PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S BACK TO SCHOOL SPEECH!

Below, please find the full text of the "Back-to-School" speech delivered by President Barack Obama to students returning to school after the long summer holidays. Also judge for yourself, whether the speech is anything incendiary as some right-wing fringed lunatics have made it appear. Happy trails:-

"Hello everyone. How's everybody doing today? I'm here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we've got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through 12th grade. I'm glad you all could join us today. I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could've stayed in bed just a little longer this morning. I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday — at 4:30 in the morning.

Now, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster." So, I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year. Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education. And I've talked a lot about responsibility. I've talked about your teachers' responsibility for inspiring you and pushing you to learn. I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track and get your homework done and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox. I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working where students aren't getting the opportunities they deserve. But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world, and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. And that's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. Every single one of you has something you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That's the opportunity an education can provide.

Maybe you could be a good writer — maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper — but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor — maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine — but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team. And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can't drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You've got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.

And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you're learning in school today will determine whether we, as a nation, can meet our greatest challenges in the future. You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new-energy technologies and protect our environment. You'll need the insights and critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy. We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do that — if you quit on school — you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.

Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork. I get it. I know what that's like. My father left my family when I was 2 years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn't fit in. So, I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I'm not proud of and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse. But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our first lady, Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there's not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right. But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life — what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home — that's no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That's no excuse for not trying. Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future. That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America. Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez.

I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, Calif., who's fought brain cancer since he was 3. He's endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer — hundreds of extra hours — to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind, and he's headed to college this fall. And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Ill. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college. Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren't any different from any of you. They faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same. That's why today, I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education — and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you'll all wash your hands a lot and stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.

Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it. I know that sometimes you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work — that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you're not going to be any of those things. But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won't love every subject you study. You won't click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try. That's OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. J.K. Rowling's first "Harry Potter" book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." These people succeeded because they understand that you can't let your failures define you — you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.

No one's born being good at things. You become good at things through hard work. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice. It's the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust — a parent, grandparent or teacher, a coach or counselor — and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals. And even when you're struggling — even when you're discouraged and you feel like other people have given up on you — don't ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best. It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other. So today, I want to ask you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country? Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you've got to do your part too. So, I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don't let us down. Don't let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

Now you have read the speech so judge for yourself how bad it really is; that some racist-tinged Americans cried foul and even denied their children the opportunity to partake in the president's pep-talk? Icheoku says, until Americans decide to walk the talk on racial equality, it is going to remain same old same old; with some people not ever wanting to hear or even see "that one" remain in "their" White House, irrespective of how meaningful his actions and well -intended his intentions!

Wherein the speech is the socialist-indoctrination that the far right-wingers cried foul about? Where is the brain-washing that made some right wingers decry that the speech is to convert their children into "community organisers" that Icheoku asks, if community organising gets you into the White House, why not? Where in this speech which you just read was the divisive partisan attack the right wing Americans alleged President Obama planned? The heavens have not fallen except that we are now seeing the real America CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS do not show you; an American where one is still judged by the color of his skin and not the content of his character or his proven ability!

Anyway, it does not matter any longer as the ceiling has been broken and the history books forever altered, as a "nigger" has occupied the White House and no amount of denial will wish that fact away. Those racists Americans can only wait for the next four years to vote otherwise; but happily enough these people crying blue murder never voted for Barack Obama in the first place. They were the wildebeests who would have voted for a dead white pig than for an articulate intelligent person of color! This is the reality of America and wishing otherwise is a wishful thinking; but we have survived the darkest days and it can only be brighter thence! I saw a woman who was shedding crocodile tears on a television newscast because her child would have been "forced" to watch that speech? and you wonder if this woman was not acting the usual script as nothing elicited the tears being shed? But who knows what moves these people to so hate and not tolerate another human-being just because of skin pigmentation? Anyway, America shall overcome, someday but the road ahead is steep and arduous and long!

Conservative right-wing activists blasted the speech as socialist. Loony racist parents called for boycotts. Some school administrators struggled over whether to let their students hear it at the pain of being fired or voted out of office. So Icheoku asks, what is wrong with a president towing the path of former presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan in urging American students to work hard, stay in school and follow their dreams? Nothing, just that in their mind's eyes, the incumbent president does not fit the template of such presidents that would give such an inspirational speech? Even a person who you expect should know better, Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, said that he is "absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology." And you wonder how a fit and proper person leading a political party could make such a buffonery of a statement; admitted he later made a beltated u-turn but never apologised for his initial racist outburst? Another republican operative Alexa Marrero, an aide to Republican Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, said, "Parents, teachers and local school leaders were not wrong to look with suspicion on a federally developed curriculum to accompany this speech." What led to the suspicion if not a warped jaundiced eyes with which white Americans look at anything colored - always asking why? What is the motive here? So America, you now know who the real enemies of American children are - the conservative racist right wingers especially of the republican party!

GANI FAWEHINMI, THE LIGHT OF A NATION IN DARKNESS, IS GONE!

As Gani Fawehinmi finally succumbed to cancer of the lungs, without achieving a better Nigeria, which he labored for so many years, Icheoku asks, is it worthwhile to fight for a Nigeria which is impervious to correction and/or change? Was it worth the trouble to remain a rabble-rouser amidst a people who are deaf and dumb to cry for change and a better future for the country? Did Gani die in vain, since the ills of the society which he fought so gallantly against have only metastasized in recent past? These postulations, we throw up in our effort to find a realistic way to mourn the loss of a Nigerian-best, and the most vocal critic of various inept governments which Nigeria have been cursed with over the years! We are commiserating the passage of the sage, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, SAN!

Gani as he was admiringly called, died in the early hours of Saturday morning, September 5, 2009. He was 71 years! A good ripe old age in Nigerian context with their known very short life span, one may say; but not when the deceased was Gani Fawehinmi, who was so much loved by many and also despised by few others? His Nigerian doctors had misdiagnosed his cancer of the lungs for something else, which enabled it to progress ravenously and had taken such a toll on him, that when his London doctors finally figured out it was cancer that was ailing him; it was almost too late. However they managed to sustain him alive for two years, before finally sending him home recently to go prepare for the inevitability! In the words of one perturbed sympathiser, "That with all his means, our run down health-care system could not even diagnose Gani correctly until things got out of hands typifies the perilous state in which the masses Gani fought for all his life have found themselves after 40 years of Gani’s struggles and 49 years of Nigeria's independence?

Since his demise, so many obituaries have been said about him, some of which we shall now share with you:- He consistently confronted the menace of institutionalised injustice, wanton official corruption and excruciating poverty unleashed on hapless Nigerians by a tiny rapacious ruling elite. His legacy is of integrity, courage and consistency. The greatest tribute which can be paid to Gani is for all forces of social change and democracy to get organised to liberate the Nigerian people from the shackles of reactionary forces of internal colonialism." He was a social crusader, constitutional lawyer, publisher, political thinker, human rights activist and a force in the socio-political history of Nigeria. He will be remembered among other things, as a champion of the oppressed, a voice for the voiceless and the soul and spirit of democracy activism in Nigeria. He could be described as a unique man of honour, a man of courage, a man of the people, a man who truly obeyed the biblical injunction, even though he was a muslim, and loved his neighbour as himself. He was irrepressible friend of the subjected, rejected, dejected, suppressed, repressed, oppressed and dehumanized underclass everywhere in the world'; which world Icheoku would rather qualify as Nigeria. His struggles were complex and multi-dimensional. A lawyer of great repute, he left his footprints on Nigeria Law field with the publication of his authoritative Nigerian Weekly Law Reports which chronicled stare decisis of Nigeria Supreme Court. He also fought and won many landmark cases thus in many ways, helped to advance the country’s jurisprudence!

Continuing, he was the lion of Nigerian law, an indisputable colossus of humanism. He was a fearless and tireless tormentor of those who imposed themselves as rulers on the hapless people of Nigeria. His achievements in his chosen field are monumental, his impact as the conscience of the nation undeniable, his legacy for posterity unforgettable. Gani stood out in his own column throughout his journey of life; a journey that was characterised with fighting battles using the rule of law as a weapon of combat. He was not a customary soldier, but a civilian soldier, a legal luminary and courageous Nigerian who was driven by his passions, convictions and beliefs. He doggedly and unreservedly fought against oppression, repression, dictatorship, retrogression, imperialism, greed, avarice, bad governance and leadership in the country consistently and persistently for several decades. Gani was an icon, a role model, defender of the voiceless and a terror to all Nigerian despots. What indeed marked Gani out of the many was that he chose the course he would chart and pursued it notwithstanding all the odds on the way. That is why many now salute his courage. You may not agree with his method, you may hate his guts, but you cannot fault the fact that he is genuine, he is honest and he truly loves the people. He stood firm in opposition to those who conspire against the common good of Nigeria's commonwealth. One commentator out of UK emphasised that Gani cannot die as he lives forever in his works, stating that the greatness of a man is measured by what he lived and died for. The commentator also prayed that God will help Nigeria produce many Gani Fawehinmis? A Nigerian brand is gone.

Further, we never believed that people like Chief Gani Fawehinmi could really die. There, it is the mortality of our essence has come home to take away an icon of this country. Gani, the lion of the Nigerian human rights community has gone to join Senator Edward Kennedy, the lion of the US Senate - two great men who doggedly fought for the defenceless common people? Icheoku says, whether both men compare very well is left for students of history to analyse? By his death, Gani lost nothing , but the Nation of Nigeria has lost one of her best gifts? On the legal turf, he stood out, in his democratic struggle, especially against military rule, he had no rival and for quest for justice for the downtrodden citizens, it cost him money, pains and detention in the most bizarre conditions. The progressive forces in Nigeria have lost a formidable and reliable leader. He died an accomplished person. "He is the soul of our democracy and the conscience of our nation. He was an embodiment of principle and a symbol of conviction. Fawehinmi represented our hopes, dreams and future. He was integrity and selfless sacrifice personified. He was a light for the nation in darkness. He was a colossus, a tower and propeller of our dreams. Fawehinmi was not just a mortal. He was a spirit of change and he lives on." The most consistent Nigerians that ever lived. He sacrificed his entire lifetime fighting people who are ruling Nigeria oppressively. A defender of the defenseless and the voice of the voiceless. "We mourn today because God took Gani away without a replacement! We pray that God gives us an immediate replacement before the evil rulers of Africa consume us with hunger, frustration, disease and conflicts. The death of Fawehinmi as the death of an era and a challenge to those still alive!

Indeed, it is a mourning time for the country; but for Gani, it is a triumphant exit from the land of sinners. We will always look for a hero in our people. We have lost a gem. He can live to eternity, but you and I must take a challenge and look for an alternative. His death marked the physical end of a radical phenomenon that was a thorn in the flesh of irresponsible government leaders in Nigeria for over 40 years. The late activist lived a beautiful life dedicated to beliefs and actions in defence of the cause of the cheated, persecuted and oppressed people of Nigeria. Chief Gani Fawehinmi was a ‘one-man army’ who fought relentlessly for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria and for the rule of law. He was a touch bearer who showed forth the light even in the dark days of military rule. He was a legal warrior. Gani Fawehinmi, irrepressible friend of the subjected, rejected, dejected, suppressed, repressed, oppressed and dehumanized underclass everywhere in the world is gone. We do not require a prophet to know that long after Gani must have departed from this world his works and times would continually inspire scholarly and revolutionary writings.

A maverick, philanthropist, benefactor of great repute, Gani had a sacrificial commitment to principles. According to some sources, he once performed the Chinese Tianamen Square feat when he laid down on the road at Yaba Lagos, during a protest against a military
 government, daring their armoured tank to crush him? Icheoku cannot confirm or deny this particular story but like all legends, some embellishments are always possible.

With him now gone, the rank of morally upright Nigerians who would shout on top of their lungs at the sight of evil is now further depleted. Who shall call to order the marauders of Nigeria PLC, now that Gani is gone? Who shall hold Babangida accountable for the murder of Dele Giwa now that Gani is gone? Now Nigeria is left with only Wole Soyinka as the last remaining true social crusader; with Tai Solarin, Beko, Fela and now Gani all travelled to the land beyond time, leaving Nigerians hapless in the face of the wolves masquerading as their ruling elites. Like a brood of chicken without the mother-hen, the hawks will now have a field-day as good Nigerians mourn the loss of one of a kind, Gani Fawehinmi! Gani who never quit nor tire in the course of pursuing justice in Nigeria. When during one of his chats with the media he was asked if he will ever quit activism; Gani replied, "Absolutely not. The question of retirement or quitting the struggle does not exist so far things remain the same. I will not quit until I see a better society.” Icheoku adds, unfortunately Gani died without retiring, quitting nor ever seeing a better Nigerian society which he fought tirelessly for, eliciting the question, was it worth the trouble?

Born in 1938, studied law at Holborn College of Law England in 1961-64, was called to the Nigerian bar on 15 January 1965 and later that year, established his practice at 108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos. He litigated over 5,000 law suits during his lifetime and was arrested more than 36 times, beginning with his first detention in 1969 when he defended a less privileged Nigerian whose wife was defiled by a top government personnel; he was detained more than 15 times during this period. Gani died at Lister Medical Center, Ikeja. He will be buried at his home town in Ondo State, Nigeria's Yoruba Southwest region on Tuesday September 15 2009. Icheoku thought Gani Fawehinmi was a devout Muslim who must be buried so soon after death, so why wait for two weeks or was he a special kind of Muslim? Coincidentally also, his burial is slated on the same day MEND promised to resume hostilities with feudalistic Nigerian northern government? Icheoku asks, did the Fawehinmi family check with MEND or are they part of the group which thinks that MEND has been defanged by the amnesty and subsequent defections by some few turn-coats? Who knows what will happen in Ondo state come September 15, 2009 as the state is part of a broader Niger Delta region where the struggle for resource control and freedom is very virulent and heavily entrenched?

A Yoruba demagogue or traditionalist-muslim, Gani Fawehinmi fell to the temptation of polygamy; was married to two wives Ganiat Ibukun Fawehinmi, who has eight (8) children with him, and Abike Fawehinmi, with whom he had six (6) children! Icheoku says whether it was his Islamic upbringing or his African machismo that goaded him into taking an extra wife, the true reason has now died with the man, Gani. He was survived by his two wives and fourteen children; may his soul rest in peace! As ignorant as it may seem and is, one of Gani's wives, Ganiyat Fawehinmi, has accused former Nigerian military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida of 'creating the cancer that killed the late activist?' Icheoku says, only in Nigeria that people could believe a person is capable of "creating cancer" that killed a 71 year old man? It is not only ridiculous but is as much laughable! Who knows the level of educational attainment this wife of Gani herself achieved, which could have guarded against such thoughtless, baseless, unfounded and unscientific allegation? According to the said wife's allegation, how can cancer of the lungs kill Gani who have never smoked cigarettes? In answer, Icheoku says, Gani was not the first non-smoker to ever die of lung cancer, as it is not cigarettes alone that causes lung cancer; it is just one of a host of other causative agents. If we remember correctly, the wife of actor Christopher 'Superman' Reeve died of lung cancer and Dana Reeve never smoked her entire life?

According to an informed source, as cancer tore slowly but ferociously into his lungs, Gani Fawehinmi had one wish on his death bed, that he could write his memoirs. This is because of the way the labours of Nigeria’s past heroes were never documented for the benefit of future generations:- such as the late Alao Aka-Bashorun who fought for democracy and human rights and whom nobody seems to remember today, Wahab Goodluck, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Professor Ayodele Awojobi, Beko Ransome Kuti, Michael Imodu, Raji Abdllah and Tai Solarin just to mention a few of people who died without documenting their experiences in the struggle for justice in Nigeria. Fawehinmi was afraid that posterity might not remember him and his struggles as many 25-year-old Nigerians, today hardly know anything about those past icons who dedicated their whole lives to the cause of social justice in the country. With these lamentations of Gani Fawehinmi, now also a gone former activist, Icheoku asks, is it worthwhile, afterall, to fight for Nigeria when men who have tried it in the past, died without ever achieving their objective to see a better Nigeria? Moreso it would appear that the rot in the system is getting ulcerous and worst with each passing day? Also no one seem to remember these warriors of the yore, once the deluge of eulogy at their death have passed, sweeping away with them their memories so soon after their interment? What is the use, then?

Finally, like one mourner said, whether Gani will be remembered as a gadfly, an irritant, a conscience of the nation or a social crusader is for posterity to determine; however, one thing even his most uncharitable critic would admit is that he was a fighter with a cause, unwavering and committed to the core till his last breath! Adieu Gani!

STEVEN L. ANDERSON, A BIGOTED RACIST PASTOR, WANTS OBAMA DEAD!

And he is holding a baby and calling for another person to die? Who is he pastoring to and in the name of which God? I once read an article in an online publication where the contributor was asking what type of 'God' some Americans are worshipping; and wondering whether it is the same universal God of love, peace and mercy that some people worship in certain parts of the United States of America?

And here we go again with another supposed man of God, a pastor of the Faithful Word Baptist Church 2707 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, Arizona; calling for death to strike the president? Icheoku asks, what manner of hatred is boiling underneath this man's dirty heart that he should publicly call for the death of the president; and he is supposed to be an imitation of Christ? Pastor Steven L Anderson's church according to investigation is a fundamentalist, Taliban-like, soul-winning, King James Bible-only church which it appears preaches hate and damnation to its perceived enemies, contrary to the forgiveness preached by Jesus Christ? Pastor Steven Anderson called on members of his church to 'pray' for the death of President Obama; and you ask what a nut case representing Jesus Christ at Tempe-Arizona.

Ironically one of his perceived President Barack Obama's offenses for which his God should strike him dead, was "all the warfare that our country has no business being involved in" which the president is waging? Icheoku says, really, and this man of God did not say a whiff when former President George W. Bush started those wars which President Obama is now merely trying to bring to an end? This selective anti-war attack makes Pastor Steven Anderson, a shit-less, bigoted, racist redneck who belongs to the disgruntled American minority who have not brought themselves around to the fact that a 'nigger' is in "their" White House?

Instead of coming out head-first to state the obvious reason for his hateful excoriation, he is hiding behind the pulpit to call for death to the President. The pastor has a problem with abortion but he is calling for the death of a full grown man and the president of the United States of America? This pastor has a problem with unwanted babies being brought to suffer in this world, yet when adults are being executed for various crimes, he hails it as being tough on crime? What a convoluted 'SOB' this devil incarnate is; and his forked set of canine teeth proves who he is really representing and worshipping - the DEVIL! It will be recalled that a member of his congregation, Chris Broughton, once showed up at an Obama event in Phoenix Arizona, carrying an AR-15 automatic rifle and a handgun in supposed answer to the call and warped obedience to his pastor that the president should die! What American -Taliban extremists, this pastor and his followers are?

Pastor Steven Anderson is a self-taught pastor of Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona, and his church belongs to no denomination? He has no college degree but allegedly "has well over 100 chapters of the Bible committed to memory, including almost half of the New Testament." And you ask why does he not apply the teachings of the New Testament to his daily live?

His church theology includes: "We believe that the King James Bible is the word of God without error. We believe that the unsaved will spend eternity in torment in a literal hell. We believe only in the local church and not in a universal church. We believe that life begins at conception (fertilization) and reject all forms of abortion, including surgical abortion, "morning-after" pills, IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), birth control pills, and all other processes that end life after conception. We believe that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination which God punishes with the death penalty. We oppose worldliness, modernism, formalism, and liberalism. Icheoku says, a church which opposes modernism is for all intent and purpose, a Talibanized-church and needs reformation; and for not preaching repentance and forgiveness makes it not really not a church, strictly speaking but a congregation of extremists haters! Icheoku queries, if this Pastor Steven Anderson finds his operative bible texts solely from the old testament, does it therefore mean that he does not believe in Jesus Christ or that he died and resurrected for the sake of humanity as ensconced in the New Testament?

It will be recalled that due to such hate-filled preaching from the likes of this pastor Steve Anderson and some other racist talk-show hosts, that threats on the life of the president of the United States have now risen by as much as 400 percent since his inauguration! 400 percent death threats against President Barack Obama goes far beyond anything, according to sources, the Secret Service has ever seen with any other president.

Icheoku says, it is the color of the president's skin and nothing more that is fueling the skyrocketing of these racist death threats, period! America should collectively pray that nothing happens to the president as the upheaval and international opprobrium might be one hell of a helluva, which nobody ever bargained for. As for this racist bigot, Pastor Steven Anderson, please make amends and forgive yourself so that the bile in you do not explode; how would you feel when your little children grow up tomorrow to read about a hating racist father that brought them up in this world? Would you have the face to stand up to them and explain this inexplicable vitriolic on the person of an innocent President Barack Obama who is merely doing his best to fix what was broken ever before he got into the White House? You are praying for his wife to become a widow and his children to become fatherless, and you are a family man with children and a wife? Seriously speaking, understanding your type is very difficult that we may not even try and we reserve our judgment on you for the Almighty God, who is the best arbiter!

GANI FAWEHINMI IS NOT DEAD? - A TRIBUTE BY CHINEDU VINCENT AKUTA!

“For those who know him, no word is necessary; for those who do not know him, no word is sufficient” W.T. Horngren - an American Author.

For people who know Chief Gani Fawehinmi, no word is necessary, for those who do not know him, no word is sufficient enough to describe him. Ever since the poor health of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, I was praying and asking God to spare us this man of justice. When his illness became serious, a noticeable vacuum existed because none can perform his role. I consider my generation a lucky generation having lived to see his excellent works. Without doubt, you (Chief Gani Fawehinmi) inspired millions of Nigerians including my humble self. You showed Nigerians that we can pursue justice despite the odds. Nigeria and Nigerians have indeed lost a giant. You were like a jewel of inestimable value.

You were like a rock to Nigerians, no wonder why the Nigerian people whom you represented very well, gave you the title of Senior Advocate of the Masses. The International Bar Association did not forget you. The also honoured you. You cannot die because your legacies and ideas will live forever. According to late John F. Kennedy (former American President) “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on”. Your legacies are carved in stone and you will forever remain in the minds of Nigerians. The greatness of a man is measured by what he lived and died for. You lived your life for the oppressed Nigerians. You stood for them and fought their battles for them. We cannot forget you.

As a young man, I was amazed and inspired by the way you pursued the case of Dele Giwa’s death. I remembered how you presented the case of Dele Giwa’s death at the Oputa Panel. Am glad about the fact that many of us have decided to follow the path which you have shown us. That is the path of justice, equality, activism, and fair play. As a human right crusader, your achievements are outstanding. Your contribution to the Nigerian Bar speaks for itself. I am not a lawyer but I know that you wrote a lot of law books. These books are highly rated and sort after.

I will not forget to mention when on a television interview (Charley Boy Show), a former military head of state (General Ibrahim Babangida) said that, you Chief Gani Fawehinmi was the only Nigerian he respected. I watched the kind of respect you were given at the Oputa panel by Oputa himself. I was moved when on May 29th 2009 at the state of the Nigerian nation symposium held in London Metropolitan University, where Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (former Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) said that, he considers you (Gani Fawehinmi) as his brother much more than Atiku Abubakar (Former Vice President of Nigeria), who comes from his own village.

Gani Fawehinmi showed us the path of honour when he turned down the offer of a national award (Officer of the Federal Republic ) which president Yar Adua wanted to confer on him in 2008. Among his reasons were that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government has betrayed the Nigerian people.

I will not forget your numerous charity projects all over the country. You are an exemplary philanthropist. I remember encouraging one of my cousins to apply for your scholarship scheme. Many Nigerians irrespective of tribes or religion benefited immensely from your scholarship scheme. I will not forget to mention the cases you handled free of charge (pro bono) for many Nigerians, of particular mention here was the cases of some expelled students whom you made sure they were reinstated. You were a source of hope to so many students’ union leaders through out the country. I am sure that without your efforts Nigeria would have been worst than it is today.

You fought all the military governments in Nigeria using the instrumentality of the law. You understood the law and the law understood you. Am sure all the military leaders sent you to jail. You were detained and jailed for more than 30 times. On a particular instance Gashua prison became the choice of the military junta in an attempt to break your spirit (apologies if I spelled Gashua wrongly). You proved them wrong. You came out stronger. You became a torn in the flesh of all military leaders. In fact the fear of Chief Gani Fawehinmi became the beginning of wisdom for those ex military leaders. You became a rallying point for resistance against military and civilian dictatorships. You were fearless and forever bold. You were the people’s hero.

You were also a symbol of democracy having won the case against Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision not to register more parties. You freed the Nigerian political terrain by this singular landmark judgment. Your National Conscience Party epitomized the aspirations of Nigerian people. I thank my God for being a member of this party (NCP). When you contested the 2003 election as the presidential candidate of National Conscience Party, Nigerians wanted you, but the establishments were not comfortable that you were a candidate for that election. You remain the best leader that never occupied the seat at Aso Rock Villa. Had you won the election to become the president of Nigeria , may be our oppressors would either be in exile or behind bars.

Your death on Saturday 5th September 2009 has left a vacuum too big to be filled. None can ever fit into your shoes. Be that as it may, what died was the body. However the spirit, ideas, and legacies will continue to live. That is why I said you have not died, when I title this attribute to you. I will take solace in the fact that you have shown us the light and we will find the way. The struggle to better Nigeria , which you were the champion, will still continue by virtue of the ideas you left behind.

I owe my activism to Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Am also sure that millions of Nigerians owe theirs to this wonderful Nigerian who has inspired many of us. We will celebrate your wonderful life and achievements. May your soul rest in peace and may God help us to produce many Gani Fawehinmi’s in our country. May God bless Nigeria .

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

GANI FAWEHINMI, NIGERIA'S FOREMOST ANTI-CORRUPTION CRUSADER IS DEAD!

It is with deep sense of loss that Icheoku announces the death of Nigeria's Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, SAN. Gani as he was fondly called, died early hours of this morning. He was 71years old.

By his death, Nigeria has lost her most vocal anti-corruption watchdog; now the crazed-out highly corrupt officials will have a free range, as no one will be there to shout from the roof-tops and drag them to court! Nigeria have lost one of a kind, the only man who did not have a price-tag in Nigeria! Gani, Icheoku says, rest in peace! Full story will follow later.

MICHAEL JACKSON, FINALLY RETURNS TO DUST?

From dust you were made and unto dust you shall return! And so it was that a little over two months of waiting for the miracle of 'resurrection' to take place, the Jackson family finally gave up and parted ways with their most prized child-star, turned mega super star, Michael Jackson! His remains, that is!

MJ was laid to rest in his gold coffin at Forest Lawn, Glendale marble mausoleum! His family's preferred method, entombment? Icheoku proclaims, we now have a 'Pharaoh Jackson!'

One thing stood out during the finally goodbyes, - the absence of scriptures, as none was read during the parting of ways ceremony? And you wonder, how the heavens will know that MJ's body has finally come home and for MJ to go claim his shipment?

Michael was seen off to his final resting place by a motorcade of 31 cars, including some Rolls-Royce and Cadillacs, with the hearse bearing Jackson's body bringing up the rear? It is equally instructive that the burial party was stung by the 'African-time syndrome' bug which caused over one hour thirty minutes delay of ceremony? Icheoku says, maybe the Jackson brothers constant visit to Lagos-Nigeria has infected them with the legendary African-time virus? Or put in another way, may be they were too emotional to part ways with their baby brother, and letting go of MJ finally and forever, at last, was a thought they were not ready to yet entertain with absolute certainty?

Again, Oprah Winfrey was a no-show; the second time, having been absent at the public funeral? This leads one to ask, what could the family-feud between the Jackson clan and that of Oprah to result in such a public display; or was it mere rivalry gone too far between two wealthy and famous African American families parading two world mega super-stars? As for Icheoku, MJ was bigger and larger than Oprah; admitted she may be sitting on more money than she really knows what to do with? To Lady O, Icheoku says, you do not fight or quarrel with the dead; and if you could attend Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral, why not Michael Jackson's? Even if you were not invited, you could have still gone as a public figure coming to bid another public figure farewell? But a twice no-show, really sends a wrong message of someone being too strung out on whatever the matter might be, that she ignored a Michael Jackson's funeral and burial?

It will be recalled that the King of Pop died of drug over-dose on June 25, 2009; at his home in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He was 50 and was preparing for his "This is It" tour before Dr. Conrad Murray, his personal physician, gave him the fatal cocktail of sedatives including propofol that led him to the mausoleum at Glendale.

Icheoku says, MJ, now rest in peace, free from all the pains which led you to drugs, caused your addiction and eventual death! So Long Mikey!

BIBLICAL HELL, COMES ALIVE?

Our editorial team are not presently available to bring to you, our Thursday's take on world developments; they travelled out on some assignments. We shall however be back on Friday, September 4, 2009 to continue sharing with you, our perspective on world's political and societal developments.

Until then, Icheoku asks you, to imagine this picture of the Southern California wildfire as a true likeliness of what the biblical hell would look like; and ask yourself, if you want to be a guest in such a glowing-orange suite? So, take a look at the man in the mirror and change your bad ways today, now that you still can! See you on Friday, Salute!

GADDAFI, CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF ANTI-DEMOCRACY DESPOTISM?

As the strongman of Libya celebrates his 40 years of despotic stranglehold on the people of Libya, Icheoku says, such a tyrant deserves not be celebrated! He is such anti-democratic influence in Africa, that he ought to be shunned by the entire democratic world and not in anyway, be acknowledged on this day.

Col Muammar Gaddaffi is a pariah and should so remain! He should be completely ignored, all the oil fields beneath the sand-dunes of Libya notwithstanding? But unfortunately the world does not work that way, as it appears to consider oil-economic interest superior to leveling the playing field for everyone including Libyans! A people whose thirst for freedom and democracy is just like any other free peoples of this earth; but who have been completely subjugated and zombified by the hench-men, thugs and goons of Muammar Gaddafi; into a people who can only chorus their love and affection of their dear leader - their worst nemesis?

How can just one man, unabashedly, maintain a one-man dictatorship over Libya all these years, and the Western preachers and propagators of democracy worldwide, choose to over-look the sacrilege in Tripoli; and are comfortable, cavorting with him? A man who late President Ronald Reagan appositely, once described as the 'mad dog of the Arab world'? What has changed so radically that this man is now being courted by practically everyone, from the Italians to the French to the Russians to the Brits, who recently released a convicted terrorist Megrahi as a quid prop quo for doing business with Tripoli? Only America is still dragging its feet with reason, despite the overtures of the former Bush administration to Libya? Icheoku finds it very troubling that while the rest of Africa is being cajoled to democratise or to respect the wishes of their electorates as expressed through the ballot, no one is seriously mentioning Libya as falling within the pack that need to change their way?

This is a country that has been under a brute dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi since the past forty years and counting; culminating to his today's flag-off chest-beating of holding Libyans hostage for this long and too long - four long decades and counting? Icheoku asks WHY? From Berlusconi to Sarkozy, to Brown to Medvedev, everyone is in mad frenzy to woe and fall in love with Gaddafi; and you ask yourself 'is the black liquid gold now so treasured that it is worth more than the Libyan peoples' freedom?' Or possibly, could it be that these Western preachers of democracy have a hidden agenda with respective countries, far beyond what CNN tells the world or that which are disclosed? If Iraq's Saddam Hussein was hung to make way for democracy, why not then find a fitting noose for Gaddafi? Why the double standards of treating two despotic anti-democracy thugs? Put in another way, why engage a despotic Gaddafi who has not only preached against democracy, but had gone out of his way on several occasions to encourage other African leaders to graduate into sit-tight depots! Majority of the coups in Africa have the signature and backing of Gaddafi; and this is a man notorious for sabotaging any seemingly stabilizing government in Africa and who would rather his minions are put in place throughout every African country's capital so that his dream of being crowned the King of Kings of Africa with real political teeth may come to fruition, being easily fast-tracked by them? And you tell Icheoku, a man with such a burning ambition is sane?

Anyway, it is not our plan here to be-labour Muammar Gaddafi's nut case, but suffice it to say on the occasion of his 'forty-years of hostage-taking' in Tripoli, the world should look inwards and find a way to implant democracy in Libya but not to continue cuddling and courting this straggler of the Libyan desert; or in anyway glorify the dictatorship which he is practising in Tripoli. To ignore this warning and continue to romance Tripoli as is, will continue to encourage the likes of Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and to some extent the Olusegun Obasanjos of Nigeria to continually misread the handwriting on the wall, and say it is ok to be a sit-tight ruler? Omar Bongo was one such animal, with French encouragement and support until he passed on recently? Mobutu Sesesekuo had the same smooth ride? Egyptian Hosni Mubarak is still in office at 80 plus odd years and for over 30years and still receives red-carpet treatment in Washington DC? The man from the land of the Pharaohs is a poster boy for double standards in propagating democracy! Enough should be enough and let a level playing field be planned out for the entire Africa, that every leader there becomes a democrat; but to sing different tunes to different leaderships in Africa fuels the resentment of the West's led by America subjective foreign policy of democratisation! Muammar Gaddafi is not a democrat, he is anti-opinions and should be forced to change or forced out; better still Saddam Hussein's treatment may otherwise be very appropriate and befitting his despotism!

And now this man is growing in impetus and influence, aspiring one day to become the ruler of all Africa - the King of Kings and the Lord of the manor of Africa! He is also finding new friends and allys' and one of note is Venezuela's Hugo Chavez? The once colonel is now a general, and you ask yourself what a mockery of the uniform? Icheoku says, if Muammar Gaddafi believes that he is the answer to the Libyan question, what Libyans want and desire; and that he is loved by the people, why does he need to hide behind a double armour plated bullet-proof glass to protect him? From who then, Icheoku may add? Why a six day lavish celebration befitting an ubiquitous 'King of Kings of Africa', when so many Libyans go to bed each night without food in their stomach? What a scandalous self-adulatory fanfare, a trademark of crazed-out despots of Africa, who deserve to be led to the lamp-post; but are instead left to wallow in the vainglory of vanities, being the lord and master of their subjugated African country people? What will God or Allah or Yahweh not judge? And their place, the hottest molten magma of hell.

It will be recalled that Gaddafi took power on 1 September, 1969, as a young 27 year old colonel, after a coup against King Idris. Icheoku have zero tolerance for despots and sit-tight rulers; and so does not wish Muammar Gaddafi well on this occasion of his 40 years compelled leadership! Instead we ask him to democratise fast and get out of the way for Libya to truly evolve. A good Muslim does not behave like Gaddafi, who smokes, womanises and is cruel to his people. Which sane man will rather chose to be the only sighted man in his country when other men and women who possibly see better than he does, are forced under the pain of torture and sometimes death, into turning blind eye to all that is wrong with Gaddafi's regime? Icheoku says, it sucks to be a Gaddafi and shame on him for suffocating Libyans these past 40 years; as the all knowing, sole administrator and owner of Libya! What a psychotic jerk this desert dweller is! Away with Maummar Gaddafi, democratise Libya now!

CALIFORNIA INFERNO, A HELL ON EARTH?

It is burning again in California - southern California area of Los Angeles, that is!

In what seem to have become an annual ritual, wildfires are consuming swaths of southern California forests with vengance!So far so many homes have been destroyed, forcing thousands of resident to flee for their dear lives. Many wild animals including deers, bears and eagles have also been forcefully dislocated, as a result of the fury from hell scenario down there in southern California!

Only mother nature can save the day with the opening of the heavens, as the brave men and women firefighters can now only watch and pray as the inferno seem to have overwhelmed their capabilities. Such was the state of hopelessness that one impassioned observer said, 'anyone who has any insight into the good Lord upstairs, should please put in a word/request?' So bad is the situation that Icheoku says, in the fight between fire and firefighters for the soul of southern California tinder-dry forests, fire seem to have taken the upper hand? According to one observer, "It's burning everywhere in Southern California!" The fire has so far scorched 164 square miles of brush, destroyed 53 homes and forest cabins and taken the lives of two firefighters. The two firefighters died when their firefighting truck drove off the side of a canyon with flames surrounding them. Icheoku says, may the souls of firemen, Captain Tedmund Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County, and firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, 35, of Palmdale rest in peace.

Pictured here left, is a deer heeding the proverbial advise, 'there is fire on the mountain, run, run run!'

In the words of one fire-victim, "It's the worst roller coaster of my life, and I hate roller coasters; one second I'm crying, one second I'm guilty, the next moment I'm angry, and then I just want to drink tequila and forget. From now on, I'm going to have to figure out a new philosophy: how to live without loving stuff?"

Icheoku says, what an irony of life that it took an unfortunate fire incident to impact this moral lesson on this guy? It is rather unfortunate that it has to take a devastating wildfire to open this victim's eye to what the preacher had all along said in the book of Ecclesiastes, that all is vanity? Could it be a case of some good coming out of a bad situation? Anyway, it depends on who you ask; but our sympathies go out to all the victims of the Southern California wildfire on steroids!

JAPAN, OUT WITH THE OLD, IN COMES THE NEW DEMOCRATS!

Behold the incoming new man of power in Tokyo, Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party! He swept to power in a landmark general election, overwhelmingly defeating the Liberal Democratic Party which has been in power since 1955.

Icheoku says, Nigeria's PDP should take a cue from this election that nothing lasts forever and time changes everything. Today's men of power, tomorrow's despondent dwellers in political cold doldrums? Vincent Ogbulafor and his 60years PDP in power voodoo mathematics, which he has not yet explained to Nigerians how he came about the number? Anyway back to the political earthquake that just shook Japan to its foundations!

As is the case with civilized societies, the incumbent Prime Minister Taro Aso, has taken responsibility for his party's defeat at the polls and said he will resign as head of the Liberal Democratic Party. Unlike in Nigeria, where Olusegun Obasanjo neither accepted responsibility for his 8 years despotism nor willingly left office; instead he imposed a sickly weakling from Katsina, Umaru Yar'Adua as a punishment to Nigerians for resisting his third term bid?

In the incoming Prime Minister's own words, "It's taken a long time, but we have at last reached the starting line, this is by no means the destination. At long last we are able to move politics, to create a new kind of politics that will fulfil the expectations of the people." Icheoku says, it will be a new day in Nigeria if the ruling PDP free Nigerians and allow them to create a new kind of politics that will fulfil the yawning expectations of the people of Nigeria. The outgoing prime minister Taro Aso courageously admitted that there had been 'deep dissatisfaction with their party;' which self-flagellation is not synonymous with Nigerians? Olusegun Obasanjo PDP's abysmal performance and the utter dissatisfaction of many Nigerians with the administration not withstanding, they still hijacked the last elections in Nigeria and gave protesting Nigerians their middle finger!

Icheoku says, congratulations to Prime Minister in waiting, Yukio Hatoyama; we wish his government a successful governance!

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY, BURIED!

A life starts at birth and ends at death; upon death, society disposes of the body for their own health and convenient sake; and also as a reverence to the dead, whose remains must be properly taken care of?

Some incinerates, some cremates, some through sea disposal, some dump their dead in a designated forest, some disperse in space, while some others inter their departed ones as was done yesterday's evening at Arlington National Cemetery Washington DC area of Northern Virgina, with the body of Late Senator Edward Kennedy! Hopefully it was his wish that he be so disposed upon his last breath?

This report brings to an end our four days devotion to the memory of a man, whose stage appearance on earth was highly beneficial to mankind. Senator Edward Kennedy was indeed one of a kind, who despite being born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, easily got down and dirty helping the less privileged of the society. This is one reason he was loved by many and as President Barack Obama said during his eulogy, 'he gave voice to the voiceless!' Icheoku appreciates the man Edward Kennedy, and for his exemplary life, we gave him a free extended coverage in our media portal.

Flown late afternoon from Boston after a funeral mass to Washington DC, Senator Edward Kennedy's body briefly made a stop over at the Senate building where he called office for the last 47 years, before proceeding for a historic final rendezvous with his late brothers at Arlington? With three volleys to the sky by seven riflemen, a bugler's taps and as if the heavens were participating in the burial of this great man, lightning flickered across the sky simultaneously, Ted was buried? It is instructive that the heavens also opened up and teared down during his funeral service at Boston? Remarkable, that is!

Edward Kennedy's grave-site is flanked 100 feet away, by his brother Robert's, killed in 1968 in Los Angeles California while running for president; and John F. Kennedy's , another 100 feet away, who was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas Texas, while a sitting president! The eternal flame lighted in his honor since 1963 still burns in Arlington. Icheoku says, science wonders that this flame is unquenchable and has burned since 46 years now? Ted Kennedy's grave is marked by a white oak cross and a flat marble foot-stone inscribed "Edward Moore Kennedy 1932-2009."

As he now lay buried alongside his two departed brothers, one a president and the other a senator, on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, Icheoku says, rest in peace in the Lord, and may the dream you kept alive all these years, continue to live on! Adieu Teddy!

TED KENNEDY, AMERICA BURIES HER SENATOR TODAY AT ARLINGTON!

Today concludes the journey to Arlington for the late United States senator from the State of Massachusetts, Senator Edward Kennedy!

A journey which began in Cape Cod, through his stomping grounds in Boston, to his brother JFK's presidential library where it had laid in state since. Later this afternoon, it will commence the final lap of the marathon to Arlington, after a requiem mass at Mission Church Boston, for final interment.

Icheoku says, so far so good with the funeral arrangement and progression; and we hope it concludes in the same flawless manner with which it began. A man of the people whom Vice President Joe Biden described in his funeral speech as someone who 'it is never about him' but the rest of humanity some of who do not have people to speak on their behalf. Another sympathizer described him as a man of power who used his powerful position to help the less powerful and powerless of the society. Icheoku says, if only the rest of humanity can learn the lesson of the senator's life, death and funeral, that selfless work pays big time! Twenty thousand people who filed through his repose attest to this fact; each was there to bear testimony about Ted, the man!

Such a selfless trait from a man, who despite his gracious and golden pedigree, still ordinarily related to the man on the streets till his final days, final hours, final minutes and final seconds here on earth, is quite uncommon?

We strongly believe that his good deeds have purchased him a safe passage to the Kingdom; that his sins have been washed away by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and further forgiven through confessionals and a contrite heart. Icheoku reaffirms this abiding faith of Catholicism, which Senator Edward Kennedy professes, that God Almighty will fulfil his promise to all those who were baptised in Christ and died in the state of grace. Once again, your death has created a big chasm and is so painful to so many! Rest in the Lord's bosom Teddy!

VICKI REGGIE KENNEDY, PORTRAIT OF A GRIEVING WIDOW!

She is an embodiment of stoicism and masks her sorrow very well. As the world with Icheoku join her and the entire Kennedy clan in mourning the passing of her husband, their father and uncle, elder statesman and US Senator Ted Kennedy, we understand that beneath her radiant face lies a painful heart bemoaning the loss of her beloved Teddy! Therefore, Vicki, take heart.

She is simply put, a very special lady - very elegant, radiant, majestic and beautiful under the weight of her immense pain at the loss of her soul-mate and husband of many years, Senator Edward Kennedy. Vicki Reggie Kennedy is her name and she has gracefully mourned the loss of her husband thus far and so well; that Icheoku took particular notice of her disciplined persona! We say to Vicky Kennedy, your strength amidst such a heart-wrenching humongous tragedy is so commendable that even Ted couldn't have asked for more of any woman, as you profoundly made him really proud as his chief mourner! Simply put, Vicki Kennedy is the answer to the question, can beauty and sorrowful sadness co-habit in one body or person?

To Vicki, Icheoku says, the loss of a loved one is never a cake-walk, particularly if that loved one is a loving husband. We cannot say we fully understand your particular pain at this loss as our circumstances are different; but we wish you strength to carry on and God's blessing as you chaperon Ted's body to his final resting place; and thereafter for God's fortitude to deal with the loss! Please accept our condolence.

DJ AM, NICOLE RITCHIE'S FORMER PARAMOUR IS DEAD!

He is very proficient in the art of spinning records on the turntable; and was a popular figure in Hollywood exclusive parties as well as Las Vegas club scenes, where he met his former fiancee, Nicole 'Lionel' Ritchie. The two have since parted ways and respectively moved on.

He walked away from a plane crash last September 2008, in South Carolina that killed four people on board and seriously injured rock musician Travis Barker of Blink182 who was also travelling with him. His name was Adam Goldstein but he was popularly known by his pseudonym, DJ AM. DJ AM was just 36 years old!

DeeJay AM who had a long history of drug abuse, was found dead in his apartment in SoHo, Manhattan, New York City; today, August 28, 2009! DJ AM could not be revived by responding paramedics who broke down his door only to find him prostrate in bed, unresponsive, shirtless and wearing only a sweatpant. A crack pipe and prescription pills were also found in the apartment? Icheoku says, DJ AM possibly over-dozed as old habits die hard and if drugs, takes forever. Put in another way, his monkey finally destroyed him! A confessed crack cocaine addict, DJ AM once tried committing suicide but 'unluckily' for him, the gun jammed? Could it be possible that he succeeded this time with his desired suicide, but afraid of another jamming of the gun, settled for drugs? No one really knows, baring any suicide note; but suffice it to say he somewhat killed himslef!

A deejay for hire, DJ AM was a go-to party sustainer whose deft mash-ups (a blend of at least two songs) holds feet glued to the dancing floor, hips gyrating and hands reaching out for the sky in ecstasy. Simply put, if money is not a problem, DJ AM is the it if you want your party to rock till dawn! He was particularly sought-after by Hollywood's most exclusive party throwers/organisers for his mastery of and dexterity at the turntable. DJ AM played as recently as last week at the Palms Las Vegas; which on hindsight, is now his valedictory gig!

Icheoku wishes him, God's forgiveness of sins and pray that his soul rests in peace! It is our hope too that he is now freed from all the pains which led him to drugs! So long, Mr. DeeJay!

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY, BEGINS HIS JOURNEY TO ARLINGTON!

His final journey to Arlington National cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his two brothers, one a senator and the other a president, began yesterday's morning!

Senator Edward Kennedy funeral began with his flag-draped casket inside a hearse, which past several landmarks, bearing his family's famous name before finally settling down in his slain brother's presidential library; where he will lie in state till Saturday. The funeral train snaked through a 70-mile route from the family's compound in Hyannis Port ending up at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Over twenty thousand mourners lined up to pay homage and bid farewell to a man who did so much to improve the lots of so many; marking the end of one of America's finest political dynasty. Senator Ted Kennedy was accompanied in his final tour of his neighbourhood by eighty-five Kennedy family relatives who traveled in the funeral cortege.

Composite picture right shows left to right, brothers Robert, Edward and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. One a senator, another a senator and also a senator who graduated to become a president - all accomplished in their own rights, brothers from one Kennedy catholic family of Massachusetts!

Ted's body will depart for Arlington National cemetery on Saturday for interment after a requiem funeral mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica (Mission Church) Boston. President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver the eulogy at his funeral.

It will be recalled that Senator Edward Kennedy is a survivor who put up a strong fight against his brain tumor, before finally succumbing to it last Tuesday, August 25, 2009. In June 1964, he walked away from a plane crash in Springfield, Massachusetts which killed the pilot and a legislative aide; with only a broken back that caused him pain the rest of his life? Also in July 1969, he once again walked away from a car crash in Chappaquiddick which claimed the life of a companion, Mary Jo Kopechne? But like Ecclesiastes said, there is a time for everything including the time to die and so it was that Ted Kennedy's time came last Tuesday.

Edward 'Ted' Kennedy will be buried on Saturday evening beside his two assassinated brothers, former President JFK and former Senator Robert F. Kennedy, at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC area of northern Virginia. So long Teddy!

OBASANJO FEEDS GOVERNOR GBENGA SOME RITUAL POTION?

In the spirit of oath-taking and rituals by Nigerian politicians, Icheoku.com has obtained this picture, showing former President Olusegun Obasanjo administering oath of allegiance to Governor Olu Gbenga of Ogun State? While others administer oath of proclamation, the Babalawo and Aremu of Otta Olusegun Obasanjo preferred an 'ingestible-oath' because of its particular efficacy - instant death to a reneging oath-taker?

Nigerians, now you know the manner of men in charge of your affairs? Ritualists? Occultists? Oath administers and takers? Men of evil, who will go to the ends of the earth to secure power! Imagine Governor Gbenga shamelessly being fed by Olusegun Obasanjo with some ritualistic piece of human flesh, some alleged?

Shame, Shame, Shame, mother Nigeria is crying tears of blood for these depraved and deranged members of the Nigerian society. And you wonder why Nigeria is standing on its head and things are going haywire therein? A cursed land of wizards, witch-crafts and sorcerers; where mundane practitioners hold sway! It is very pathetic indeed that these things are happening in twenty-first century Nigeria? Show me that still proud Nigerian who is standing tall and proud with all these revelations of their leaders practicing occultism?

TED KENNEDY, AS HIS SUN SETS!

Icheoku wishes Senator Edward Kennedy God's forgiveness of sins as we pray the almighty Lord welcomes him into his kingdom, Amen!

His wonderful good works while on earth will surely buy him a ticket to heaven; and whatever shortfalls he may have had, will also be forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! Adieu, Lion of the Senate!