MOHAMMED YUSUF, HIS DEATH LINKED TO A COMPROMISED JUDICIAL SYSTEM!

At last, in what appears to be a letting of the cat out of the bag, Icheoku has learnt that the leader of the nefarious criminal Boko Haram Sect was killed because of fear that the Nigeria's very corrupt judicial system will probably set him free?

Nigerian security officials, wary of the compromised Nigerian court system and the high probability of their turning him loose, decided to visit a vigilante brand of justice instead of legal justice on the captured terrorist, Mohammed Yusuf! They decided to solve the problem of Mohammed Yusuf how they know best, finish him off without wasting their time going through a judicial process that is endemically corrupt? With his influence and wealth, Mohammed could easily buy his way out of legal justice but definitely not vigilantism, so his fate was sealed. In one police officer's very own words while commenting on the murder of Mohammed Yusuf, he said, "it's good riddance because our judiciary system has many loopholes," and he could have been "let off the hook," if prosecuted?

Icheoku says, may be they have a point here bearing in mind that an Abuja High Court had as early as January 20, this year, granted Mohammed Yusuf and some of his followers an unconditional bail following arrest? The group had been arrested on November 13, 2008, for public incitement and taken to Abuja for trial, but were turned loose by the court; which did not seat down well with Nigerian security operatives. They waited and waited for the right time to take their vengeance and lo and behold, came the riots and the rest is now history. But does such excuse make it right for the Nigerian authorities to take the laws into their hands and summarily execute a suspect without giving him the opportunity to defend himself? Icheoku does not think so, and does not expect any right thinking mind, with some jurisprudential sensibilities to applaud this act of the Nigerian government! Having been arrested, the natural next step of investigation and prosecution should follow and let the chips fall where they may!

Pictured above left is the captured and virtually unscathed Mohammed Yusuf being led away by the Nigerian army, which said they handed him over to the police for further investigation? Here right is the bullet riddled body of Mohammed Yusuf soon-after his bombardment by his 'investigators'? Was he also burnt or was some phosphorous compound used in his killing as he practically looks like what remained of Dele Giwa after Babangida's parcel bomb?

Below left is the same expired Mohammed Yusuf with his cranial contents gushed out; - a result of high velocity bullets which were severally pumped into his head, at a very close range, bursting his skull in different places, while in the custody of the Nigerian authorities? It would appear that after bursting his brains in the picture below, not content enough they went a step further and unleashed some chemicals on his lifeless body, above right? Barbaric! Crude! Lawless! Vicious! Uncivilized!

Mohammed Yusuf was born on January 29, 1970 in Girgir village, Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State in Northern Nigeria. He was married to four wives and had 12 children. The late fiery Islamic lunatic fanatic cleric and leader of the Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Yusuf earned his notoriety railing against western education and consistently arguing that the current system in Nigeria, symbolised by government, needed to be overthrown and replaced with an extreme version of Islamic law? Icheoku says, if only Mohammed Yusuf had argued against the pandemic corruption festering in Nigeria and targeted some very highly corrupt officials in his crusade; and not wrongly attack western education, maybe he would have had some sympathetic support from the bone-weary Nigerians who have been eagerly waiting and looking forward to the coming of a messiah to clean house?

Mohammed Yusuf founded Boko Haram in 2002 as a platform with which to carry out his warped ideological re-orientation of Nigeria? (Boko Haram is an Hausa language which means "Western education is sinful"?) But as one contributor to Icheoku.com recently pointed out, these lunatics in Northern Nigeria who preach going back to the caveman-like ways still enjoy products such as cell-phones, SUV, clothing, quality health care, air-conditioners, airplanes, weaponry etc? According to his argument, if these mullahs do not like western education why would they like products that came about as a result of it? Why would they not at the same breath, equally shun such inventions and good things of life which western education made possible? What an irony of double-speak and a juxtaposition of a conflicted mindset these northern urchins represent? It is equally instructive that these tormentors of Nigerians habitually come from the northern part of Nigeria and have on countless occasions visited mayhem on Nigerians. Such is the frequency that one is forced to ask, can anything good and productive ever come out of these mallams of the northern Sahara desert of Nigeria? What fuels these anti-people violence by these almajiris, should be a right investigation to conduct towards finally stemming the incessant blood-letting of Nigerians by some crazed-out desert dwellers who are angry, frustrated, violent, timid and irascible!

Mohammed Yusuf had in his kitty, 3,000 rabid adherent fanatics as well as other followers and supporters including some former government officials. One of them, a former commissioner Alhaji Foi Buji was similarly executed by the Nigeria state over this crisis. Pictured here left is captured Alhaji Foi Buji, handcuffed and barely clothed, sitting behind an open truck transporting him to his execution grounds - the premises of the Nigerian police? The bottom right picture shows the partially dirt-covered lifeless body of executed Alhaji Foi, soon after he arrived the Nigerian police premises? What a changing faces of a man who was once a government high-up, - a result of overzealous high-handedness of the Nigerian security apparatus.

Icheoku uses this opportunity to once again condemn the high rate of state murders in Nigeria. We also hope that some disgruntled politicians who had axe to grind with some people will not cash into this crisis and see it as an opportunity to settle some scores! Be that as it may, we do not ascribe to the various calls for an investigation into the particular murder of Mohammed Yusuf; especially in isolation of other similarly situated state killings in Nigeria. If there must be an investigation, it must be total, complete and general! Let such investigation, if any, be all embracing and all covering to accommodate all such known extra-judicial murders carried out in Nigeria by the government. Otherwise, let Mohammed Yusuf lie in his unmarked grave as yet another sad story of Nigeria's law enforcement vigilantism!

FYI:- We are only referencing extra-judicial killings carried out by the Nigerian state after the suspect had already been arrested, shackled, manacled in leg chains and handcuffs and confined, with AK47 toting security operatives menacingly watching over him! And in this regard, some victims readily come to mind, including Niger Delta's Ken Niweigha pictured above left middle in a blue shirt; Alhaji Foi Buji the alleged sponsor of Haka Borom, no, Boko Haram and the Boma Brothers also of Niger Delta, whose execution was caught on tape! You may now confirm the incident, click:- Watch how the JTF killed the Boma Brothers in the ...

ANTI-MALARIA MOSQUITOES, A SCIENCE FICTION COME TO LIFE!

In a type of story usually synonymous with and coming out of Hollywood movie studios, a science fiction has come alive! Mosquitoes have been re-engineered and genetically modified to serve as a vector of vaccines instead of malaria? Wonders of science, one may say, but in this our rapidly evolving world, everything is possible.

By this huge scientific leap for mankind, malaria dispensing parasitic mosquitoes will henceforth turn a new leaf and become a friendly vaccine-dispensing agent instead. Thereafter, whenever mosquitoes bite you, instead of dumping the usual malaria parasite in your body, it will deposit anti-malaria vaccine? Wonderful, really!

In a breakthrough scientific experiment conducted in Europe, mosquitoes were adapted as flying needles, delivering vaccine of live malaria parasites through their bites; which in turn serve as anecdote to malaria. Thereafter, anyone bitten by the doctored mosquito, developed immunity to future malaria while non-vaccinated individuals still fell victims to malaria?

Icheoku says, with nearly one million people killed each year by malaria, mostly children under the age of 5 in Africa; this breakthrough is what the world has been waiting for to answer the scourge of malaria. Malaria starts when an infected mosquito bites a person and injects immature malaria parasites into the skin which then travels to the liver where they mature and multiply. From there, they enter the bloodstream and attack red blood cells, at which stage the victim falls sick. People sometimes develop immunity to malaria by frequent exposures to the parasite over a period of time. The drug chloroquine is also effective against malaria parasites!

This breakthrough study was researched in a laboratory at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands; funded by two foundations and a French government grant. Hopefully, before too long, the result will be commercially available to help in the fight against the killer disease, malaria. Icheoku says, way to go; provided chloroquine and mosquito-nets manufacturers are on board and will not seek to sabotage the effort. After-all, it is a capitalist world and money talks; so they must hawkishly guard against anything that will drastically affect their bottom-line!

OLATUNBOSUN UGBOGU, A NIGERIAN US SEAMAN JAILED FOR LIFE!

His name is Olatunbosun Ugbogu, he is 23 years old; he is a Nigerian and was a seaman, serving to earn his green card in the U.S. Navy! He was a crew member of the U.S. 7th Fleet's cruiser Cowpens, stationed at the US Naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo!

He robbed a Japanese taxi driver, Masaaki Takahashi, 66, of his 19,560 yen ( about $200) in taxi fare and stabbed him to death with a kitchen knife, to keep him silent and prevent him from reporting the robbery incident? Insanity? May be; but the presiding Judge Masaaki Kawaguchi was not buying it, as he sentenced Olatunbosun to life in a Japanese prison with hard-labor, stating that an insane man does not take a $200 dollars cab ride without plans to pay the tab! The court described his crime as "cold-hearted and cruel ... and which was "committed to get money for socializing." The court further added that the crime was "heinous and selfish.” In finding him guilty of murder, the Yokohama District Court ruled that his defense of "hearing voices", was groundless and baseless! Olatunbosun was additionally found guilty of robbery for not paying the taxi fare and of violating the arms control law by carrying arms (kitchen knife). Baring a successful appeal, Olatunbosun is likely to spend between 25 to 30 years minimum, behind bars in serving the life term!

According to the narrative put in evidence, on March 19, 2009, Olatunbosun flagged down a cab at Tokyo's Shinagawa station and asked the driver to take him to Yokosuka’s Shioiri neighborhood. Upon reaching his destination, Olatunbosun tried in vain to run his creidt card to pay the taxi tab but it was repeatedly declined. In anger, he stabbed the cabbie and made for his escape; but fortunately, he forgot his credit card in the cab which led authorities to him. Olatunbosun admitted to the crime during initial police interrogation but at trial plead insanity? A psychiatric who examined Olatunbosun to determine his insanity claim, reported that "he acted too methodically to have been schizophrenic at the time of the killing" which the court gladly accepted and convicted him accordingly. Icheoku asks, but why was the defense not allowed to present their own psychiatric witness during the trial? Could their own witness have reached a different conclusion, possibly establishing that Olatunbosun was "hearing voices" that compelled his hand to slit the throat of the taxi-driver?

Atypical of a hard-man Nigerian, Olatunbosun Ugbogu said he will likely not appeal the verdict; expressing earlier, his willingness to accept the outcome of the trial and move on with his life. Icheoku says, how can a possibly sane person think that he could move on with his life while caged like an animal behind prison walls? Olatunbosun should also pray that he is not put in a mixed population in the prison, as some hot-head Japanese might want to know why this African killed one of their own? That a retributive prison mob-justice might be visited on Olatunbosun is a glaring possibility, which should have influenced his defense counsel to seek that Olatunbosun serve his sentence outside Japan, and possibly in the United States of America? Tall order, one may say, but under the circumstance of drastically virtually reduced options, any suggested idea should be good enough?

It appears that Olatunbosun is now entirely on his own as the U.S. Navy in Japan observed that it has "full faith in the Japanese judicial system and is confident justice was served." Also the US government described Olatunbosun's crime as a "cruel and shameful incident" decrying the trouble, fear and sorrow it has caused." While in their stcok in trade of indifference to the plight of her citizens, the Nigerian government has not voiced an opinion, either way. Icheoku asks, would his Nigerian relatives who pushed him so hard and were putting too much pressure on "their kin in America", which possibly forced this young man into some irrational stress-borne decisions, now come and suffer his fate alongside with him? Not likely; never in the least and this should serve as a teachable moment for all those African brothers and sisters in America or overseas, who work their arses out just to have some extra for the homies back in motherland. It is not worth it and please stop yielding to the never-ending wanton pressure from motherland, because when the chips are down as with Olatunbosun, they will not come to your aid. Instead they will desert you and like a marooned whale, your fate will solely rest in your hands! So, say no to home-pressure; do only what you can conveniently afford and cut off your telephones if you must, but please do not let them push you over the cliff or into the mouth of an erupting volcano!

It will be recalled that Olatunbosun's case is the fifth handover of a U.S. serviceman to the Japanese authorities for prosecution, since the arrangement worked out by Japan and the United States concerning the Status of Forces Agreement following the 1995 rape of a Japanese girl by three U.S. servicemen in Okinawa came into effect! It is also the third instance in the recent past, when a person connected to the US military presence in Japan had run afoul of the law. Last year, a US Marine, based in Okinawa allegedly raped a 14-year old girl? Earlier in 2006, a US sailor was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for also robbing and fatally beating a 56-year old Japanese woman to death.

Our sympathies go to the deceased cabbie's family and also to Olatunbosun's family, who equally somewhat, lost a member of their family in this incident. Icheoku says, could our overseas-stationed service men use some extra counselling; or could it be just a case of some few bad apples giving our brave men and women, a smear and smudge on the face? You decide!

CORAZON AQUINO, PHILIPPINE MOURNS A PRESIDENT!

The Iron-lady of the Philippine, the lady whose husband was gunned down at Manila International airport upon his return from exile in 1983, who later brought down the dictator that killed her husband and subsequently became president; remember her? Philippines Margaret Thatcher is no more! Former President Corazon Aquino, died of colon cancer on Saturday, August 1, 2009; at her home in Manila, aged 76.

Her 1986 "people power" revolt brought down Ferdinard Marcos' 20-year repressive regime in the Philippine and she is accredited to enthroning the presently lasting democracy which Philippine is enjoying till today.

Philippines have declared a 10 days national mourning for their beloved former president and a revolutionary; who was affectionately referred to as the "mother of the Philippine" and "a woman of both strength and graciousness."

Philippines will chiefly remember her for being the polar opposite of Imelda Marcos and for not spending their national treasure, buying as many as 3000 pairs of shoes while in office? Icheoku says, adieu Coraz; as you now dive into the warm embrace of your husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. for a reunion, and perpetual love bliss, where there will be no Ferdinand Marcos to interrupt your happiness anymore! To the Philippines, Malacanang Presidential Palace and the Aquino family, Icheoku says, please accept our condolence as you mourn the loss of your dear former president!

MOHAMMED YUSUF, ANOTHER VICTIM OF NIGERIA'S EXTRA-JUDICIAL MURDER?

In their usual refrain, the authorities in Nigeria claimed that, "Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shoot-out while trying to escape"? Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the northeastern Nigeria, Moses Anegbode, on behalf of the Nigerian authorities, broke the news to the world and Icheoku says, there they go again!

In the same manner Niger Delta activist Ken Niweigha was captured and summarily executed few months ago, the Nigerian authorities has once again dispatched their "public enemy No. 1" to the world beyond, without any recourse to the judicial process? Having arrested him, why not try him in a court of law to afford him that opportunity which his sect never gave to all those innocents, they maimed and killed? When will this lawlessness by the Nigerian authorities stop and the president's promised rule of law truly respected? Or was a captured rabble-rouser not included among those Nigerians entitled to the promised rule of law? Icheoku says, we do not think so; as the law is meant for those people who do not respect the law and Mohammed Yusuf pictured top left, was one heck of such an intended beneficiary of the rule of law, being a chief law-breaker extra-ordinaire, himself! Should we say, a terrorist deserving a cell at Guantanamo?

We do not in any way condone violence of any type, especially the type of baseless mayhem which was unleashed on innocent Nigerians by these lunatic fundamentalists, who do not want to do better for and by themselves; and want the rest of Nigerians sucked into their stupidity and ideological idiosyncrasy! If we have our way, every fundamentalist religion or sect will meet with such fate as Mohammed Yusuf and his dumb followers deserved; but we are no longer in medival times as the rule of law reigns and must be allowed to thrive and thrive for all, including this lunatic Mohammed Yusuf. The Nigerian security forces had finished their job with the capture of the renegade and would have transitioned him to the Justice department for prosecution and eventual execution, if convicted? But for these security forces to now take the laws into their hands and become the hangman, without any trial whatsoever, defiles all the pontifications on the rule of law being bandied around and orchestrated by President Umaru Yar'Adua.

This is the fork on the road and where Icheoku disagrees with the Nigerian authorities - the 'modus-operandi' employed to bring their brand of justice to Mohammed Yusuf. We hereby denounce unequivocally, the state murder of Mohammed Yusuf, irrespective of the heinous acts of terrorism allegedly perpetrated by him and/or under his command. An eye for an eye makes the world go blind; so why would the Nigerian authorities now co-tow the same pathway created by Mohammed Yusuf and his band of thugs, by totally disregarding the red letters of the law as it appertains to an accused?

The problem with this type of extra-judicial state murder is that the whole world is watching and bearing testimonies as to the lawlessness of the Nigerian authorities? Nigeria is not an island and must operate as part of a decent world humanity whose membership, the comity of nations, is obliged to conform to certain ethical decorum with respect to human lives. More-so, the bare-faced lie of his "trying to escape" is as laughable as it is ridiculous; as no person shackled down in a body manacle, handcuffs and leg-chains could possibly "try to escape", under that condition of restraint, except that person is a Houdini but fortunately, Houdini has since been long dead! Why didn't the police give a chase? Where were those police dogs? Why was the escapee's legs not targeted? How can somebody who was found hiding inside a goat's pen in his in-laws' hut, "try to escape", hamstrung and surrounded by fierce looking, battle tested Nigerian army and police? Oh no, tell that to the marines!

With Mohammed Yusuf, 39, his deputy Bukar Shekau and several hundreds of his followers now killed in battle, whatever remains of the nefarious bloody-letting dogs, 'Boko Haram Sect', now in disarray will eventually wither away as a snake without head is not fearsome. Also Icheoku says, kudos to the Nigerian security agencies for timely containing this crisis! We particularly congratulate the newly appointed Inspector General of police Ogbonnaya Onovo for giving a very good account of himself, on this his first baptism of fire! Nigeria is a boiling conundrum which periodically boils over, leading to destruction of lives and properties; but luckily the good guys always wins and Nigeria is better of, for that.

Borrowing a page from the Human Rights Watch, Icheoku concludes that the manner of Mohammed Yusuf's dispatch was "extremely worrying." With an estimated number of 10,000 Nigerians so far killed as a result of sectarian violence in Northern Nigeria, Icheoku says it is about time Nigerians really sit down to find a way out of the woods which a force amalgamation of 1914 forced them in. All this adhoc reaction of sending in security agents each time to go flush out and kill anarchists and/or agitators will not cut it; as it is akin to fire-brigade approach of arriving after the fire had already started? The question should be, how do Nigerians prevent the fire from starting in the first place? Icheoku says, a national sovereign conference to chart the way forward for the future might be a good starting step, and in the right direction. Periodic violence is too disruptive for any meaningful progress in Nigeria, as it not only scares away prospective would-be investors but tarnishes Nigeria's image further.

Alternatively, the political elites of Northern Nigeria should be held to account for the dire poverty in the North, which fuels this intermittent eruptions of disgusts. A hungry youth is an angry youth and this is the feeder-lot that supplies unlimited manpower to lunatics like Mohammed Yusuf? Where a people have nothing to live for, because of very endemic corruption and ineffective leadership which deny them practically everything, including basic amenities like running water and electricity, where would such low-lifers find their life's anchor, but in a sect leader who preached paradise and forty virgins? Icheoku says, now go rendezvous with your forty virgins, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf!

THE BEER SUMMIT:- A PRESIDENT, A PROFESSOR AND A POLICEMAN!

Hopefully the tripartite emergency beer race-summit, summoned by President Barack Obama produced the desired result; provided of course, whatever agreements or lack thereof, was not under the influence?

The White House "summit", was intended to douse the race tension, generated by the unlawful arrest of a black Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr by a Cambridge Massachusetts white police officer Sergent James Crowley. Icheoku wishes the trio, later joined by the vice president Joe Biden, well and hopefully the gaffe of "stupidly" has now been interred with this 'beer-summit' and we can move on to greater issues.

What happens thenceforth, Icheoku cannot predict as we are under no illusions that race problems will suddenly evaporate just because Mr. President had beers with the two present symbols of race relations in America; but at least it has re-focused Americans once again, on what their greatest under-belly ache has always been - judging a person by the color of his skin and not the content of his character?

Once again, Icheoku says, borrowing from Rodney King, why can't we all just get along; irrespective of the melanin or lack thereof flowing under our skins? No oppressed person laughs at shenanigans of his oppressor and vice versa, so let us all be mindful of this "reservation" in dealing with one another! Anyway, kudos to President Barack Obama for initiating this pattern of dispute resolution!

RODELL VEREEN, CAUGHT MAKING LOVE WITH A HORSE?

How big could this guy's manhood possibly be that a mare would so much feel it, as to cry out loud; particularly in view of the natural endowment their stallions are equipped with? Does this guy look well equipped, you bet? Icheoku however would rather a test is conducted to determine what his manhood is made of; and possibly for a Guinness World Book of Records mention?

And so it was that in United States of America, state of South Carolina, a man was so infatuated with his neighbour's horse that he not only fell in love with it, but repeatedly physically copulated with it?

Rodell Vereen, pictured above right was arrested and charged with buggery, for having sex with a horse? The owner of the horse caught him on videotape, humping her animal; then staked out the stable and caught him in the act red-handed and at gun point? Icheoku says, where are all the women of South Carolina that a mare should steal this man's love and affection? And the horse's name is Sugar?

What a coincidence that this 21 year old sweet lass, Rodell's love interest and object of his affection got this guy's brain so cracking to earn her two of his visits? Are men really dogs; and would plug all pluggables depending on the circumstance? Rodell Vereen, 50, has been charged with trespassing and buggery; and faces up to five years in prison if convicted. This will be in addition to any extra term for probation violation as he was serving a three year probation when he committed the present offence?

According to the story, Rodell Vereen who was on a repeat love-visit to his beloved mare when he was nabbed, had plead guilty to making love to the same horse last year and was placed on probation and the state's sex offender list? The incident happened at Lazy B Stables in Longs, about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The owner, suspicious of strange things happening in her stable, installed surveillance cameras which on July 19 caught Rodell mounting her horse? The owner laid in wait and armed with a shotgun, pined Rodell down until the police arrived and arrested him.

Icheoku says, this is Sodom and Gomorrah come alive in South Carolina? It will be recalled that it is the same South Carolina that the governor abandoned his duties and embarked on a love-trip to Buenos-Aires Argentina to meet with his paramour? What horny-bee have stung these South Carolinas that they are strangely exhibiting out their libido in these ways?

IKEDI OHAKIM'S JUMP, OKIJA SHRINE FINGERED?

A presently gathering but yet to be confirmed report has it that Governor Ikedi Ohakim was forced by an oath he took before being allowed into the government house in Owerri, to dump the PPA for PDP? This is Brutus stab as it was the PPA that came to his rescue after PDP rubbished him, and provided him with a platform to run for governorship when all roads seemed to have been foreclosed on his ambition. What a way to pay back a once in a lifetime favor? Was this a back-stab, a Judas Iscariot treachery on the PPA or just a fast one, pulled by a conniving political whore who saw an opportunity to free himself from the vice-like control of Orji Uzor Kalu and his mother and decided to take it? Icheoku asks, did Ikedi jump or walk or was he pushed or forced?

According to the source, Chris Uba, the former Anambra State political heavy weight and the man who made former Anambra State governor Chris Ngige swear by Alusi Okija, also administered the same dreaded Alusi Okija on Ikedi Ohakim? This was on behalf of Olusegun Obasanjo, who wanted a guarantee that Ohakim will keep his promise to defect back to the PDP, if allowed to become governor of Imo State in 2007? Icheoku is still working on our source but Olusegun Obasanjo himself, practically confirmed that much, when he said that Ikedi Ohakim was only fulfilling a promise he made to defect back to PDP and nothing more! In Olusegun Obasanjo's own words, Ohakim's decamping was "a pre-arranged agreement he entered with the PDP before the election"? This begs the question, what manner of man is this Ikedi Ohakim that will jump ship of a political building block at this time of Nigeria's fledgling democracy? But his apologists argue that question of morality pales in contrast to the wrath of the Okija deity, which will descend upon his family should he renege on the sworn agreement? This latest saga of Ohakim bailing-out on a political party that catapulted him into relevance, adds to the retinue of occultist oath-taking Nigerian politicians; and their unbridled quest for power and the length they are prepared to go in order to just make it to the seat of power? Nigerian politicians, where are thou soul?

An up and coming young man with a bright political future just had it thrown away by this his defection; becoming just a number instead of teaming with the dynamic Orji Uzor-Kalu to carve a niche for the South East in national political discourse. Dee Sam Mbakwe, where at thou spirit that will let such a sabotage of the government house wherein you once gave the NPN a bloody nose? Our beef here is not necessarily against Ikedi Ohakim but that democracy be allowed to thrive through competition and options. Why should everybody be lumped into one political party, which will be tantamount to a military dictatorship where you either fall in line or be whipped into line or possibly sidelined. Re-echoing one commentator's observation, "It was shameful that the governor had opted for the seemingly easy option of cutting and running, instead of facing up to the blackmail and pressure of PDP and, in the process, helping to strengthen democracy in Nigeria." The question here is, why this chickening out from the war front which otherwise would help nurture democracy in Nigeria?

The governor's former party PPA in a statement said, "the governor’s defection was a betrayal of trust and a cowardly approach to politics. It is, therefore, regrettable that Governor Ohakim has now buckled under PDP pressure to display a palpable lack of courage and conviction. Rather than lead, he has chosen to capitulate. Rather than inspire the growing legion of party members to stir the PPA to greater heights in the great state of Imo, he has decided to cut and run". Icheoku agrees wholly with this summation of the governor's betrayal; and adds that this bad example of how not to be a leader is as dangerous as a military take-over of government?

Governor Ikedi Ohakim has followed the despicable governors of Bauchi and Zamfara States into political infamy; and for violently kicking away, the very ladder with which they climbed into political relevance in the first place, it shall not be well with them. This is a discredited path which no follower/s of Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe or an apostle of his, should follow. The mark of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort but during adversity; not unmindful of the pressure-cooker intensity of the ruling PDP to force Nigeria into one party state? Icheoku says, this standing by itself is not sufficient for Governor Ikedi Ohakim to turn a traitor and turn his back on the PPA that made him governor of Imo State. Even factoring in Alusi Okija does not justify his action either.

Icheoku emphasises that the proposed electoral reform bill which provides unequivocally that "a political office holder who decamps to another political party shall resign from such a post immediately" is a provision whose time has since come! Icheoku and co will not be wasting a comment on such political harlotry as exhibited by Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, had the National assembly done their work to pass this bill. May be President Umaru Yar'Adua and his PDP dominated national assembly is stalling on the passage of the bill to enable the Ikedi Ohakims of Nigeria politics to finish their carpet-crossing before they could enact it into law. The time to act on the reform is now, before the damage would have been done irretrievably and far-reaching havoc wrecked on Nigeria budding democracy, with the imposition of one autocratic central political party?

By Governor Ikedi Ohakim going back to PDP, a political party that scornfully tossed him out of their moving train to be crushed thereunder in 2007, shows that the man has no core and lacks a sense of self and decency. How dare he lick back his spittle? Does this man still have what it takes to be called governor of a state which the late Dee Onunaka Mbakwe once governed? Icheoku does not think so; and says, the earlier the Imo State House of Assembly commences an impeachment proceedings against this defector-governor, the better for the integrity of the people of Imo State. What PDP did by poaching Governor Ikedi Ohakim is pure greed as they concluded they must also consume a state out of the two held by an opposition political party? It does not bode well for democracy. Governor Ikedi Ohakim's defection is very unfortunate, it impacts adversely the sagacity of multiple political parties needed in a democracy, thereby stiffling differing view-points and should be condemned by all true democrats, who wish Nigeria's democracy well.

OGBONNAYA ONOVO, THE NEW IG OF POLICE!

Happily reporting to duty as Nigeria's 14th indigenous Inspector General of Police, here pictured left is, Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo!

Icheoku says, congratulations to Nigeria's new Inspector General of Police, IGP Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo, on his elevation to the position of the number one police officer in the land! In other words, he is now the Nigeria's First Police! To President Umaru Yar'Adua, we extend our gratitude too, for braving all the interest groups' pressure to put the right person on the saddle, to guide the Nigeria police as they perform their security assignment in Nigeria. Ogbonaya Onovo is simply the best there is, to occupy the office; and with the work at hand in this challenging times, no other appointee would have been a better choice; judging from his retinue of experience?

To IGP Onovo, Icheoku says, your job has been cut out for you, as the criminality in Nigeria must be stopped cold, and at whatever and any cost possible. No excuses will be good enough for Nigerians and you must bring the "can do" attitude inherent in the people of the South East to bear on the task ahead; and put a stop to the lawlessness of kidnapping and armed robbery nearly paralysing Nigeria. The country expects nothing less from you, than to give them back their lives which have nearly been taken over by some criminal elements in the country. Please do not give anyone reason to say, "I told you so" to President Umaru Yar'Adua, who went through the eye of the storm to appoint you the IGP! The only appreciation President Umaru Yar'Adua and Nigerians expect from you is perfomance, period! You must deliver security to Nigerians and only this will make or mar your administration.

At 56, Inspector General Onovo still have four more years before attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years, during which period, he must try to establish himself as the best Inspector General of Police Nigeria ever had. Alternatively, if he leaves office in three year when he attains the mandatory 35 years of service; he still would have three years to prove his mettle. Either way, IGP Onovo must make it possible for Nigerians to once again, be able to sleep with their two eyes shut at night; and drive freely on the roads without being maimed and killed by hoodlums or otherwise kidnapped for ransom by men of the underworld. Once Inspector General Onovo can accomplish this, his legacy will only need some little gap-fillers as it would have already been enshrined?

A native of Enugu State, born in February 7, 1953; married and a father of a son and a daughter; Ogbonnaya Onovo armed with a degree in Political Science from University of Nigeria Nsukka, enlisted in the Nigeria Police on August 1, 1977, as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Since then, Ogbonnaya Onovo has served in various capacities in the Nigerian Police including as Divisional Crime Officer, Administrative Officer, Unit Commander, Second-in-Command to Squadron Commander and Squadron Commander of the Police Mobile Force. Onovo was subsequently promoted Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in January 1981; Superintendent of Police (SP) in October 1984, Divisional Crime Officer and Commander of Surveillance, Chief Superintendent of Police, Staff Officer in the Force Secretary's Office in June 1987, Assistant Force Secretary in the Force Headquarters in 1989, Assistant Commissioner of Police in March 1990, Deputy State Police Commissioner (Second-in-Command), Commissioner of Police (CP) in April 1997, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1998, Commandant Police Academy Kano in May 2000, promoted AIG in May 2001 and made head of Research and Planning Department at the Force Headquarters as well as Force Secretary which position he held until February 2002, Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in March 14, 2002 and Second-in-Command to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the Force Headquarters and occupied the office of the DIG "A" - Finance and Administration. Ogbonnaya Onovo became Criminal Investigations Department head between 2003 and 2006, and DIG in charge of Administration in November 2006. Onovo equally attended several professional, development and leadership training courses within the Police and other Federal Government and international agencies including the Cadet ASPs Course; Detective Course; Junior Command Course; Middle Management Course; Senior Management Course; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Course; and International Humanitarian Law Program in SanRemo, Italy, among others.

Icheoku says, with a resume` like his, who else could better serve as Nigeria's Inspector General of Police than Ogbonnaya Onovo himself? The new chief has climbed the ropes, learnt all the curves and tricks of policing, horned his skills on experiences garnered over the years of service, which are as diverse as Nigeria itself; have served in various capacities in the police, as would properly equip him adequately with every needed advantage to perform and perform creditably very well. President Umaru Yar'Adua succeeded with this pick, choosing a round peg for a round hole and Nigeria will surely be better off with such a wise choice. IGP Onovo simply stated, cannot just afford to fail or not perform well.

However, with this appointment, it is not yet Uhuru for the people of the South East regarding their full political re-integration in Nigeria? The folks over there should not start basking in the euphoria of the moment, now that the feudalistic North has finally relented and appointed one of their kinsman, the IGP? The people of the South East should not see Ogbonnaya Onovo's appointment as a patronage or a victory; but a well qualified and deserved appointment where the best there is, was appointed and he agreed to serve his fatherland as the IG of police. In Nigeria, no tribe or section should be patronized just for the heck of it, but that the best always be allowed to wear the mantle and deliver for all Nigerians accordingly. Icheoku calls on Nigerian leadership not to unreasonably and irrationally patronize anyone group, including the Igbos, just for political-correctness. Once there is a job to be done, let the most competent Nigerian be allowed to handle the job, period!

Be that as it may, and all sentiments aside, Icheoku hopes that the new IG of police will look up to the other of his kinsmen/women from the South East, who have discharged their duties to Nigeria, creditably and satisfactorily; and use their performance as his new benchmark. Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla, Professor Dora Akunyili and Professor Chukwuman Soludo, just to mention a few, readily come to mind as such Igbo men and women under advisement here. The IGP's anticipated stellar performance in office will further affirm that certain people from certain part of Nigeria, are really endowed with a unique, natural 'can do' abilities. Therefore, IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo, the ball is now in your court to prove the "Okoro" in you!

Also Inspector General Ogbonnnaya Onovo must try and follow in the foot-steps of former Senate President Ken Nnamani, and avoid the corruption triggering banana-peel syndrome, which saw three of his most recent predecessors soiled in office? IG Tafa Balogun went out of office in handcuffs for misappropriapriating 17 billion Naira belonging to the police; IG Ehindero got entangled in a 23 million Naira corruption scandal found in a car trunk, while IG Mike Okiro has a 160 million Naira unpaid loan hanging on his neck? Once Ogbonnanya Onovo cleverly navigates his way through the pile of crap, which is always thrown at an IG's feet, then part of his legacy would have been written in gold and the rest will become mere filling of the gaps.

Once again, congratulations IG Ogbonnaya Onovo on your new appointment; we also reiterates our gratitude to President Umaru Yar'Adua and salute his courage in allowing the most qualified and most senior of the Nigerian police, to assume the office of the IGP; despite the wishes of Arewa Consultative Forum and other Nigerian pressure groups, to the contrary? Our prayer also, is that the Nigerian cabal will give him a free hand to police Nigeria adequately and restore the much needed but lacking security to a country, which has otherwise been ranked a failed state?

***(Just a little factoid for you:- IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo, is now the 14th indigenous IGP Nigeria has ever had; IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo was a classmate of the last IG Mike Okiro, who was also Onovo's best man during his (Onovo) wedding. It is also worth a mention that Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo served four past IGPs as a DIG, which greatly burnishes his credentials for his current job as Nigeria's IGP!) ***

MOTHER KILLS SON, EATS HIS BRAIN?

When you think it could not get more weirder in Texas, a San Anthonio mother, hacked her son to death, decapitated him and with fork and knife, savoured his cranial contents? Icheoku asks, what manner of barbarism and cannibalism is this, that a mother would kill her son to enjoy his brains? Only in the land of the demented, which Texas is not too far away from qualifying as?

Otty Sanchez, 33, was charged with capital murder in the death of her 3 1/2 week old infant son, whom she partially ate before being discovered and arrested. She has been charged to court and placed on a $1 million dollars bail. According to family sources, Otty Sanches has been a revolving door at a psychiatric hospital before the incident, since no sane being will kill her own son, cut off the head, placed it in a platter and with fork and knife ate up the brains? Gruesome? In Texas, not really! She also chewed off his tiny baby toes for snacks! This is the type of story which makes novelist Stephen King grin like a child in a candy store; it is hair-raising and spin-chilling indeed!

Whether it was post-partum psychosis that led a mother to eat her own child's body-parts, Icheoku does not have a clue but condemns the cannibalism and calls for maximum allowed penalty for the accused man-eater of a mother. It will be recalled that it was in the same Texas that a mother, Andrea Yates, methodically drowned her five children in a bathtub in 2001. Also in 2004, Dena Schlosser killed her 10-month-old in her Plano Texas home, by slicing off the baby's arms. According to her, she killed the baby as a sacrifice and because she want to give her to "God"? Icheoku denounces such nut cases who think that biblical Abraham's call to sacrifice Isaac gives them reason to commit such heinous act as the murder of one's own child? It is condemnable and in view of so many wanna-be mothers who literally go the ends of the earth to seek a child, why did these monsters not give these children up for adoption or even abandon him as in this case; but instead, she craved his brains and now the rest is history.

VERNOM FORREST, THE MAN WHO BEAT SHAUN MOSLEY, IS DEAD!

He knocked his opponents out in a few and now, it took only some bullets to knock him out cold and forever. Ex-boxing champion Vernom Forrest, 38, is dead; shot to death multiple times in a robbery, this weekend in downtown, Atlanta Georgia. Like many cases involving black-folks, no suspects having been arrested yet and he might as well go down as one of the statistics of unsolved murder of black-males of America?

According to the story, the 1992 Olympian stopped at a gas station to put some air in his car tires when a panhandler approached him and asked for some "change". As he pulled his wallet out to find fella something, the man became greedy and decided to take everything. He snatched the purse and ran for it but Vernom, being the boxer he is, decided to fight back. He pursued the fleeing purse snatcher. Icheoku says, that was mistake number one, never pursue a man who needs your stuff so much and probably more than you do, that he had to snatch it from you and make a dash for it? Continuing, the thief feeling cornered, turned but already Vernom had begun to go back to his car, but nevertheless, started firing at the retreating Vernom, hitting him multiple times? Fulton County Georgia medical examiner's office confirmed the homicide, stating that autopsy result showed Forrest died from "multiple gunshot wounds involving the torso and thigh."

The lesson of this sad incident is, 'do not bring out your wallet out to hand folks some "change" as they may turn instantly greedy'. If you ain't got a "quarter" and there is no independent one dollar bill hanging loose somewhere in your pocket, lie to him that you have only credit cards! Safety is very important and probably Vernom was killed for some loose change, of plus-minus one hundred dollars, as no one carries that much cash-money in his wallet anyways? We live and we learn, and this may have the downer effect of people giving to some down on their luck people any hand, anymore.

Forrest, a native of Augusta, Georgia, who lived in Atlanta, was a member of the Barcelona Olympic team along with Oscar De La Hoya. He later won welterweight and junior middleweight titles and compiled a professional record of 41-3 with 29 knockouts. He won his first world title by defeating Raul Frank at Madison Square Garden for the vacant IBF welterweight belt in May 2001, and less than a year later handed Shaun Mosley his first career loss to capture the WBC title. Forrest also recorded a boxing win over Ike Quartey and Carlos Baldomir for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title.

Vernom Forrest was not married but was survived by his son, Vernon Jr.

It will be recalled that Vernom Forrest's death makes it the third high-profile death of a boxing champion recently:- Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello, the mayor of Managua, Nicaragua, was found dead at his home on July 1 in an apparent suicide; and just last two weeks, Arturo Gatti was found dead in a condominium in Brazil with his wife as the prime suspect? Icheoku says, whatever it is that is knocking our boxers out and cold, should please cease and desist as three are quite an alarming number to go just these few weeks. Farewell, champ!

AMERICAN IDOL'S ALEXIS COHEN, IS DEAD!

She gave Simon Cowell, her all, - her fingers, her mouth and her arse? There was no part of her body that she spared in trying to convey to Judge Simon Cowell, how disgusted she felt for not making the American Idol contestant cut in Philadelphia 2007? In short, she was Simon Cowell's known nemesis who refused to be "told off"!

And unbekownst to her, her performance-audition was horrible; one of the worst there was that contested in that seventh edition of American Idol. However, she thought otherwise, thinking she was that yet to be discovered "rockstar" who the judges' myopia failed to discover? Alexis Cohen died in a motor accident this weekend, she was 25 years old.

Alexis, a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania and a former two-time "American Idol" contestant was struck and killed by a car in Seaside Heights, Ocean County, New Jersey on Saturday July 25, 2009. Autopsy report indicates that Alexis suffered massive trauma to the chest, head and abdominal cavity.

Alexis Cohen auditioned for American Idol competition in its seventh season in Philadelphia in August 2007 and again in 2008 during the show's eighth season in Kansas City. At the Philadelphia audition, Alexis sang Grace Slick’s “Somebody To Love.” Judge Simon Cowell said her performance was possessed, and even though Randy Jackson recommended Alexis sing in a cover band, all of the judges passed on sending her to the next round. After Alexis left, Simon Cowell compared her look to Willam DaFoe, who played the Green Goblin in Spiderman. Even though Alexis was initially polite to the judges, she went off on Simon Cowell after leaving. Alexis’ rant included such memorable lines as “Well, Simon didn’t like me, but he’s a big, fat, fuck,” “I thank you, I will leave with my dignity,” “I’m going for actressing,” and “If I could legally moon you, I would.”

During her second coming at the eight season in Kansas City, Missouri, Alexis appearing in a glittering outfits, said, "I returned for my fans and to call Simon an asshole, and I didn’t scream a bit! It’s actually funny, boy were they rude! I thanked them for all their insults. Anyways, I’ve been in two movies since my last audition: one’s a feature film, even though I get paid piss. American Idol had one trained actor audition, and that was me. Anyways thanks for your support all along, sorry my high school enemies bothered your site, but hey it makes good for ratings! Anyways the sharks are gonna come back out and call me crazy, but I didn’t curse a word this year, and I even shook Simon’s hand while calling him an asshole, Great for television, Thanks for everything".

Her rant became an instant hit where she went off against the American Idol judges for not finding in her "the idol" they were looking for? Alexis gave the finger to the camera several times and declared, "I'm going for actressing." Icheoku says, whatever that means?

Continuing her rant, Alexis said, "I'll make it one day. One day, somehow, some way. And I hope that someone sees that I have some talent somewhere whether it be in acting or singing or whether it be the fact that I have the chutzpah and the fuck to be able to get up and talk — to be able to say what I'm thinking, to be able to say what I mean, to be able to speak the heart, to be able to talk, to be able to lead. I will be victorious, always be victorious, all rising."

Now she has gone, to the land beyond; killed by a motorist and at a youthful age of 25. Icheoku says, so long 'Miss Acid-Mouth', what a run you had on earth as the world now mourns you for being the girl who stood up and fought for what you believed was Simon Cowell's overbearing mouthing, and for refusing to be intimidated or made to feel like a nobody. Also thank you American Idol, for bringing Alexis Cohen to us, Adieu Alexis!

AT LAST, THE KING'S HEAD GOES HOME TO HIS BODY!

A king that resisted Dutch slave traders, in the then Gold Coast had his head chopped off and shipped to Denmark as a keepsake; and as a deterrent to warn others of the futility of resistance? Now tired of keeping their gruesome trophy, the Dutch has agreed to ship and have shipped back to Ghana, the severed head of King Badu Bansu for a formal internment among his subjects, his people. Icheoku says, the Dutch for putting up for their "laboratory stage play", a human head and that of a Ghanaian King, were nothing other than barbarians!

After spending 171 years in a forced exile in a foreign land, pickled and bottle up in a solution of Formaldehyde, the King's head has now finally gone home to his body, to be with people in Ghana and to be formally interred with his forebears and other kings of yore!

This is a good case-study of the cruelty and barbarism of the Dutch, who not only hung a King but went further to decapitate him just because he resisted their attempt at poaching the best of Africans out of then Gold Coast, as slaves. Icheoku says, King Badu Bonsu II was a hero who called the bluff of the Dutch's solicitation of slaves and refused them his acquiescence to their nefarious slave trade! It does not matter that he died with his honor intact; as the Dutch feeling humiliated by his resistance, hung him and later cut off his head as a trophy, which they probably presented to their own King or Queen in the Netherlands? Icheoku demands that the Dutch pay reparation and compensation for this heinous royal murder; as well as undertake whatever cost inherent in atoning for this sinful act of brutality, towards finally uniting the King's head with his body for his proper transition, in a manner atypical of traditional African way?

The King's head was cut off and taken to the Netherlands by Major General Jan Verveer in 1838; according to the Dutch account, in retaliation for King Badu Bonsu's killing of two Dutch emissaries, whose heads he displayed as trophies on his throne? Icheoku asks, what were the primary mission of the Dutch emissaries if not to persuade and strong arm-twist the King to become an accomplice in their slave trade; and allow them unfettered access to the best Africans they could possibly poach and sell in their criminal slave enterprise? We insist that the apology by the Dutch government for the Dutch involvement in slave trade is not sufficient and can never be sufficient since they appropriated the entire proceeds from the trade and used it all to develop Dutch-land; without repatriating any or some of them to the motherland as compensation? Icheoku says, the Dutch should pay compensation for their illegality; and at least for this King who they killed in cold blood to clear the way for their trade in human-beings. The Ghana government of President Attah Mills should take up this in very high diplomatic circle and insist that justice be served for King Badu Bonsu III and for the millions of other Africans who were forcibly kidnapped, shipped and sold into slavery by the Dutch.

Icheoku affirms that slave trade was not only "unfortunate and shameful," as it "inflicted so much harm on so many people in so many parts of the world," but it was the most heinous of all man's inhumanity to fellow man; for which the descendants of slave-traders should be so ashamed of their forebears' activities that they pay whatever sum is assessed as a fair compensation to the slave-victims descendants? Icheoku says, if the Jews can get compensation for Holocaust why not Africans for the heinous atrocities of slavery; and now with this specifically identifiable case for which Dutch government was complicit, wherein their paid soldier, hung, decapitated and hauled away the head of a Ghana King as a trophy back to Netherlands? The Dutch engaged in this nefarious trade for over three hundred years, after killing off such resistance as King Bada Bonsu III; exploiting the best Africa has to offer in terms of its human resources and selling them off for profit throughout Western civilization; and without returning any proceeds of sale to the motherland? Icheoku says, the Dutch human-plunderers were human-pirates who should be so ashamed of their slave trading past that they should cover their faces in shame.

The King's head was discovered last year in a jar of formaldehyde gathering dust in the anatomical collection of the Leiden University Medical Center, Holland in the Dutch-land. The man who "helped reunite the chief's head with his body" discovered the bottled-up head by accident, where it was locked away in a dark dungeon of a cupboard somewhere discreet, for more than 170 years. Could it be that the Dutch were still exerting vengeance on this King by so locking his head away in such isolated inhuman condition, for this King's perceived "arrogance"?The "discoverer of the King's head" was researching a story about a novel he was writing of an an Ahanta boy brought to Holland in 1837 as a slave. Icheoku says, holy macro, so it was not only the head of the Ahanta King that was shipped to Dutch-land? Has anybody seen the bones of this young innocent boy yet? According to the researcher, in 2002 when he found it locked way, "the staff took it out of the round jar and put it on the laboratory sink for me. It had been turned white by the formaldehyde but it was still life-size and he looked as if he was asleep. I felt, 'this is so wrong, you should go home''. Imagine a royalty being put in a laboratory sink by a Dutch technician, in such a cavalier manner and without any show of respect or dignity whatsoever?

Thank God for the return of the King's head! The delegation which returned King Bada Bonsu III's head were received at Kotoka International Airport Accra by government officials and members of the beheaded King's Ahanta clan, of Ashanti region. It will be recalled that in 2006, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland returned to New Zealand the preserved heads of nine tattooed Maori tribesman decapitated by British colonialists, for trophy in the 19th Century. Also, the same British slave profiteers through its Natural History Museum returned the remains of 18 indigenous Aborigines people part of a population that was violently displaced and some of which were forcefully yanked away from their native Australia to make way for British settlers?

For a little historical perspective, then Gold Coast (present day Ghana) was "discovered" by the Portuguese in the 15th century; then taken over by the Dutch, who were eventually bought out of their priceless possession by the British. The Ahanta Clan is part of Ashanti tribe and is located very near the coast, the reason the Dutch were so desperate for a quick access to their human-merchandise because of easy access to point of shipment? They were the first to trade with the Portuguese but as the Dutch took over and greed forced their hand into the most lucrative of all trades - slave trade, King Badu Bonsu fought back when he realised that this band of Europeans were up to no good. He chose to die fighting and standing tall in death, instead of going on all fours to allow the Dutch unfettered access to their human cargo. Icheoku says, warrior welcome home; now as you stand to be united with your other half, may you find the heart to forgive the murderous Dutch slave traders and their General Verveer for their lunacy, trading on human-beings! Long live your memory and bravery, King Badu Bonsu!

HARRY PATCH, FINALLY MAKES HIS EXIT!

And so it is that the 'last of the Mahicans', British world war veterans, has now kicked the bucket. Last July 18, 2009 when his compatriot Henry Allingham died at 113, it was Harry Patch who remained as the last British survivor of World War 1; but barely two weeks later, he also turned cold. Harry Patch "quietly slipped away" on Saturday morning at the Fletcher House care home in Wells, southwest England, aged 111 years.

Born in southwest England in 1898, Patch was a teenage apprentice plumber when he was called up for military service in 1916. After training he was sent to the trenches as a machine-gunner in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. When the war ended in 1918, Harry returned to work as a plumber, got married, raised a family but didn't start talking about his war experiences until he turned 100 year.

One of his most memorable recollections of the World War battles was the 1917 battle of Passchendaele in which he was wounded; according to Harry Patch's account, it was "mud, mud and more mud mixed together with blood. Anyone who tells you that in the trenches they weren't scared, he's a damned liar: you were scared all the time." During World War II, Harry volunteered for the fire service and helped in rescue and firefighting after each German bombing raids. He outlived three wives and both of his sons.

Aptly described as the last of the titans, there are no other known British, French or German veterans of WWI still alive; however there is one United States of America known veteran still kicking it at 108, - Frank Buckles of Charles Town, West Virginia.

Harry Patch's funeral will be held in Wells Cathedral, South West England. Icheoku says, now rest the tired old bones, soldier!