"CC, THE MAN" - An eulogy of Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh, delivered by Professor CN Okeke, Ph.D!

Facilitator's note:- This eulogy was delivered on the occasion of a prayer-vigil held on June 14, 2009 at Oakland, California, USA; in celebration of the man CC! We are publishing it today on his burial for the interest of those who did not make the United States of America event. Happy reading and may the soul of CC rest in peace.

Ladies and gentlemen, good-evening and welcome! We are here gathered for a prayer-vigil in honor of a great man, a Nigerian of Igbo extraction, Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh, alias CC.

In this world, it is not necessarily how long one lived or how much wealth one acquired that is important. No, it is how beneficial one's life has been to his or her fellow humanity:- the people, the co-travellers in this journey called life that really counts. For the man in whose memory and honor we are here assembled, he had it good both ways! He lived long, very long life; and for an African, with our not so long life span, he lived a very, very long life! His life was distinguished as it was extra-ordinary; and highly beneficial to his people - the Igbo people of Nigeria. Many of you have heard about him; some had met him and even shook his hand; some merely sighted him; some had spoken to him; some dined with him and above all, few possibly have had the privilege of being invited into his home? Not many of us here however, experienced all the mentioned encounters with CC; which begs the question, how many of us here really know the enigma, CC?

Ladies and gentlemen, I happen to be privileged of CC's full acquaintance! We shared common struggles together, having come from the same geographical area of Igboland. We also worked together on several issues and corroborated on many more others! We are both lawyers and have held several meetings both professionally and otherwise! We have shared confidences and counsels! We attended many weddings and celebrations together! In short, I have heard, seen, met, shook his hand, spoken to him, and have shared his homes and have also hosted him in my home too. I also had the singular privilege of writing his citation when he was conferred an honorary doctorate degree in Law by the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1993. Simply put, I know CC Onoh very well:- he was a brother and friend of mine! For this, I shall forever treasure his memory. Now permit me to bring CC to you, on this occasion of a prayer-vigil in honor of his memory; holding at Oakland, California, USA. My name is Professor Christian Nwachukwu Okeke, Ph.D and I teach law at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California. I now present to you, his eulogy, titled "CC, THE MAN"!

Aninefungwu-Okaa Omee 1 of Ngwo; husband, father, grandfather, lawyer, civil-servant, community-organiser, leader, author, influential, wealthy, war-hero, administrator, businessman, politician, activist, statesman, parliamentarian, great philanthropist and former governor of old Anambra State, Nigeria; Chief (Dr.) Christian Chukwuma Onoh, deceased, was born on 27 April 1927 at Ovim in the present day Abia State of Nigeria and died in his country home, Ngwo, Enugu State on May 4, 2009. The very essence of this eulogy is most aptly reflected in one of my most favorite biblical verse:- Romans 13:7.

“Render to all, their dues;
Tax to who tax is due;
Toll to who toll is due,
Reverence to who reverence is due; and above all
Honor to who honour is due!”

To CC, we have gathered this evening, to honor! As I stand here before you tonight, I am humbled with memories of deep, mixed feelings of a personal nostalgia about CC. On April 4, 1993, as the Chairman of the Ceremonials Committee and University Orator of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, I delivered a momentous citation on CC. The event was the 9th Convocation Ceremony of the University, where CC was awarded an honorary doctorate degree. CC was so moved by the citation that he paid me a personal thank you visit, a week later at my independence layout home in Enugu. He said to me, "Prof Nwa Nnaa, do not bother attending my funeral whenever I die, as you have already performed my funeral rites with your very moving citation of last week. I am very pleased with what I heard you say concerning me and I thank you very much for doing that, it means so much to me. I shall never forget"! That is the nature of the man we are here gathered to honor; a man who would take out time to go and express appreciation for a heart-felt gratitude!

Today, the 14th day of June 2009 in Oakland California, several thousands of miles from Enugu; what a providence and somewhat coincidence, that once again, I am playing similar role as did in 1993, reading an eulogy for CC? The only difference being that his citation was witnessed by him and today's eulogy is post-humous! To CC, provided you can hear me from the land beyond, tonight, Nigerians of Igbo extraction resident in Northern California, United States of America, and their numerous friends, have assembled to salute and honor you, for what you represented. You were such a great, illustrious son of Wawaland, Enugu State, Nigeria, and indeed, Africa!

CC went to Umuabi Udi and St. Peter’s Primary Schools, Ogbete-Enugu. He attended the College of Immaculate Conception also in Enugu. On leaving C.I.C. he took up a job briefly as a produce inspector with the Department of Marketing and Export at Ibadan between1949 and 1951; and later left to start his own business at Zonkwa, Plateau State, trading in produce including ginger, groundnuts, palm oil, coconuts, e.t.c. CC later left Nigeria in December 3rd, 1952, for Harlech Colllege, North Wales where he studied law at the University of Aberysworth Wales and graduated in 1957. He was admitted to the Honorable Society of the Middle Temple in Wales and upon his return to Nigeria in September 1957, was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

A son of a man of means, CC was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth; he became a millionaire at 30 upon the reading of the Will of his late father who had left him a moderate fortune. He opened a law office at No. 7 Silver Smith Avenue, Coal Camp, Enugu immediately upon his return, from where he engaged in active legal practice before duty called, and he entered politics in 1958. In 1959, CC contested and won a seat in the Federal House of Representatives Lagos, from where he voluntarily resigned to return to Enugu to be closer to his people; preparatory to the beginning of his fight for their liberation; which continued till God called him home. During his lifetime, CC served in various capacities including, first indigenous Chairman of the Nigerian Coal Corporation in September 10, 1959; Chairman, Enugu Market Authority during Ajie Ukpabi Asika administration, Sole Administrator of then East Central State. He was elected Chairman of Enugu Urban Council; Member of Nigeria Constituent Assembly; Appointed Chairman of Associated Ore Mines in 1982; Elected Executive Governor of the then Anambra State in October, 1993; Fellow of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu in 1992; Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu; Awarded LL.D. Honoris Causa by the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in April 4th, 1993.

CC was a man of honesty and courage; of singleness of purpose and steadfastness of conduct; of tenacity and endurance; and of zest and activity. He was a dogged fighter of good causes. A human pit-bull, of sort? His life exemplified the creative dialectic of opposites often seen in politics. His was a bold prudence, a lively sobriety, a complex simplicity, an inelegant elegance, a rough civility, and an everlasting immediacy. He believed in both armed conciliation and/or armed peace; CC also believed in natural artifice and in creative compromise. He was a reforming conservatist, a skeptical believer, and a pluralistic moralist; shrewd and innocent; firm and gentle; magnanimous and friendly; but you must earn his trust. In short, CC cannot be fully explained or completely understood; and borrowing the words of Sir Winston Churchill, CC was a man, who like all great men in history, was “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

His name, whenever mentioned, either evoked the profoundest respect or the deepest disgust or the most shattering trepidation; and sometimes, a mixture of the three in varying degrees. But never none of them, as he had a name which commanded unyielding reaction. CC, easily calls to mind memories of such other leaders of nationalist struggles and/or freedom fighters movements, and reformists of great nations of the world who were regarded by their people as their gods and goddesses because of the good they did to free their people from the shackles of oppression and bondage. This breed of humanity are rare, but permit me on this occasion of remembrance of CC, to mention just three of them: -

1. Irish native Daniel O’Connell, like CC, was a landlord, a lawyer, a nationalist and a member of Parliament. He made speeches in and outside Parliament that were more stirring and more intoxicating than the strongest wine. He was the heart and soul of the Irish Independence Movement in the 1920s. However, unlike CC, who lived his full life and died peacefully in his home; Daniel was arrested, probably tortured, tried and executed for “treason against his Majesty, the King”, by the British authorities. But to his Irish people, Daniel O’Connell lives on and forever remains "THE RESCUER OF THE IRISH"! Daniel helped free the Irish from the shackles and oppression of British Imperialism; and CC shared this trait in helping the Wawa people of Igboland attain some dignity.

2. Next is the Frenchman, Orgetorix. What a great French nationalist, Orgetorix was and still revered as, till this day. He was the arrow-head of the French nationalistic opposition movement to the then Roman occupation of France. To the French or the Gauls (as they were then so called), Orgetorix was, and still remains "THE SAVIOR OF THE FRENCHMAN". CC will forever be as well remembered as the man who empowered the Wawaman!

3. What Napoleon Bonarparte was to the French, Onoh represents for the Wawaman. Napoleon, a military genius that defied accurate analysis, was the mentor and stimulus of the French wars against the rest of the European powers in the early 19th century. To the French Napolean will, until Doom’s Day continue to represent "The Ultimate in French patriotism".

CC was a man of deep and probing energy. He was the Bravest of the Brave. He was as controversial as he was famous. He will forever remain as elusive at capture as the mirage in the desert or the objective reality; – the “nounmenon” of Emmanuel Kant articulation, what a great German Philosopher, Kant was? CC was arguably one of the most incorruptible of all men Nigeria have ever seen; and he waged his own one-man's war against corruption. He fought like a man, a general with courage, relentlessly, both against corruption as well as injustice; a fight he continued till death. He won some and surely he did lose some; but he took them heads-on, against both military and civilian governments as well as private citizens, provided he had reasonable basis to go after such person. He fought also within his locality to preserve his honor and maintain his family's very many realties and not yield any inch to would-be land-poachers? He worked hard and expected same of all.

He reputedly to forgo his tenants December rents as Christmas bonuses. He was quite at home with peace but never shies away from wars. C.C.’s name is synonymous with Enugu State; and in the protracted struggle for the creation of Enugu State, he with other illustrious sons of Enugu State, including Chief Barrister Charles Abalu Abangwu, the Ezeigwe of Eha-Alumona in Nsukka, Enugu State constituted themselves the arrow-head of the struggle and they were handsomely rewarded when the state was created in August 1991. He equally had his fair share of political detentions in Nigeria as a result of his unabashed activism, on behalf of his people.

As they say in Igboland, there is a reason why the ceremonial’s flutist calls a particular person by his flute for public recognition and acknowledgment! "Onye Oja Na akpo nwelu ezigbo Ife oma ona eme. Opi ike ada akpo onye mpkumkpu na nkiti"! CC was severally called during his life time, which continues in death; as we join his numerous fans and mourners the world over, in again calling his name in death, and for a reason. C.C. had admirably played his part in life and can rightly exclaim, like Julius Ceaser, “Veni, Vidi, Vici – I came, I saw, I conquered”! Also, like Horace, the Roman poet, he may chose to scream, “Exegi monumentum aere perennius” “I have put up a structure that would outlast metal.” Further, if he so desired, he can take the voice of Saint Paul the Apostle, and shout, “Bonum certamen certavi. Cursum Consumavi. Fidem servavi” - I have fought a good fight. I have completed my assignment creditably. I was weighed in the balance but was found not wanting in loyalty.”

Permit me to also share with you some of the interesting obituaries so far written for the departed CC:- He was a hero who died still fighting for the betterment of his people! He should be praised for his doggedness and courageous spirit! His life ran on a vortex of struggles! He was a philanthropist extraordinaire, an iconoclast and a controversial figure! With CC you know where he stood, no man intimidated him! He criss-crossed the political firmament like a colossus! Ndi-Igbo and Nigeria have lost a great man! He was a moving history of Enugu, the city, the people, their culture and their lives! He lived and died for Enugu, and it was something he could never have been ashamed of or pretend it was an unworthy cause! Love him or hate him, but there was never any doubt about where this man stood on any issue! He was an astute and fearless politician who genuinely criticised all governments without reservation!

In closing, cold lay waiting for burial on July 3, 2009 at his country home, Ngwo, Enugu Nigeria; a man whose complexities are such that even his detractors acknowledge, albeit grudgingly, his tenacity, sagacity, magnanimity and generosity. For his effort, many peoples life were greatly improved; by his watch-dog attitude, many governments were extra-cautious! CC gave life, his all! He left his giant footprint in the sands of time and such a phenom seldom comes by. With his exit, Nigeria, South-East, Igboland and Enugu State in particular have lost a real patriot! 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, - an unwilling leader leading a reluctant people!

Simply put, CC was a man! Like Igwe Charles Abangwu rightly surmised of CC, and I affirm, "He fought for the people and I hope that the people will remember him"! Like Ikemba Nnewi Odumegwu Ojukwu said of CC, and I concur, "Everyone knew where he stood, unlike some of our present leaders"! A website www.icheoku.com wrote of CC, 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". I couldn't agree with this apt description more?

Finally, like the elephant the six blind men of Hindu went to see, Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh was so many things to so many different people; but above all, he was CC, the man! CC was a man of be-numbing complexities whose detractors, and they were really many of them, was unable, incapable and failed woefully to decode until he transmuted into eternity, thus becoming a legend. Like all legends, he yet again defied everybody, died on his own terms and in a place of his choosing, his country-home. He took his password with him unto the land beyond, still not fully understood or explained; and now lives in the minds and memories of his people, who loved, adored and owe him a dept of their gratitude! He was simply put, one of a kind! A quintessential being!

Heyi! Heyi! Agu Anaa!; Heyi! Heyi! Heyi! Okosisi Enugu Adaa!; Heyi, Heyi, Heyi, Agada Gbachiliuzo Ndigbo Anwuo! Chi ejie noke efifenabo!! May his tireless soul now find perpetual, peaceful rest with the Lord, Amen! Adieu C.C., Naa nke oma, Amen!!!

CC will be laid to rest in his country-home at Ngwo on July 3rd 2009. Please I urge you all to remember him in your prayers!

Thank you,

_________cno__________________________

Professor Christian Nwachukwu Okeke, Ph.D.
Osuofia of Obinofia, Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Dated in June 14th, 2009 at Oakland California, United States of America.

BAHIA BAKARI, THE MIRACLE OF COMOROS ISLAND!

Clinging unto a floating debris for about 13 hours, the word miracle manifested in the Comoros Island, after an Airbus 310 rendezvoused once again with the fishes. Unlike the other Air-France Airbus 310 from Brazil, which plunged into the Atlantic Ocean with 257 passengers, this time, it was the Indian Ocean off the Comoros Island that provided the watery graves for these 151 passengers of Yemeni airways!

Bahia Bakari, 14-years old, was a God's gift to mankind to show that nothing happens to a person whose time has not come? How and why she survived the crash and was able to hold unto a floating debris for such long hours as 13 hours could only be summed up as miraculous and wonderful. Icheoku sincerely believe that the 13 hours feat of suspended arms will make even the best of the best of the Navy Seal, jealous with envy? It is equally note-worthy that this girl, who barely swims, could have such a strong will to live that she went through a 13 hour cliff-hanger ordeal in the Indian Ocean, alone and lonely in a pitch-dark night.

Bahia held onto floating debris from the crashed airplane from the hour of 1:30 a.m to 3 p.m. before she was seen by a passing fishing boat, which rescued her. This is indeed a feat since others survived the initial impact but gave up the ghost before rescue could reach them? The passengers en-route to Comoros from Paris through Marseilles changed plane at Yemen and were on the final leg of their journey when their plane fell out of the sky into the ocean; killing all but one of the 151 passengers on board, all Comoros people and 66 French nationals.

According to government account, the Airbus 310 jetliner operated by Yemeni Airways was attempting to land in fierce winds in Moroni Comoros Island, before dawn Tuesday when it dived into the Indian Ocean. The plane was trying to negotiate a landing on the 9,558-feet long runway at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport when it made the fatal plunge. Because of the nature of the terrain and the difficulty of landing planes in the airport, it is considered a 'daytime-only airport' where visual is imperative as opposed to landing instruments. The question then remains, why did the pilot try to bring the plane to land at such wee hours of Tuesday, knowing the nature of the challenging landing difficulties of the airport?

Bahia who was coming with her mother to vacation at Comoros Island before the accident, was treated at Moroni's El Maaruf Hospital before being flown to Paris late Wednesday aboard a chartered executive jet for further treatment. In the word of one sympathizer, Bahia 'really showed an absolutely incredible physical and moral strength"!

Because of the crashed plane's air unworthiness, it was banned from operating inside Europe, prompting an observer to whiff, 'we cannot accept that a plane which is banned from flying in Europe is still allowed to fly in Africa. It's the proof that our world isn't fair and that human beings don't weigh the same depending on which side of the Mediterranean they are"?

Icheoku sympathizes with the bereaved families and also felicitate with Bahia Bakari and her family for this miracle of Comoros!

TAM DAVID WEST SAYS, NO TO AMNESTY!

One of Icheoku's most favorite son of Niger Delta, Professor Tamuno David-West has told the Northern mullahs to go to hell and stay there until it freezes over? As far as he is concerned, President Umaru Yar'Adua can stuff his amnesty in his you know where, HIS SORRY FULANI GAUNT ARSE! His conclusion, no retreat, no surrender; the Niger Delta must be free of northern arrogance and northern exploitation!

Condemning the ill-advised feudalistic Nigeria federal government’s purported pardon to so called “repentant” militants in the Niger Delta, Professor Tam insisted that such measure will not halt belligerence in the oil-rich region; because the amnesty and the proposed mechanism to drive it would not engender enough trust and confidence in the militants, which are crucial in achieving lasting peace.

Describing the amnesty as vacuous because it failed to address the fundamental issues fuelling the agitation, Professor Tam David-West emphasised the need to internationalize the peace process, to involve all stakeholders including Britain , France and United States as well as their multinational oil companies under the supervision of the United Nations as guarantor for the peace. With such assurance, the militants will come out on their own and there will be a ceasefire for the period of negotiation and any erring side who breaks the agreement, will become the problem of the UN? Such conditionality cannot be guaranteed by the worthless Yar’Adua amnesty. Icheoku agrees with this position which we earlier canvassed in some of our opeds on the Niger Delta crisis. However our reasoning varies with that of the learned professor as we were more interested in securing a lasting deal for the people of the Niger Delta which international clout will ensure, since the northern Nigeria government never keeps its words!

Offering his opinion on President Umaru Yar'Adua, the professor said, Yar'Adua has found himself in a place he did not prepare for. He was foisted on Nigerians by Obasanjo and because of this, he makes a lot of fundamental mistakes. As Machiavelli said in his book, The Prince: “To be well advised, the prince himself should in the first place be wise; but President Umaru Yar'Adua is a tabula rasa, he is blank and receives bad advice. Continuing his salvo on Umaru Yar'Adua, Tam David said, 'here is a man (Yar'Adua) that is split between the morality of the academic and that of the politician, which regrettably does not always go together, such as when he equivocally said, “My election was not free and fair based on his academic morality and at the same time, jumping to enjoy the office based on political convenient morality? Icheoku will like to add, President Umaru Yar'Adua is also deathly sick to figure out anything helpful to Nigeria!

Firing off, the professor said, you do not compel amnesty by fixing a deadline within which it must be accepted, otherwise no deal? According to the professor, this in-built threat will sabotage the offer as no militant will surrender under such a cloud of threat? Also, the amnesty did not address the fundamental issues the militants are fighting for; since you do not cure a disease with mere diagnosis and prognosis. There must be the in-between treatment by medication and therapy where necessary to fully cure a sickness. According to the professor what the Hausa-Fulani North is doing is tantamount to a dress-rehearsal trying to masquerade 'what is for what they would rather is' in their warped minds? There is also the question of trust and confidence-building which has determined the Nigeria central government not worthy of their spoken words based on precedents? It has been all promises and no result hence why trust them again? Icheoku says, if in doubt, ask the Biafrans with the promised three Rs by another blood-sucking northern vampire, Yakubu Gowon!

Professor Tam also berated some very cowardly bastard Niger Delta intellectuals taking contracts in Abuja and selling their birth-rights for such a pittance pot of pottage! However he left the most virulent of his venom for those 'useless Northern leaders and pseudo-intellectuals' who have for so long, looked down on Niger Delta people in their writings and pronouncements over the years? According to the professor, Nigeria does not only need re-branding but has to be psychologically born-again in its relation to the Niger Delta people, for there to be a way forward out of the imbroglio? Continuing, Professor Tam David-West mentioned specifically the example of a very stupid mallam Tanko Yakassai who said Niger Delta people were a nobody and that he would send an army against us? Maitaima Sule too, said we (Niger Delta people) do not exist by his calculation, stating that only three groups of people exist in Nigeria - Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo? Siemens bribe-taker, Senator Jibril Aminu, who pretends to be a professor, said that oil had been there ( in Niger Delta) for million of years before the people came there, so technically it is a ruse to say that the oil belong to those people there? According to his crazed-out logic, God put the oil in the Niger Delta as fossils and not as a gift to the people who inhabit the terrain? Stringing Jubril Aminu out for this claim, Professor Tam admonished that Jubril Aminu forgot that there was no Nigeria millions of years ago, that Nigeria just started only in 1914 and hence by extension of his ill-logic, Nigeria, too, cannot claim ownership of the oil either? Vicerating these loony northerners, Professor Tam said were it not for some 'saner and more responsible Northerners' that serve as the glue holding 'us and them' together, may be Nigeria would have since become defunct! It was his position therefore that were oil to have been found in the North and not the Niger Delta, people like Aminu, Maitama Sule, and Yakassai would have broken away from Nigeria a very long time ago! Icheoku says, speak on Professor as you are stating just the fact which many 'cowardly bastards of Nigeria' are too afraid to mouth!

Professor Tam David-West said that it does not matter the outcome of the current military adventurism in the Niger Delta; that even if the North wins the war, they cannot win the peace, which in essence will become a mere Pyrrhic victory; they having built up a groundswell of animosity against themselves. He fired on that they cannot defeat a people fighting a moral battle, notwithstanding the infiltration of some criminal elements therein. He compared the North with Hannibal , the great Carthaginian General who always won his wars but never the peace; before finally being killed by a simple strategy known as the Fabian strategy? Hammering home his chastisement, Professor Tam David-West added, killing the militants will not solve the problem as 'Caesar dead was more powerful than Caesar alive'!

FARRAH FAWCETT, FAREWELL!

Actress Farrah Fawcett funeral was held today, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at a private, music-filled funeral celebration, inside the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in Los Angeles, California with 500 invited guests-mourners in attendance.

Farrah Fawcett died last Thursday, June 25, 2009 at age 62; after her public battle with anal cancer diagnosed in 2006. Icheoku says, at last, what a big relief after so much pain and suffering, battling such a monstrosity!

In one tribute, a mourner said, "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world." Icheoku says, what a joyful gift to the world Farrah was. So long Farrah! Adieu Charlie Angel!

MADOFF, GOING AWAY FOR A VERY, VERY, LONG TIME!

For his criminal fraud of more than $50 billion dollars, defrauding several people and institutions, Bernard Madoff was yesterday, June 29, 2009 sentenced to 150 years behind bars! It is instructive to note that unlike in states' prison system, the federal prison system does not parole prisoners, hence all sentences are served out?

At 71 years old, Bernard Madoff, will need to die twice and reincarnate back twice to complete this 150 years prison sentence? In other words, by the sentence, the court literally locked him and threw away the keys; that Icheoku says, were he a brave person, he will drink of the poisoned chalice and call it quits with life? After-all, what else is left of his life at 71 years, than to slowly pine away in a piecemeal fashion to his eventual death, in a seven by five feet prison cell? Ken Lay of Enron was such a 'brave' man who instead of a certain death behind bars, chose to end it like a man surrounded by his family in their summer home at Aspen Colorado; with a bemused world later told that he had a massive heart attack? Will Bernard Madoff similarly have a massive coronary embolism within this period before being assigned his prison cell? Who knows, but Icheoku would be surprised if this man of once great privilege submits himself to this sentence and elect to die a prisoner?

Madoff, a once respected money manager and a former chairman of the Nasdaq, was arrested in December 2008 after his two sons told authorities he had confessed his massive scam to them? Madoff confessed to running a multi-billion dollar "Ponzi scheme" in which investors were paid returns from money paid by subsequent investors? His victims included individuals, charities and for-profit institutions. The investigation found that in reality, Madoff never made any investments, instead he was using the money from new investors to pay returns to existing clients — and to finance a lavish lifestyle for his family. Bernard Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme run since the early 1990s demolished the life savings of thousands of people, wrecked charities and shook confidence in the U.S. financial system.

In his confessional apology to his victims, the father of all swindlers, Bernard Madoff said, "I will live with this pain, with this torment, for the rest of my life. I live in a tormented state knowing the pain and suffering I have created." Madoff said he committed the fraud on his own, but has not told anybody what did with the $50 billion dollars or is he still protecting and covering up for some other anonymous powerful mortals? While making his allocutus, Madoff said, "I cannot offer you an excuse for my behavior; how do you excuse betraying thousands of investors who entrusted me with their life savings?" Stating that at one point, he tried to undo his crimes but "the harder I tried, the deeper a hole I dug for myself."

But rejecting his plea for leniency, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin cited the unprecedented nature of the multi-billion dollar fraud and sentenced him to the maximum allowed under the law; 150 years in prison! The term compares only to those given in the past to terrorists, traitors and the most violent criminals. Icheoku says, by necessary implication, Bernard Madoff now ranks with these dregs of the society whose crime affected so many lives and took a staggering toll on thousands of innocent victims? Bernard Madoff's 150 years prison sentence for perpetrating the biggest and most brazen investment fraud ever recorded on Wall Street, was the maximum punishment for his offence as the the judge practically threw the book at him for his 'extraordinarily evil crime'? Judge Denny Chin of Manhattan, NYC said 'the symbolism of a 150-year prison sentence was important, given the magnitude of the breach of trust over decades, which fraud was very staggering". In the judge's own words, "Here, the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil and that this kind of irresponsible manipulation of the system is not merely a bloodless financial crime that takes place just on paper, but it is instead ... one that takes a staggering human toll".

Bernard Madoff was so hated that not even one of the more than 100 letters received by the Judge supported Madoff or described any good deeds done by him; all of them practically called for his head; which prompted the Judge to observe further that "the absence of such support is quite telling"! Even his wife, Ruth Madoff pictured left, appeared to have abandoned the cornered Bernard in his hour of greatest need; while delivering her Brutus stab, she said "I am embarrassed and ashamed; like everyone else, I feel betrayed and confused. The man who committed this horrible fraud is not the man whom I have known for all these years." Icheoku says, Madam Madoff, you may tell that to the marines since you never questioned how your hyper lavish lifestyle was ever funded; only to now turn an anti-Bernard Judas? What a jolly-go little bitch this sissy is? While some of his victims vented their despair and anger, some others openly wept and/or raised their voices, labeling Madoff with such derisive names as "a monster", "a true beast", "an animal", "an evil" and "a low-life"? One victim surmised her feeling thus, "Life has been a living hell. It feels like the nightmare we can't wake from". Another said, "He stole from the rich. He stole from the poor. He stole from the in between. He had no values. He cheated his victims out of their money so he and his wife Ruth could live a life of luxury beyond belief." One other observer said of Madoff, his was an "indescribably heinous crime", deserving a very long prison sentence so that he "will know he is imprisoned in much the same way he imprisoned us and others." Another said, Madoff was effective because he seemed normal; "but underneath the facade is a true beast, who "should not be given the opportunity to blend so seamlessly into our society again." According to the prosecutor Madoff "stole ruthlessly and without remorse." Icheoku summarises that a man getting such a rap-sheet as this, should tread carefully in the prison as his nemesis might follow him therein? Bernard Madoff, it would appear over-reached and will certainly pay a hefty price for his arrogant 'catch me if you can' criminal scheme?

It is also instructive to note that Madoff had earlier been stripped of all his personal property, including real estate, investments, and $80 million in assets his wife Ruth Madoff had claimed were hers. This was sequel to a preliminary $171 billion forfeiture order issued against him, which left his wife with a paltry $2.5 million that couldn't be tied directly to the mother of all frauds. The terms of the order require the Madoffs to sell a $7 million Manhattan apartment where Ruth Madoff still lives; an $11 million estate in Palm Beach, Florida, a $4 million home in Montauk and a $2.2 million boat which will be put on the market too. Concluding, Icheoku says, whether Bernard Madoff summons the courage to do the right thing or chooses to die in prison, it is important that his saga has finally completed its course; that the moral lesson of this is that greed is not good, does not pay and that all is vanity, according to the preacher in Ecclesiastes 1:2! For such other Bernard Madoffs of this world, if 150 years behind bars sounds like a picnic, then continue in your evil ways, otherwise turn a new leaf today and spare yourself such a debilitating sorrowful experience!

NIGER DELTA, THE DAY THE STRUGGLE DIED?

Is the ravaging military expedition in the Niger Delta of Nigeria the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end of the oil-war in the area, which has so far, defied military solution? Icheoku says, the war which has been going on ever since oil was first discovered at Niger Delta's Oloibiri in 1958 and just recently escalated into a full blown shooting-war by the Dracula of Aso Rock, President Umaru Yar'Adua is not the answer? The war which previously included all manners of psychological-intimidation, repression, protestation, agitation, intermittent police action has now suddenly escalated due to the excesses of the Hausa-Fulani hijackers of Nigeria who decided to kill-off Niger Delta people in order to covet their oil? Niger Delta people, who they consider a pain in the neck and hence had to roll in their tanks, airplanes, war ships and other weapons of mass destruction to completely annihilate, and blood flowed and is still flowing? Even one of this Hausa-Fulani uncircumcised mallam was quoted as saying that killing off 5 million of the Niger Delta people for the sake of the rest of 145 million Nigerians should be considered a reasonable option? And you ask yourself, what manner of blood-hounds are these mallams? Ka-ji-kwo?

But how could an otherwise agitation for such a good cause as resource control, gone so awry that sympathies have been since been lost and won respectively? How could the world, especially other Nigerians pretend that what is going on in the river-rine Niger Delta is merely a skirmish by a government trying to quell some recalcitrant dissidents aka militants? When and how did Niger Delta freedom struggle lose the propaganda war in the crisis to the Hausa-Fulani machine?

A few years ago before this current crisis snowballed into the inferno it is today, many Nigerians as well as other peoples of the world paid real attention to the brewing crisis in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Unfortunately the vanguards deviated or rather their struggle was hijacked by a few miscreants who careened it off course and turned it into a criminality of kidnapping and with it, they succeeded in turning off the generated interest and sympathy of these third parties. Icheoku recalls that world-media Cable News Network, CNN, did a documentary on the Niger Delta struggle, anchored by Jeff Koinange then CNN’s Africa correspondent, responsible for reporting for CNN from across the African continent; which they later followed up by dispatching Lisa Ling with a full camera crew from New York, Georgia, United States of America on a fact finding visit to one of the militants' camp inside the belly of the beast in the Niger Delta. The reporter/war correspondent was not impressed by what she saw and heard; and concluded that these guys are not serious, they are disorganised, rudderless and without a common purpose. In short they are a bunch of hooligans and criminals, indiscriminately shooting off guns and intimidating people? Put in another way, they are a bunch of menacing thugs and Tompolo is in hiding?

After watching this rather sorry commentary on the Niger Delta struggle on CNN, we concluded immediately that it was the end of the road for the struggle? Borrowing from Jesus Crucified, 'it is finished' and so it was, that the days of the militant' struggle were numbered? Icheoku says, bad press is rather too cancerous and anybody, including those supposed freedom-fighters in the Niger Delta, who ignores it, does so at their peril. The Niger Delta agitators ignored the power of the press and today, they have paid and are still paying dearly for this stupidity and unforgivable ignorance. What a hefty prize, indeed, that their noble and courageous struggle was branded a terrorist-militant dissidence, forcing the world to look the other way while the Hausa-Fulani marauders slaughtered them and pillaged their society?

Icheoku have opined on the best 'sea-route to India' regarding the Niger Delta struggle but they were not heeded. We advised on the need to have an organized centralized commanding authority divided into both political and armed wing, to pursue the struggle in a dualized fashion but t was not heeded. The Irish example buttresses this point? We also advised against the kidnappings going on in the Niger Delta, of people of Niger Delta by people of the Niger Delta masquerading as militants; yet it was not listened to? We posited that a house that is divided among itself is bound to fall after the kidnap and release of author Elechi Amadi; yet it was not heeded and today, what remains of the struggle is a mere house of cards, that will topple with with further squeeze; with Tom Ateke begging for amnesty? We advocated taking the struggle outside the Niger Delta area, to the Hausa-Fulani peoples of northern Nigeria in their Northern enclave but it was not heeded? We also canvassed that the Niger Delta freedom fighters avoid pitching a direct battle with a brutal earth-scorching Nigerian army as they are not a match both in equipment and viciousness; but it was not heeded? We also advised the understudy of the Irish Republican Army, Sons of Iraqis/ Mujaheddin as well as all other freedom struggles in history; and how it is suicidal to take head-on an organized centralized army of any nation; but it was not heeded. We warned that the North will use their divide and conquer strategy to have their way in the Niger Delta and today, the rest is history as so many militant-wings mushroomed and none of them could be said to be the authentic bastion of the peoples struggle?

The result is an earth-scorching invasion by President Umaru Yar'Adua' s army which have killed, maimed, vandalized and burnt the areas known as Niger Delta. We also advised on the need to pursue propaganda vigorously; and the need to engage some public relations firms to sell the struggle to the world but it also was not heeded? What happened, the north succeeded in branding the struggle as a bunch of disgruntled terrorists-militants fermenting trouble who must be got rid of; the world acquiesced their tacit approval and the dogs of war were let loose upon defenseless peoples of the Niger Delta. Icheoku says it is because the Niger Delta struggle lost the propaganda war, yielding their freedom fighters status to mere militants that they have not fared well in the current campaign in the delta? Henry Okah is in inhuman military detention, captive of the feudalistic north? And who wants some bunch of weed-smoking, AK47 totting militants in their neck of the wood, when the atrocities of Pakistan, Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq flood our television screens daily? Who wants to be beheaded or kidnapped for ransom or forced to live a particular type of regimented life under an Islamic Mujaheddin Asari Dokubo control? Not this writer and not anyone I personally know. This was the picture painted of the "trouble-makers" of the Niger Delta and the world left them on their own, so you see?

There is no manner of words which has not been employed to describe the mediocre-struggle of the Niger Delta militants:- disunited, disorganized, dysfunctional, clueless, incoherent of objective, inarticulate, lacking strategy, rabble-rousers, trouble-makers, criminals etc and the list goes on ad infinitum? For a country which has fought a civil war before against the people of Biafra who were forced to defend their right of peaceful existence in Nigeria, today's escapade in the Niger Delta does not bode well for Nigeria united? So far the Niger Delta freedom fighters have given a good account of themselves with their brilliant performances both against the invading soldiers and the arrogant oil companies? About 18 Nigerian soldiers and 3 officers dead or missing as a result of militant activities is no small achievement under the circumstances considering the investments made to bring these soldiers up to the fighting machine which they supposedly were? Reliable sources has it that so many other soldiers were also gravely wounded and these are fellow Nigerians pitted against their fellow Nigerian of the Niger Delta because some Hausa-Fulani oligarchs are being very unreasonable in asserting obtrusive control on other peoples natural resources? What a display of feudalistic arrogance by these mallams of the Nigerian far north?

As Icheoku mourns the foreseeable end of an otherwise worthy struggle, which was terribly mismanaged and/or sabotaged; as well as the devastation wrought by the Major General Sarkin-Yarki Bello led Hausa-Fulani invading army of the north, we sympathize with the people like Ken Niweigha who laid their lives for this struggle. Let us hope the people of the Niger Delta have learnt their lessons and the next time around, it will be a very different approach. Also it is important for Niger Delta people to understand where their biggest and best alliance in Nigeria is? It is also essential for them to understand where to align themselves in Nigeria - with the only big brother who they truly have, the Igbos! In the Igbos lies their destiny if they must succeed in their struggle and no amount of their ass-licking of the Hausa-Fulani or the Yoruba will make them worthy of equal acceptance in their eyes? The people of Niger Delta saw how dismissive they were in the eyes of these Northerners, when one of them mouthed that they are disposable and just five million of them can be and should be sacrificed for the greater welfare of other Nigerians? Are you scared? Icheoku says, as you suck your wounds, oh Niger Deltans; now you know what not to do!

However, we must acknowledge the courage, gallantry and bravery of the resistance at Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State. At least they achieved somewhat victory as every trained Nigerian soldier's life was worth a lot in this lopsided hostility between them and the militants and 18 of them were forced to drink of their potion as they paid the supreme sacrifice, including a major, and a lieutenant colonel? Icheoku says, if an ill-equipped and out-numbered resistance could wreck such quantum of havoc on the Nigeria army; it finally explains why the authorities in Abuja hurriedly handed off Bakassi to Cameroon, because they were deathly afraid of the chances of their army pitched in a battle against the Cameroon gendarmes?

Regrettably too, the palace of the monarch of Gbaramatu Kingdom was ransacked and razed down by the invading Northern soldiers which forces Icheoku to ask, were it in the North, could any of these soldiers have ventured into the emir's or sultan's palace? This is one of the burning issues that need resolution in Nigeria - the equality of Nigerians?

Icheoku also disagrees that money is being lost as a result of the activism in the Niger Delta, as the oil which is not being exploited and sold off today, is merely being deferred for future earnings! What is the use of selling off the oil today under the very highly corrupt government in Nigeria which will as usual fret it away and without addressing the pressing needs of the people for whose primary benefit, God put the resources under their grounds?

Finally, Icheoku says, no matter how the current military rampage in the Niger Delta concludes and while sympathizing with the unnecessary loss of lives, the bravery of those sons and daughters of Niger Delta were not in doubt. As they struggle through whatever is left of their pitched battle with the feudalistic Nigerian armed forces, struggling to free themselves from the shackles and take back what belongs to them, their oil resources, we wish them Godspeed! Peradventure, providence will remain on their side until a somewhat victory is achieved in due course. All that is needed is some perseverance, a show of resolve and the will to carry-on; and eventually the world will be forced to step in to call for a truce and possibly a conference will be called to settle the lingering problems afflicting the Niger Delta? If the Hausa-Fulani accedes the control of the natural resources, that will be alleluia?

To the brave people of Niger Delta, let it be known to you that the nearest hour to dawn is usually the darkest and the last laps of a marathon is usually the toughest; but if you persist, you shall surely cross the finish line. Victory is within reach more than you know it as Port-Harcourt and Warri refineries crude oil shortage is a sign that your effort is beginning to yield dividends? Also President Umaru Yar'Adua cannot be so desperate for an amnesty if he is not deathly afraid of losing the current showdown? But first, you must stop kidnapping your people, your kinsmen, your women and children; so that you can regain their goodwill, the support of the world and stop being seen as mischievous miscreants bent on disrupting oil flow to Western countries? Reassert yourself for what you are, - the freedom fighting crusaders of the Niger Delta!

Icheoku says, try not to lose your focus and the ideals behind your fighting as it is for a just cause - the freedom of your people and God will see you through! We strongly believe that we have not seen the last of you, not the beginning of the end of your struggle? Fight on Niger Delta and you shall be bountifully rewarded in due course! Icheoku supports your righteous struggle to be emancipated from the talons of the lazy and arrogant feudalistic mallams of the Sahara desert! Aluta continua!

MICHEAL JACKSON, PRAY FOR HIS SOUL!

He is now forever gone! All we, mortals can do now is to pray that the good Lord will find his soul worthy of a heavenly reward.

Micheal Jackson brought so much fun and joy to millions of his fans world-wide and he will forever live in their minds as the greatest superstar to ever live. Icheoku joins millions of mourners who are grieving on this loss, seek solace that to die is to live in the minds of those who loved you.

What a life, that a healthy man wakes up in the morning and before noon drops dead? Why are we in this world? Will you start your race for heaven now or are you going to wait until it is too late?

Peace be unto his soul. Ciao Micheal!

MICHEAL JACKSON, OH WHY?

Icheoku is still mourning Micheal Jackson and will resume our regular editorial/commentary on Monday, June 29, 2009.

Please bear with us as we dedicate these four days, as a mark of our respect to this once in a lifetime musical genius, MJ! So long Mike! We shall miss you a great deal, Shalom!

MICHEAL JACKSON, DEMISE OF THE SUPERSTAR!

He touched our lives in so many ways; and above all he filled our souls with joy and happiness through his music/performances.

Who can count how many hearts Micheal Jackson brought joy to during his very short life on earth? Not Icheoku and certainly not you, our visitor! Thus adding impetus to the saying that it is not necessarily how long one lived that is important but how effective such life was. Micheal had an effective 50 years short life, becoming during this period, the best of the best in his chosen profession, musical entertainment! Bye Micheal.

MICHEAL JACKSON, GONE!

What is in this life afterall, here today, gone tomorrow? The King of Pop, the best entertainer to ever walk the face of this earth, the one whose music moved millions of feet and touched gazillion of souls; the 'magician' whose music awakes any slumbering party world over, the levitating icon whose feet sometimes appear to float on dancing stages, a man who became a superstar at 9 and ran the full course on the front page is no more! He finally parted ways with the mortals of this merciless world and possibly will now be left alone?

Micheal Jackson transited to a higher plain this afternoon. He was just 50 years old? He was officially pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center Los Angeles California at 2.00pm; where he was rushed to by paramedics who had responded to a 911 call at his home by 12.30pm only to find the superstar incapacitated and not breathing? Efforts to resuscitate him both in his home and the hospital did not yield the desired result; hence bringing to an end a life that was full of glitz and glamour; admittedly with some hiccups along the way?

Micheal Jackson sold more than 100 million albums during his lifetime musical hurricane; with his most famous musical work, the 1982 Thriller album, selling an estimated 50 million copies worldwide? Off the Wall, Beat it, Don't stop till you get enough, Wanna start something, "Billie Jean" and the track titled "Thriller" itself were among Icheoku's most favorites of Micheal Jackson musical works. What about you?

According to one mourner, Micheal Jackson 'was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever'. One observer intoned, "It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It's as if he was trying to defy gravity"? Another described him as 'the freakish figure, middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life'? Icheoku says, so f***ing what? Why judge a book by its cover? Sometimes perception could be wrong?

Micheal Jackson was an experiment encapsulated in his child-state throughout his life. He did not know any better, having not grown up normally to understand that people do not have to get 'stuck in the middle' forever? He was merely trying to live out his childhood which early stardom forcibly aborted and never allowed him the chance to horse-play with his mates; but his good intentions were wrongly interpreted as being rather too cozy with children; and a willing "victim" with his despicable mother became a tool in the hands of a 'gotcha ya' prosecutor? Luckily enough jury of his peers, saw through the heap of lies and acquitted him; but the innocent man never recovered till the tragedy of today, June 25, 2009? Icheoku concludes, Micheal Jackson was lynched by a society which created him, made him what he was before finally pushing him over the cliff? He was in essence, a victim! So wherein lies the joy of success if all ends this way and at a very young age of just 50 years?

Those 'lynch-him' crusaders notwithstanding, compared to other known music superstars such as the Beatles and Elvis Presley, Micheal Jackson ranked the numero-uno of them all. He was a first among equals of the music world. From the tender age of 9 till he passed away, he was loved and hated by friends and foes alike. A fan base which adored their idol and a warped overzealous officials who wanted to bring him down at whatever cost, hounded him into the introverted pain-killer dependent miserable man that finally succumbed today. Icheoku says, now that Micheal has taken his final bow, may all those detractors and prosecutors of him, who instigated an unfounded child molestation allegation which took a heavy toll from an innocent man, forcing him into a brief exile to the Middle East and upon return to the States, into a cocoon, now pop their victory champagne as they have conquered Micheal?

It will be recalled that Micheal Jackson was preparing and conditioning himself for his scheduled 50 shows, musical concert in London this summer, beginning July 13 when he expired? What a transition, but we are happy he did not suffer death by dying installmentally through an affliction or a debilitating disease; or being locked away to rot in an isolation ward of a prison somewhere nondescript, assuming his detractors had their way? Admitted his fans, including our team of contributors will miss his musical ingenuity a great deal; what a loss?

Finally like a message sent to someone in New York, "No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow!" Icheoku prays the good Lord to forgive Micheal of whatever sins he may have committed but which he did not have time to confess; and grant him permission to entertain the angels in heaven with some of his very moving musical renditions with which he captivated this world. Adieu MJ.

GOVERNOR SANFORD, HIS EVITA?

With head bowed in shame of being caught cheating on his wife, the governor of South Carolina sang, 'Don't cry for me South Carolina'! Icheoku says, the governor should have advised himself appropriately before jetting away to snuggle in the bosom of his Evita in South America!

So it turned out that the missing governor was not missing after-all; rather he was smooching his Evita in far away Argentina? Icheoku asks what is wrong with our politicians that they do not necessarily learn from the history of other similarly situated misjudgement of the past? Do they think they are somewhat different and so special that their foibles will be a different kind of experience, with no prying eyes watching or inquisitive curious mind finding out? May be they do not use their brains or their brains has been corrupted by the power of politics that the feeling of invincibility sets in to eventually bring them down from their Olympian height? How many times is really enough for these cheating politicians or is the case of the second kick of the mull which teaches no lesson, at all?

Governor Mark Sanford, 49, decided to simply vanish into the thin air, Houdini style, thinking that his wife, four boys, friends, family and other South Carolinas are too blind to notice his absence? But unbeknownst to the philandering governor, he is not just any ordinary Citizen-Joe who could even die without a smidgen of sorrow; but a governor of the State of South Carolina with responsibility for its people? Also the governor was married to a wife with who he has four young children, all boys; yet failed to understand the enormity of his responsibility to them as well, and owed to them some explanation on his where-about?

As if the governor was not already in enough deep molaise, he chose the weekend of Father's day of all days, to embark on this his love-struck transcontinental journey to the land of the Argentines? Was he not aware that as a father and a husband, that his family will be there to celebrate the day with him as well as present him with some gifts for fathers day? His family called the governor's office to inquire on the where-about of their bread-winner with the office responding that they thought the governor took the day off and was spending it with his family; and thus was the cat let out of the bag and the governor was declared "missing"? Governor Mark Sanford, a former three-term congressman, was elected governor of the state of South Carolina in 2002 and is in his second cum final term as governor.

After seven days of dalliance in far away Argentina, he magically reappeared at Atlanta international airport, a passenger returning from Buenos Aires. But surprise, surprise; laying in wait at the airport for him was a journalist from the state's 'State Newspaper' who had driven three hours to the airport following a tip-off. She prodded the governor for explanation on his where-about following his disappearance from South Carolina over the father's day weekend. He rambled through a somewhat explanation at the airport; and subsequently followed it up with a press-conference; wherein he addressed his infidelity! Icheoku says, no matter what happens, lying to his staffers about hiking in the Appalachian mountain trails while in Argentina is unbecoming of a chief executive of a state! Also leaving his four boys and his wife longing for their family head on a father's day is equally unthoughtful and selfish!

That governor Sanford was indifferent to his wife's feeling is a fact. That governor Sanford took some risk, travelling overseas without security clearance is a fact. That the governor was reckless in not handing over to the next in line is a fact. That the governor was irrational in not thinking that he will be caught is a fact. That the governor disappointed his family by cheating on his wife and not being there for his four boys on father's day is also a fact. The four young boys possibly questioned their mommy if they really have a daddy? Otherwise, Icheoku says, what the governor did is no other person's business but that of his wife's primarily, and his four boys; if she and the boys chose to forgive him, so be it, case closed!

Also the people of South Carolina who were deprived of their chief executive and left with no shoulder to cry on in case of an emergency have a stake in the matter. Every other person should butt out and let these parties sort out their internal affair privately, with the philandering governor/father. Should he resign his office? May be, if precedents of New Jersey is called into play; but the call is for the people of South Carolina, but none other, to make. This is because his leaving the country without formally transferring his executive power, exposed the state to an unreasonable degree of risk, were there to be an emergency?

Icheoku says, crying a river now is too late, Mr. Romeo-Governor as you would have spared yourself the present agony by realising that as a public figure, your actions matter. Further, it is very selfish of the governor to just say that the affair is now over, just because he had been caught; after-all the affair began about eight years ago and he did not consult with his 'Evita' before trying now to back out of a love situation? Was it a desperate move to save his political career or what? Was it lust or love that pushed Governor Sanford into a plane to Argentina; which helps to understand the current, 'it is over now' disposition? May be he is just being the politician he is, scoundrels of the earth which most most people do not take seriously anyway! And he is of the republican brand?

True to type of these arch-hypocritical Republicans, while a congressman, he had voted in favor of three of four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton during the Monica(gate) Lewinsky scandal, citing the need for "moral legitimacy." Icheoku asks, which 'moral legitimacy' now protects this inter-continental love-forlorn Pharisee governor of South Carolina from his international love export? None, we know of? We do not however mind people's intermittent foibles and mistakes in life, but if that person is a republican with their holier than thou attitude, then our fifth sense triggers on; hence this umbrage. At least Bill Clinton did not leave the confines of the Oval office but this governor took an international flight to far away Argentina, not minding associated risks both of accident, kidnapping, armed robbery and even death just to satisfy his amorous thirst? What if something terrible had happened and no one could trace the governor? What a humongous embarrassment it would have been for a state's governor to just disappear into the thin air without a trace?

Governor Mark Sanford threw caution to the winds and unmindful of his safety, jetted out to Buenos Aires to be with his love interest, leaving his four boys and the mother of the boys, his wife of 20 years, Jenny Sanford, alone and lonely on a father's day weekend? Icheoku asks what manner of man would live his family so stranded, just for a piece of funky Bermuda-triangle in far away Argentina?

His wife is pretty, rich, tall, slender, intelligent, active and had given him four handsome healthy boys; so what else does this horny-dog want in another woman? Could it be her 'magnificent gentle kisses', 'tan lines', 'curved hips', 'the erotic beauty of holding herself or two of her boobs in the faded glow of the night's light? If Jenny was not up to par or has relaxed too much, couldn't the governor have re-oriented the mother of his four boys to reinvent herself into a sexier Sarah Palin hootchie-mama type personality; instead of cheating on her and spending the family's money to indulge himself in an overseas love-triangle? What a cheating scoundrel, this governor Romeo Mark Sanford is?

Finally, Icheoku says, Governor Mark Sanford's rather lunatic-like action, throws light on the anguish of so many married men who are not really happy being married? What was he thinking, one would like to ask? Icheoku says, his brain is empty and incapable of formulating any thoughts! His present action shows that majority of married men feel trapped in their marriage and would rather be playing the field; otherwise how do you explain a flight of over 10,000 miles just to be with the other woman? Is it possible that many a married men want out but feel compelled by societal etiquette to remain yoked in a marriage which light has since gone out? Whatever was the underlying fuel for this love-trip, Icheoku says, if you are an exception to the rule that many married men are; and that you are so happily married that you cannot appreciate what overcame this governor, or do not feel any empathy for this governor or lacks understanding of his action, please drop us a line and let us know! But until then, Icheoku wants you to know that about 99.9% of all married men are not so happily ever after!

D.C. METRO ACCIDENT, WHAT WENT AWRY?

The Washington D.C. fatal Metro-transit train accident was possibly a result of computer glitch which failed to halt the approaching train?

Presently available evidence suggests that effort were made by the operator to slow down the train before it crashed, jack-knifed and climbed unto the preceding train's cars. The emergency brakes' button was found pushed down as expected; as well as evidence of braking on the train's rotors, indicating it was likely that the operator tried but failed to slow it down?

At the time of the crash, the train was operating in automatic mode, controlled primarily by computer, with the operator merely opening and closing its doors and responding to emergencies, if any? So why did the computer go to sleep while on duty, causing such a catastrophic accident that has so far had claimed nine lives, including that of DC National Guard commander and his wife; while injuring more than 70 persons, in what is considered the deadliest accident in the 30-year history of the DC Metro? Or was this another case of the limitations of technology as opposed to humans?

Pictured right is the operator of the accident-triggering train, that rammed into the other trains' stopped cars, Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield, Virginia who also died in the collision.

Metro General Manager John Catoe said that "there is no evidence whatsoever that this driver has done anything to cause this accident"? To which Icheoku retorts, could Mr Catoe have spoken too soon since records of possible distraction of the train-operator by texting or phone call, has not been conclusively excluded? Further such ill-advised statement supplies needed ammo to wrongful-death action lawyers, who will cleverly heap all blames for the accident on the DC Metro to up the ante? More-so since evidence equally exists that the operator tried, according to operating procedure, but could not stop the train? A case of a defective equipment provided to the deceased train operator to work with?

It will be recalled that this was not the first time that DC Metro's automated system has been questioned? In June 2005, it had a close call because of signal troubles in a tunnel under the Potomac River; when an alert conductor noticed he was getting too close to the train ahead of him even though the system indicated the track was clear and hit the emergency brake in time, to avoid a collision? Icheoku asks, was the operator of this fatal accident possibly distracted by texting or phone-call, that she realised too late the dysfunctional computer system; that although she managed to reach the button; but it was too little too late to avert the collision?

Also this was not the first time a DC Metro accident has resulted in some fatalities as three people died in January 13, 1982 when some of its cars derailed? Equally in November 2006, two Metro track workers were struck and killed by an out-of-service train? And another Metro worker was struck and killed in May 2006.

As the investigation into what caused the accident continues, Icheoku empathises with the families of the deceased, the surviving passengers, as well as the DC Metro itself; which will certainly be slammed with series of lawsuits? As hard as it may sound, the transportation authority will certainly part with some substantial sums of money in settlement claims and/or payment of damages!