A BABY 'SUMO-WRESTLER' IS BORN!

Nobody really knows what diet this woman was on, who delivered a practically over-weight baby at 19.2 pounds? The second biggest baby ever delivered in the world and the first in Asia, according to records?

"Baby Heavy'', as we chose to call him because no name has been given to him yet, was delivered by a Cesarean operation on Monday September 21, 2009 at a public hospital in North Sumatra province of Indonesian!

Who knows how protruded the tommy that carried such a heavy load to full gestation was? What an extra-ordinary labor of love to carry such a mini-man for nine months? Did the family think that twins were being expected or was ultra-sound even performed to find out what was behind the very big stomach? But are these questions any necessary, after, baby sumo-wrestler was born, hale and hearty; and has catapulted himself into global prime news?

"Baby Heavy" who weighs 19.2 pounds is also 24.4 inches long? Compared to normal babies' average 9 pounds, 11 inches, this obese-baby is, literally speaking, a double-baby - two in one baby! Could twins have resulted and if not, why not especially considering the massive flesh used to form little Baby-Heavy? According to hospital sources, little 'sumo-wrestler' had little breathing problem at birth, but it was fixed immediately by infusion of oxygen. He also has voluptuous appetite, which he developed in the womb as evidenced by his unusually super-size stature? According to available information from the Indonesia family that seared him, since his birth a few days ago, little man has been eating non-stop; that Icheoku prays, he is aware of the global economic recession?

The baby was the fourth child for the 41-year-old mother, Ani. People with knowledge volunteered that they have never seen anything as huge throughout the baby-factories of Indonesia? At such an out-of-this-world size, little "Baby Heavy" possibly will soon find himself in the Guinness Book of world records? At his massive weight, 'Baby-Heavy' probably weighs more than the combined weight of Octo-Mom, Nadia Suleiman's eight "tinies"?

Pictured right is 'Baby-Heavy' crying himself nuts for more food; while lying by his side is a normal baby? Anyway, its all good as mother and child are ok; and Icheoku wishes the giant baby, a good life!

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, ADDRESS TO UNITED NATIONS!

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentleman: it is my honor to address you for the first time as the forty-fourth President of the United States. I come before you humbled by the responsibility that the American people have placed upon me; mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history; and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad.

I have been in office for just nine months, though some days it seems a lot longer. I am well aware of the expectations that accompany my presidency around the world. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted - I believe - in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems. But they are also rooted in hope - the hope that real change is possible, and the hope that America will be a leader in bringing about such change.

I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. This has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for our collective inaction. Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my nation and my people, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 - more than at any point in human history - the interests of nations and peoples are shared.

The religious convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new bonds among people, or tear us apart. The technology we harness can light the path to peace, or forever darken it. The energy we use can sustain our planet, or destroy it. What happens to the hope of a single child - anywhere - can enrich our world, or impoverish it. In this hall, we come from many places, but we share a common future. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together. I have carried this message from London to Ankara; from Port of Spain to Moscow; from Accra to Cairo; and it’s what I will speak about today. Because the time has come for the world to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect, and our work must begin now. We know the future will be forged by deeds and not simply words. Speeches alone will not solve our problems - it will take persistent action. So for those who question the character and cause of my nation, I ask you to look at the concrete actions that we have taken in just nine months.

On my first day in office, I prohibited - without exception or equivocation - the use of torture by the United States of America. I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed, and we are doing the hard work of forging a framework to combat extremism within the rule of law. Every nation must know: America will live its values, and we will lead by example. We have set a clear and focused goal: to work with all members of this body to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies - a network that has killed thousands of people of many faiths and nations, and that plotted to blow up this very building. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, we - and many nations here - are helping those governments develop the capacity to take the lead in this effort, while working to advance opportunity and security for their people. In Iraq, we are responsibly ending a war. We have removed American combat brigades from Iraqi cities, and set a deadline of next August to remove all of our combat brigades from Iraqi territory. And I have made clear that we will help Iraqis transition to full responsibility for their future, and keep our commitment to remove all American troops by the end of 2011. I have outlined a comprehensive agenda to seek the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. In Moscow, the United States and Russia announced that we would pursue substantial reductions in our strategic warheads and launchers. At the Conference on Disarmament, we agreed on a work plan to negotiate an end to the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. And this week, my Secretary of State will become the first senior American representative to the annual Members Conference of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Upon taking office, I appointed a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, and America has worked steadily and aggressively to advance the cause of two states - Israel and Palestine - in which peace and security take root, and the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are respected. To confront climate change, we have invested 80 billion dollars in clean energy. We have substantially increased our fuel-efficiency standards. We have provided new incentives for conservation, launched an energy partnership across the Americas, and moved from a bystander to a leader in international climate negotiations. To overcome an economic crisis that touches every corner of the world, we worked with the G-20 nations to forge a coordinated international response of over two trillion dollars in stimulus to bring the global economy back from the brink. We mobilized resources that helped prevent the crisis from spreading further to developing countries. And we joined with others to launch a $20 billion global food security initiative that will lend a hand to those who need it most, and help them build their own capacity. We have also re-engaged the United Nations. We have paid our bills. We have joined the Human Rights Council. We have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have fully embraced the Millennium Development Goals. And we address our priorities here, in this institution - for instance, through the Security Council meeting that I will chair tomorrow on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and through the issues that I will discuss today.

This is what we have done. But this is just a beginning. Some of our actions have yielded progress. Some have laid the groundwork for progress in the future. But make no mistake: this cannot be solely America’s endeavor. Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone. We have sought - in word and deed - a new era of engagement with the world. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges. If we are honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we are not living up to that responsibility. Consider the course that we are on if we fail to confront the status quo. Extremists sowing terror in pockets of the world. Protracted conflicts that grind on and on. Genocide and mass atrocities. More and more nations with nuclear weapons. Melting ice caps and ravaged populations. Persistent poverty and pandemic disease. I say this not to sow fear, but to state a fact: the magnitude of our challenges has yet to be met by the measure of our action. This body was founded on the belief that the nations of the world could solve their problems together. Franklin Roosevelt, who died before he could see his vision for this institution become a reality, put it this way - and I quote: “The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one Nation…. It cannot be a peace of large nations - or of small nations. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world.”

The cooperative effort of the whole world. Those words ring even more true today, when it is not simply peace - but our very health and prosperity that we hold in common. Yet I also know that this body is made up of sovereign states. And sadly, but not surprisingly, this body has often become a forum for sowing discord instead of forging common ground; a venue for playing politics and exploiting grievances rather than solving problems. After all, it is easy to walk up to this podium and to point fingers and stoke division. Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles, and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions. Anyone can do that. Responsibility and leadership in the 21st century demand more. In an era when our destiny is shared, power is no longer a zero sum game. No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed. No balance of power among nations will hold. The traditional division between nations of the south and north makes no sense in an interconnected world. Nor do alignments of nations rooted in the cleavages of a long gone Cold War. The time has come to realize that the old habits and arguments are irrelevant to the challenges faced by our people. They lead nations to act in opposition to the very goals that they claim to pursue, and to vote - often in this body - against the interests of their own people. They build up walls between us and the future that our people seek, and the time has come for those walls to come down. Together, we must build new coalitions that bridge old divides - coalitions of different faiths and creeds; of north and south, east and west; black, white, and brown.

The choice is ours. We can be remembered as a generation that chose to drag the arguments of the 20th century into the 21st; that put off hard choices, refused to look ahead, and failed to keep pace because we defined ourselves by what we were against instead of what we were for. Or, we can be a generation that chooses to see the shoreline beyond the rough waters ahead; that comes together to serve the common interests of human beings, and finally gives meaning to the promise embedded in the name given to this institution: the United Nations. That is the future America wants - a future of peace and prosperity that we can only reach if we recognize that all nations have rights, but all nations have responsibilities as well. That is the bargain that makes this work. That must be the guiding principle of international cooperation.

Today, I put forward four pillars that are fundamental to the future that we want for our children: non-proliferation and disarmament; the promotion of peace and security; the preservation of our planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

First, we must stop the spread of nuclear weapons, and seek the goal of a world without them.This institution was founded at the dawn of the atomic age, in part because man’s capacity to kill had to be contained. For decades, we averted disaster, even under the shadow of a super-power stand-off. But today, the threat of proliferation is growing in scope and complexity. If we fail to act, we will invite nuclear arms races in every region, and the prospect of wars and acts of terror on a scale that we can hardly imagine. A fragile consensus stands in the way of this frightening outcome - the basic bargain that shapes the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. It says that all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear energy; that nations with nuclear weapons have the responsibility to move toward disarmament; and those without them have the responsibility to forsake them. The next twelve months could be pivotal in determining whether this compact will be strengthened or will slowly dissolve. America will keep our end of the bargain. We will pursue a new agreement with Russia to substantially reduce our strategic warheads and launchers. We will move forward with ratification of the Test Ban Treaty, and work with others to bring the Treaty into force so that nuclear testing is permanently prohibited. We will complete a Nuclear Posture Review that opens the door to deeper cuts, and reduces the role of nuclear weapons. And we will call upon countries to begin negotiations in January on a treaty to end the production of fissile material for weapons. I will also host a Summit next April that reaffirms each nation’s responsibility to secure nuclear material on its territory, and to help those who can’t - because we must never allow a single nuclear device to fall into the hands of a violent extremist. And we will work to strengthen the institutions and initiatives that combat nuclear smuggling and theft.

All of this must support efforts to strengthen the NPT. Those nations that refuse to live up to their obligations must face consequences. This is not about singling out individual nations - it is about standing up for the rights of all nations that do live up to their responsibilities. Because a world in which IAEA inspections are avoided and the United Nation’s demands are ignored will leave all people less safe, and all nations less secure. In their actions to date, the governments of North Korea and Iran threaten to take us down this dangerous slope. We respect their rights as members of the community of nations. I am committed to diplomacy that opens a path to greater prosperity and a more secure peace for both nations if they live up to their obligations. But if the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East - then they must be held accountable. The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that Treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future not belong to fear.

That brings me to the second pillar for our future: the pursuit of peace. The United Nations was born of the belief that the people of the world can live their lives, raise their families, and resolve their differences peacefully. And yet we know that in too many parts of the world, this ideal remains an abstraction. We can either accept that outcome as inevitable, and tolerate constant and crippling conflict. Or we can recognize that the yearning for peace is universal, and reassert our resolve to end conflicts around the world. That effort must begin with an unshakeable determination that the murder of innocent men, women and children will never be tolerated. On this, there can be no dispute. The violent extremists who promote conflict by distorting faith have discredited and isolated themselves. They offer nothing but hatred and destruction. In confronting them, America will forge lasting partnerships to target terrorists, share intelligence, coordinate law enforcement, and protect our people. We will permit no safe-haven for al Qaeda to launch attacks from Afghanistan or any other nation. We will stand by our friends on the front lines, as we and many nations will do in pledging support for the Pakistani people tomorrow. And we will pursue positive engagement that builds bridges among faiths, and new partnerships for opportunity. But our efforts to promote peace cannot be limited to defeating violent extremists. For the most powerful weapon in our arsenal is the hope of human beings - the belief that the future belongs to those who build, not destroy; the confidence that conflicts can end, and a new day begin. That is why we will strengthen our support for effective peacekeeping, while energizing our efforts to prevent conflicts before they take hold. We will pursue a lasting peace in Sudan through support for the people of Darfur, and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so that we secure the peace that the Sudanese people deserve. And in countries ravaged by violence - from Haiti to Congo to East Timor - we will work with the UN and other partners to support an enduring peace.

I will also continue to seek a just and lasting peace between Israel, Palestine, and the Arab world. Yesterday, I had a constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. We have made some progress. Palestinians have strengthened their efforts on security. Israelis have facilitated greater freedom of movement for the Palestinians. As a result of these efforts by both sides, the economy in the West Bank has begun to grow. But more progress is needed. We continue to call on Palestinians to end incitement against Israel, and we continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. The time has come to re-launch negotiations - without preconditions - that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem. The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace and security - a Jewish State of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people. As we pursue this goal, we will also pursue peace between Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Syria, and a broader peace between Israel and its many neighbors. In pursuit of that goal, we will develop regional initiatives with multilateral participation, alongside bilateral negotiations. I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service. To break the old patterns - to break the cycle of insecurity and despair - all of us must say publicly what we would acknowledge in private. The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians. And nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel’s legitimacy, and its right to exist in peace and security.

We must remember that the greatest price of this conflict is not paid by us. It is paid by the Israeli girl in Sderot who closes her eyes in fear that a rocket will take her life in the night. It is paid by the Palestinian boy in Gaza who has no clean water and no country to call his own. These are God’s children. And after all of the politics and all of the posturing, this is about the right of every human being to live with dignity and security. That is a lesson embedded in the three great faiths that call one small slice of Earth the Holy Land. And that is why - even though there will be setbacks, and false starts, and tough days - I will not waiver in my pursuit of peace.

Third, we must recognize that in the 21st century, there will be no peace unless we make take responsibility for the preservation of our planet. The danger posed by climate change cannot be denied, and our responsibility to meet it must not be deferred. If we continue down our current course, every member of this Assembly will see irreversible changes within their borders. Our efforts to end conflicts will be eclipsed by wars over refugees and resources. Development will be devastated by drought and famine. Land that human beings have lived on for millennia will disappear. Future generations will look back and wonder why we refused to act - why we failed to pass on intact the environment that was our inheritance. That is why the days when America dragged its feet on this issue are over. We will move forward with investments to transform our energy economy, while providing incentives to make clean energy the profitable kind of energy. We will press ahead with deep cuts in emissions to reach the goals that we set for 2020, and eventually 2050. We will continue to promote renewable energy and efficiency - and share new technologies - with countries around the world. And we will seize every opportunity for progress to address this threat in a cooperative effort with the whole world. Those wealthy nations that did so much to damage the environment in the 20th century must accept our obligation to lead. But responsibility does not end there. While we must acknowledge the need for differentiated responses, any effort to curb carbon emissions must include the fast-growing carbon emitters who can do more to reduce their air pollution without inhibiting growth. And any effort that fails to help the poorest nations both adapt to the problems that climate change has already wrought - and travel a path of clean development - will not work.

It is hard to change something as fundamental as how we use energy. It’s even harder to do so in the midst of a global recession. Certainly, it will be tempting to sit back and wait for others to move first. But we cannot make this journey unless we all move forward together. As we head into Copenhagen, let us resolve to focus on what each of us can do for the sake of our common future.This leads me to the final pillar that must fortify our future: a global economy that advances opportunity for all people. The world is still recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. In America, we see the engine of growth beginning to churn, yet many still struggle to find a job or pay their bills. Across the globe, we find promising signs, yet little certainty about what lies ahead. And far too many people in far too many places live through the daily crises that challenge our common humanity - the despair of an empty stomach; the thirst brought on by dwindling water; the injustice of a child dying from a treatable disease, or a mother losing her life as she gives birth.

In Pittsburgh, we will work with the world’s largest economies to chart a course for growth that is balanced and sustained. That means vigilance to ensure that we do not let up until our people are back to work. That means taking steps to rekindle demand, so that a global recovery can be sustained. And that means setting new rules of the road and strengthening regulation for all financial centers, so that we put an end to the greed, excess and abuse that led us into disaster, and prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again. At a time of such interdependence, we have a moral and pragmatic interest in broader questions of development. And so we will continue our historic effort to help people feed themselves. We have set aside $63 billion to carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS; to end deaths from tuberculosis and malaria; to eradicate polio; and to strengthen public health systems. We are joining with other countries to contribute H1N1 vaccines to the World Health Organization. We will integrate more economies into a system of global trade. We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year’s Summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.

Now is the time for all of us to do our part. Growth will not be sustained or shared unless all nations embrace their responsibility. Wealthy nations must open their markets to more goods and extend a hand to those with less, while reforming international institutions to give more nations a greater voice. Developing nations must root out the corruption that is an obstacle to progress - for opportunity cannot thrive where individuals are oppressed and business have to pay bribes. That’s why we will support honest police and independent judges; civil society and a vibrant private sector.

Our goal is simple: a global economy in which growth is sustained, and opportunity is available to all.The changes that I have spoken about today will not be easy to make. And they will not be realized simply by leaders like us coming together in forums like this. For as in any assembly of members, real change can only come through the people we represent. That is why we must do the hard work to lay the groundwork for progress in our own capitals. That is where we will build the consensus to end conflicts and to harness technology for peaceful purposes; to change the way we use energy, and to promote growth that can be sustained and shared. I believe that the people of the world want this future for their children. And that is why we must champion those principles which ensure that governments reflect the will of the people. These principles cannot be afterthoughts - democracy and human rights are essential to achieving each of the goals that I have discussed today. Because governments of the people and by the people are more likely to act in the broader interests of their own people, rather than the narrow interest of those in power.

The test of our leadership will not be the degree to which we feed the fears and old hatreds of our people. True leadership will not be measured by the ability to muzzle dissent, or to intimidate and harass political opponents at home. The people of the world want change. They will not long tolerate those who are on the wrong side of history. This Assembly’s Charter commits each of us, and I quote - “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.” Among those rights is the freedom to speak your mind and worship as you please; the promise of equality of the races, and the opportunity for women and girls to pursue their own potential; the ability of citizens to have a say in how you are governed, and to have confidence in the administration of justice. For just as no nation should be forced to accept the tyranny of another nation, no individual should be forced to accept the tyranny of their own government.

As an African-American, I will never forget that I would not be here today without the steady pursuit of a more perfect union in my country. That guides my belief that no matter how dark the day may seem, transformative change can be forged by those who choose the side of justice. And I pledge that America will always stand with those who stand up for their dignity and their rights - for the student who seeks to learn; the voter who demands to be heard; the innocent who longs to be free; and the oppressed who yearns to be equal. Democracy cannot be imposed on any nation from the outside. Each society must search for its own path, and no path is perfect. Each country will pursue a path rooted in the culture of its people, and - in the past - America has too often been selective in its promotion of democracy. But that does not weaken our commitment, it only reinforces it. There are basic principles that are universal; there are certain truths which are self evident - and the United States of America will never waiver in our efforts to stand up for the right of people everywhere to determine their own destiny.

Sixty-five years ago, a weary Franklin Roosevelt spoke to the American people in his fourth and final inaugural address. After years of war, he sought to sum up the lessons that could be drawn from the terrible suffering and enormous sacrifice that had taken place. “We have learned,” he said, “to be citizens of the world, members of the human community.” The United Nations was built by men and women like Roosevelt from every corner of the world - from Africa and Asia; form Europe to the Americas. These architects of international cooperation had an idealism that was anything but naïve - it was rooted in the hard-earned lessons of war, and the wisdom that nations could advance their interests by acting together instead of splitting apart. Now it falls to us - for this institution will be what we make of it.

The United Nations does extraordinary good around the world in feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and mending places that have been broken. But it also struggles to enforce its will, and to live up to the ideals of its founding. I believe that those imperfections are not a reason to walk away from this institution - they are a calling to redouble our efforts. The United Nations can either be a place where we bicker about outdated grievances, or forge common ground; a place where we focus on what drives us apart, or what brings us together; a place where we indulge tyranny, or a source of moral authority. In short, the United Nations can be an institution that is disconnected from what matters in the lives of our citizens, or it can be indispensable in advancing the interests of the people we serve. We have reached a pivotal moment. The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation - one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations. With confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, we call on all nations to join us in building the future that our people deserve. Thank you.

OGBONNA ONOVO, SHOULD BE MORE CIRCUMSPECTIVE!

It is a generally agreed and accepted proposition that 'pictures don't lie', and so it turned out that Nigeria's Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, put his foot in his mouth when he swore, over the grave of his grandmother, that former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu never stepped his feet on Nigeria soil?

IGP Onovo then challenged those fire-eating e-media, engaged in "expartrate information news service to motherland" to produce any photographic evidence that Nuhu Ribadu ever visited Nigeria as claimed. Pictures of the heroic visit were splashed everywhere on the web and some courageous Nigeria print media outfits! Yet unconvinced, IGP Onovo disclaimed them as computer manipulated images and a gimmickry? Icheoku says, really? The IGP was additionally provided with videographic evidence of the visit, which were uploaded on YOUTUBE. But like the pharoahs of Egypt, IGP Onovo hardened his heart and dismissed the video once again as science "the more you look the less you see American wonder?" Icheoku will like to ask IGP Ogbonna Onovo, how could any sane functioning mind explain away what was captured on motion picture, a video uploaded on YOUTUBE, showing a fully animated and not still, Nuhu Ribadu, signing the condolence register at Gani Fawehinmi's residence, moving around, talking, gesticulating and commiserating with the family on the loss of their dear one? Maybe a Hollywood, nay, a Nollywood film-trick?

One of the problems mitigating against Nigeria's quest to "greatness" is that majority of her leadership persons are prisoners of their own over-bloated egos? The real mark of a warrior is to know when to ask for some help to carry on and finish an assigned task; but not with Nigerian's? Icheoku says, there is nothing unusually out of place or to indict the IGP for, if Nuhu Ribadu or any other person slipped through whatever security condone in Nigeria, as that could happen anywhere. Nigeria is not and will not be the only country where people have ever illegally entered and exited without the knowledge of the security operatives; afterall the Lord said in Psalm 127:1 that the sentinel watches in vain except the Lord watches alongside, with him? Even the almighty United States of America has problems policing her borders, otherwise the infestations of illegal aliens would have since been a thing of the past? But for a chief security officer of Nigeria, IGP Ogbonna Onovo to dismissively lie about the breach of Nigeria's notoriously porous borders by AIG Nuhu Ribadu, rubs Icheoku wrongly and for this we hold him accountable! We want to put his feet to the fire so that in the future he may have to check his facts first before going public with his comments?

Even as recent as yesterday, the "deposed" President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras managed to breach the security blanket specifically targeted at him and sneaked back to Tegucigalpa; and is now taking refuge at the Brazilian embassy there. So IGP Onovo, you are not the first nor will you be the last to ever drop the ball on a country's security, leading to some "unwanted" persons to safely go in and out of the "wanting" country? Recall that the late Gani Fawehinmi and Wole Soyinka had severally escaped from Nigeria during the gestapo regimes of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and the Kano midget Sani Abacha, when they wanted to ensnare them as their quarries? Even a good friend known to Icheoku.com, severally came in and out of Nigeria during his days as NADECO executive officer, and when being associted to that name meant a death-warrant in the hands of Abacha goonbas; and on certain occasions with the active connivance of some sympathetic security agents who wanted Abacha dead! So why was Nuhu Ribadu's "in and out" visit a surprise to you? Would it surprise you, Mr. IGP Onovo, if you learn that Nuhu Ribadu came into Nigeria and left with the active help of some of your officers, many of who strongly believe that the man, Nuhu is being unfairly targeted and haunted for daring to prosecute corruption in very high places? The witch-hunting of this man is giving Nigeria a black-eye in the international arena as a country which is so at peace with corruption that they would rather hunt the hunter of corruption!

Now back to Nuhu Ribadu's recent visit to honor Gani Fawehinmi and the now proven unfortunate denial of the IGP hat "it was merely an imagination of some sections of the press?" Icheoku asks, with the quantum of available evidence which was adduced both in in various formats including written, motion, visual and testimonials; and which have irrefutably proved the case beyond doubt, that AIG Nuhu Ribadu visited Nigeria, where does it leave Nigerians and their IGP? An IGP, whose statements will hence-forth not be as weighty as it would ordinarily have been if not for the unfortunate statement which has now turned out to be untrue?

Does this IGP by this serious error of judgment and misstep lost his credibility to function as the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police? Did the IGP, as one commentator said, bring an untoward embarrassment to the federal republic of Nigeria, the police force and the sickly man at Aso Rock, President Umaru Yar'Adua who appointed him? What happens when a man in such a position of authority looses his veracity; when his words is no longer worth the air through which they were disseminated? One question that readily comes to mind is whether this particular IGP spoke too fast on this very subject matter; an issue he would have given methodical thought before opening his air-valve? Was his wind-pipe so unguarded that it uttered a regrettable untruth? Did IGP Ogbonna Onovo speak too quickly on the presence or lack thereof, of Nuhu Ribadu foot on Nigeria soil? Icheoku's verdict, IGP Ogbonna Onovo spoke too fast and before he could check his version of facts with the actual facts as existed on the grounds at Gani Fawehinmi's residence? The panacea, this very IGP needs to be coralled in line, and in order to safeguard and protect his tenure as the IGP of Nigeria; knowing the very treacherous terrain that is Nigerian polity, and the rife competition to bring down other people from other tribes in order for another tribe's favorite to succeeded the once-was?

IGP Ogbonna Onovo, Icheoku advises you to 'please get a spokesman!' Also remember to always complete your investigation thoroughly, before opening your IGP-mouth again in the future in such a way as you did with this last Nuhu Ribadu's mercurial visit to Nigeria? Better still take some lessons or get some coaching in the art of political-speaking; now you have become by necessary implication, one of Nigerian top leaders by virtue of your office and your words henceforth means much to the various tribes that make up Nigeria. Instead of such gaffes and guffaws, please get used to giving generalised no-answer, answers; without committing yourself to anything specifically or corner yourself in a position which might turn out to be contradictory in the future. Whatever you do, avoid being pigeon-holed into a lying caricature of an IGP Fallacy or Fatansy! If confronted by an ambiguous convoluted question and you do not know the politically-correct answer or way to give a proper no-answer answer, tell the journalist, that investigation is still going on in the case and to comment will be to prejudge the outcome; or just refer them to the appropriate trained mouthpiece of the police - the Police PRO, period!

Icheoku will particularly not forgive you, in the event you cause the Igbos of the south east, this their God-given only opportunity to once in recent years, participate in the security meetings of the Nigerian federal government, through your office as the new IGP. You must tread softly and cautiously; hence-forth, guard your new office as a sacred trust for Nigerians and the Igbos of Nigeria in particular, being their only representative in chief, in Nigeria's security council. We do not want you to be swept away by tidal waves of Nigeria's tsunami politics of intrigue, where tribal loyalties still holds sway; and where party A does not know necessarily what party B is really thinking and vice versa? What if such gang-up was the reason you were left in the lurch with Nuhu Ribadu's visit to Nigeria? Also remember that there is a thing called sabotage; and you shouldn't be surprised if some of your junior officers, who see you as detestible, decided to just paint you as incompetent or just in a bad light and frustrate your effort to effectively police Nigeria and deliver on the job.

Based on the above premise, Icheoku asks IGP Ogbonna Onovo, how was he sure that Nuhu Ribadu did not come into Nigeria with full cooperation and connivance of some of his former colleagues at EFCC, who are still in the police force but bearing grudges on the way they and their former boss were treated after their service to their fatherland? Or possibly some force-members who are not happy with Ogbonna Onovo's appointment as their IGP? We are talking of conspiracy theories, IGP Onovo; after-all Nuhu Ribadu was a former AIG and former chairman of the once dreaded EFCC, so could some people be owing him some favor which he had called on them to now re-pay? That a former police officer of the rank of an AIG would not know how to sneak in and out of Nigeria should be the thing to baffle anyone including the IGP; but not otherwise; when ordinary untrained men and women including smugglers, steadily go in and out of Nigeria without detection! The IGP should therefore do the wise thing, smarten up and apologise to Nigerians for his impetuous "reckless" statement, which has now been debunked and proved to be untruthful! He should own up to the mix-up of his fiction and the existing non-fiction, and promise to do better in the future or the next time Nuhu Ribdau comes around and tries to enter and exit Nigeria. Or as is always the case with Nigerian leadership, just blame it on the guy next door, who gave you a faulty intelligence/assessment of the situation; or better still, on some wild-eyed detractors of the government who does not wish Nigeria well?

FYI:- It will be recalled that it is the same IG Onovo who in one of his first baby-steps as a new IGP, rescinded himself shortly after his order "removing police orderlies of certain persons in Nigeria" and only to make an instant u-turn to allow the same under his newly found subterfuge of unity of husband and wife? According to his theory of recission, a husband and wife are the same person and so is a governor and the governor's wife entitled to equal security protection of and by the Nigeria Police Force? Fair enough and we must concede him that unity of persons exists in marriage. So much for the foibles of the new Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo!

STELLA OBASANJO'S KILLER-DOCTOR, IMPRISONED!

The doctor that "butchered" late Stella Obasanjo, the official wife of former polygamous Nigeria despotic leader, Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo, has been sentenced to one year in prison for homicidal negligence by a Malaga court in southern Spain. The doctor, Spanish plastic surgeon Antonio Mena pictured here right, was also disqualified from practising medicine for three years, and ordered to pay N26 million Naira (about $176,000 or £108,000) in compensation to Mrs Obasanjo's son/children? Blood money, may be?

It will be leaves a court in recalled that Stella, 59 in her vainglorious pursuit of youth had in October 2005, sneaked into a Marbella, Spain clinic for liposuction cosmetic surgery; and Icheoku wonders what an African 59 year old grandmother is doing under the knife trying to cheat nature? It is all vanity the preacher says in Ecclesiastes 1:2 and she paid the supreme sacrifice for that her unwise decision?

According to the story late Stella Obasanjo was no longer comfortable with her protruding abdomen or stomach which was often an object of teasing by the Aremu himself, that she vowed to do something about it to keep her fabled 'he-goat' of a husband continuously attracted to her? On a disguised shopping trip to Europe, she detoured into the Marbella clinic and underwent an abdominal liposuction. But as fate would have it, a tube used for removing her fatty tissues was negligently placed too far into her abdominal cavity, that it punctured her colon and lacerated her liver too. This condition was not known to the surgeon and complications resulted, following which she gave up the ghost the next day?

While wishing Stella Obasanjo eternal rest, Icheoku condemns and discourages such vain-glory by women the world over and particularly African women who are emulating their European and North American counterparts, in this mad pursuit for youth and in futile effort to beat aging and shame mother-nature!

Icheoku says, women of this world should learn to age gracefully and always remember the good life they lived as youths, through pictures and memories; and desist from taking such risky procedure to fake youth. If your husband or man no longer like your new state, please take solace in your children and see in them what you traded off for your now somewhat saggy appearance and feel comforted! If your husband doesn't like it, to hell; after-all there is time for everything under the sun and even morning roses wither away with the sunset! Adieu Stella Obasanjo; admitted we do not like your husband for ruining Nigeria, and punishing Nigerians with his Greek-gift of President Umaru Yar'Adua?

NIGERIA'S UNENDING ASSASSINATIONS, HALLMARK OF A FAILED STATE!

In another futile attempt to silence the media and prevent the world from knowing the extent of their brigandage, the political establishment top-heavies in Nigeria, have assassinated the assistant political editor of Lagos-Nigeria based Guardian newspaper! Mr. Bayo Ohu, whose lifeless body is pictured here right, was killed by hired hit-men early hours of yesterday's morning, in his home at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb.

Reports reaching Icheoku.com said that the late Mr. Bayo Ohu allegedly was working on some story concerning certain politicians in Lagos state before he was brutally dispatched from this earth? What a country of killers Nigeria have become that will go to any extent to silence the good-men in order to keep their atrocities from seeing the day light? And this is the same country whose Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili was grinding axe with Sony Pictures because her country Nigeria, was in her own words, portrayed unkindly in the movie, "District 9"? Icheoku says, Madam Dora Akunyili should try and fix what is broken in Nigeria and she will see the same film-makers portray her country in a much better flattering light? It does not lie in the mouth to just proclaim the effort being made to fix the humpty-dumpty Nigeria; but Madam, should please show us the evidence on the ground that her message of re-branding is sinking in! It is indeed regrettable what is going on in Nigeria.

This is another killing too many, and Icheoku asks, when will Nigeria become safe again for decent human-beings to freely inhabit the territory without fear of a sudden violent death in the hands of paid marauders? The death of Mr. Bayo Ohu is regrettable and since Icheoku does not have confidence that his killers will ever be found, we can only ask God to please forgive him his sins and receive his soul in his paradise. To his grieving family, our sympathies; and to his colleagues at the Guardian, take heart.

His death once again, is a reminder to many observers of what Nigeria and Russia share together - killing off the fifth estate! The perils faced by journalists working in some nooks and crannies of this world? Bayo Ohu's death adds to the roaster of prominent journalists killed in Nigeria in circumstances suggestive of hired assassination to silence them and prevent a story from making it to the open or as a revenge for what had been previously written? We may recall that Dele Giwa, then Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, was killed through Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida's parcel bomb on October 19, 1986; Godwin Agbroko, the Editorial Board Chairman of ThisDay newspaper, was gunned down on Oshodi-Mile Two Expressway Lagos during Olusegun Obasanjo's regime on December 24, 2006; and Abayomi Ogundeji, another member of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspaper was killed during the present Umaru Yar'Adua government on August 17, 2008. Icheoku asks, when will these madness ever stop?

DESPOTISM, THE CURSE OF AFRICA - by Emeka Umeagbalasi of Klinreports.com!

"It is alarmingly disturbing that when the Europe and the North Americans are busy, finding their way to the moon, Africans are busy heading back to the forest (cave)." Since the immortal statement above, was made by the late Julius Nyerere of the Republic of Tanzania in 1994, the greater number of South American and Southeast Asian States had joined the North American and the European States in the league of credible and stable democracies or the comity of civilized nations. A greater number of African States, in the contrary, have chosen to remain in the comity of dynastic or hegemonic democracies. The two-thirds of the Africa’s 53 States are still ruled by tyrants, despots or autocrats.

It is based on the above scenario, that we condemn, unreservedly, the recent emergence of Mr. Ali Ben Bongo in the last presidential “election” in the oil-rich Republic of Gabon. Mr. Ben Bongo is the groomed successor-son of the late President Omar Bongo, who died in office in June 2009, after spending 42 years in power. Mr. Ali Ben Bongo, a former foreign and defense minister, under his father’s reign, was controversially declared “winner” by the Gabonese electoral commission on Thursday, 03/09/09, after winning 42 percent of the total votes cast, not even up to fifty-percent? His father, Omar Bongo came to power, via a junta coup in 1967. He survived many coup attempts. And before his death in office, he had manipulated the Gabonese constitution so as to be allowed limitless stay in power.

On 1st day of September 2009, Colonel Murmmar al-Ghaddafi of Libya marked his 40th year in power. He came to power with his Islamic-Arabic Socialism and Nationalism in 1969. He had been linked to several horrendous killings around the world; including the 1989 Lockerbie Aircraft bombing that killed 259 passengers. Today, Colonel al-Ghaddafi is the chairman of the African Union and one of his sons, Mutassim al- Ghaddafi had been groomed to succeed him, in the evident of his demise.

Similar sad situations are found in Egypt, where President Hussein Mubarak had been in power since 1981 (28 years), after the death of President Anwal Saddat. President Mubarak had groomed his son, Gamal Mubarak as his successor. He had ruled Egypt with emergency powers since 1997. The leaders of Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Congo Republic (Azadine Ben Ali, Obiang Mbasago and Denis Sesseou Nguessou) have ruled their countries for up to, or nearly 30 years, having come to power between 1977 and 1979, President Jose Edwardo Dos Santos of Angola had been in power since 1978 (31 years).

Those who came to power in the 80s are: President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe,1980(29 years), President Paul Biya of Cameroon, 1982 (27 years), President Yuweri Museveni of Uganda, 1986 (23 years) and President Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan, 1989 (20 years). President Blaise Campore of Burkina Faso also came to power in 1987 (21 years). The 1990s Presidents are: Idris Derby, Chad (1990 or 19 years), Paul Kagame, Rwanda (1994 or 15 years), Isaias Afoweki, Eritrea (1993 or 16 years), Mr. Menes Zenewi of Ethiopia (1992 or 17 years) and Yahaya Jammeh, Gambia (1994 or 15 years). From-father-to-son dynastic rulership had been instituted in the Republics of Togo and Democratic Republic of Congo, while from-military (khaki) - to- civilian (agbada) rulership is in vogue in the Republics of Central African Republic and Mauritania.

In Niger Republic, President Mamadou Tanja, whose final term of office is expected to end by December 2009, had assumed emergency powers, and dissolved the constitutional court and the parliament, all in his bid to manipulate the Nigerien Constitution so as to stay in power in perpetuity. Nigeria’s case is not far from being the worst. Apart from the fact that the present regime of Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua is criminality-tolerant, electoral brigandage, political and economic banditry have been scientifically entrenched in Nigeria’s body polity. The WADATA House has become the Center for Research and Implementation of Armed Robbery, Bullion Van Robbery, Bank Robbery, Unsound/ Non-collateral Bank Loans and Science of Election Rigging.

In all, seventeen (17) African ruling despots have stayed in power for 431 years. Where some of them had died their sons, groomed to succeed them, have taken over through the artificial ballot legitimacy. A case in point is Mr. Ali Ben Bongo of Republic of Gabon. For lack of credible criteria or parameters, African Union has become worse than the proscribed Organization of African Unity, which died in 2001/2002.

Now, “when the EU, the OAS, the ASEAN, and even the CIS, are busy entrenching credible electoral, economic and political democracy in their body polity, African States, with few exceptions, are busy surrendering themselves to the shackles and manacles of rabid dictatorship, dynastic despotism and unprecedented white collar criminality”.

THE 47 DUMB AND DUMBER, PLUS 1 SMART, WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR?

What a hot seat, Anambra State, Nigeria governorship seat, which every Dick, Tom and Harry in the state wants at all cost possible? But first, the incumbent governor of the state has to be unseated, but will Governor Pete Obi agree? A hopelessly, politically 'foolish' people, novitiates and ridiculously so unseasoned in the art of real politiking, the Igbos of Anambra State of South East Nigeria? Imagine 48 candidates applying for one governorship position?

48 candidates running for one governorship position and you wonder who is advising these pretenders to the office of the governor of Anambra State? Who are advising these people? Who are their David Axelrods? Who constitute their electoral exploratory committees? Who are their political consultants? Who conducted their polls and assured them they stand a chance of securing their party's governorship ticket for Anambra state? Icheoku fears that some Alhaji up north, has sold kites to these guys that he has the ears of President Umaru Yar'Adua and could make them governor of Anambra state; hence the bilking these guys their hard-earned money? Icheoku says, why can't these guys be more realistic of their chances at being "selected" the PDP governorship candidate and be more pragmatic in their mad quest to become the state's next mega-looter of the state's treasury? What happened to alliances and politicial blocs, wherein people with the least chances of becoming the candidate come together to support another more formidable candidate; and each in return agree on trade-offs and the concomittant horse-trades of appointments and contracts awarding? But not in Anambra State, Nigeria, where everyone thinks he is smarter than the guy next door and hence the melee of candidates. Now 48 of them from just one political party, the PDP are lining up, salivating greedily, to covet the job currently held by Governor Pete Obi?

Five people running for one office is a fair number, even ten; but forty-eight, that is both laughable and ludicrous! A total raving madness, that Icheoku suggests, they should all have their heads medically-examined for some schizophrenic disorders? Who says the Igbos of Nigeria have come of age or learnt anything on real politics or how to effectively politik? Regrettably, they have not and this is the principal reason why they are ususally short-changed in Nigeria. They have not learnt their lesson on how to be astute politicians? At 5 million Naira payment for the forms and another 250,000 Naira cost of declaration of intent, each of these "traders and contractors" of Ananmbra state would have so far enriched the coffers of PDP by 252million Naira? Money that could have been used ,ore wisely to better the lots of so many jobless Anambra State people; and who blames the youths when they go on kidnapping rampages, abducting these 'hooligans' for ransom?

A group of more politically savvy people, who know what they are doing, would have held pre-caucus meetings to determine among themsleves, best possible persons with the most chances, and streamline the candidancy around them? A reasonable plausible number would have been a preferred option, rather than all of these 48 wildebeests, being herded into throwing away their 5 million Naira in their mad-quest for governorship ticket? But no, every Tom, Dick and Harry in Anambra State sees himself/herself as the most qualified and suited for Governor Peter Obi's job; and hence 48 of these irrational human-beings are falling over the head of each other, in a mad fury, wishfully thinking to claim the coveted trophy in Anambra State? Icheoku condemns the excessively number of these candidates, as well as their naivette, for recklessly doling out 5 million Naira each to enrich the PDP; with no chances in hell to secure the governorship ticket? What happens to the time-tested calculated risk approach to issues, one may ask?

According to the reports, forty-eight candidates collected forms of expression of interest for nomination for the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); while thirty-two of them eventually made it to the next stage - the party's primaries slated for next month? Whether 48 or 32, Icheoku says, that is still too large a number of people coming from one state and for one governorship position. This is a litle insight on the number of people that will queue up in the event the Igbos are allowed to produce the president of Nigeria in 2016, maybe 1000 presidential candidates will join the race then for Aso Rock? As we recall, during the last chairmanship fight for the PDP, 28 Igbo people actively ran for the office. They could not settle on a consesus candidate, leading to the imposition of big nose Vincent Ogbulafor on the Igbo as their chairmanship candidate. So, Icheoku asks, when will the Igbo people become politically matured enough to learn certain fundamental lessons of productive politics?

Some of these wanna-be governor include Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Uchenna Emordi, Chuma Nwofor, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Senator Ikechukwu Obiora, Senator Emma Anosike, Dr Harry Oranezi, Chuma Nzeribe, Tony Nwoye, Udemezue Chukwura, Damian Okolo, Chief Kodili Okelekwe, Dr Alex Obigbolu, Professor Austin Ilochi Okafor, Ekwenze Solomon, Mbamalu Emma, Barrister Mike Nkwocha, Ugochukwu Sonny Jerry, Mrs Eucharia Azodo, Mrs Caroline Nwosu, Lady Chinyere Ogualili, Kenneth Odidika, Deacon Bernard Okeke, Mrs Chika Ibeneme, Princess Catherine Egwu, Engr E.O Efobi, Dr Emeka Eze, Dr Amachukwu Ezeike, Mrs Victoria Nwakwo, Mrs Ifeoma Love Ebe, Engr. Bethran Dim and Mrs Nkoli Imo, Chief Okey Muo-Aroh, Chief Basil Iwuoba, Chief Michael Okechukwu, Dim Ifeanyichukwu, Emoh Uchenna Pius, Nwandu Emeka Gibson, Valentine Ozigbo, Uba Ukechinyere, Obiagoli Obasi and Victor Osita? Who the brightest bulb in the chandelier is, is anybody's guess but who the henchmen of Nigeria politics has annointed is within the crevices of their warped minds which only next month's primaries will reveal. So until then, Anambra state people can only wait and pray in anticipation of who eventually gets the nod of approval and ritualistic-oath, before one deity or shrine, to fly the flag of the party at the election of February 2010.

But a party of direction would have, as suggested by Uche Emordi, "do everything possible to trim the number of candidates seeking the party’s ticket in the February 2010 gubernatorial election in the state." What a madness of ambition by these 48 Anambrarians? According to one observer, "Anambra State has indeed become one of the theatres for some of the most absurd political engagements in the annals the country." As rightly summarized by one observer, the 48 wanna-be governorship candidates of Anambra State are made up of two groups of people - "the contenders and the pretenders," and Icheoku couldn't agree any more!

With the latest disqualification of about 17 of the 48 applicants so far, how the PDP eventually settles on one candidate during their forthcoming primaries, is anybody's guess? But Icheoku says, what a people, the Anambra state people of Nigeria; a land where everybody is full of 'smarts' but with no real political intelligence? And it is not as if these human-beings are queuing up to do anything beneficial for the people of Anambra state; no, they are just getting ready to loot the treasury some more! With these 31 candidates now left to contest the primaries fixed for October, only God knows, how many of them will be kidnapped, maimed and/or even killed before that time; just to clear him off the way? Who also knows how many more millions of Naira will be washed down the drain in the process of votes buying, thug hiring, voodoo, bribery, settlements, hit-men hiring and all manners of political brigandage just to emerge the candidate? And after that, there is Governor Peter Obi to clear off the government house before the party begins its carnival of looting? But whatever happens, Icheoku is keeping a watchful eyes on the outcome of the Peoples (Un)Democratic Party's primaries in Anambra state, a state with too many people with "too much knowledge!"

PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, MAY NOT BE WRONG?

Icheoku commends President Jimmy Earl Carter for standing up to be counted, at this hour of great need; a time of political intensive correctness in the country when such a wise voice goes a long way to suit frayed nerves. Every conscientious observer knows the fact is as clear as the daylight, that President Barack Obama is getting a toxic raw deal in the hands of racist right-wingers, sons of confederates, some of whom had earlier vowed and prayed that he fails!

While everybody is trying to play it safe, hiding under the time-tested safety net of "I don't want to bell the cat; " the brave God-fearing peanut farmer from Georgia, and former president, Jimmy Carter spoke up! Icheoku says, bravo Jimmy, we appreciates your bravery and candor.

Any grown up who have ever lived or worked in America will understand President Jimmy Carter's position very well. A country so engulfed in self effusiveness and sense of superiority that it does not matter your qualifications, - 'a black-man is always a black-man', inferior to his white counterpart and does not know what he is talking about? I write this with personal experience and assert the 'how dare you open your mouth' is always ever present in many workplaces throughout America, when and where they tolerate your presence? So it is not out of place for some of these 'tea-baggers' with their newly discovered leader Congressman Joe Wilson, to be questioning the qualifications of President Barack Obama to be their president; and it does not matter to them that he may be the brightest bulb in the chandelier of all past presidents and presidential candidates? In their warped thinking, once the president's skin-pigmentation is black, that automatically makes him "inferior" to them and hence disqualified to be their president? A plausible deduction for all these vitriolic opposition to anything Barack Obama?

So, Icheoku says, President Carter fully and completely articulated the raison d`ter for all these "real Americans" obtrusively and cantankerously hollering that President Barack Obama is going to destroy their America? Even when he astoundingly pulls in a big catch like the Somalian pirates, they still brand it perjuratively? President Carter is right about these hillbillies and Carter is a man who should know, being from the south, a bastion of racism? Any other contrary position such as came out of the White House today, is merely a politically correct statement to allow the continued joggling of the ball by the Barack Obama's presidency. Anyone who says race is not part of the 'force-majore' that fuels the present 'protests' is very economical with the truth and only the truth shall set America free!

In Carter's own very well articulated words, he said, "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man. Racism inclination still exists. And I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of the 'belief among many white people, ............ that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.' Icheoku says, if one were to ask, upon what basis was this assumption founded, the answer will be certainly none whatsoever; leaving the conclusion that racism is the only cogent driving force to what is currently going on in America! A racism being pushed into the forefront by former slave owners' descendants, who surprisingly now have a black-man-president in "their" White House and is highly resentful of the audacity! Pitiful indeed that this is happening in 21st century American. However, unlike President Jimmy Carter, Icheoku however disagrees that it is "among many white people" otherwise, President Barack Obama would not have been elected in the first place - he garnered 42% of white votes; and we believe the drama being seen on television does not have anyone from that bloc of 42% Obama voters?

Icheoku equally appreciates the very difficult mine-field President Barack Obama has to walk daily, and understand his politically correct responses to the curve-ball questions being thrown at him repeatedly by the press! President Barack Obama is walking gingerly on a very fine-line, in order not to upset the apple cart of America: - an apprehensive white, a surprised blacks and other dumbfounded minorities; each of whom have special needs and are constantly gnawing at the president's limbs for attention. Therefore, we understand the president's tactical withdrawal from the racism dust-up, as a well-reasoned option and the most apposite response under his circumstances. It is a somewhat Catch-22; if he agrees with President Carter, then it will be a total upheaval as he will now be forcefully re-branded "a very angry black-man in our White House with his socialist agenda?" His position, President carter full understands and will not hold it against him. Possibly a telephone call went out to Carter before the disclaimer? So it is politically smart of the president to tell the world that he does not agree with what President Carter said and not being subjected to a lie-detector makes that line easier and simpler? But the same listening world also understand the racial shenanigans in America's under-belly! Icheoku says, if President Obama "does not think it is based on the color of his skin," then what?

Finally, Icheoku calls on all past and living Presidents George H. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to jointly address a news conference in support of President Jimmy Carter in calling on all Americans, especially the right wing element of the Rush Limbaugh led republican party, to please give President Barack Obama a break and pray he succeeds! According to a popular aphorism, "to the victor, his spoils" and these people should never forget that there was an election on November 4, 2008! Also these breed of Americans must not be allowed to disrupt by protest what they could not win by ballot! It is a new day, America!

KANYE WEST IS NOT A JACKASS, ANY APOLOGY?

Icheoku asks, will the president now apologise and invite both Kanye West and Taylor Swift to a "beer summit" at the White House to smooth out the seams of the MTV Video Music Awards incident? Or is the Cambridge policeman and Professor Gates' somehow special and different? After-all the Cambridge policeman "acted stupidly" by arresting Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr at his home and without any reasonable basis whatsoever, both in fact and in law?

Now that Kanye West acted off-script and earned the title of a "Jackass" from the president, Icheoku says, may be the president should give a 'shout-out' to Kanye; and express his regrets while assuring the artist that he did not mean to call him such a derogatory name! And to quickly mend fences, he should bring the two to a beer/wine fest at the White House lawn? Or must the president wait for NAACP or BET or the Hip-Hop association of America to raise hell or for his name to be dissed in a song, before a mea culpa?

As far as Icheoku is concerned, 'Jackass' is more derogatory than 'Acting Stupidly' and hence Kanye West deserves an apology for being so maligned. Kanye West is not a jackass by any definition; but a very successful enterprising hip-hop artist, who has done well by and for himself; and has also been very vocal in defense of the black race! His Katrina comment that President George W, Bush do not care about black people touched so many white nerves in America and is still reverberating in America! Kanye also helped campaign and in mobilising voters for the president's election; as well as participated in his January 20, 2009 inauguration balls? At least the president owes Kanye some 'minimal' respect?

Or is it possible that the president was pandering to the more vociferous white press and electorates when he apologised and invited the Cambridge white police officer and Professor Gates to a White House beer outing? It is our position that this time should not be any different and that Kanye deserves and should receive his due.

Icheoku therefore call on Kanye West and urge him to please call a press conference to denounce being branded a Jackass! A presidential apology might equally be very soothing to the damaged ego of KW! But for Kanye to keep silent and do nothing, amidst such a labelling, will only help fester the notion that he is a crazed-out dumb and dumber! We love our Kanye and our Kanye is not a JACKASS!

JOE WILSON, THE REBUKE OF A HILLBILLY!

With a 240-179 votes, the United States House of Representatives disassociated themselves from the thuggish outburst of Congressman Joe Wilson, republican from South Carolina! The way to go, Congressmen and women!

Icheoku says to the Congress, not only were you disrespected but your invited guest, President Barack Obama was himself frontally disrespected by the racist redneck hilly-billy from the Appalachians of South Carolina? Your action, reprimanding Joe Wilson is a good step in the right direction which will checkmate any such virulent unwarranted outburst in the future.

This cow Joe Wilson first elected in 2002, sat through former President George W. Bush six years in office without for once, raising an eyebrow to all that happened during that presidency; but only to jump up like a petulant ragamuffin, on an orchestrated and choreographed planned attempt to diminish Obama's presidency, to interrupt the president while he was addressing the United States congress? But he did not succeed as Americans and the world at large understood where he was coming from, judging from the peculiarities of American politics, especially those former slave-owners of the deep South!

How uncivilized and uncouth this fellow from the mountains of South Carolina is, that will publicly and in such a public place, meant for some serious businesses, mouth-off at the President of the United States of America? In Saddam Hussein's Iraq his tongue would have been cut off so that he will never use it again for such disrespectful outburst? In addition to our earlier expressed opinions on this matter, Icheoku reiterates that Joe Wilson also owes an unreserved apology to the American people for showing such disrespect to their president, their congress and inside their congress building? The people to take primary responsibility for this congressman's rudeness, are his people of South Carolina who sent him to Washington to represent them. Except they share the same thuggish characteristics as Joe Wilson and hence could not find anything troubling or wrong with his misbehavior, which greatly diminished the people of South Carolina, Icheoku calls on them to also reprimand Joe and make a disclaimer that his act is not theirs and they disassociate themselves from his intransigence! Imagine an Iraqi Shoe-Thrower from South Carolina? If they are not accomplice to Joe Wilson unwarranted disrespect to the highest office of the land, then let them recall him or admonish him or vote him out; but to ignore it and pretend it is no big deal or that it is warranted; will only solidify what is already known of the people from that region of the country; and that Joe's outburst was deliberately targeted at the president, because he is occupying "their" White House?

Icheoku says, what a loser this Joe Wilson is, who still could not accept what November 4, 2008 brought into being! Who really owns America? The Indians? The early settlers? The slaves? The later immigrants of which the president's father, belongs to? Who indeed owns this country that the likes of Joe "You Lie" Wilson is huffing and puffing about, pretending as if his dad was Christopher Columbus or one of the Indian high chiefs? Not this time, Joe! There is no more slaves to own; we are all in this together as co-equals!

Once again, Icheoku says Mr Joe Wilson is yet to take personal responsibility for his disrespectful action; he has not voluntarily apologised to President Barack Obama, the United States Congress or the American people for his outburst? "His republican party officials made him call the White House", period! So, until Joe 'The Thug' Wilson, realises the gravity of his mistake and is contrite and seeks personal forgiveness, Icheoku says, he should remain the pariah which his disdain for a 'black-man who happen to be the duly elected president of the United States of America', has turned him into. Icheoku declares Congressman Joe 'You Lie' Wilson a racist redneck hillbilly!

Icheoku congratulates the former President Jimmy Carter, for braving to call it for what it is - "Joe Wilson's heckle was based on racism"! According to President Carter, "there is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president". Icheoku says, to these racists rednecks so identified by President Carter, President Barack Obama is here to stay and will serve out his four year term in office and God willing, another four year second term. President Barack Obama was duly elected president of this country by an overwhelming majority of Americans of all races on November 4, 2008! However, for some palliative and if that may help your migraine, please be once informed that President Barack Obama does not have any slave blood running in his veins; biologically and technically, he is not an African-American so called, but an African-African or better still, a Kenyan-American! Regrettably, most of these hilly-billy cave dwellers are not educated enough and are incapable of nuancing issues; hence they paint everyone with the same broad-brush without distinguishing what is what? If only these scoundrels of the present time, would see the president for who he is - not their slave descendant, but a true son of a Kenyan who came here to study, may be their blood pressure would have automatically been lowered or come down?

But for the heck of argument, assuming President Barack Obama's health care reform would benefit undocumented immigrants, Icheoku ask, were the early pilgrims left without any help when they first arrived these shores without any Visas or authorisation from the Indians who 'owned' the land? Who documented the forebears of this Joe Wilson? Were they not themselves illegals and undocumented aliens when they first got here back in the days? Did they not forcefully breach the shores of the new world without first asking for permission from the Indians to be allowed to come in? And he is also an immigration attorney who 'gamed' the system for the benefit of immigrants, whose money, paid his fees and lined up his bank accounts?

So to the Joes of this world:- Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack, Joe the Iraqi Shoe-Thrower, and Joe Tea Baggers, is now added a newly minted 'Joe You Lie Wilson!' What a club of infamy to belong by a United States Congressman from South Carolina, Joe Wilson? Some of today's world most notorious persons, whose hatred for other human species make their blood so boil over, as to exhibit such animalistic behavior! A shameless, hateful bunch who thrive in racial divisions to fodder their nests and propagate and sustain their warped agenda? Shame on you 'Joe You Have Not Apologised Wilson'