AT LAST, MADONNA GETS HER DAUGHTER!

Icheoku congratulates the Malawi's Supreme Court of Appeal for doing right for and by three year old little Mercy Chifundo James. With their decision, overruling the lower court and granting Madonna's adoption, the court has proved that it can be above board and realistic, a position we had advocated in our previous commentary on baby Mercy James. See the said commentary posted as:- an opportunity denied in malawi.

Once again, congratulation Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo for proving an African man reasonable? At last, the Malawi government has one less mouth of an orphan to worry about with baby Mercy James now gone to fulfil her destiny in the home of Madonna? Like William Shakespeare said in Julius Caesar, some people have greatness thrust upon them and so it is with baby Mercy James; who has now become a co-heiress to the fortune of Madonna!

Icheoku asks, which mortal can comprehend the joke which nature plays with mankind; such that a yesterday's destitute orphan is today, a family member of multi-millionaire rock-star, Madonna and her fortune of several hundreds of millions of dollars? It is all in the stars!

PHIL SPECTOR, HAIR-WIRED?

Behold, the changing faces of Phil Spector, the convicted murderer! He is doing time for killing his paramour just for the heck of it? Icheoku says, a man capable of these transformations might as well adopt the name, Mr. Chameleon?

What a master of disguise, this Phil Specter is? Appearance is really deceptive as no one would easily believe that the above busts belong to one and only one person. Wonders of Hollywood and the plastic Los Angeles life; the land of make-belief? Icheoku remembers too that Samuel O Jackson is also hairless but is always hair-full in most of his movies? Also Donald Trump will be vindicated in this war of hairs?

Legendary music producer, Phil Spector, who was widely known for his many hairy heads, had to unmask his head, revealing a vulture-like skull. Phil abandoned his wigs after being sentenced last month to 19 years to life for second-degree murder in the 2003 of actress Lana Clarkson, pictured left.

His very bald-mug shot, topmost left, was taken on June 5, 2009 as part of the routine for formally processing new inmates into the prison system, in the United States of America. Regulations forbid wigs and other hairpieces unless they are deemed medically necessary, which in Spector's case was not the case. Icheoku says, who knew Spector never had hairs on his scalp?

ABORTION DOCTOR TILLER, KEEP THE CLINIC OPEN!

If that Wichita Kansas clinic closes, then all that Dr. George Tiller lived and died for would have been in vain. So therefore, let the clinic stay open!

This humanitarian doctor who provided women with opportunity to exercise their God-given control over their reproductive rights? An enlightened doctor who was ready to fight for a cause he believed in, the preservation of this right, even at the cost of his life? A medical doctor whose life was taken by a lunatic right-winger who trailed him inside the holy grounds of Lutheran church in Wichita and gunned him down in cold-blood, with Jesus Crucified watching? Icheoku says, for this clinic to close is for this extremist to have his way and for the doctor to die in vain; therefore let the clinic remain open!

For the family to follow through and close the clinic is for this doctor to die a worthless death? So why should he, after-all civil rights movement in America did not stop when Martin Lurther King Jr., died from assassins bullets, otherwise we will not have the gift of President Barack Obama? Fear is the greatest problem of mankind and that is exactly the weapon of choice of the domestic terrorist, Scott Roeder that pulled the trigger that ended Dr. Tiller's life. After Jesus Christ was killed, his apostles did not run away and close shop because of fear, no, instead they remained strong and persevered, giving us the Christianity which we enjoy today. After international terrorists brought down our Twin-Towers, Manhattan did not close down? No, New Yorkers persevered and today, new freedom towers are sprouting from the hallowed chasm that once housed the twin towers? So why must it be in Wichita Kansas that terror should be allowed to triumph over the people? Icheoku says, it is un-American and must not be allowed!

Dr. George Tiller's Women's Health Care Services, PA should remain open, to keep alive the memory of what he stood up for and gave his life, defending! Icheoku says, it will be a great disservice for the family who benefited from his struggles to suddenly, out of fear, shutter the doors to the clinic; just because one starry-eyed red-neck says so with his treacherous bullets? If they indulge Scott Roeder and his ilks, then America, as we know it, will forever change? Why must evil win over good? If the family yields to this terrorist, it would appear that they were in it just for the pie but not ready to do the hard work needed to put the pie on the dinner table? Please, Tiller's family, do not be a party-revelers who will go home as soon as the party is over. Stay, stand up and fight for the memory of slain Dr. George Tiller; as any other action/inaction of yours will amount to cowardice and letting the killers of the doctor win? What an unbecoming legacy to leave for the slain Tiller?

Icheoku says, no matter what happens, the memory of Dr. Tiller must be protected and at whatever cost? Please let us keep hope alive and keep his clinic open; otherwise the extremist red-necks would have won the battle to deprive women of their right to make decisions regarding their body? Their purpose of killing Dr. George Tiller is to bring to an end, the operations at the clinic; therefore if the clinic shuts down, they would have won? But is America going to let these cowards of the country have their way? Icheoku says, we don't think so; as their way is the way that leads to perdition. What vermin this people are? Peradventure, the Nebraska doctor, Dr. LeRoy Carhart, who has volunteered to step in as a gap-filler in Wichita Kansas will provide the necessary succour to all the women who hitherto needed Dr. George Tiller's services? It takes brave-men to effect needed changes in a society and Icheoku commends this doctor from Nebraska for his courage to push on.

It will be recalled that Dr. George Tiller was shot to death on May 31, 2009 while serving as an usher inside his local Lutheran Church in Wichita Kansas. The lunatic christian right-winger, despicable piece of humanity, a putrid piece of garbage, Scott Roeder, defiled the sanctity of a holy place with the blood of the innocent? Scott Roeder, 51, from Kansas City, Missouri has since been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the shooting to death of Dr. George Tiller. And he committed this heinous murder in the name of his 'God'; defending the rights of the unborn while depriving the already existing, his own right to life? Icheoku says, what God would approve of the shedding of the blood of a human-being, simply for performing some medical services? Icheoku says, not the God we know and serve; so the 'god' that this lunatic worships and kills for, is surely a different god?

FYI: - Dr. George Tiller's clinic, Women's Health Care Services, PA was one of the only three facilities in the United States of America that performed third-trimester abortions. Dr. Leroy Carhart has run his own clinic in Bellevue, Nebraska, since 1985, but had performed late-term abortions at Tiller's clinic because of Nebraska's more restrictive abortion laws. Nebraska law does not allow an abortion if the fetus is considered viable, or able to survive outside the womb. Kansas law allows abortions on viable fetuses after the 21st week if carrying the pregnancy to term would endanger the mother's life or cause a "substantial and irreversible impairment" of a major bodily function, including mental health?

DONALD TRUMP, SUCCUMBS AT LAST?

The pressure from the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender/transvestites was simply too much for The Donald to continue to starve off and he decided to cut down on his losses. The sacrificial lamb, Miss California USA Carrie Prejean! Today she has become history, a victim of the hot-button holy grail issue which brought about the infamous don't ask don't tell policy of the United States military? She was simply stated, FIRED by The Donald?

Icheoku says, no matter the subterfuge used to try to explain away this sudden development; why Prejean was let go, the underlying current was her ill-thought out answer to a gay marriage question. We saw it coming but why it even took this long to materialize was the surprising aspect of the whole story. May be Perez Hilton was right, "Better late than never"! What a hypocrite, this lady is after-all, a christian who would strut, barely-clad, on runways and who would pose semi-nude and in topless photos, on a beach but now refuses to understand that love sometimes is not gender-specific? Carrie Prejean must be a selective christian?

According to the story making rounds, Carrie Prejean was dethroned as Miss California USA for "contract violations," including missing scheduled pageant events? Icheoku says, tell that to the marines as unfounded and a bare-naked lies. Donald Trump just told her, 'You are Fired'!

It will be recalled that Miss Prejean, 22, retained her title last May despite trailing controversies over topless photos, missed appearances and her statements that she is against against same-sex marriage? Prejean had stepped into controversy at the Miss USA pageant in April when she declared her opposition to same-sex marriage in a response to a question asked during the national pageant by Perez Hilton, a pageant judge. Prejean subsequently finished as first runner-up and admitted as much in a radio interview that it was that controversy that led to her losing her title, not contract issues. Icheoku asks, but what happened to her freedom of expression?

Former runner-up Tami Farrell has now been elevated as the new Miss California USA, 2009! What a power play between a very powerful bloc and a business mogul, Donald Trump (The Donald) whose religion is money; and who could not afford a boycott of all things Donald, by the gay and lesbian community, hence a lesser disposable had to yield way and so went Carrie Prejean into oblivion as a "fired" former Miss California USA?

NIGERIAN SCAM, WHAT YOU MUST KNOW! - an article by Rose Alexander.

The Nigerian Advance Fee scam, better known as the '419' Letter scam has been around since the early 80s. Millions have fallen for this scam and the count just keeps getting bigger. Victims of the Nigerian 419 letter scam lose USD $3000 on the average, according to reports. Hundreds have also died chasing the 419 scheme dream? '419' is that section of Nigeria's penal code that prohibits and punishes the fraud of obtaining by false pretence.

The accompanying photographs are real 419 operators who were tricked into sending their photgraphs across with their name tags, just to verify that they are the real beneficiaries of the money being transfered? Notice particularly the guy below left whose name is Hajia Mariam Abacha and he is a man? Then you have Evangelist Ojukwa Damisa? Lucas Kabongo? Joseph Otumba? Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim? Icheoku says, what a group of dopes, these fraudulent criminals are?

On how the scam works, now read the following expose` by a commentator:-

Nigerian scams usually begin with an urgent e-mail from a foreign country in the name of a government leader or ex-leader, and possibly from a family scion or heir. The Nigerian e-mail scam earned its name because so many of the messages were from Nigerian addresses or named the Central Bank of Nigeria as the financial institution through which funds would be transferred if the recipient of the e-mail decided to fall for the scam. Although not the first or only of its kind, the Nigerian scam has bilked millions from Americans who were duped into participating, as well as similar sums from residents in countries like Great Britain. Here’s how it works: - It starts with a plea for assistance The present-day scam is actually an updated version of a classic con called “The Spanish Prisoner” that dates back to the 1920s. Early versions of the con involved letters promised to reward anyone who would help a prominent Spanish family free their imprisoned son by advancing funds for taxes, bribes, and other fees that could result in the boy’s release. Of course, there was no prisoner. And anyone who “lent” money to help the imaginary prisoner with the prospect of gaining a sizable reward in return simply lost all funds advanced to the cause. Later years involved faxes or e-mails rather than letters, but still in an attempt to draw unsuspecting people into the scam of earning easy cash by aiding a hapless victim in a foreign country. Thus, the first assault is to play on the recipient’s emotions. All of us want to help others, especially in less-developed countries—and especially when a sizable price tag to be paid to us is involved.

The second characteristic of this scam is the promise of earning thousands or even millions of dollars for doing nothing, or almost nothing, except to facilitate the proposed transfer of funds into an American (or British, etc.) bank account. The victim will be asked to open an account and simply wait for the funds to arrive, usually promised within seven to ten days. Typically, the American or European recipient will be told that he or she can expect a sizable percentage of the total transfer amount, perhaps ten or twenty percent. Just as people keep buying lottery tickets in hopes of winning “the big one” someday, they don’t realize that buying tickets is a long shot toward big winnings. The same is true of this scam—people feel that paying one fee after another brings them that much closer to receiving their funds, which, in fact, do not exist. Red flags appear after a short time, perhaps a few days, the victim is advised of a snare in the transfer plans and asked to contribute a “small amount” toward an unexpected but critical expense. This can be an unpaid debt on the property in question, a tax bill, and a bribe for officials with jurisdiction over the issue or person, or any number of other questionable factors. Thinking that an advance of perhaps $5,000 is a small amount to pay in anticipation of $100,000, many people fall for the scam and send their own money to facilitate the imaginary transfer that will never take place. A few days later, another message arrives, asking the victim to send another “small” amount of maybe $2,000, and the victim complies with the hope of speeding his reward along. In this manner, the scammers take advantage of numerous victims by teasing them with the prospect of easy money that never materializes. Unfortunately, although we ought to know better, many of us still give in to the temptation of easy money. In 1997, one newspaper account reported that $15 million had been taken from Americans by Nigerian scam artists over a period of 15 months according to snopes.com. Check it out the Nigerian money scam sounds too good to be true—and it is. Sadly, there are many such confidence tricks being played on innocent and unknowing persons who want to help others and make a quick buck. Here are some tips to keep in mind when evaluating money-making schemes that reach you by telephone, mail or e-mail:- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Think through any startling claims and look for logical fallacies.

Consult business reporting systems such as the Better Business Bureau and the National Fraud Information Center. You should also forward the scam information to the Secret Service Financial Crimes Division, 950 H Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20223, or telephone (202) 406-5850. These resource offices can give you information about specific scams, con artists, and possible fraud schemes that concern you. Your sharing information with them may contribute to the successful tracking of those involved with criminal activities.- Ask friends and family members if they have received similar offers. It is amazing how far and wide the Nigerian scam letters traveled—to all corners of the globe. There are many such schemes, such as the recent Lottery Prize Award announcement that tells victims they have won tens of thousands of dollars in a European lottery, and all they have to do is send a few dollars for processing fees. Another comes in the form of an offer to enrich a special church or charitable organization because the sender feels guilty or admires the work being done—but this, too, turns out to be a plea for your assets.- Explore resources. If an offer sounds especially realistic or appealing, contact the bank or individuals whose names are attached and ask for more information. Try to make telephone contact so you can get first-hand information, not just an email auto-response that can be part of the scam.

Chances are you will not be able to reach anyone by phone that can convince you of the validity of an e-mail offer of riches.- Don’t send money that you cannot afford to lose. Too often, victims surrender their monthly pension check, rent money, or other budget needs in an effort to cash in on their good luck via the Nigerian scam. It’s one thing to throw away money sitting in a savings account that you don’t plan on using anytime soon. It’s quite another to spend money you have allocated to more important needs, such as food, housing, medicine or transportation. Avoid trading funds for uncertain returns on your investment. In general, e-mail solicitations to make you rich are unlikely to be genuine. Usually they are con artist attempts to separate a fool and his money. While many people have avoided the lure of easy riches, many have not, which suggests that greater awareness of this problem is needed, particularly in isolated segments of our population, such as the uneducated, the illiterate, the home-bound, and the desperate poor. Don’t fall for a scheme that tries to take advantage of someone by offering a glittery deal while providing minimal information. Remember the example of the Nigerian scam and question every such offer that comes your way by any means.

HELL ON EARTH, A CITY THAT IS?

What is in a name one may ask; especially when that name is HELL? Can you imagine really going to Hell when you are still alive, here on earth? To Christians, one can only go to Hell when that person dies in sin? However, this myth has been debunked as research has shown that so many people are fascinated with the name, Hell, that they chose to give it to their cities and cherish living in Hell. So why wait until you die in sin to experience what living in Hell is like?

Now that you know that you can go to Hell while still alive; and either stay there until it freezes over or just get out as soon as it becomes unbearable for you; are you a potential candidate for a trip to Hell? In essence, you can now go to Hell and leave whenever you like; and it does not matter if you live a sinful life or you are as holy as the most holy? Wonders shall never end and so is it that there is a city named HELL and it freezes over every winter? Also it would seem that to tell someone, 'until Hell freezes over' makes no sense any longer as Hell freezes over in Hell, Michigan!

Hell, Michigan is an unincorporated community of about 266 people in Putnam Township, Livingstone County, 15 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Hell is situated in post office ZIP Code 48169. Michigan in addition, also have other very interesting city names such as Paradise, Climax and Colon?

It would appear that Hell is so good that there are so many other Hells on earth? There is Hell in Kentucky, Hell in Arizona, Hell in Norway, Hell in Grand Cayman and Hell in California? Now you know, so what do you think? In any other event, why not meet other curious birds in Hell next winter and watch Hell freeze over?

OMAR BONGO, ANOTHER AFRICAN DESPOT KICKS THE BUCKET!

President Omar Bongo of Gabon, Africa's longest-serving despotic-dictator since 1967, has at last, eventually died! He was just 73 years? What an end to an era, which everybody cannot wait to see come to pass? He was a mean midget dictator and absolutely corrupt.

Icheoku does not mourn his death but let it be a sign to other African henchmen, that there is always an end to everything under the sun. With Omar Bongo now gone, Africa should continue to pray hard that the good Lord will take care of other remaining madmen of Africa, who are holding a death-grip on power and for too long now! The list include Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, Lybia's Moummar Ghaddafi, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea; as well as other emerging petty-dictators and anti-democratic elements in Africa especially Mwai Kibaki of Kenya?

Fearing arrest for corruption in France, Omar Bongo has sought treatment in Spain, where he was receiving treatment at a clinic in Barcelona before he died. Omar Bongo had cancer and probably died of it? It will be recalled that his wife Edith Lucie Bongo, had passed on in March 2009.

His son, the current defence minister of Gabon, Ali-Ben Bongo, is likely to succeed him as president; except the Gabonese people rise up to the occasion to put an end to the madness and nip in the bud, a disastrous dynasty?

SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS, PLEASE CEASE AND DESIST!

The five South East governors, once again paid their 'suck-up-to-him' visit to the Dracula-Vampire of Aso Rock, President Umaru Yar'Adua! Icheoku condemns and unequivocally too, these visits, as unproductive and unnecessary ass-kissing gimmick which does not do Ndi-Igbo any good. Instead, it reduces, in the eyes of other Nigerians, the prestige of the people of the south-east who would at best, now be seen as a beggarly slavish people? Enough is enough, of these visits! Please save the face of Ndi-Igbo, maintain their honor and dignity, you five "wise-ones"!

According to the story, governors Peter Obi of Anambra State, Abia State's Theodore Orji, Ebonyi State's Martin Elechi, Enugu State's Sullivan Chime and Imo State's Ikedi Ohakim went to Aso Rock to plead with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for the upgrade of Enugu local/regional 'airport' to an international standard airport? But as always and in his usual foxy calculating manner, the president 'promised to look into their request'? Icheoku says, it will take Mr. Slow-man the remainder of his expected tenure of 5 years, 11 months, 30 days, 23hours and 59 minutes 59 seconds to finish looking into this request; and may be, in the same manner as the previous presidents/heads of states who had promised in vain to look into it since the end of the civil war in 1970?

These governors represent over 50 million Nigerians who call themselves Igbos; hence in whatever they do, they must factor in the pride of the Igbo nation as it is necessarily impacted. Experience tells us that respect is earned but never conferred since it is not a title; so if the Igbos want the respect of and equitable accommodation by other Nigerians, they must earn the right thereto and positively, too. Also if they want power, they must be prepared and ready to take it willy-nilly as they cannot genuflect their way into power, and it does not matter how many pilgrimages they pay to Aso Rock? Such ill-advised visits have not in any tangible substantive manner, improved the lot of the Igbo nation in the past, not now and there is no guarantee it will in the future? So why make it? The only way for the Igboman's lot to truly improve in Nigeria, is for the Igbos to adroitly steer one of her own into Aso Rock and then, they can do it for themselves and by themselves. The north have four more years following their remaining two, and thereafter, it shall be the turn of the Igbos to ascend the presidency of Nigeria? Icheoku says, this should be an unconditional position of the Igbos, and it does not matter if all the Buharis of the Nigerian armed forces conspires once again, to scuttle it. This Igbo position, should be clearly spelt out and made known to the rest of Nigerians as a non negotiable charter of the Igbos. Then the ways and means of realizing this objective, should be the primary pre-occupation of these governors, but not paying unproductive visits to Aso Rock!

How does the Igbos prepare themselves for the eventual hand over to them of Nigeria's presidential relay-baton in 2016? When the time comes, will they be ready to present and rally around a consensus candidate? Are strategies in place to successfully navigate the shark-infested and treacherous waters of Nigeria politics? The money, the politics, the campaign and logistics are they being garnered and put together? These should be the agenda and occupying responsibilities for these governors but not Aso Rock incessant visits?

Icheoku have written severally on this need and once again, we ask these five governors, when the time comes in 2016, would the Igbos be ready to present a unity candidate for the presidency of Nigeria? This is what every rational person in Igboland including these five governors should be engaging their energy in and nothing more, including going to Aso Rock. This is the time to strategize and position two or more candidates who shall lead the effort for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction come 2016. Two candidates, objectively selected, groomed to be ready and to be sponsored, with a clear objective of winning the presidency in 2016. All that is needed is a completely motivated Igbo son or daughter with means, reach, connection and the lion-heart to do what is needed in Nigeria?

Our fear, however, is that when 2016 eventually gets here that the Igbos may be caught unprepared; and still engaged in their selfish, self-centered, petty intra-fighting over who their candidate shall be? May be by 2016, the Igbos will still be unable to produce a compromise unity-candidate of ability, means and note; with about 100 of them still jostling for the one position? Such a scenario will thus make the 26 candidates who came out for the PDP party's chairmanship a mere child's play and you ask yourself, when shall the Igbos grow up, politically?

The puerile politics of the Igbos must stop, in order for them to realistically get somewhere meaningful in Nigeria? Icheoku says, it is about time the Igbos learn how to play the real politics, the Nigerian style? If the Yoruba could accept one of her most despicable sons, Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo, as Nigerian president of Yoruba extraction and did not oppose his presidency, then why won't the Igbos learn from that? Also that in a fight with hoodlums, you do not send your most timid child to the village square but you send the fiercest, bravest and most daring; who understands the name of the game and who would not be easily cowed or intimidated by other hoodlums? This is the biggest single problem militating against 2016 and the Igbo's quest for the presidency of Nigeria? Who shall they send? Icheoku have answered this million dollar question in the past and hereby reiterates, that Igbos should send either Orji-Uzor Kalu or Ken Nnamani or Andy Uba or Dora Akunyili? Any of this son or daughter of the soil, is exactly what doctor-politics ordered as they are battle-tested and will deliver on cue for the Igbo nation!

Going to Aso Rock by these five governors does not and will not cut it; and it does not matter the aegis or subterfuge founding such visit. Olusegun Obasanjo was made a chief by some Igbos, and with drums and fun-fare, welcomed in Igboland during his campaigns. He won all Igbo states and what did Igbos get in return, but the shutting down of Igbo-owned and operated businesses including Ibeto cement, Slok airlines, Hallmark Bank and Savannah Bank - a bank owned by Jim Nwobodo who led Olusegun Obasanjo's campaign in Igboland? Obasanjo was in power for eight long agonizing years and not a single project did he execute in the entire Igboland; including the left-for-dead River Niger Bridge? Needless to say that many visits were also paid to his Aso Rock over the persisting neglect of the Igbo nation? It is therefore delusional to think that President Umaru Yar'Adua is any different; as his lopsided hegemony-driven appointments have so far proved? His latest refusal to renew Chukwuma Soludo's appointment as the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, despite the stellar performance he put up re-organising Nigerian financial institutions, should be a pointer at his mean-nature and adds impetus to our assertion that these visits are not meritorious. Icheoku says, so, why not leave the sick man alone?

The Igbos are a tenacious people and have survived several despotic governments in Nigeria and will also survive the present one. The Igbos, through their governors, should therefore stop condescending to anyone including the mallam at Aso Rock; all they need do is simply to get ready for their turn in 2016. Then, they can redress all the imbalance and neglect which their geographical area have suffered these past four decades since Nigeria's independence. Like Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:33, seek ye the kingdom of God and the rest shall be added unto you; Icheoku calls on the Igbos to first secure the presidency and then you can divided the oil-money however you deem fit! That is the only thing you really need to do as it will be a means to an end of so many things. You simply have to take it, and uncompromisingly, too! But first you must manifest to all other stake-holders of Nigeria that you are very serious and prepared to take what is rightfully yours come 2016; that no man can stop you and it does not matter how hefty the price that may be paid? Like the Boy-scout's motto, BE PREPARED; Icheoku asks, are the Igbos prepared for 2016? The five governors of the south east should answer this question in the affirmative and let the Igbos know what plans of action are in place to get the Igbos ready for the task ahead. These governors should start now to articulate who among Igbo notables shall best represent the Igbo interest at Aso Rock? Then constitute a committee for their audition and final selection; and commence work immediately for the dream's actualization; call it for what it is, "THE IGBO PROJECT 2016"!

Once the presidency is secured, then they can transform the entire South East to an Abuja of the South East; and re-develop the eastern headquarters of Enugu City into a mega city just like Lagos? Then if they want to build international airports in every state capital in the south east, just like the Hausa-Fulani did in the north, please be our guest? If they also want to appoint all the key ministers from the south east, oh well and dandy; just reference the Dracula-Vampire of Aso Rock as your precedent for doing so? If they want to produce dollar-billionaires from the south east, simply, hand-out import licences and oil-blocks to Igbomen and women; after-all North's Aliyu Dangote became a billionaire through his government approved monopolies, importing consumer goods into Nigeria? Icheoku is not aware of anything which he manufactures or produces in Nigeria, except some cement which he re-bags? Also Femi Otedola represents the South West in the club of dollar-billionaires, so nothing is wrong if a South East person is equally inducted into such an elite exclusive club of Nigerian dollar-billionaires, in order to complete the tripod, federal character of Nigeria?

But first you must get into Aso Rock and the road-map thereto, should be where your energies are directed at the present time and not dissipated in paying non-meritorious homage to Umaru Yar'Adua? Do you know how many presidents/heads of state that promised but failed upgrading Enugu "airstrip" into an international airport, starting with Shehu Shagari's 1979 administration? Icheoku says, the politics of not upgrading Enugu airstrip is as ingrained in the body-gnome of the leaders in Nigeria as the aversion for the Igboman in Nigeria? Moreso, if Enugu 'airstrip' is upgraded, most of the other airports in Nigeria will become redundant since Igbos constitutes more than 65 percent of world travellers in Nigeria? So why would they be the harbinger of the demise of their airports when they can simply keep them running by not upgrading the one at Enugu; thus compelling the Igbos to continue patronizing their airports, through forced stop-overs? Do you know how many administrations in Nigeria that had promised but failed to build a second bridge over the River Niger, starting with 1975 Muritala Mohammed's regime? Did these five governors forget also that Yakubu Gowon's 1970 promised three Rs of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction were not implemented; but frustrated intentionally, to further victimize the Igbos, after the civil war? It has been just one string of empty promises, made one after the other, merely to placate the Igbo-child who is throwing sudden-fits and tantrums over their neglect in Nigeria? Icheoku says, if the governors want any of the matters that necessitated their visit to Aso Rock resolved, they must do it themselves by getting an Igboman/woman into Aso Rock; and such occupant can then prioritize accordingly. Hopefully, when the time for this redress comes, Nigerians will remember that the Igbos have been neglected for so long and were not the one who started the crass nepotism, tribalism and regionalism currently pervading Nigeria?

Icheoku says, genuflecting to Abuja each time will not fix what is broken, hence you must cease and desist from making such pitiful visits. Regrettably too, when you make such visit, courtesy demands that you tell the sick-man of Aso Rock what he wants to hear; which in turn forces you to lie. such as when you falsely praised Umaru Yar'Adua for doing such a heck of a good job? Icheoku says, if what Umaru Yar'Adua is "not-doing" is considered by you as doing a good job, then something is definitely awry with your perception? It is either your appreciation of the word "good" has diminished drastically or you were afraid to tell the king the truth in front of his face? So why box yourself in such a catch 22 situation, where you must implicate yourself, either way! Icheoku says, Mr. Slow-man has not done anything to warrant any praise and not by you, the South East governors?

Please, please, governors, enough of these visits! They are not worthy of your time and since they are not productive? Imagine your knee-jerk imput on the Niger Delta genocide that “we remain prayerful that everything will be resolved in the interest of the country”? This is not a sufficient reaction because those Niger Delta people are also Nigerians, being unecessarily slaughtered just because of their own oil? A real manly-man would have called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to end his adventure in the Niger Delta forthwith, period! Also you failed or could not secure a renewal of Soludo's contract at the central bank of Nigeria? And on the Niger Bridge, instead of inquiring what is holding up the project, you were busy talking about dredging; which shows that possibly you did not go to Abuja on the people's business but to secure your second term in office, come 2011? It is pitiful that such visits are taking place in the Igboman's name and behalf? Never again! Not in their name! Not on their behalf shall you ever embark on such a visit to Aso Rock! To the five south-east governors who went to see President Umaru Yar'Adua, you have been forsworn and forbidden never to visit Aso Rock on behalf of Ndi-Igbo again; but implored to work assidiously to put 'Onye-Igbo' in Aso Rock, as president of Nigeria in 2016! That is the 'Ebe ana eje 2016'!

FYI: It will be recalled that the South East Governors on July 31, 2008 paid a similar visit to Aso Rock to urge the President's understanding on the need to create one additional state in the south east? As always, President Yar’Adua expressed his qualified support that the issue was purely constitutional? This event has since been over-taken by other Arewa-based agenda, which the president is rather pursuing with whatever remains of his fast-fading life?

WAR AGAINST CORUPTION HAS FAILED! - an article by Chinedu Vincent Akuta.

"In the battle against corruption, in Nigeria, corruption has won" - this is the verdict of the author?

“The United Nations (UN) says Nigerian kleptocrats have milked the nation to the tune of about $100 billion dollars thorough various acts of grand corruption, the cost of which it lamented by far exceeded the damage caused by any other single crime”(Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 page 9). “The greatest incitement to crime is the hope of escaping punishment” (Marcus Cicero).

As far as Nigeria is concerned, we should think not what we can do to corruption but think of what corruption can do to Nigeria and Nigerians. I have made the above statement because of the level of corruption and the sequential reports of corrupt practises in Nigeria . On the average there are new cases of corruption reported weekly on the Nigerian dailies. The rates are very alarming. I am also 99% sure that many cases of corruption do not make headlines mainly because the go unnoticed by the press or the law enforcement agents. For the purposes of space and time, I will examine few cases of corruption in last 12 months to buttress my point. I will start with the power probe.

The National Assembly revelled that $16 billion dollars was invested in power sector without anything to show for it. This investment was made without any single megawatt being added to the national grid. To make matters worse was that some contractors didn’t even know the sites. Talk less of doing any job. Where is this money? Am sure $1 billion out of this amount can build about 3 new refineries. $1 billion should be enough to do a second Niger bridge across River Niger . $1 billion can build a low cost housing estate in Lagos or else where in the country. $1 billion can build a well equipped hospital in Nigeria thereby stopping our government officials from flying abroad all the time for medical attention. $1 billion can be used to create jobs for at lease 10,000 Nigerians. $1 billion can provide maximum security prisons where corrupt people can be sent to. The list of what the money can do is endless.

Towards the end of March 2009, the Nigerian dailies reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 2 comptrollers of Customs over an alleged complicity in a 3 billion naira customs duty scam, involving the controversial Vaswani brothers. The Vaswani brothers are the owners of Stallion Group. Their head office is in Victoria Island Lagos.

Then came the Halliburton $150 million dollars bribe money traced to Zurich . The total amount was $180 million dollars, which means that $30 million dollars is yet to be traced or found. This bribe was paid to facilitate the award of $6 billion dollars LNG contracts. My argument is that the $6 billion which was the quoted contract sum would be about 20 times the initial costs of the project. The federal government should conduct more enquiries and ascertain how much the original cost of the contracts should have been. This is with the view to knowing how much was actually stolen.

At the heat of the Halliburton bribe money discovery, President Yar’Adua promised the nation that once he has a response, he will make public the names of the culprits and take appropriate action. As part of taking his action, he inaugurated the Okiro Panel. The committee has eight weeks to submit its report. We are waiting and watching how it will go. To be fair and to achieve a balance, the president should name every person involved in corruption henceforth. A good starting point will be to name those behind $16 billion dollar unaccounted resources invested in the power sector. Until he does this, many Nigerians will tend to believe the accusations made by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai that the federal government is insincere in the fight against corruption.

Guardian newspapers of Wednesday, 22nd April 2009 online version reported about the African Petroleum (AP) Plc’s share price manipulation scam that made AP to suffer over N240 billion losses. The culprit in this case was named as Mr Eugene Anenih, the managing director of Nova Finance and Securities Limited.

As if there was a competition, the following day being Thursday, 23rd April 2009 , Thisday newspapers online version reported that the suspended chairman of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) with six other commissioners were being charged for fraud of N1.5 billion naira.

Thisday newspapers of 7th May 2009 online version reported that 3 house members including a serving senator of the country are on the run over a N6 billion naira rural electrification contract scam. The same paper reported about officials of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) arrested over N1.7 billion naira contract scam. Thisday newspaper of 8th May 2009 online version reported the story of N250 million bribe scandal given over the Ekiti re-run elections.

Guardian newspapers of Wednesday 13th May 2009 online version reported an allegation made by the special adviser on petroleum to President, (Dr Emmanuel Egbogah). He alleged that some members of the national assembly have taken bribes from some oil firms to truncate the federal government’s reforms in the petroleum sector. The amount was not mentioned.

Just recently, Nigerian dailies reported about the arrest of one Mr. Ejike Onwosugbolu who was carrying N250 million naira cash in three suit cases. On interrogation, he confessed that the money belonged to the present Anambra State governor (Peter Obi). Nigerians are waiting for what the EFCC will do about this case.

“The greatest incitement to crime is the hope of escaping punishment”(Marcus Cicero). Corruption has prospered in Nigeria mainly because corrupt government/private officials have a way of escaping punishment. It also shows the mindset of these evil people. Quoting former Justice Oputa, “Nothing will happen in our nation, in our society which did not first happen in our minds. If wrong is rampant, if indiscipline is rife, if corruption is the order of the day, we have to search our individual minds for that is where it all starts”.

Prevention is better than cure. My simple advice to the authorities in Nigeria should be to fashion out a preventive strategy against corruption. Secondly the authorities should consider making corruption a capital offence. We can borrow a leaf from China on the best way to fight corruption. The political parties were the indicted national assembly members are from, should take disciplinary actions against them. But before then let them refund their loot to the people of Nigeria .

Corruption is every where in the world, but the difference is how various countries approach it. When the expenses scandal involving British MP’s became open in the United Kingdom , the Tory leader (David Cameron) ordered senior conservatives to pay back thousands of pounds to the tax payers. The Tory leader humiliated several members of the shadow cabinet by naming them one by one on the national television. He ordered all the people involved to return the total amount claimed. He apologised to the nation for the actions of his party members. In same way, the Nigerian parties were the corrupt national assembly members are from should apologize to Nigerians.

America is also another to place to look out for how to deal with corrupt people. A good example should be Madoff who master minded one of the biggest fraud in history. He was sentenced to 150 years in prison. Nigerian authorities can do same at home if the federal government is true to its fight against corruption. If no tough measures are taken, corruption will continue to win the battle against corruption. May God bless Nigeria.

Chinedu Vincent Akuta is an activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK

DANIEL JAMES MURRAY, WANTS THE PRESIDENT DEAD?

As evil as they are, these haters would rather America not move on? Last week they killed the abortion-doctor, George Tiller, M.D., inside a church in Wichita Kansas? What pathetic fanatic will take the life of another, in protest of the lives of other unborn and inside a place of worship - a God's house? Now they are up to another mischief but fortunately enough, their point-man was nabbed before he could carry out his evil plot against the president! Icheoku says he is such a despicable piece of humanity, undeserving of any co-mingling existence with the rest of decent Americans and therefore should be put away for a very long time.

Daniel James Murray, 36, aka 'Cape Man of 10 Blue Jay Way', from Rexford, Saratoga County, upstate New York, was arrested on Friday, June 5, 2009; ending a nationwide manhunt for the fugitive racist redneck. Daniel was arrested at 7 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of the Riverside Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada; a gambling town 100 miles from Las Vegas on the Nevada-Arizona line?

Daniel was described by some of his neighbours as "troubled but not dangerous"? While his father, Michael Murray, said "He's sick. He's been sick for about 10 years." Murray is the registered owner of eight guns, including semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, some of which can carry 15 rounds of ammunition. It would appear that given his past sheet-rap with the authorities, this Daniel is a recidivist criminal who needs to be finally removed from the society and permanently? Icheoku says, what an arsenal for someone 'not dangerous' indeed? What is a sick man doing with such cache of firearms, if not to start a mini-militia and ferment trouble?

Daniel Murray it was alleged, opened and closed an $85,000 savings account within just two weeks; which raises great suspicion as to the source of the money and adds credibility to a possible conspiracy to commit or try to commit a state assassination of the president? Was it possible that the money was raised in furtherance of the conspiracy? As they say, follow the money and hopefully the trail will lead to the other co-conspirators or financiers of the plot; or at least shine more light on what was afoot before Daniel was nabbed. Murray opened the savings account at Zion’s First National Bank on May 19 with an $85,000 check from Mountain America Credit Union; and on May 27, he returned and withdrew $12,698 from his account, demanding small bills in non-sequential order? Possibly to cover the trail of the expenditure? According to the story, as the teller counted the cash, Murray said, “We are 94 million miles from the sun, and are in between the sun and moon, and the eagle that flies between them, and it’s a giant step for mankind. … I have traveled thousands of miles to be here and know things that are going to happen … the banking system will fail and people will die. … There will be chaos in the world.” Icheoku asks, what does this loony know? Was it a conspiracy to kill the president, in which he is involved or what? Not done yet, as soon as he was handed the cash, Murray said, “We are on a mission to kill the president of the United States?” Murray subsequently returned the next day to withdraw the remaining $72,000 from the account. Icheoku asks, why was the authorities not alerted the first day as soon as he stepped out of the bank with the initial withdrawal?

In summation, Icheoku warns, while thanking the United States of America security agencies for once again thwarting a plot against the president; all these trouble-makers should be very careful not to plunge America into a total darkness by their nefarious plans and/or action. Should anything happen to the president, it will be one herculean hell let loose on earth and we pray the day never comes. Pitiful people, whose life exist only on a warped superiority complex, instead of embracing the new day America has seen, are in Hades, planning to cause trouble and peradventure draw the ire of the world on us. If they must be reminded, the president's term is just four years and eight, if re-elected; so what is a maximum of eight years that you cannot quietly move out to the Australian outbacks to live it out, in protest of a colored president living in 'your' White House? As you may know, you can always move back to America at the end of his term, if you so desires. But love him or hate him, he is our president and needs our support and prayers. Icheoku says, the president should not be distracted from the burning issues of state, currently engaging his full and undivided attention by the likes of petty Daniel James Murray and his threat? The president must be allowed to serve out his mandate without let or hindrance, as any attempt to cut it down by reason of some people's insane cruelty will be catastrophic; as it will be mightily resisted and protested.

A HEALTHY HAPPY BABY, TO LIGHT UP YOUR WEEKEND!

We are working off-site today and hopefully will give you something to read and ponder, before Monday. So enjoy your weekend; we are glad you checked in. So long!

SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI, THE NEW CBN HONCHO?

Once again, it suited them and the phraseology is that "Sanusi is not responsible for enforcing federal character principle"? With this sarcastic remark, and acting in accordance to an Arewa template, the midget of Oturkpo and Nigeria Senate president, David Mark stifled all reasonable effort made by Senator Ikechukwu Obiora to question the qualifications of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for the job of governor of Central Bank of Nigeria; as well as the concentration of nearly every other juicy and choice positions in the north? Senator Ikechukwu Obiora just wanted to know whether federal character principle is now dead in Nigeria but David Mark will not let him, being part of the northern conspirators?

This latest appointment was in crass disregard to the tripod arrangement-based federal character principle, whereby appointments in Nigeria are made to reflect evenly on the diversified geographical entities comprised therein? This is the existing understanding of all Nigerians, upon which the country had held together all these years despite all manners of provocations, intimidation, discrimination and outright brigandage by a certain section of the polity. It was based on this arrangement that David Mark even found himself occupying the Nigerian senate presidency? What he didn't say during his ascendancy to the senate president is now ok; just because he is from the north and his Arewa Consultative Forum decreed so? Icheoku says it is a big joke, the entity called Nigeria; and its politics, a mere northern convenience of "when it suits them"? But we must acknowledge, albeit reluctantly, that the northerners are the most savvy, adroit and astute political group of people in Nigeria; and they are good at homogenising their viewpoints and objectives. Simply stated, they are political professionals? But regrettably, the Igbos of Nigeria are still playing in the minor league of Nigeria politics, awaiting possible elimination, unless they fine-tune their politics and very soon, too!

How did this happen that Chukwuma Soludo lost out in this power-struggle with the north; and why was pressure not mounted by every right thinking sons and daughters, east of the Niger to avert this aberration and save Soludo's job? Why did the people not rise up in unison, in support of the lone-effort of Senator Ikechukwu Obiora to checkmate this shameless arrogation of all that is something to themselves, by the northerners? Where was Ike Ekweremadu or is his vice presidency of the senate merely titular? Where was Oha-n-eze? Where were the five governors of the South East? Where was oxygen-nose Vincent Ogbulafor, the ceremonial chairman of the PDP? Or was he not a disciple of the all powerful former chairman, 1978 Ali Must Go? Where were everybody, anybody and even somebody that Soludo was left alone in this fight, high and dry, before finally succumbing inside the belly of the beast? He was literally speaking, chewed and spit out by the authorities in Aso Rock? Peradventure, power will someday shift and Icheoku will like to see these mallams, especailly the midget of Oturkpo, David Mark complain about any federal character principle

For the umpteenth time, Icheoku wants to reiterate that we do not have any beef with governor Sanusi. We are merely pointing at the oddity that is Nigeria; and how some people from certain parts of the country are toying with the collective psyche of all Nigerians, especially their continuing to see themselves as one people? The issue of federal character has been rubbished drastically under DV President Umaru Yar'Adua's government and this is what is ticking us off on the wrong side; just in case you must know? Also it will interest you to note that Sanusi, 47, is the son of a former emir of Kano, and a graduate of economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also studied Arabic and Islamic Studies at the International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sudan between 1991 and 1997; thus "qualifying highly" for the coveted governorship of the Central Bank of Nigeria? When compared with the first class brain, PhD in economics fellow, that he just replaced, then you get an idea on why Icheoku is raving mad?

But be that as it may and in deference to what now is and has become, Icheoku appreciates the tone so far set by Sanusi and pray he will live up to his words. We like his observation that "he will consolidate the gains of both the fiscal and monetary policies of his predecessor in office. That he shall build on Soludos legacies to further restore public confidence in the banking sector". We noticed that Sanusi poured encomiums on Soludo, stating "I think this country should thank him for a tremendous work job well done. I think he was a very good governor. I think the CBN under his leadership has improved more. I think he has established a foundation on which we are to build." Icheoku says, unlike a typical Nigerian, Sanusi also acknowledged the lasting legacy for the banking sector left by Soludo; and for this, we particularly appreciate him for being so magnanimous, in a Nigerian society of near-total "bring-him-down" syndrome? We must say that it is very unusual for a Nigerian to say good complimentary things about his predecessor in office; for this, we commend Sanusi while stating, what a fresh start and a breath of Caribbean air his statements are?

The Central bank of Nigeria governor Sanusi further observed, that Nigeria "is a country where we do not have linkages. And because of the absence of linkages, we don’t have economic growth. We produce gas and export it, we do not have power plant. We produce crude oil, we import refined petroleum products. If we can set up power plant, set up our refineries, their multiplier effects on the economy and on growth is amazing, and if we don’t do that we cannot grow. The small scale industry that we talk about cannot survive without power". Icheoku says, this summation is simply brilliant and hopefully, the Generators-Mafia of Nigeria will allow him have his way to persuade President Umaru Yar'Adua to turn the page and declare his power emergency? Again, we extend our congratulations to Sanusi, on his new dig! All hail the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria!

THE CAIRO SPEECH, A MESSAGE TO THE ARAB WORLD!

Give it up to the United States of America President Barack Hussein Obama as he once again struck the right notes at Egypt's Cairo University, while candidly speaking to the Arab/Muslim world as America's chief salesman! As usual, the expectations were met and he did not disappoint; he never disappoints, anyway!

In a message described by the chief imam of Cairo as "comprehensive and conclusive", President Barack Obama was direct and straight to the point as he marshaled out certain issues of rising conflict including Americans phobia of the Muslim world since after 9/11; the need for tolerance in the Middle East; the Palestine statehood and right of decent existence as well as Israel's right to peaceful secured existence. Icheoku says, President Barack Obama hit the ball out of the park, both in content, style and delivery; and for this, we feel honored to have him as our 43rd!

Delivering his time had come to "speak the truth" and "seek a new beginning" speech, President Barack Obama said that "America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings"? Icheoku however, begs to differ with Mr. President on the tolerance and human dignity aspect of his speech, as highlighted in red above? Icheoku says, both are alien to the Middle East as they are not readily available since they are not allowed to flourish by those autocratic governments as exists in the Middle East?

Otherwise, Icheoku supports President Barack Obama's new initiative to finally address these existing misconceptions, and hopefully, with the help and support of Arab/Muslim leaders, find lasting solutions to them. Thus some of those thorny issues emblematic in the Middle East could be resolved so that the world would concentrate on other issues of common challenge and interests; instead of being intermittently diverted by Israeli and Palestine intractable conflicts. Two nations sired by the same patriarch, Abraham, according to history; but who have decided to brand each other mortal enemies just because of some piece of arid land?

Once again, Icheoku congratulates Mr President on this effort as one in the right direction! We wish him God's speed as he strives to etch his name in the sand of time as the American President who finally resolved the Middle East conflict. Kudos to you, Mr. President! President Barack Obama left the Middle East to Europe with stops in Germany and France to mark the world war anniversary celebrations and will return to the United States on Sunday, June 7, 2009.

For a full text and video of the Cairo Speech, now click the links below:-

Full text: Barack Obama's Cairo speech World news guardian.co.uk

Complete Video of Obama's Cairo Speech - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com

BIAFRA, A MOTHER AND CHILD?

Icheoku says, a country that would starve her citizens to this level of living-dead and failed and/or refused to pay compensation thereafter, to the surviving victims of its machination, is mean, vicious and retributive.

The mother and child above, probably did not make it out alive from the genocide of Biafra; but they live on in this iconic portrait of man's inhumanity to a fellow man! It is because of mother's love, that she was prepared to still make additional sacrifice of letting her similarly emaciated child, feed off what is left of her breast-milk? To this mother, Icheoku says you are a great mother, the pride of every womanhood, anywhere!

Now you know why the memories of the Biafran war of self preservation against the foreign powers backed Nigeria government, is still very raw and provokes great sensibilities in the minds of the people of former Biafra, 39 years since the end of fire-arm hostilities? Biafra needs to be compensated for the war crimes committed against them by the Nigerian government. Icheoku says, this is the right thing to do and now is the time to do it; thereafter, the healing can earnestly begin. Until then, who knows?