CHINYELU SUSAN ONWURAH, A FEMALE OBAMA OF THE UK?

Icheoku says, the wind of change which blew over the United States of America last November 4, 2008; seem to have gone off-shores; and now blowing the world over? From Russia to Italy and now to the United Kingdom, people of African descent are becoming more audacious and proactive in participatory politics in their "white" countries, despite all racial obstacles strewn in their paths. Thanks to the miracle of President Barack Obama last November 4, 2008 in the United States of America. In a loud shrill voice, another feline has hollered, "Yes I Can" as she threw her hat into the race to become a British member of Parliament (MP), representing Newcastle central district!

A Nigerian descent and British citizen, Ms. Chinyelu Susan Onwurah, is running for the House of Commons, to become the first black female member of parliament from Newcastle! The Labour Party (LP) has selected her as their candidate, to represent Newcastle Central district; in the 2010 parliamentary elections. Icheoku says congratulations CSO; and hopefully this Amazonian will win and add extra impetus to the raging wildfire of the new order, the "YES WE CAN" battle-cry which is infecting the world like epidermal virus; at a rate never imagined nor forseen? Happily enough the world is believing with them. Possibly, another Margret Thatcher in the making?

The 44-year-old Chiyelu Onwurah was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, of a Nigerian father from Awka Anambra State and a second generation Irish mother. She is running for the seat being vacated by retiring veteran MP Jim Cousins; who is leaving after 22 years in parliament representing Newcastle central district. The engineer-turned politician, studied Electrical Engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology and also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School. Icheoku does not know much about her private life; but it would appear she is a UK version of America's Condolezza Rice, to whom career meant everything; and men and family can wait? And like President Barack Obama of America, Chinyelu Susan Onwurah has an African father and an white mother. Obama's father is Kenyan who married Barack's American white mother while Chinyelu's father is from Nigeria and married Chinyelu's Irish descent white mother.

Chinyelu is among the over 80 blacks and other minority ethnic candidates from the main political parties who are running for office in various constituencies throughout UK in the next election. Icheoku prays that the good Lord who swept President Barack Obama into America's White House will also provide Chinyelu Susan Onwurah the much needed tail-wind to get her into the chambers of the British House of Commons! Admitted that she hardly knows Nigeria, but Icheoku like many other Diaspora Nigerians and people with some connection with Nigeria, are rooting for her success in the forthcoming election. It is one heck of a "can do" spirit in display and she will surely do it! When she wins, it will be a strong message, loud and clear, that the genie let out by President Barack Obama in the most audacious manner, can no longer be put back into the bottle. Once again, congratulations and God's speed, Chinyelu Susan Onwurah! Chinyelu can do it, YES SHE CAN! So vote for Chinyelu Susan Onwurah for parliament!

BENUE STATE, THE BAN OF OGOGORO?

Russia and majority of Eastern Europe is known for their vodka? Scotland is known for their whisky? France is known for their cognac-brandy and bubbly drinks including champagne? California is known for their wines? England is known for their gin? Jamaica is known for their rum? Now therefore, could any government officials of Benue State, Nigeria tell Icheoku what is wrong with Nigeria being known for Benue State's local gin, OGOGORO?

Icheoku says, instead of the prohibition on ogogoro, the government of Benue State should regulate their production, distribution and consumption; and tax the activities as may be deemed appropriate for revenue for the state. Also they can start an out-reach program to educate the locals on the dangers of over-consumption or advise them to dilute the 'pure' alcohol with water before quaffinf them down? There is nothing wrong with any alcoholic beaverage including ogogoro, provided it is consumed as expected; and its prevalence does not in any way result to social disharmony! As was proved in America during the days of prohibition, whenever government seeks or attempts to legislate out such activity, they usually succeed only in driving it underground, thereby creating a source of untold wealth, for men with heart who will then embark on the underworld trade in the product; and like the mafia, will then become ruthlessly wealthy from such racketeering? The solution therefore is to let the sleeeping dog lie, at most regulate and tax it.

According to reports coming out of Benue State, Ogogoro activists in the state have gone to court to challenge the "Local/Illicit Gin (Ogogoro) Prohibition Law 2009" which purports to make illegal, the production, distribution, transportation, possession and consumption of the clear-liquid, the vodka of Nigeria, Ogogoro! Icheoku condemns this thoughtless government's excessive intrusiveness into a purely private affair/sector of the people of Benue state; which activity has been with the people as long as memory could recall, preceeding the state's creation and will sure outlive these present government trying to outlaw it? It is our position that the state should have encouraged rather its present acts of chastisement and indignation of an activity which means a lot for the people. But whether Governor Suswan has signed the legislation into law and what pushed his hands is not yet within our knowledge?

Why disturb this small scale industry which employs quite a handful of Benue State people and saves them so much money as well as foreign exchange which would have ordinarily been spent on imported foreign counterparts? What happened to Nigeria made goods, including drinks and Ogogoro? Did this confused government officials in Benue state think through their action, regarding employment opportunities, and the attendant consequences of the current prohitbition, including the millions engaged in production, distribution, transportation, sales and consumption of the clear-liquid? Where would they now go; and do what? Ogogoro, also known as ethanol, dry gin, moonshine, homebrew, akpeteshe, Sapele water, jembele, Kparaga, kai-kai, push-me-I-push-you, crim-kena, kin-n-kana, Sonsé should just be left alone and not be prohibited. It is highly beneficial for its extensive use and could be another source of revenue generation for the state! With 60% alcohol content, who says this Nigerian homebrew could not be made an export-market product to help generate needed foreign exchange? Also what about the spirits of the land that drink only ogogoro during offerings and brides, whom it is used for their wedding/marriage libation? What will happen to these group of disproportionatly affected people now that ogogoro is prohibited? It is simply not a good law and should be reversed or not signed into law by the governor, if not yet signed! There is no palliative remedy which this law seeks to urgently achieve.

If some people over-dosed on the alcohol and died as a result, so what; after-all it is not the first thing to have ever killed people? People die in airplane accidents yet planes are being manufactured and still flown in? Guns kill people yet gun-manufacturers have not ceased doing business? Food poisoning also kills, so why the fuss about ogogoro killing four alcholics? What needed to be done is to regulate its production to ensure compliance with quality controlled chemical compositions; and dilute and water it down to a tolerable and acceptable percentage may be to about 40%. Just treat it like any other alcoholic beverages from anywhere in the world and there will be peace in the land of ogogoro. That four people died as a result of alcohol poisoning is not enough reason for the wholesale ban of the product; people die everyday and even from motor accidents and yet motor manufacturers are still doing business. To ban ogogoro in this way is not the solution to avoid future poisoning, as it is akin to throwing the baby away with the bath water. It is too broad and so over-reaching; since because of just four deaths, several millions of other ogogoro-loving peoples' happiness is now being mortgaged. The law is just another colonial mentality legislation, which brands everything Nigerian inferior while anything foreign is superior? What is the difference between ogogoro, gin or vodka; but in labelling and their country of origin? Even the process of fermentation and distillation are practically the same; especially with America's moonshine? Pour three of them in a glass cup and you wont know the difference?

But to win the present case, the plaintiffs need to prove more than just 'challenging the powers of the House of Assembly to pass such an unfriendly law?' They will not succeed on this ground since the legislature reserve the right to pass any law which they may deem fit as geared towards maintainingg law and order; and which may generate revenue for the state? The grounds for the action would have been undue economic hardship which would adversely affect their means of livelihood. They could also raise the issue of deprivation of revenue to the state in form of taxes which hey pay on income from their engagement in the ogogoro business? That there is no over-riding public interest for the law; or social disorder the new law is meant to curb or protect against? Further they could generally plead 'unconstitutional and over-reaching as it violated their right to life as it jeopardises their means of livelihood since a hungry man is guarranteed to die of hunger; and such other fanciful forensic grounds as may weigh favorably on their side and persuade the trial judge to see with them.

They can also specifically plead that they are being specifically targeted due to different political viewpoints which they hold against the PDP government of the state? Better still, a political dimension wherein they pursue the matter through the electorates and constituencies might be a better approach? But as far as we know, "the Benue State House of Assembly has the legislative power and competence under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make the law banning the brewing, consumption and trading in Ogogoro or any other alcoholic or intoxicating drink." So, these ogogoro dealers must find another convincing evidence to persuade the court to do their bidding. Admitted that if the new law conflicts with an existing federal legislative list already covered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act 2004, and other relevant laws regulating alcoholic drinks; then maybe, they may have very good ground to canvass untra-vires; provided of course there is no lacunae in the federal law that accommodated the states action?

That ogogoro is cheap, inexpensive and readily available may be a strong point weighing against the drink in the eyes of the Nigerian oppressors, Benue State chapter; who derive joy in seeing the common man suffer and languish in pains? Also may be some foreign alcoholic beaverages manufacturers, smugglers and importers lobbied the legisalture for the ban in order to take over the market, being vacated by the ogogoro dealers? If anything calls for civil disobedience, Icheoku says, this prohibition sure looks like one and the people of Benue State must not allow their government to unduly restrict their use of the only thing that still makes them happy in these days of so much want in motherland. Statistics shows that ogogoro has not killed any more people than any other drinks taken in excess; or even the hardship or road accidents in Nigeria; so why single that out for prohibition? Further, ogogoro has other beneficial use being an anti-cholesterol agent, used in washing pig meat (pork) to reduce the cholesterol level and to prevent arteriosclerosis. It is also used in washing snail and dog meat to remove their slim; Ogogoro is a choice-drink for both the old and the young people of Benue State and a 'good source of energy' to farmers who use it as energy-booster during their farming season? Icheoku says, ogogoro being an 'energy-drink' is somewhat debatable; but hey, we have "Redbull", "Monster-drink", etc; so why not?

According to one commentator, "once the liquor is banned in Benue State, then the sale and consumption will go underground!" Icheoku collaborates this with reference to the moonshine nightmare in the United States of America's Appalachian belt? The good old redneck hillbillies just went further away from civilization, into the caves, taking their moonshine distillery with them? The solution is just regulate the activities, with chemists appointed as inspectors to ensure compliance to quality control and alcohol content of the brew? Organize the indusrty, the state can build cottage industries to harmonize the process of ogogoro distilling with a view to branding it formally, as a sort of gin for both export and local market? Call it "Naija Gin" or "Nigeria Dry Gin" or even "Tiv Gin" if you like; but let Ogogoro be! Leave the 'energy-drink and poor man's viagra' alone!

CATHOLIC CHURCH, WILL THEIR PRIESTS NOW MARRY?

Icheoku asks what happened to our Lord's instruction, "to carry your cross and follow me?" Did the Vatican think through its most recent decision or were they just selfishly being moved by what is in it for their faith? If they want to swallow up the Anglican faith, why must they make such grave concession to permit the inbound flocks to come back with their bags and baggage? Why must they grant the Anglicans' cache-blanc re-admission back into the catholic church; including their priests right to marry?

If Icheoku recalls very well, the Anglican church used to be part of the Roman Catholic Church before monetary matters, St. Peter's pence, drove them out of the fold? It is equally instructive to note that marital preferences and differences, played a major part too in the split between both churches. In 1534 the then King of England, King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment, which riled him so much that he bolted away with his subjects to form the English(Anglo)-Catholic church aka Anglican, permanently splitting from the Rome(Roman)-Catholic aka Catholic church. Now the Pope Benedict XVI, desirous of a bigger congregation, is giving them a free passage with all their baggage back to the catholic church?

Icheoku says, if the objective of Vatican is to entice back the Anglican traditionalists, who loathe gays and lesbians and women ordination, how then does the church plan to reconcile the likely priestly-marital friction that will ensue with the celibate catholic priests; who may find such condescension objectionable and unacceptable? According to the Vatican plan, the anticipated change will allow conservative Anglicans from around the world to join the Catholic Church while retaining aspects of their Anglican liturgy and identity, including married priests! So the question remains, what will the celibate catholic priests now do or will they fight for equalisation of the priesthood along a level playing field, sort of?

With an already 1.1-billion strong membership, what the Catholic Church is doing is tantamount to a hostile take-over of the Anglican Communion, coveting the just 77-million-strong Anglican Communion! In the words of one of the protagonists of this marriage of convenience, "this is a moment of grace, perhaps even a moment of history, not because the past is undone but because the past is transformed!" So Icheoku asks, will the catholic priests' compelled celibacy be equally transformed, so that they can now openly keep dates, girlfriends or boyfriends and marry if they choose to. This and only this will complete this current transformation of the past which the church has just embarked on with this unconditional re-admission of the strayed Anglican flock! It is to be noted that Anglicans in United States of America are known as Episcopalians.

Icheoku says, this very Pope Benedict XVI is really up to something earth-shattering! It was just recently that he made a daring move to rehabilitate four formerly ex-communicated ultra-conservative bishops, including one Holocaust-denier; in a bid to bring them back to the catholic fold? Now he is allowing married priests of the Anglican order back to the catholic church, unconditionally and still married? Who knows what next is up his sleeves? But will this new Papal vision, which will allow married Anglican priests and their seminarians to become ordained as Catholic priests while still remaining married, now become a source of friction with those celibate catholic priests who will feel betrayed by the easy accomodation? Could it be a case of the biblical parable of the prodigal son, now come back to life in 2009; with wayward Anglicans now being rewarded to the chagrin of the good old Catholic faithfuls?

However, the proviso that married Anglicans cannot become Catholic bishops seems to be discriminatory, as the bar has no reasonable justification or basis whatsoever; after-all it is those same priests who eventually rose to become bishops. In one heck of grammatical enunciation, the Vatican said, "the new model doesn't create a new rite, but rather an Anglicanized liturgy within the Latin rite?" Icheoku says, what a wonderful syntax and synchronization of words, but will that make it acceptable? Anyway, Icheoku, alongside a dumbfound and doubtful world is watching to see how this marriage of two polar-opposites plays out; but we do not find this latest papal adventure amusing, to say the least. Our verdict is that it might lead to an unmanageable upheaval in the catholic family, especially on the issue of priestly celibacy!

BALLOON OVER COLORADO, A HOAXY JOYRIDE?

He is a Harry Porter look-alike who with his family, conspired to keep the world gasping in prayers for his safety, as a helium filled UFO-like balloon floated over the skies of Colorado; supposedly with him trapped inside?

The cat was somehow let out of the bag when the innocent little boy blurted out on CNN Larry King Live, that they did it for show! In Falcon Heene's very own words, retorting to his dad, he said, "you had said we did this for a show?" His flabbergasted parents were shocked to hear their dark concocted story laid bare and every effort at putting the genie back into the bottle was rather too late; and now the authorities in Colorado are planning a felony charge indictment for the 'gone with the balloon' hoax of the year!

Icheoku says, what would people not do just for their 15 minutes fame and few thousands of dollars from a prospective reality television show?

Richard and Mayumi Heene, the parents of the six year old-boy, Falcon Heene are known for their lust for fame and money having appeared in Wife Swap and were allegedly marketing a reality TV show with some studios in Los Angeles? They came up with an elaborate hoax to attract the most airtime free publicity by alarming that their boy had become airborne in a helium filled balloon contraption?

Icheoku says, the bad thing about such hoax as this is that someday, a more serious situation might arise with disillusioned populace and media saying it might just be another hoax thereby loosing some valuable time before help could be summoned.

Now it is being said that the boy may not have even been hiding in the attics as claimed, during the intense five-hour search for him on Thursday, October 16, 2009? Falcon Heene may have been two blocks down the road playing on the swing in the city park when the whole safety and emergency team Colorado could muster were pursuing a passenger-less balloon, floating high in the skies of Colorado?

The scam temporarily shut down Denver International Airport and caused the National Guard to scramble two helicopters in an attempt to rescue a boy, believed to be trapped inside the flying-saucer like homemade balloon; that coasted more than 50 miles across two counties before finally deflating for a touchdown; but did not produce the object of the find and rescue effort? When the boy was not found, he was thought to have fallen out somewhere along the 50 miles ride and hence began the grim search for his body. The hoax played out on live television to millions of viewers worldwide.

The parents are facing charges including conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. Federal charges were also possible since aviation was implicated leading to the scrambling of two National Guards helicopters to join the find and rescue effort. If convicted, the parents face up to six years in prison and a fine of $500,000.00? Icheoku asks, was it worth it, Mr Richard and Mayumi Heene?

What a way to raise children, teaching their three young boys how to be trained liars and lying to authorities at ages 10, 8 and six? According to reports, the three Heene's sons knew of the hoax and one of them had told authorities that he saw his brother get inside the balloon's undercarriage shortly before it launched into air. However their very young age precludes any charges from being brought against them, being minors.

What a dysfunctional family who craved to live in the limelight so much that they would cause such a global pandemonium just for their selfish interest? All just for lights, camera and action! A crazed-out parents who would readily co-opt their very young children into a scheme of lying to the authorities, in their futile attempt at pulling off the biggest hoax of the century? Icheoku says, shame on you Mr. Richard and Mrs Mayumi Heene!

DELE GIWA, 23 YEARS LATER STILL NO ARREST?

Nigeria we hail thee! Is there really any hope for the future for a country which is still investigating the murder of Dele Giwa, 23 years after his gruesome parcel-bomb killing?

It was October 19, 1986 in Ikeja, Lagos, while taking his breakfast that a parcel bomb, believed to have been sent by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida dispatched him to eternity! Now October 19, 2009; 23 odd years later, his killers have not been found nor any conclusive investigation carried out to unravel his killers and bring them to justice. Dele Giwa was the former founding Editor-in-Chief of NewsWatch magazine!

Regrettably, his colleagues at NewsWatch, the early team of Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohamed sold out on him; and have since moved on; consigning the memory of this their former colleague to the heap of ancient history. Icheoku asks, where is the courage that journalists are known for, and which they are supposed to display at times like this? What happened to the cause for which their former colleague gave up his life, pursuing? Was the alleged Gloria Okon's story that brought IBB's hit-men to town, not meant as a scoop for the then trail-blazing NewsWatch Magazine for which they all stood to benefit from? But good men are often interred with their bones and so was Dele Giwa's, who is now but a blimp in the radar of Nigerians killed, just another Nigerian that once lived. Icheoku says, NewsWatch did not do right by and for Dele Giwa; and because of this, they should be very ashamed of themselves as a bunch of castrated pigs, who joined forces with the killers of Dele Giwa to subvert investigation into his murder!

Nigerian Union of Journalists allowed their colleague's death to go unsung; their colleague was killed and they just turned tails? The judiciary or whatever resembles or represents it in Nigeria today, what are they doing to force proceedings in this gruesome death of a journalist who was just doing his work, trying to unravel the biggest drug-running by a Nigerian army general who was then sitting at Dodan Barracks as a ruling despotic military junta? A self styled evil genius, who has not taken responsibility for this murder, by parcel bomb of Dele Giwa, 23 years after? To Nigeria's Attorney General Micheal Kassie Aodonkaa, Icheoku says, Nigerians have since lost hope in your efficiency and ability to discharge the duties of your office; we have earlier called for your resignation or firing from the job which you have taken down to its lowest ebb ever. Since your inception as the AG, nothing notable or tangible could be attributed to your years in office; not even the death of Bola Ige have you investigated? It is a known fact that you are neck-deep in the corrupt power-play that is Nigerian politics, and would shield the party responsible for Dele Giwa's death at any cost necessary. Therefore there is no need for us to implore you to do something about Dele Giwa's death and investigation since we already know you will not? To the greater Nigerian civil society, another toothless bulldogs, victims of the oppressors of Nigeria state, it would appear that Dele Giwa's death has come to an inconclusive shameful end; as investigation thereto have stalled and deliberately so, just to protect the bloody self-styled prince of Minna!

Icheoku says, shame on these collaborators of Nigeria state, whose hands are dripping with the blood of so many innocent victims of the Nigeria state, including that of Dele Giwa. It shall not be well with you; as every innocent blood shed, like the biblical Cain's brother Abel's, cries to the Lord for redress; and so is Nigeria in turmoil, being punished for the shed blood of all innocent Nigerians. To the octogenarian, aged mother of Dele Giwa, Elekhia Giwa and family, Icheoku says take heart; the Almighty Lord is the rewarder who shall reward each according to his deeds. If IBB is not, cannot and would not be held accountable in Nigeria because he is an untouchable monster, someday he shall and possibly in hellfire! Our dear Dele Giwa, as we remember you today October 19, 2009, on the occasion of your 23 years memorial/remembrance anniversary, we say may your soul remain restless until the bloody murderer is held accountable! Adieu Dele Giwa!

MALDIVES, GOVERNING FROM DOWN UNDER WATER?

A government that will go under water to conduct the affairs of governance just to prove a point, should and must be taken seriously; as what they are crying for touches their very existential soul. Icheoku says, President Mohammed Nasheed of Maldives and his cabinet were exceptionally proactive in graphically and symbolically drawing the attention of the world to their plight, - the possibility that they may soon someday be submerged under water due to effects of global warming phenomenon?

Adorned in scuba diving gears and using hand signals, the government of Maldives held their first underwater executive meeting seating at a conference table on the sea floor, to highlight the threat of global warming to the their country, the lowest-lying nation on earth. The venue for this aquatic government meeting was in a lagoon, off the island of Girifushi, usually reserved for military training; where they were submerged under about 20 feet of water! Icheoku says what an incredible feat to pull off and a logistical nightmare overcame, which took more than just planning to accomplish.

If the objective of this meeting was to draw attention to their fears that rising sea levels caused by the melting of polar ice caps could swamp their Indian Ocean archipelago within a century, Icheoku says, it definitely achieved its objective as the whole world tuned in, watched and listened to the one of a kind first meeting under water surrounded by coral reefs.

The Maldives is a front-line state in the battle against the effects of global warming; which could result in many ocean surges. With some of the islands on the archipelago barely 7 feet above water, Icheoku says, their fears is probably well founded as it will only take a fair surge of tsunami-like water current to wash the island off?In the president's words, "we have to get the message across by being more imaginative, more creative and so this is what we are doing!" Icheoku says, it was as creative as it was well imagined, Mr. President!

As bubbles floated up from their face masks, the president, vice president, Cabinet secretary and 11 ministers signed a document calling on all countries to cut their carbon dioxide emissions. Icheoku says, this is major in view of the upcoming United Nations climate change conference in December 2009 in Copenhagen Denmark. Particpating countries will negotiate a successor to the Kyoto Protocol with aims to cutting the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, that scientists blame for causing global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere?

Pursuant to further securing the future survival of his islands nation, President Nasheed announced plans for a fund to buy a new homeland for his people should the 1,192 low-lying coral islands ever submerge. He also promised to make the Maldives, with a population of 350,000, the world's first carbon-neutral nation within a decade! Icheoku says, taking governance under water is a remarkable feat and hopefully the message has been received by the parties whose actions affect climatic changes! Kudos to President Nasheed of Maldives and his cabinet.

IT IS DEJA VU IN LOUISIANA, NO MIXED MARRIAGES?

Rewind to pre-1967 anti-miscegenation South, when it was 'treasonable felony', punishable by death by public lynching and hanging on a tree branch for some macabre display, for any "nigger" seen messing around with any white girl? That South, with such a dark mindset, still exists today? Albeit without the vagrant exhibitionism of lynched, life-drained bodies dangling from tree branches. That South under advisement appears to remain true in today's 2009 Louisiana!

Anyone in doubt about the continuous existence of that kind of south or generally, racism in America, never visited the deep southern part of America? Better still, that person should continue reading this story; of a Justice of the Peace who would not wed a couple because they are of mixed race? America's deep south, the bastion of racism, which plunged the country into a civil war that claimed the lives of more than 600, 000 Americans because they wanted to retain slavery? Who says that racism is dead in America; no, not really and not even with President Barack Obama election as president?

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way!" With those words, a Tangipahoa Parish's 8th Ward Louisiana justice of the peace, Keith Bardwell pictured below right in cap and wearing a t-shirt with "got love" written on it; refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple Beth Humphrey, 30, and Terence McKay, 32, pictured here below left, both of Hammond Louisiana. In his attempted insane of an explanation, JP Bardwell said, 'it is my experience that most interracial marriages do not last long; which forces Icheoku to retort, is it mono-racial marriages that lasts long? This is simply a holier-than-thou attitude which has been proved wrong severally in the past. It is the same warped theory which preaches against gay couple raising children, but yet do not find anything wrong with a woman marrying severally and sometimes up to five times, forcing her children to tag along into several step-fathers' homes in the process; and same goes with some men. Further, Mr. Bardwell claimed his refusal to marry the couple was out of concern for their children's place in America?

Continuing, Mr. Bardwell said that he came to the conclusion that 'most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does the white society!' Icheoku yields to this point, since such children are usually accused of either not being black enough or too tanned for comfort?' Recall that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had racially referenced the Obamas as "tanned"?

This is the truth about America and anyone pretending otherwise is being very economical with the truth. Admitted that President Barack Obama is a living example of a successful bi-racial child, and an ambassador of racially mixed marriages; but that alone does not completely wipe out the attached 'stigma' as neither race accepts the 'product-child' as a bona-fide member of their group. Actress Hale Berry has done well for herself too, but how many Hallie Berrys are there in the American society? Admitted that there are mixed marriages and mixed couples practically everywhere, but society still stares down at them as an aberration. Like Rush Limbaugh, JP Keith Bardwell has now also braved a thorny issue, although politically incorrect, but is the real situation in today's America where the color of the skin still matters a lot and makes most, if not all the difference.

The late King of Pop, Michael Jackson was so frustrated with what was going on with race relations in America that he sarcastically tried to find motivation in it with his song "black or white"? The singer had sang "it does not matter if you are black or white;" but Icheoku says, sure it does really matter and greatly too! Now the Justice of Peace in Tangapahoa parish Louisiana, Keith Bardwell, right, has once again proved according to his fellow travelers in days of yore, that "slavery had its merits?"

Continuing, Mr Bardwell said, "there is a problem with both groups (black and white) accepting a child from such a marriage; I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it." In other words, Mr. Bardwell refused to be an instrument used in bringing children to be touted, discriminated against and rejected by a society of color, which is still heavily prejudiced, admitted it is now mainly subterranean. Icheoku says, anyone claiming ignorance of the fact of racism or pretending that "it is so unbelievable" or that "it's not something you expect in this day and age;" is simply speaking with a forked tongue and in denial of the obvious truth prevalent in our society till date.

It is also rather regrettable that this 'no-mixed marriage' decision is happening in America's 2009; forty-two years since the Supreme Court ruling in the 1967 case of Loving vs Virginia, which held "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry?" In the courts own ruling, it said, "Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the state." Icheoku says, it is and will not be the first time people have circumvented a valid subsisting ruling of the Supreme Court in one way or another; as Board of Education vs. Brown has been subverted by private and public schools systems - one for the affluent white majority and the other for blacks and minorities living in the hood?

Mr. Bardwell, who has been a Justice of the Peace for 34 years, concluded "I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them I wouldn't do it." Sounds logical, it depends on who is judging the judge! "I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves. I feel the children will later suffer." Icheoku queries, could this JP's expressed concerns be genuine, in an American society which is still color phobic? May be, but we find it contradictory, the assertion of Mr. Bardwell that he 'treats everyone as equal.' If this is the case, why not simply marry the "equal" black and white couple or was he saying they were unequally yoked in love? It will be recalled that Tangipahoa Parish is as white and monolithic in racial distribution as you can get with over 70 percent white and 30 percent black and other minorities. But does these facts give Mr Bardwell the right to dictate who one marries? Icheoku says, we don't think so; but he correctly argued his position that he merely declined a service but never barred the couple from marrying!

ATIKU ABUBAKAR, A PRE-EMINENT BANK-DEBTOR?

It is not surprising that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku was among the leeches of Nigeria, who are seating on billions of Naira, unpaid Nigerian banks assets. According to a Central Bank of Nigeria's released report, the former vice-president and now, turned political charlatan, Atiku Abubakar is among those Nigerians who took out various bank loans which they did not intend or planned to pay back? Bank-debtor, Atiku Abubakar owes the sum of 111 million Naira ($730,000 or £450,000) to the banks; and until he pays back this outstanding debt with its accrued interest in full, to the creditor banks, Atiku remains a debtor extra-ordinaire! For trying to hold up a Nigerian bank and refusing to pay back his loan obligation, Icheoku hereby declares Atiku Abubakar a 'debit-daddy emeritus' of Nigerian banks!

It is not surprising at all that Atiku made the bank-debtor list; what is indeed surprising is the name missing on the final published list of politicians and businessmen, behaving badly and using Nigeria's money to feed their gluttonous greed. They have the access and the connection and the power, and they corruptly took advantage of it; enriched themselves by pressuring bank executives into making-out loans they did not intend or plan to pay back; and without properly securing it with adequate collateral. The ways and means of Nigerian men of power; which, were it a civilized, functioning society would have found them wanting, rounded up and put on trial for corruption and abuse of office?

Top on the list of missing person on the bank-debtor list is former Atiku's boss, Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo! He had previously admitted obtaining various bank loans with which he turned around his hitherto moribund 'Obasanjo's Farms'; from a near-bankrupt company with net worth of just about 20,000 Naira in 1999 into the multi billion Naira conglomerate it is today? Icheoku will like to know whether Olusegun Obasanjo has amortised the various debts he owes to some banks; and if yes, how he sourced the money within such a short period of leaving office? Except of course they were proceeds of corruption, which his government, reputedly took to a dizzying heights, becoming 'corruption-incarnate' in the process. So, the news would have been that Olusegun Obasanjo owes banks 100 billion Naira and not that Atiku Abubakar is owing a "misery" 111 million Naira?

Atiku Abubakar was a very corrupt vice president serving alongside an also, very corrupt then president Olusegun Obasanjo. When Gbenga Obasanjo tried to warn Nigerians that Atiku was pawning off Nigerian assets to himself for a pittance, nobody believed he was telling the truth due to the problem existing between his father, the then president Olusegun Obasanjo and his then vice president Abubakar Atiku. Icheoku is not particularly shocked at the amount being owed and outstanding, and by the same man who wanted to rule Nigeria at any and all cost possible? Thanks to the dogged stubbornness and determination of Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo who insisted that 'the Atiku he know cannot, must not and should not be allowed to rule Nigeria because he is very corrupt and might appropriate the entire nation to himself, given the opportunity?' Icheoku usually do not agree with Olusegun Obasanjo, but in this case, says, may be the medicine man of Otta was right in stopping Atiku at the door to Aso Rock!

Therefore Icheoku demands that CBN and EFCC come clean on this man, Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo; and let Nigerians know what kind of person he really is that would visit such magnitude of mayhem on the people of Nigeria? Whether he is also a bank debtor or so corruptly enriched himself that he had no need of any bank loans would have made a better headlines? Icheoku says, if according to reports, this marks the end of the forensic audit of Nigeria's 24 banks and financial institutions; then that would imply that Olusegun Obasanjo is debt-free? It must then be a magic or the end has not been conclusively and thoroughly reached; except President Umaru Yar'Adua is protecting his benefactor! The good news however and which will keep hope alive that possibly Olusegun basanjo will be held accoutable is that the debts to WemaBank, have not been revealed. May be then and only then will Icheoku comment again on this ugly episode of the mess called 'Nigeria financial scandal of the century.'

It is our position that if ever Olusegun Obasanjo comes out of this Nigerian banks scandalous saga, clean like a wind-driven snow, then something must definitely be wrong somewhere; and we shall stand bemused and so will even his most lenient critic. Given that behind every stupendous wealth, there is always a crime; Icheoku says, these billionaires feeding fat on bank money should not be allowed to continue to enjoy the proceeds of their "bank-fraud!" They should pony it up or be locked up; and their assets confiscated and auctioned off, to pay for whatever balance they may still owe with accrued interest, where they fail to pay up as demanded. As a last resort, they should be made to face arrest and trial for their activities? This is the proper thing to do and now is the time to do it; with the fearless prince of Kano still at the helm at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Icheoku appreciates your bravery, taking on these greedy vultures of Nigeria who have been feasting and leeching-off a drowsy sleepy Nigeria and for too long! Kudos to SLS!

FYI:- President Umaru Yar'Adua should consider firing his Culture Minister, Adetokunbo Kayode, for bringing odium to his government; being one of these defaulting debtors implicated; and who refused to meet up and pay back their outstanding loan obligations to these banks.

RUSH LIMBAUGH, AXED!

Hunkered down behind 'the EIB golden microphone with half his brain tied to his back,' KKK poster-man and spokesman extra-ordinaire, Rush Limbaugh, operates as the most divisive and incendiary figure in today's America! He is an epitome of pre-civil rights America Jim Crow and as racists as you can get!

So it was no surprise when NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell said, 'he would not tolerate "divisive" comments from an NFL owner," like the one Rush Limbaugh made about Donovan McNabb in 2003? Denigrating the abilities of McNabb as 'equal opportunity', Rush said, "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well." Icheoku says, possibly Commissioner Goodell has not been listening to the talk-show host-from-hell, otherwise he would have known that Rush Limbaugh is the reservoir of hate speech in America; and has said far more worst things, including against President Barack Obama? With Rush Limbaugh, slavery would have continued till date, since according to his warped deranged thinking, "slavery had its merits?" Icheoku says, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs are the unrepentant and unapologetic faces of racism in today's America; and they sure look like over-riped pumpkins or better still, over-fed pigs for the slaughter!

I plead guilty to listening to Rush Limbaugh over the years now; admitted he has a mastery of the language and have passion for what he does best; but his hatred or aversion for minorities especially blacks is rather too confrontational. Sometimes, one wonders if Rush Limbaugh forgot that before Christopher Columbus 'discovered' the new world that Indians were inhabiting this land; and that the crew and passengers of Mayflower did not obtain any visas or entry permits from the native Indians before their landing. But now he would like to exclude everybody not Anglo-Saxon from the United States of America; and as far as he is concerned, any none European and/or not so paled-skinned person could be shipped back to Africa and wherever nook and crannies of the world that produced them? That is Rush for you! This is a man who would not have none of the good efforts at racially integrating America fully and completely that he once praised slavery as having some merits? And if there is one thing sports was meant to do, it is to help smoothen relations amongst the divergent races involved therein through their constant interactions; but here comes 'Mr. Divisiveness' desiring to buy an NFL team? Icheoku asks, was he planning to fire every person of color involved with the St. Louis Rams or deal with them through proxies of less hating white surrogates?

However Icheoku would have loved to see how this hateful-relationship worked out; with Rush Limbaugh forking out his money to pay the same 'niggers' he constantly derided as thugs, gangsters and druggies? Could he have possibly accepted a bear-hug from any of the 'nigger-player' following a win or worst case scenario, assuming the Rams were to miraculously pull off a championship win and on a victory visit to the White House, would Rush have excused himself from meeting his number one foe, the person he hates most in America, President Barack Obama?

But we may now never know how these different scenarios would have played out; may be the NFL Commissioner did Rush Limbaugh a great deal of favor by forcing his axing now, from the potential buyers of the Rams! Rush, Icheoku says, how about that for science; may be you can celebrate this your firing as a victory, that the world never got the opportunity to see the true racism in you! But if Icheoku had the call, we would have allowed him to buy into the Rams so that he can really feel it - the blackness of American sports! As far as Icheoku is concerned, the worst thing you can do to a hater is to force him or her to share very close quarters or intimate surrounding with his despised. That way you force him to vomit and swallow back his puke; you force him to internally combust and this would have been the best treatment to mete out to Rush Limbaugh.

And so it was that conservative radio talk-show host, Rush Limbaugh was dropped from the group seeking to buy St. Louis Rams. In the words of the chairman of the group leading the effort, St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts, "Limbaugh's participation had complicated the effort; so the group will move forward without him." Icheoku cries holly-macro as Rush Limbaugh has been spared a ton of bricks which his ownership would have landed upon him, by this pronouncement. He would have been allowed into the tigers cage for a feast of red meat! To Rush Limbaugh, Icheoku says, this is not about effort to destroy conservatism or to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative. No it is a rejection of racism, divisiveness, mocking of the sick and infirm, segregation and crass hatred of people of color; as Rush Limbaugh has displayed unabashedly and for so many years now! One wonders how FCC has permitted the venom oozing out of his mouth, over the airwaves and for this long; and continuing? Rush Limbaugh is, simply put, polluting the airwaves and needs to be bottled up and shut off! America is moving forward but the likes of Rush Limbaugh are tugging it back; and this ought and must stop! Yes, Rush Limbaugh's rejection is about the future of the United States of America and the kind of country we're going to have; a country where everyone is treated with respect as full human-beings without regards to skin pigmentation!

Rush Limbaugh had thought he could talk himself out of the tight corner, where his past collided with his present desires to box him in, but not this time! Overwhelming evidence said 'NO'! Trying to pull a hare out of his hat, he said, "I'm not even thinking of caving, I am not a caver. Pioneers take the arrows. We are pioneers. It's a sad thing that our country, over 200 years old now, needs pioneers all over again, but we do."

Rush, Icheoku says you overestimated yourself and underestimated the tenacity and resolve of your opponents, for which you have taken the boot in the rear now! One of the biggest mistakes people with such bloated sense of self make, is being too cocky-sure they are just that good and too good to fail. Rush made that mistake by not taking a fall, apologising for his past intrasigencies as a harmless show-business induced diatribes, which were just for ratings sake; and not a true reflection of himself? He would have sold a dummy that even his assistant Snugly is a black-man, which shows that he does not hate black people that much; but no, instead he tried to justify what is unjustifiable; and in some cases even tried to deny he ever said what are on record as his uncontroverted statements. In the words of one leading face of black-activism in America, Al Sharpton, "it is a moral victory for all Americans — especially the players that have been unfairly castigated by Rush Limbaugh. This decision will also uphold the unifying standards of major sports."

It is gratifying that Rush Limbaugh has once again failed, having failed several times in the past and even very recently. He cost Republicans their mid-term elections in 2002; again in 2004 and the final whammy in 2008, when they lost all three governments outposts of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives which they hitherto held. He also pushed the presidential candidacy of Mitt Romney and he failed woefully; he adopted the air-head of Alaska Sarah Palin and she cost John McCain the presidency. So in a way, America have understood the buffoonery of this racist pig and no longer take him seriously, being the hateful clown he is. Now he has become one heck of an ignominious loser! One thing bad with losers is that nobody wants to be associated with them; and very soon Rush Limbaugh's chickens will come home to roost; but may be then it would be too late for him to change course! Icheoku says, what an irony that Rush Limbaugh who just recently called for the segregation of school buses, now wants to buy a desegregated National Football League's Saint Louis Rams? Surely, this is a man at war with himself and who challenges his destiny by pushing the envelope too far!

FYI:- Icheoku thinks Rush Limbaugh looks better in his former exploding 'Michelin-tire man' image. Whoever advised him on this new trim-look does not know what Rush stands for, as his former 'Snowball-piggish' look suits him better for his Klan image. So Rush, go back to chowing down more steaks, chips and potatoes; downing them with beers of all sorts. For Rush Limbaugh, gluttony is better!

MARIA SHRIVER-SCHWARZENEGGER, BREAKING THE LAW?

Her husband is the governor of California, so? She is a Kennedy, and? She broke the law and that is the gist of this moment. A law brought into being, courtesy of her husband's 'governator' signature! Should she be held accountable, you bet; at least as a poster-lady for driving while talking on the cellphone without hands-free set! Yep, that is the malady her husband's signed law was meant to checkmate and look who is not in compliance, the first lady of California, Maria Shriver-Schwarzenegger.

Courtesy of the trail-brazing celebrity-watchdog, TMZ, Maria SS was caught with her pants down, holding and probably talking on her cell phone with one hand, while pushing a 3-ton beast, a Cadillac Escalade SUV, with her other spare hand? It is just not right, it does not show a good example; admitted no CHP or other police officer was there to pull her over and ticket her, she should do the right thing, pony up a fine? Icheoku says, in the spirit of the letters of the law signed by her husband, Arnold; and as a role-model for her many fans and admirers, as well as her 'subjects', the people of California and their visitors, who are supposed to obey the law under advisement, Maria Shriver-Schwarzenegger should send in her check for a calculated penalty for driving without a hands free-set, to the appropriate agency.

It is the right thing to do and her not being caught, should not provide her an excuse for escaping the penalty. At least TMZ caught her and even on tape. She is California's first lady and a Kennedy, that alone makes her a role model to so many Californians and therefore she should show leadership by example and pay a calculated fine. Icheoku says, Arnold's threatened 'swift action of going to ask his wife not to hold the phone while driving' is not what the law said. The law said do not drive and talk without a hands-free set; and that is exactly what Maria SS just did, so she should be held accountable for breaking the law, period!

According to the law, effective July 2008, California drivers shall use a hands-free device when talking on cell phones when driving. Could it be any more elaborate than this, Icheoku does not think so; and the over 150,000 citations already issued by the CHP and others from local police; the offenders fines of $20, $50 and other additional fees already in the kitty should not be in vain or sacrificed on account of Maria SS. It is also instructive that her Brentwood Los Angeles place of infraction even ups the fines to $93 for the first ticket and $201 for the next one. If as alleged, this is her third time of breaking this law, then she should be owing about $495 to her husband's nearly broke State of California? So as a good citizen and role model, as well as the First lady of California, Maria SS should send her check for $495 or as may be otherwise calculated to the appropriate state agency in fees and charges for her infractions!

Icheoku says, if Maria and Arnold's 16 year old daughter could be threatened that she would hop on buses, were she to ever violate the law; may be Maria SS will equally be a good sight for tourists, perched on one corner of a city transit bus while running her errands? Call it one heck of making a statement, if you like? Further, since Maria Shriver-Schwarzenegger is now a 'repeat-offender,' and in view of California's three strikes law, this being the third time she was caught breaking the same law, may be the privileges of her yapping on the cell phone should be suspended, albeit temporarily? Three strikes and you are out, so MARIA SHOULD BE OUT! Alternatively, she should drop the phone or get a driver or take the limo!

MABAYOJE, A US BASED NIGERIAN HELD ON GUN-RUNNING CHARGES?

He kills wild-life for fun; morbid fun, that is; and he is a medical doctor who is supposed to save lives? Provided of course, those lives does not belong to the crocodiles of the Zambezi River or their hippopotamus neighbors; or the elephants and wildebeests of Serengeti national park; or the gazelles, wild-boars and zebras of the African wild life? This animal poacher, Dr. John Olakunle Mabayoje, hates animals so much that he gleefully kills them just to satisfy his lust for blood? A Dracula-vampire fetish of some sort for animal blood, may be? It is our position that any human-being capable of wantonly wasting such huge wild-life, is capable of anything, including gun-running and weapons smuggling?

It would appear that the luck of this animal poacher ran out when a 40-foot container of "weapons" he allegedly shipped to Nigeria was nabbed by the Customs at a Lagos port? Dr Mabayoje, from Oyo State Nigeria, an alleged United States of America based physician is now telling the world through an on-line media, SaharaReporter that the said container were filled with sprinklers, rubberised boat, sandbags and sundry stuff? Icheoku says, really and has the Nigerian Customs become so 'blind' by incompetence that they cannot differentiate between "sundry materials" and weapons cache? Who could it be told that Nigerian customs no longer knows what a weapon cache is? Simply tell that to the marines as every Nigerian knows that gun running has become such a lucrative business that it is very tempting; otherwise how did the surrendering Niger Delta militants get those arsenal the world witnessed them turn in during the just concluded amnesty gimmickry? Probably just a one-side of the story of an arrested medical doctor, who kills animals for hobby; and now a likely gun runner?

This medical doctor, who is supposed to heal, finds joy at wasting such wonderful majestic wild lives; which would soon become extinct, thanks to his ilks' fascination with animal morbidity? It is our position that any killer of such huge games such as elephants, elks, zebras, wildebeests, crocodiles and hippopotamus might as well be a gun runner for all that we care? How dare this man find such a glee in just killing off harmless and innocent animals who were similarly put on this planet earth as this morbid doctor from Oyo State Nigeria? However, Icheoku.com will reserve further judgment in this case of gun-running until the Nigerian Custom completes its investigation; but suffice it to say, that not even in the remotest part of this earth will a sprinklers and sundry devices be mistaken for weapons or a device used in its manufacture? We hereby call on SaharaReporters to follow through with this investigation with a visit to port of shipment, interviewing the shipping agent to ascertain the real content of this container. They should demand to see the manifest of the container before becoming an apologetic mouthpiece of a medical doctor, an self confessed and admitted animal killer; who is now a suspected gun runner?

A 40-feet container filled with "arms and ammunition" cannot easily be mistaken for any other thing else and we shall keep our eyes focused on this case to its logical conclusion! Objectivity should not be murdered on the alter of finding fault with everything and anything done by a disagreeable person or one one of his agencies. Icheoku says, that many Nigeria-bias e-media are opposed to President Umaru Yar'Auda's government, should not be enough grounds to brand the Nigerian Customs as too naive to know the difference and thus able to distinguish between weapons and sprinklers?

Investigations carried out by our team so far, using all available resources including drscore.com, piple.com, all-doctors.com and vitals.com suggests that this very Dr. John Mabayoje is possibly operating under the radar; as scantily to almost zero information exists on records about him and/or his activities? This animal-killing doctor, in our opinion need to be further investigated to determine what he actually does and where his operational base in the United States of America is?

It is a requirement that all professionals like doctors be registered and their licences renewed periodically, but our efforts at tracing this 'wild-life nemesis' has not succeeded in revealing the man behind the mask. The last available records of this doctor, who loves to watch animals die agonising and painful death, shows that he is a native of Oyo State Nigeria; that he graduated from University of Ife, Faculty of Medical Sciences in 1980. That he subsequently travelled to the United States of America where he enrolled at Brooklyn college of medicine in New York, graduating in 1986.

He was soon-after listed as a family practitioner but shortly thereafter, everything concerning his records trailed off into the cold dark night. In a letter dispatched to certain media outlets, this animal-killer only said that "I am a Nigerian physician practicing in the United States of America. I am an Emergency Room specialist as well as having specialization training in Internal Medicine and Family Medicine. I have never been convicted of a crime in the US, Nigeria or any other country or jurisdiction". However he did not disclose where he is practising his medicine in the United States for verification? Not even a Tell City Indiana 1 Hospital Road 47586, telephone number (812) 547-7011 lead checked out, as our telephone call to the hospital did not turn up any such name on their staff list? We also put a call to the moving company the doctor mentioned as being responsible for freighting the now "contraband" container, Soft Touch Moving & Storage of 1607 S Rogers St Bloomington, Indiana 47403 with telephone number (812) 333-4755; but we are yet to get their confirmation? We are also following up on Safari Club International and Precision Shooting Magazine to confirm his references? We shall keep you posted as soon as there is further developments on these leads.

There is no additional or other telephone number/s or address on file listed under his name? His current activity was listed as not classified or not stated; which begs the question, what does this guy actually do? However, no matter how the current case with the Nigerian authorities is finally resolved, one thing certain is that this Dr. John Olakunle Mabayoje might not after-all be who he said he is, or pretend to be? How can a medical doctor, trained to save lives be so impassioned to gleefully kill all these wild-lives in the name of his morbidly hobby? Icheoku says, it leaves much to be desired.

It is our opinion at Icheoku.com that anybody or person capable of killing such big games as exhibited in these pictures; animals which shall soon become endangered if their activities are not checked, the only thing still around that buttressed the fact that those once existed dinosaurs were real, is capable of anything including gun running and weapons importation! How can this man have such a gory hobby, mowing down and killing for joy, such majestic animals as are found in African wild life? Could the world be witnessing a male-version of former Alaska's governor Sarah Palin, a male Sarah Palin of Nigeria, who would just kill harmless animals for joy; a sadistic joy, that is! Like everyone else, Icheoku will maintain a tab on this story as it develops.