BOB MARLEY, A TRIBUTE TO THE SUPERSTAR REGGAE AMBASSADOR!

On this 28th anniversary of the death of world-famous reggae maestro, Robert Nesta Marley aka Bob Marley, Icheoku remembers the legend who engraved reggae into world conscientiousness? Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica to father Norval Sinclair Marley and mother Cedella Booker. He lived long enough to become the greatest reggae artist ever known to the world; he died of cancer on May 11, 1981 in Miami Florida United States of America! Officially he was married to one wife, Rita Marley but was reputed to be a great womanizer and had several children outside wedlock! Bob Marley was survived by his 13 children: three with his wife Rita Marley, two adopted from Rita's previous relationships, and the remaining eight with separate women.

Bob Marley had a stellar musical career culminating in the release of over 100 songs and more than twenty albums before he was diagnosed with cancer in July 1977. Following an ulcerating wound he sustained on his right hallux or big toe, while playing soccer (football), Bob Marley was found to have a malignant melanoma. His big toe was to be amputated to save his life but being a Rastafarian, Bob Marley refused because Rastafarians belief that the body must be "whole" to see Jah! He also cited worries that the operation would affect his dancing? In his own words, "Rastafarian, I don't allow a man to be dismantled". The cancer later metastasized to his brain, lungs, liver and stomach.

Bob Marley played his final concert at the Stanley Theater Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on September 23, 1980 and immediately flew to Germany to seek treatment from a cancer specialist, Josef Issels. It was however too late as the cancer had already progressed to the terminal stage; and he was en-route Jamaica to be with his family for his final moments on earth, when his medical condition forced an emergency landing of the plane carrying him in Miami Florida, USA. Bob Marley subsequently died at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami Florida on the morning of May 11, 1981 at the age of 36. His body was flown back to Jamaica and after a state funeral, was laid in a crypt near his birthplace with his Gibson Les Paul guitar, a soccer ball, a Cannabis bud, a ring that he wore every day that was given to him by the Prince Asfa Wossen of Ethiopia and a Bible. According to sources close to his bedside, his final words to his son Ziggy were "Money can't buy life." Icheoku says, if only the men and women of power of this world know, especially the rat-pack Nigerian leaders, so called, who do not care a whiff about the ordinary Joe-Nigerians they are supposedly leading, while crazily looting the treasury dry? Midget Sani Abacha readily comes to mind!

Among some of his world recognitions were the City of New York renamed portion of Church Avenue from Remsen Avenue to East 98th Street in the East Flatbush Section of Brooklyn to Bob Marley Boulevard. Bob Marley also received a star at Hollywood Walk of Fame, where stars receive stars on the sidewalks at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles California, USA!

Icheoku says, our all time Bob Marley's favorite song is "Could you be loved", so what is yours? To Bob Marley, Icheoku says, your fans are steadily growing both in numbers and regions; and as a reggae enthusiast myself, "Irie say, sleep on Marley until dat day when Jah shall call up all his children, home for rendering of account". Icheoku hopes King Selassie is ok and that heavens, at least allows medical marijuana use? Bob, is there ganja up in the skies, man? Smoke on Bob! What a legend you were that took reggae to olympian heights! We miss you much!

FULANI DEPORTATION, IS NIGERIA REALLY ONE COUNTRY?

It is ridiculous, it is total absurdity, it is the stuff folklore is made of, it is laughable, it is inexplicable and totally unacceptable that Nigerians are being deported from Nigeria by fellow Nigerians? Whatever happened to the constitutional right of a citizen to unfettered access to every nook and cranny of his choice in his own country? Where is the official boundary line for a citizen in his/her own country?

What an arrant nonsense that these Biroms of Plateau State are forcibly removing and shipping away, fellow Nigerians of Fulani ethnicity, from their state territories? Icheoku says, it is as convoluted as it is provocative that this is happening in 21st century Nigeria; with some Nigerians being forcibly told by some other Nigerians that they are not Nigerian enough to live in and call some parts of Nigeria home!

One wonders what then is the use of the entity called Nigeria when some Nigerians therein, cannot freely exercise their rights of citizenship fully, through habitation of any place they choose, within Nigeria's territorial space? Why still continue to maintain that albatross where membership of it are strictly restricted to the area where each comes from? Today it is Plateau State declaring Nigerian Fulanis person non grata in their state; who knows whose turn it shall be tomorrow? What happens were the Fulanis to become so infuriated and decide to retaliate, by forcing the hands of their governors to deport other Nigerians, especially the Biroms of Plateau State living in their midst? Icheoku says, this will be the unravelling of the fragile bond holding Nigeria together, so the authorities must therefore act decisively to reverse this thoughtless and senseless action of the Plateau State government before it heralds the end of Nigeria as we know it.

The headline, "Plateau deports 20,000 Fulani – FULDAN chairman" is what every right thinking Nigerian should be really ashamed of; otherwise how do you explain that citizens of a country are drastically limited as to where they can call home in their own supposed country? According to the reports, the National Chairman of the Fulde (Fulani) Development Association of Nigeria (FULDAN), Malam Ahmad Usman Bello, said that about 20,000 Fulanis have been deported from Plateau State to some states in the North-West.

This sinister action of Plateau State government amplifies and mirrors what the late coupist, Gideon Orkar, attempted to do during his failed coup against Ibrahim Babangida regime; when in a similar vein, he announced that five northern states have been excised from Nigeria? Icheoku asks, do these Middle-Belters of Benue-Plateau region really mean well for Nigeria? Do they know that they are undermining the structural integrity of Nigeria by their actions and utterances? Their being neither north nor south, compounds the matter as they are not even capable of an independent existence, assuming they are let go or allowed to go? But they have now become the real problem and troubled child of Nigeria who must be check-mated before they force Nigeria down the drain-pipe into the sewer.

Icheoku is not particularly a fan of the 'one-Nigeria', as is currently being run aground; but until a national sovereign conference resolves some of the vexing issues in Nigeria, let no one take matters into their hand to decree some artificial "international boundary lines" within the same country! Until the parameters for Nigerians continued co-existence or otherwise is clearly spelt out, let every Nigerian have the inalienable citizenship right to thrive, unencumbered, in any town or village or locality or state or region of his/her choice without let or hindrance.

It is on this premise therefore that Icheoku condemns and unequivocally too, the mindless and thoughtless deportation of some Nigerians by fellow Nigerians and from Nigeria? To where then, one may ask? Icheoku responds, to their own section of the country? And someone still calls this 'one-Nigeria'? In the year 2009, this cannot be happening after 49 years of independence and a tolerated co-existence of the peoples of Nigeria; and therefore should and must be stopped. Plateau State did not act right, their action is abhorable and shameful and militates against the fabric of the Nigerian State! Such deportation must not be allowed to stand, if the Nigeria State is to be sustained and therefore must be reversed and forcibly, if need be.

JACOB ZUMA, A POPULIST PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA?

As South Africa swears in her fourth president today, May 9, 2009 at Union Building, Pretoria, Icheoku says, congratulations for successfully transferring power, once again, to a new democratically elected president!

Since the end of racist minority apartheid government in South Africa, three successive presidents have handed over the baton of power successfully; unlike in some other African countries including Nigeria? Starting with Nelson Mandela, the first elected post-apartheid president of South Africa, to Thabo Mbeki then to Kgalema Motlanthe and now to the new president. Icheoku hopes that the new man of power will honor and respect the abiding-faith tradition as shown by his predecessors, and successfully usher in his successor at the appropriate future time. Like United States President Barack Obama, President Jacob Zuma has stepped into the over-sized shoes of President Nelson Mandela, and has become another 'leader-president' of South Africa?

Congratulations President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa (Msholozi) Zuma 67, on your inauguration as the fourth president of independent Republic of South Africa. Unlike the Nigeria's imposed President Umaru Yar'Adua, your election on 22rd April 2009, was world-adjudged as free, fair and credible; and as reflects the general will of the people of South Africa. With South Africa now emerging to fill the leadership gap of Africa abdicated by Nigeria's ineptitude, the world now looks upon you to provide the necessary leadership that will propel Africa forward. Also we expect you to make South Africa once again livable by all, irrespective of race, creed or religion. The terrifying crime rate, if checked, will be a welcome first step; and above all please do not let over-zealousness drive your promised land redistribution agenda. Always take a lesson from Zimbabwe and advise yourself accordingly while prosecuting this project-redistribution, so that you may avoid the pitfalls of President Robert Mugabe, who has lost the world on what he really wants out of Zimbabwe? Please you must handle your land redistribution promise very tactically in order not to alienate the "lease-holders" as obtained in Zimbabwe with its concomittant consequences. This alone is the reason why the "others" are very wary and apprehensive of your presidency and wanted to thwart it through all those sleazy allegations and accusations! Be advised and stay advised!

The world could use another popular, smiling, dancing, cultural, joking, jocular and manly-handsome president in Pretoria! The black-race in particular, hopefully, will be proud of your leadership for all South Africans and you cannot afford to fail them? Icheoku prays, you represent every South Africa and be the every people's president and not in any way whatsoever, permit and/or allow the xenophobia-induced animosity and attendant cleansing to continue to periodically boil-over. As a lasting legacy, please strive to make South Africa the melting pot of Africa just like the United States of America is to the world. Mr. President, please remember your pro-masses’ campaign-promises to improve economic conditions, create jobs, fight crime, build houses for the masses, improve on public services, schools, make health care affordable and tackle HIV/AIDS pandemic.

However, Icheoku fears that the new president may eventually go the way of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe who was so blinded by his 'patriotic zeal' that his miscalculations led to the dog-house where Zimbabwe is presently today; causing so much pain and suffering to the people of Zimbabwe by his recalcitrance? Hopefully, President Zuma will appreciate things differently and not myopically as his cousin in Zimbabwe whose perception is most of the times, different from the realities on the ground? Another fear is that his very limited educational development may impede his analytical power and/to understand that running a government is distinctly different from running one's family or harem? With only a third-grader (primary education standard three) education, the jury is still out on how the new president will be able to cope as well as understand the intricacies of good logical presentations and/of the nitty-gritty of governance? But he is loved and respected by his people and hopefully, wisdom will supplement whatever formal educational training deprived him. To the exuberant leader-president of South Africa, Icheoku wishes you good-luck as you try to improve and sanitize South Africa, especially the crime wave; and also improve race relations, which is currently a sitting tinderbox. Once again, congratulations, Mr. President!

OLUCHI, A NIGERIAN MODEL!

Her name is Oluchi; at last one good thing to come out of Nigeria recently? She is a model! Icheoku says, she is pretty hot? She will be a great contestant in Tyra Banks' American Top Model! A weekend treat for your eyes only, from us to you!

SEAN HANNITY, A SPINELESS COWARD?

The recent outburst by Fox News' Sean Hannity that water-boarding is not torture is overtly boisterous; since he could not follow through with his election to be water-boarded, in order to prove his demented theory? Icheoku says, a man who cannot keep his words is a sissy and Sean Hannity now, eminently qualifies as such a girlie-man.

Sean Hannity talks the talk but is too scared to walk the walk! Like Dick Cheney who dodged the draft but loves to send others to the war-front, Sean Hannity is a coward. Most people who like to talk tough are usually weakling who mask their fear with such talking tough. Sean Hannity chickened out from being water-boarded, despite offers of various money donations to his charity, should he follow through with his boast? A comic can say whatever he likes to gene up his audience and wow his listening crowd, but when such a loud-mouth volunteers on air to do something and fails or refuses to carry it through, then something is wrong with his head? Such a talker who develops a cold feet after such public boast diminishes himself in the thinking of the general public, especially his loyal listeners.

Admitted, this blogger periodically listens to this Rush Limbaugh wanna-be program, sure he is miles away from Rush, but would I continue to tune in after his failure to carry through this boastful election to be water-boarded? I don't think so and so are several thousands of other listeners who now see him as a comedian, whose words should not be taken seriously. Icheoku says, Sean Hannity's fearful refusal and/or withdrawal from being water-boarded proves that he honestly believes that water-boarding is torture. What a conflicted individual, Sean Hannity is!

I have no personal beef to cut with Sean Hannity, but he should know that, until he is water-boarded as volunteered; and thereby enrich his charity with $1000 for each second he lasted under the faucet, he has lost face! Alternatively, he should apologise to all those victims of water-boarding, or withdraw his offer to be water-boarded and acknowledge, like several millions of right thinking people that water-boarding is torture. Until one of the above happens to redeem him, Sean Hannity has been permanently diminished in the eyes of the world, especially Americans who hence see him as a simple loud-mouth, blow hot!

PATRICIA OBIAGELI CHIDIAC, MURDER ON A HOLY GROUND!

She stepped unto the steps of a church for her usual Sunday morning 10.00AM mass, gun shots rang out and dead lay Mrs. Patricia Obiageli Chidiac!

The Imo State-born Nigerian business-woman, married to Lebanese Mr. Malik Habib Chidiac, was assassinated by four gunmen on Sunday May 3, 2009. The crime scene, the holy grounds of Sacred Heart Catholic Church Apapa Lagos! A place of worship, hitherto and in other civilizations considered sacred, now desecrated by these marauding beasts of Nigeria.

Bandits who seemingly have operating-cover from Nigerian security agencies including the police; otherwise how does one explain their brazen audacity striking in the full glare of a fully congregated church and in broad daylight? So many unsolved murder mysteries in Nigeria has now been augmented by this one murder inside a God's house? Icheoku says this is an affront on God, the Catholic church and Nigerians in general and deserves a decisive action to bring the culprits in and punish them severely.

It is instructive to note that the late Patricia had her police protection, which was assigned to her due to numerous death threats, withdrawn just on Friday May 1 and two days later on May 3, she was killed. It is also a major coincidence that the now widower-husband allegedly left Nigerian shores with the couples' four children on the same Friday that his wife's security detail was withdrawn? Icheoku asks, was the husband's action a result of fear for the lives of their four children or to provide a clean alibi should the law decide to focus its radar on him following his wife's murder? And in a twisted macabre manner, the "bereaved" husband now says that he does not want police investigation into the gruesome murder of his wife; forcing Icheoku to ask, what a loving husband would suggest that his wife's murder be left cold, except his hands are bloodied by the wife's blood?

The murder of Patricia was witnessed by the congregation as well as the parish priest, Reverend Father Andrew Sullivan, who was officiating the mass. According to the account, two of the gunmen laid in-wait inside the church, perfectly blending as parishioners, while two others were on a mounted motorcycle waiting outside! This shows that they painstakingly followed the victim's routine which suggests a perfect job of hired assassins? Icheoku calls on the pope and the local catholic church in Nigeria should demand a thorough investigation of this murder and the punishment of all culpable parties thereto.

The irony of this murder is that the victim went out of her way to try and purchase security for herself due to numerous death threats she had received, including three bullet-proof vehicles. She had driven in one of the vehicles, a fortified Mercedes SUV, to the church; but unbeknownst to her, the assassins had outsmarted her and had correctly figured out her most vulnerable time? The assassins clearly understood that she will be most vulnerable in the house of God and decided to strike where she would not be sitting behind the protective amour of her bullet-proof vehicles? Psalm 127 tells us that the sentinel watches in vain except the Lord watches with him? That no amount of security is sufficient to protect a person from a willing evil person which this murder further confirms? Icheoku says, so much for bullet-proof vehicles as this lays to bare, the billions being wasted by Nigerian politicians on armoured vehicle acquisitions? Only a window of opportunity defeats the effort as this case just proved!

Anyway, this murder like so many other unsolved murders in Nigeria unfortunately, will similarly soon turn cold due to the lackadaisical investigation inertia of the Nigerian police which is never accredited with solving any major serious crime in Nigeria? Icheoku says, shame on President Umaru Yar'Adua for continuing to retain the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, whose incompetency has made Nigeria worse off and is daily being made subject of public ridicule and scum. It is regrettable that such an enterprising woman would be cut down in her prime and inside a church in broad daylight with impunity? Adieu Pat!

CHIEF C. C. ONOH, DEAD AT 82!

"Controversy is a factor of fame" is one of Icheoku's most favorite saying of the departed legend and hero of Wawa (Enugu State) people of Nigeria. And he was controversial and famous indeed! Aninefungwu Okaa Omee 1 of Ngwo, barrister/attorney at law, civil-servant, administrator, businessman, politician, great philanthropist, one time member of House of Representatives, former governor of then Anambra State Nigeria, husband, father, grandfather, community organiser and leader, author, influential, wealthy, war hero and activist, Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh aka CC is dead! CC was 82 years old; and passed on peacefully at his country home in Ngwo, Enugu State Nigeria on May 4, 2009.

A native of Ngwo, Enugu State, Nigeria, CC was born at Ovim in present day Abia State on April 27, 1927 to late Mr. Gabriel Okwo Onoh and Mrs. Esther Nude Onoh. CC succeeded in all he did as a lawyer, politician and businessman; but he is chiefly reputed as a land owner and speculator, who was the Lagos State's Oloto land owning family man of the South-east? CC was guesstimated to own 510 undeveloped plots in Enugu as well as 1,187 fully developed properties in the city of Enugu? Icheoku asks, what then is left for others in a city as small as Enugu? An avid and convinced one man riot-squad/fighter, CC never shies away from the good fight; in a memorable one liner, the late Chief while commenting on his ordeals through his struggles, said, “Twice, I escaped assassination. My jeep was taken away from me. My people were intimidated by government agents, but these acts were not enough to cow me because I believe in the Wawa struggle of truth. Icheoku says, an "Iroko" tree has fallen and politics in Enugu State will never be the same again, with the exit of this indefatigable leader of the people. CC was survived by his children Gabriel, Bianca, Ken, Sandra, Stella and Lilian; numerous grandchildren and his people of Enugu State. His father Gabriel Okwo Onoh and mother Esther Nude Onoh as well as one of his daughter Josephine, had all since predeceased him.

Some of CC's obituaries read as follows:- 1. He will be remembered for his consistent and dogged fight for the emancipation of the Wawa stock of the Igbo race, which led to the creation of Wawa State which is today known as the new Enugu State! 2. He will remain one of the most consistent Igbo men that ever lived! 3. He was a hero who died fighting for the betterment of his people! 4. He should be praised for his doggedness and courageous spirit! 5. His life ran on a vortex of struggles! 6. He was a philanthropist extraordinaire, an iconoclast and controversial figure! 7. He was the light of Wawa people! 8. He was a strong and fearless man! 9. With CC you know where he stood, no man intimidated him! 10. He criss-crossed the political firmament like a colossus; Ndi-Igbo and Nigeria have lost a great man! 11. He was a moving history of Enugu, the city, the people, their culture and their lives! 12. He lived and died for Enugu, and it was something he could never have been ashamed of or pretend it was an unworthy cause! 13. He was a man whose unique politics was about the protection of his people! 14. Love him or hate him, but there was never any doubt about where this man stood on any issue! 15. His demise further depreciates the number of those who fought for Nigeria's independence and lived through today's rot and decline from their then high hopes to today’s wishes for yet another set of good leaders who can dream and have thoughts for the good of their people! 16. He was the father of Enugu State and the most prominent politician to ever come out of Enugu State! 17. He was an astute and fearless politician who genuinely criticised the government of the day without rancour! 18. One admirer surmised that Onoh was the greatest politician that ever emerged from the entire Enugu State and Icheoku concurs that you cannot talk about the Wawa people or Enugu State without C.C Onoh! Icheoku calls CC, the father of Enugu State and the man who led the effort to make that state a reality!

A man who always spoke his mind irrespective of whose ox is gored, and who once blamed the numerous problems facing Nigeria today on an existing structural imbalance in her 48 years of existence. It was his believe that Britain is the root cause of Nigeria's problems as not only did they unwillingly grant Nigeria Independence in 1960, but went on to rig the 1962 election to produce a Northerner as Prime Minister, when the Sardauna of Sokoto Ahmadu Bello, leader of the North then, never wanted one Nigeria! This, according to him, began Nigeria's problems with an unwilling leader leading a reluctant people.

With his exit, Nigeria, South-East, Igboland and Enugu State in particular have lost a real patriot! Icheoku agrees that the ranks of the country's elder statesmen has further been depleted with the passage of this great man, Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh. We pray that the Almighty God rewards him according to his good deeds and for his tireless effort to make the Wawa person walk erect with his head high in Igboland. CC made Wawa people "real" persons in Igboland and for this, every Wawa son and daughter owes him a debt of gratitude and prayer for the repose of his soul. May his family and the good people of Enugu State find the fortitude to bear the great loss; and his shoes like that left by Obafemi Awolowo in Yoruba land, might be too big for any one feet to fill, just yet! Adieu CC !

NEW GENERATION NIGERIAN MUSICIANS, KNUCKLE HEADS? - an article by Vicky Awuzie.

What in the world are those knuckle-heads of new generation Nigerian musicians singing? Has anyone listened to the new breed of Nigerian Hip-hop artists lately? If you have, have you really paid attention to their lyrics? The fact is the lyrics are so vulgar and so much in your face that you could not have avoided hearing the bold idiotic words. These new breed of musicians have completely abandoned their accents, social ills in Nigeria, their names and so much more to emulate American “gangsta” rap. The more I listen to their music, the more rattled I become. Don’t get me wrong. I’m definitely not ancient, but the nonsensical unacceptable lyrics they sing must be brought to their attention. They are copying American rap stars without really knowing what the culture in America is. Some of them have never lived here in America, yet they sing in American ghetto slang.

The new wave for them is that they now refer to themselves as Niggas. Do they really know what Nigga means? I bet you if they did they would NEVER utter that word. Do they know that even though the rap musicians in America refer to themselves as Niggas it is partly because of a historical reason and that will take an entire page to explain before one could begin to make sense out of it? Do they know that people are taken to court for calling someone a Nigga in America? Are they aware that the DJ’s don’t allow that word (Nigga) on the airwaves, it gets bleeped out? Please STOP the use of that word in your songs. You don’t know the history behind it.

As I ponder about these new bone-head musicians, the only thing I can think of is that this generation of musicians are non-educated and are exposing their ignorance in their music. One of them proudly named himself Dat-Nigga-Raw. What in the hell was he thinking? Did his mama or papa call him Dat Nigga Raw when he was a little boy? Dat Nigga Raw, please change your name. If you have any relatives in America they would advise you the same. Do all of you realize that your song with the bad words does not get played in our social scenes here in America? When I first received Dat Nigga Raw’s CD, I was taking my two boys to a basketball game, while in the car I decided to play the CD. As the song began and the Nigga words came on, my son asked me if he heard right or was it a Nigerian word. I told him that he heard right. He was disappointed that a Nigerian musician could say such word. He asked me if he knew what it meant.

D’bang is another one who uses the "F" word as if that’s all there is in his brain. In one of his songs, he says “I like the way you’re f**k me". What is wrong with all of you, even the rappers in America who you are emulating will not say such things on a record. By the way, who is 9ice, that’s another one something is wrong with? What’s up with the hooded sweatshirt on the cover of his CD? It wasn’t cold in Nigeria that day or was it? Was it 20 or 30 degrees in Nigeria? Take it off; it’s too hot to wear such outfit in Nigeria. Also, if you want to throw or shower money on your video, please use Nigerian currency (Naira) not dollars. And the fake jewelry all of you are wearing? Give me a break. It is a “gangsta” statement in America and it means something. It signifies a gangsta’s wealth. It also signifies how many records a gangsta has sold and much more. Duncan Mighty was wearing one on his CD cover. P-L-E-A-Z-EEEE. What does yours signify, sir?

One annoying observation that I encountered is the fact that the music from this generation lacks originality. Almost all the beats sound American. I’m really surprised that Nigerian journalists have not hammered on the lack of originality of this generation of musician. What is also surprising is that the songs get played on Nigerian radio stations with the vulgar words on them. Common, DJ’s bleep them out before you play them. We have young people listening and you can’t corrupt them like that. Would you be happy if your child said the “F” word because they heard it on the radio?

Fela, Sunny Okosun, One World, The Wings, Bongos Ikwe, The Apostles, Victor Uwaifo to mention but a few were all originals. They acknowledged the social ills in Nigeria and the rest of the world, but their beats remained true to African flavor. Fela Kuti and Sunny Okosun(RIP) were world famous because of their originality. I gave a radio DJ friend of mine a CD from Nigeria to play on his show to give this nameless artist some American exposure. After listening to it he called me and said – “Vicky, there’s no originality, it sounds like any music an American rapper could have sang.” So, there goes the exposure I was counting on for this youngster. Listen, people in America want to hear that African touch in African music. They are not interested in you if you sound like 50 Cents, The Game or Beyonce.

The point is, stop following American rappers sheepishly. Be true to yourself. The same goes for all of you wearing long boots, hooded sweatshirts and much more in Nigeria. That line of clothing is made for very cold climate. Do you understand? P-square, 2 Face, African China, Jeremiah gang, Timaya are ok. I haven’t heard any of the rubbish I hear from the other artists in their songs. For instance, when P-square says “do me, I do you” he did not use profanity, but we all knew what he meant and that is how it should be. I’m watching out for Desperate Chicks, Yahoozy and so many more. The Desperate chicks tried to drift, but they are ok. Ladies, as long as you stay classy, you will be ok. Just never cheapen yourselves. As I said, I’m very civilized, as a matter of fact, I’m a DJ and I’m happening. So, I know what I’m talking about. These new generation of musicians must come to their senses or risk not having their music played on the radios and social events.

LARRY KING, TIME TO HANG UP THOSE SUSPENDERS?

The irony of high definition television aka HDTV is that it hides no flaws; it lays bare any person or thing on it that not even the most layered of make-ups comes to the rescue. In other words, it is completely a denuding television format! No time has this been clearer than since the transition of CNN to HD broadcast, as the old age of Larry King has really come to LIVE! With his audience, now forced to endure a caricature, scarecrow looking, over-wrinkled and ghoulish-like piece of humanity interviewing guests on topical issues?

Icheoku likes Larry King Live a lot and religiously keeps a date with it, but Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 tells us that the time has come for Larry King to hang up those suspenders! It is about time he went off the television to live out his golden years somewhere outside the peoples view; a viewership that is steadily declining because women are turned off and so are young ones, who are scared of the sight of the "apparition" in colorful suspenders, behind the microphone?

Admitted that Larry King is one of a kind, but what is the use of a show when no one watches? The alternatives are minimal as only his forced retirement is acceptable and good enough to woe back the audience which has become somewhat forlorn. The thing about television is that people have to behold what is on it and unsightly scenes are a great turn-off. If CNN cannot retire Larry King, they should put a screen to mask the contours on his face especially his forehead, or find a way to air-brush his face to make it more appealing. The cameras could be made to pan him away from the guests and use his earlier flips, superimposed as if live, to fill in the gaps; assuming CNN cannot do without him on the set? Better still he could be domiciled to CNN radio where only his still good baritone voice will be heard; but his face now does more harm to the sight?

As of today, CNN Larry King and CBS 60 Minutes Andy Rooney are two faces whose time have since come, to vacate the television. No matter how good somebody is, before his/her advent there was someone else doing the beat; and if they go there will always be a replacement to carry on the flag, so Icheoku is not ready to buy into the argument that this duo are so good that they are irreplaceable, otherwise what happens should they drop off the face of the earth? At 70 plus and 90 plus years, respectively, CNN Larry King and CBS 60 Minutes Andy Rooney are nearing the last laps of their earthly sojourn as we all human beings are obliged to travel. The audience should not be forced to witness an old age induced cardiac arrest someday on national television, before the management of this two networks wake up to their responsibilities both to the viewing audience and the parties concerned. Icheoku says, Larry King could take up this matter and remove his face on television by retiring if CNN cannot do so; but to continue to torture his audience with his ethereal looks is no longer what the doctor ordered. There is time for everything under the sun and Larry King's time on television has since gone into sunset.

Hopefully, the management of CNN is listening and crawling through blogspheres, and will find out that its audience are speaking loud and clear that some faces need to stay off the tube! Being good at a job is not a reason to continue to subject the viewing public with the image of a Larry King that is increasingly becoming unsightly and psyche numbing. Icheoku strongly believes that were Larry King a woman, so much pressure would have been mounted to have "her" taken off the screen; also were he a minority he would have since been forced off the air since he has doubly passed his retirement age! But being of the "acceptable do no wrong stock", he is still being "accommodated" under the guise of doing one heck of a good job? Be that as it may, Icheoku says, Larry King is now just too sight-unfriendly to continue being on nightly television network, especially so soon before one goes to bed to suffer a Larry King's induced nightmares?

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!