic summit in London? Such massive investment and diversification would have also inoculated Nigeria from its oil-based monolithic economy, which swings alongside the pendulum of world oil prices? But no he did not do it and today, look who is talking?

Gowon is responsible for all the ills afflicting Nigeria today after he killed off so many Biafrans, the vanguards and arrow-heads of Nigeria's then emerging developmental economy and later asphyxiated the surviving ones, when he could not find the liver to implement his three "Rs" of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation? As if these wicked actions and failed policies of his were not enough to secure him a place in hell, Gowon went ahead and implemented his twenty (20) pounds only, monetary policy, as accrual to every Biafra irrespective of how much that fellow had in the bank, prior to his armed hostilities against a people just fighting for their existential survival? It is instructive also to note that it was within this total eclipse of Biafrans, that Yakubu Gowon carried out his indigenization experiment which is the precursor of today's lack of appetite for foreigners continued investment in Nigeria? Yakubu Gowon is such a despicable fellow that Icheoku wishes he falls off the face of this earth and disappear completely from sight, instead of forcibly reminding people what he represented and still represents till today - a bloody despot!

So what if the nation’s democracy caves in, as desires by Yakubu Gowon? Icheoku says, it will not be the first time nor will it be the last time; so why increase the pressure on the charge of the polity by stating what every right thinking Joe-Nigeria knows is a question of time? Each successive Nigerian governments have been corrupt except for the Buhari-Idiagbon regime, whose short lifespan helped a great deal as the 53 suitcases scandal proved? Tafawa Balewa was corrupt? Gowon was corrupt, maniacal and genocidal? Obasanjo first coming was the same? Shehu Shagari and Umaru Dikko were no exception? Same goes for Ibrahim Babangida? Ernset Shonekan was a titular head devoid of real power so he could not have helped himself with the nation's treasury, even if he wanted? Sani Abacha's loot in Switzerland has not been accounted for till date? Abdulsalam was smart to hand over the hot-potato called Nigeria to Obasanjo so soon after he took over, but was later compensated with 16 billion Naira power contract which has neither been executed nor accounted for? Obasanjo's second coming became the mother of all corrupt governments in Nigeria and the last has not been heard of the bawdily of that infamous government. So Gowon, what say you now? Corruption with its attendant unemployment, poverty, social insecurity and uncoordinated government policies and programmes are a fact of life in Nigeria which Nigerians have almost come to accept as a given; so this disgusting human specimen, Yakubu Gowon was not saying anything new and should have shut up? May be he needs some contracts from the government of President Umaru Yar'Adua?

In summation, Icheoku says, as a coupist military junta himself, Yakubu Gowon did not achieve much for the upliftments and development of Nigeria during his time in power; except that he caused millions of Biafrans to perish in the worst genocide of recorded history! Biafrans, a people who were and still remains the only reason for Nigeria's survival and whose enterprising spirit is so stellar that it is unmatchable? A superlative people, Biafra, whose industry provides the single most commanding force dejure driving Nigeria, despite the tight-strait they are forced to operate in by each successive repressive and very antagonistic governments in Nigeria? Icheoku therefore demands of Gowon to hush and put up, as corruption is not only the preserve of civilian governments to warrant a coup as he impliedly advocates now? Alternatively he should stop disturbing the general psyche of Nigerians with his outbursts and from a guy who could not even win his primary constituency during Babangida's option A4?

INDIA ELECTIONS, A CASE STUDY FOR MAURICE IWU'S INEC?

As the biggest democracy in the world continues with their one month-long general election, Icheoku says Nigeria's Maurice Iwu should pay special attention to understand how India gets it right? With 714 million registered voters going to the polls through a one month period, Icheoku says the electoral body that could pull such a feat is worth understudying? We therefore call on Nigeria's "Independent" Electoral Commission to send some delegation to India to study how the biggest democracy in the world could successfully organise such gargantuan elections without much shenanigans? It is also instructive that for the past 60 years, the Indians have been playing this their yeoman's electioneering feat, without much hitches or as many court challenges of the results, as the 2007 Maurice Iwu's fraud in Nigeria? This by itself is a feat which very electoral body in the world, including Nigeria's INEC is encouraged to see what the Indians are doing right and emulate their example.

As rural as India is, with a widely varying geographic and climatic zones which has somewhat being described as constituting a hellish logistical nightmare; Indians still conduct free and fair elections throughout their vast territory and adjoining islands, from the snow-covered mountains in the Himalayas, to the deserts of the Rajasthan and in sparsely populated islands in the Indian Ocean. India's electoral map is one heck of a maze that it takes an entire one month to conduct elections, in parchments of constituencies? Elections in India is such a huge undertaking that it is conducted in five phases, with voting on April 16, 22, 23, and 30, then May 7 and 13; with the results announced a few days later on May 16, 2009. The undertaking involves 1000 political parties, 800,000 polling stations, 543 constituencies, 1.1 million electronic voting machines manned by four million election officers and six million security details to solely monitor the elections? Icheoku says what a mammoth exercise in electing a leadership?

And this is a country with so many poor people and acute illiteracy among its population, that over 700 million of them still live below poverty line, on less than $2 per day and without basic education? Yet they can organize elections for 700 million of their registered voters! But Nigeria with less than 40 million registered voters cannot organise an election that is free and fair; but qualifies as a "selection of a band of thieves by a band of menacing thugs and their cabals", who subsequently loot the nation's coffers dry? Until there is a re-thinking by the sack of manure in Nigeria high-ups, and with surgical intervention in INEC, it is going to remain same old same old and Nigeria as always, will be worse for it! Inept leadership produced by a fraught electioneering system. Icheoku says, Maurice Iwu's INEC could use some of this Indian magic which has been on display since 1947 and cause it to rub off and change things in Nigeria? One other thing worth emulating from the Indian election, is the practice where each registered voter's picture as well as their identity card are included in the electoral rolls? With this in place, how can there be ghost voters or electoral fraud as obtains in Nigeria?

Pictured right is chief election commissioner of India, Shri. N. Gopalaswami, 62, appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister, who is steering this ocean-liner of an election? He is reputed to be no nonsense, very loyal, honest and dynamic person! Story has it that as one time municipal commissioner of Surat, his party's leader had approached him with

a bribe of 5,000 Rupees but he reported him to the chief minister and had police arrest him for attempt to bribe a government official? Tell that to Maurice Iwu of Nigeria and he will say your head is not correct?

Established in 1950 as a permanent constitutional body, the commission initially had only a Chief Election Commissioner but now has three officials including a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. They reach decisions by a majority vote of 2 to 3. The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. They have tenure of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever comes first. They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through impeachment by Parliament. At the state level, the election work is supervised, subject to overall superintendence, direction and control of the Commission, by the Chief Electoral Officer of the State, who is appointed by the Commission from amongst senior civil servants proposed by the concerned state government. The Secretariat of the Commission has an independent budget. Among its duties, India's Election Commission ensures a level playing field for the 1000 political parties. Now it will be easier for Nigeria to model her electoral reform with what works, the Indian example! With India's 1000 political parties as a backdrop, the attempt by the leadership in Nigeria to clobber the whole polity into the PDP should be condemned as an affront to freedom of association?

In India, the opinion of the election commissioner binds the president unlike Nigeria, where the president dictates to him who "wins" which seat? Also the judiciary does not intervene in the actual conduct of the polls. Once the polls are completed and result declared, the Commission cannot review any result on its own. As regards to legal challenges involving the office of the president, such can only be filed before the Supreme Court? India's 35 constituent States and Union Territories are grouped into election blocks for convenience of management. Admitted that INEC allegedly visited India in the past to see how they execute this humongous task, but who knows if it was not just a means to share some estacodes? The conduct of India's election has been described by some observers as the largest single event in the world? Simply stated, the India's model of staggered election will work miracle in Nigeria; and Icheoku says, if India can do it why not Nigeria?

DAVID KELLERMANN OF FREDDIE MAC, YEILDS?

Was he pushed or did he jump? The global economic downturn claims yet another victim? David Kellermann, 41, the acting chief financial officer of United States of America mortgage company Freddie Mac was found dead today in the basement of his house in Washington DC area? Icheoku asks, did David take his life or was he pushed off the cliff by the global financial meltdown and why; after-all it is not only Freddie Mac that is going through the hurricane of problems?

The Police ruled out foul play, explaining that David, whose body was found dangling from a rope by his wife in their house basement, probably took his own life? This is similar to the explanation given when the late DC Madam was found dead in Florida recently, after being under boiler-plate pressure from her Washington DC patrons? Who knows what pressurized David to "take" his life?

According to David's former company's statement, "Freddie Mac knows of no connections between this terrible personal tragedy and the ongoing regulatory inquiries discussed in our SEC filings." Icheoku says, could Freddie Mac have spoken too early; otherwise why would such a high ranking official suddenly take his life, if not for some very damaging reason which he could not live with or bear anymore?

Either way, suicide is a means of an end for cowards and with due respect for the grieving family, Icheoku admonishes, David should not have just chickened out? He should have fought whatever troubles he was going through like a man and a soldier, just like many Americans and the peoples of the world are presently doing or tying to do. Suicide is cowardice and a self-centered exit option for many of his types. Why did he not get help or take a vacation or do something fun instead of choking off his oxygen supply and possibly breaking off his neck in the process? To the grieving Kellermann family, please accept our condolence; but to David, the Almighty God does not condone any taking of a life and it does not matter if it was a suicide! Hopefully David left a note to let the world into his private pains that drove him to commit such a heinous crime!

PHILIP MARKOFF, CRAIGLIST KILLER, A FUTURE DOCTOR TURNED KILLER?

Luckily for mankind, he showed the dark-stuff he is made of early enough, before the state of Massachusetts could license him, wherein he would have "legally" carried out his perversion under the guise of "lost" patients? His name, Philip Markoff and he killed a masseuse, Julissa Brisman of New York? A 2007 graduate of State University of New York at Albany, Philip was just 23 years old and already in medical school, second year at Boston University?

Ironically, before his dark-side took over his senses and motors, Philip was planning a wedding this summer to his fiancee, whom he was with when the police arrested him? Icheoku says what an irony of life that a young man planning to marry a young woman, turned out to be a killer of another young woman?

His dark-side reveals a serial criminal who targeted women who were offering erotic services through Craigslist; this is how he became known as "The Craigslist Killer"! One of these women, he has now been accused of killing and also suspected of robbing and tying up another? According to the District Attorney, "This was a brutal, vicious crime — savage, and it shows Philip Markoff is a man who is willing to take advantage of women, to hurt them, to beat them, to rob them, he probably thought he was going to get away with it. He thought he was too smart for us."

Philip Markoff was charged with murder, kidnapping and armed robbery in the killing of Julissa Brisman, 26, of New York City, who was found dead April 14, 2009 in a Boston hotel; after being bashed in the head and shot three times at close range, including once through the heart? A semiautomatic gun, duct tape and other restraints were recovered as evidence from his apartment which he shared with his fiancee in Quincy, about 10 miles south of Boston?

It would appear that Philip is from a well-heeled off family; his grandfather is a lawyer and he went straight to medical school from university? According to one shocked neighbour, "He was smart. He carried himself well. He was clean, a good-looking guy, he seemed like the type that would have it all. It doesn't make sense." Icheoku says, William Shakespeare is once again right on the money, as Philip Markoff has once again, proved that there is no reading of the mind's construction by the face! A caveat however, provided he did it! Is that understood?