NIGERIA @ 50 CELEBRATION, THE UNFOLDING JONATHAN SCANDAL!

A cursory look at the items budgeted for the so called Nigerian 50th Independence anniversary celebration shows that President Goodluck Jonathan is not different from all the past wasteful leaders and heads of government; and you wonder why the clamor for his continuation in office come 2011.

Icheoku condemns this profligacy in a country where more than 75% of its employable workforce are unemployed and with a practically collapsed infrastructures. Yet a government with its head up its ass, is embarking on a wasteful celebration of nothing and squandering 10billion Naira to do so? President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Icheoku calls on you to call off this madness now and save the country the embarrassment of embarking on another frivolity while the country goes to hell in hands basket of abject want, need, insecurity, lack of power, good roads and general poverty. Now help us figure out these mind-numbing budgetary allocations under:-

1. An independent anniversary logo at a cost of 30million Naira?

2. Designing and hosting Nigeria@50 website - 6 million Naira for two years? Icheoku says website hosting does not cost that much as Google blogger hosts same for free, Yahoo hosts for about $12 dollars per year and Godaddy.com hosts for less than $15 dollars per year? So what and where is about $48,000 going to be spent?

3. Anniversary parade, including march past, fleet review, aerial display - 950 million Naira.

4. Independence anniversary celebration parties in Nigerian missions abroad - 600 million Naira?

5. Children's independence anniversary party for 1000 children at 20,000 Naira each child - 20 million Naira?

6. Replacement of carpets at the International Conference Centre with anniversary color-coded carpets - 100 million Naira? And the madness goes on and on.

Icheoku says the only plausible explanation for this craziness is that President Jonathan Goodluck is using this opportunity to feather his nest and fill his tiller for his much anticipated 2011 presidential run against Babangida. Faced with the stark reality of Babangida's over 400 billion naira war chest, President Jonathan reasoned that he might as well start now to fill up his piggy-bank; and which other better place to start than the anomalous Nigeria 50th independence anniversary celebration. And it does not matter to this President Jonathan that Nigeria has nothing to show for its 50 years of existence and therefore nothing worthy of celebration?

Icheoku calls on the national assembly (senate) to please come to the aid of Nigerians and overrule this budget of stupidity; or at most slash it to a barest minimum of just 1billion Naira. At times like this, Nigerians recall nostalgically the late president Umaru Yar'Adua, who once faced with similar wantoness in disguise of a party's convention, drastically cut the proposed PDP national convention budget from the high billions to mere 400 million Naira; yet it was successfully hosted. But Jonathan, company man, only knows how to kow-tow in order to belong and be allowed to preside. What a spineless son of the Niger Delta, found at the helmof power could not muscle his way through and overule such wasteful exercise as this impending celebration.

It is quite unfortunate that this subject is even being discussed in view of the total want and decay in the country. Where is SNG, NLC, NBA, CAN and other pressure groups in Nigeria on this drunken sailor's spending spree that they should allow President Goodluck Joanthan to siphon Nigeria's scarce resource in such very unpatriotic manner. Better still, if Nigeria is to celebrate, why not task the corporate world to fund it. It also does not matter that the budget was cut down from 16billion to 10 billion; since the most appropriate budget for a Nigeria on a sick bed should not be more than 1 billion Naira and at best, about 500 million Naira.

President Goodluck Jonathan, please call off this madness that is 10 billion Niara Nigeria's independence anniversary celebration! It is uncalled for, unnecessary, ill-advised, wasteful, purposeless, pointless, unproductive and prohibitively exorbitant; but should you proceed anyway and waste this money, you might as well forget whatever plans you may have or is nursing for 2011, as Nigerians will use the opportunity to remind you of this thoughtless wastage of state's funds; and use it to showcase your penchant for frivolity and wastefulness. Icheoku asks Nigerians to say 'NO TO THE 10 BILLION NAIRA NIGERIA'S INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AS THERE IS NOTHING TO CELEBRATE AND THE COST IS UNREASONABLY PROHIBITIVE!'

BABANGIDA, THE NEW SALADIN OF NORTHERN NIGERIA, LIED?

Icheoku asks, did the evil-genius Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida lie when he recently advocated for the abolition of "federal character" and "quota-system", which he described as stale and no longer fashionable in today's Nigeria's socio-economic and political system? According to IBB, such retrogressive policies are things whose time has since long gone and Nigeria should rather progressively move into a meritocracy-based scheme, so that it can completely heal and integrate fully? Icheoku asks, in view of the current tribal gang-up of the north led by Babangida against President Jonathan's perceived interest in 2011 election, and his effort at corralling northern folks into insisting that the presidency be given back to the north in 2011, was IBB just pandering to a certain political dictate or simply talking with his usually bifurcated tongue in cheek when he called for the abolition mentioned above?

Babangida earlier said, no more quota system, yet he now wants a "zoning quota system" to be maintained with regards to who gets the presidency in 2011? Icheoku asks, is it the Maradona syndrome at its best that is once again being displayed here by the evil-genius? How can a man who just recently decried "federal character/quota system" now make a complete 180 degrees full about-turn to embrace and champion federal character/quota through zoning system? It simply does not make sense, except one is a student of the Babangida school of abracadabra thought-process and equivocation? This issue has become imperative in view of Babangida's present stance that the intra-party 'zonal arrangement' of the PDP whereby they allegedly agreed that power should rotate between north and south must be respected. For Babangida, it does not matter whether or not there is a well qualified northern candidate to fill in the position; neither does it concern him that the present incumbent may be a better and more superior candidate than whatever the northern flocks might bring forth as their representative, including Babangida himself?

Icheoku asks, what then is "quota system" or "federal character" that Babangida was advocating its demise, if he is now insisting that power must be 'zoned' to the north, just because it is their turn to rule; instead of allowing the best and the brightest available Nigerian to lead the country? Babangida's present argument that the "zoning arrangement" of the PDP must be respected “because Nigeria is in a peculiar situation that makes zoning inevitable,” flies in the face of his earlier argument and position that such practices hold back the country's march to greatness and has impeded the nation’s progress since its independence. Courageous and statesmanlike one would say of his earlier stand, but now the toothy fairy army man seem to have drank a laced cool-aid and is singing a different tune? Otherwise how does one explain such equivocation by a supposed statesman, or is someone once again pointing a revolver on his head and forcing him to read a prepared statement as he alleged happened when he wickedly annulled June 12th MKO Abiola election?

Nigerians, please do not be swindled by Babangida into giving him the benefit of the doubt with a presidential mandate, as he has not come out fully to explain what is driving his mad ambition for another foray into power; but is instead keeping it very close to his chest. Were Icheoku to second-guess his principal reason, it is to avenge the north's perceived shortchanging by Olusegun Obasanjo; and take it from Icheoku to the bank, should the impossible happen and Babangida gets into Aso Rock, his first order of business will be to arrest Obasanjo and prosecute him for daring the north? This Islamic fanatic, who surreptitiously smuggled Nigeria into OIC without proper consultation or consensus from the multi-religious populace, feels that Nigeria is becoming too secular and that Obasanjo dealt the Islamic Sharia North, a wrong hand and cannot wait to play their Saladin. Just recently he ignored the old wise warning that he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones when he called for the investigation of all the plane crashes that occurred in Nigeria under the watch of Olusegun Obasanjo; and they were many including the one that killed poet JP Clark and hundreds others, some military top guns in Manbilla Plateau, the Sultan of Sokoto and over hundred of Fulani/Hausa top-heavies including a Federal Senator and the two that crashed in Port-Harcourt etc?

Icheoku have nothing against any such investigation to unravel some suspected strange occurrences geared towards preventing any future repeat of what happened; but we have issue with Babangida instigating it. A sponsor and perpetrator of state-terrorism, a black kettle calling a pot black should not be allowed to suddenly become holier than thou. Were it another source that is championing the investigation, no problem; but IBB, just forget it. Otherwise the probe should start with him from the Ejigbo staged-plane crash that wiped out 139 young army officers including a friend Major Mbah, the parcel bomb that killed Dele Giwa, Mamman Vasta state murder using a phantom coup, June 12th election annulment, $12 billion missing Iraq-war oil money or better still, the source of his stupendous wealth, Zango Kataf massacre, Kano riot, SAP and the list goes on. Icheoku says, as between Babangida and Obasanjo, the only difference between them is in nomenclature of six and half dozen; both men are evil and should have been put away for good a long time ago, were Nigeria a lawful and law-abiding country? Both men suffered Nigeria without let and had joy doing it, being the monsters there are, who derive joy and happiness, seeing others pine away in sorrow, going through hell on earth. That some Nigerians are even entertaining the idea of a Babangida's possible come-back, with his antecedents and especially after the mad-bull in a China shop-syndrome exhibited by the other army man Obasanjo, is simply speaking scandalous and unfathomable. It smacks of an unconscionable group of people, political profiteers, pirates of the polity, buccaneers out to reap from the carcass of the beached whale and who are as always without any essence in them; and believe you me, Babangida himself will privately be wondering that too, after all that he visited on Nigerians during his regime of terror and corruption that some Nigerians still desire him?

In a piece Icheoku picked up while researching this article, one commentator quipped: "Does it occur to IBB that given his recent political machinations, it is apt to state that he can be named the most divisive element in Nigeria today? Does a person in IBB's status not know that in this day and age, and given the turn of events in Nigeria, the hitherto abused PDP's zoning arrangement which he now champions, and which he is seen plotting to exploit for his political ambitions is a sure avenue to hand over the future of 150 million people to an inept president? Does he not know that the so-called North/South divide in Nigeria's political lexicon is an amorphous contraption cooked up by politicians scheming to share political perquisites? Does IBB not know that on the surface, the zoning arrangement may project fairness to all, but deep down, it is a phenomenon that entrenches divisions between Nigeria's ethnic groups? Does he not know that the type of divide-and-rule politics he is seen to be orchestrating is an antithesis to how political leaders can be chosen in a democracy? It's no use advancing the deceptive argument that every country has its own sort of democracy as democracy is indivisible."

Icheoku adds, this is a truism since democracy is definite and not amendable to peculiar whimsical adaptations by countries including Babangida's Nigeria; being a government of the people by the people and for the people; any other thing short of this is definitely not democracy defined, period. Therefore any thing that in anyway truncates or attempts to truncate on the will of the people by whatever arrangement made or not made, agreed or not agreed, laid in stone or fluidly, is a misnomer; not a democracy hence is dispensable and disposable, including the so called gentleman's internal arrangement of the PDP. Given that the determinative factor is constitutionality, the question remains whether or not the so called PDP's arrangement conflicts with any known right guaranteed under the constitution? If yes, then to the extent it sort to deny a right vested by the constitution, it is void and voidable; hence President Jonathan is empowered by the constitution to ignore such illegality and proceed full steam with his presidential ambition in 2011 if he so desires. It is the trite law of the land that rights cannot be arbitrarily proscribed by any over-broad arrangements or agreements, especially those reached without the effected parties reasonable consent.

Icheoku reminds Babangida that zoning or rotation of the presidency is counter his earlier position that federal character quota system be done away with in Nigeria; being the same thing - just two sides of the same coin since both tend to undermine meritocracy while institutionalizing mediocrity. Debunking Babangida's theory of fallacy that zoning is imperative and needed “to keep the union stable in order to encourage and sustain developmental initiatives across board,” Icheoku said it is not so since the north was almost continuously in power for thirty-eight years of Nigeria's fifty years life and Nigeria did not go to hell in hand's basket or evaporate into the thin air? Babangida's northerner argument is so weak that it gives more impetus to President Jonathan's position that tribal and religious sentiments are usually a means to an end by some scheming individuals, and not necessarily an end to a means that is worthy and sustainable. But like the evil-genius he claims to be, when Babangida blew away Gideon Orkar and his compatriots he forgot Benue/Plateau is part of the north? When Babangida murdered Mamman Vasta and poured acid on his dead body, he forgot that the name sounds northern? When he visited mayhem on Zango Kattaf, he forgot that southern Kaduna is also part of the north? When he overthrew Shehu Shagari and Muhammadu Buhari, he forgot that both men are his compatriot Hausa-Fulani northerners? But now, low and behold, he is pushing a northern cohesive agenda and wants to ride the northern bandwagon into Aso Rock as their protector Saladin? Anyway, Nigerians have been put on notice by Babangida and they will be shamed if Babangida fools them twice. So, Nigerians decide today who shall be your president come 2011; but for Icheoku, we shall not have Babangida and will work tirelessly to stop his march back to power.

Icheoku asks Babangida, if federal character quota system is no longer fashionable within the Nigeria's socio-economic and political system.and deserves to be abolished, what then is the fashion in a 'zoning system' that should make Nigeria proudly wear it? Why is Babangida prevaricating, approbating and reprobating, and being all over the map on the same issue just like America's Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona who was once for so many things including immigration reform but now is no longer for anything; or his Democratic counterpart Senator John Kerry who said he was voted for war funding before he later voted against it? Has Babangida become so 'politicianized' that he now speaks politically - telling every side and every person who cares to listen, what they will like to hear? Has Babangida become gifted with the modern day equivalence of biblical 'speaking in tongues,' if you will prefer that analogy; that every listener hears the version of his thought that he wants to hear? But is it fair not to ask Babangida directly to really explain himself and his position, instead of all these varying interpretations or trying to figure out which side of the fence he really is on? Babangida, Icheoku asks, why the double speak, tongue in the cheek equivocations; they are as confusing as they are misleading and at best, useless. Babangida, Icheoku queries the rationality of your assertion that 'federal character has been defeated by circumstances and no longer useful', when you now want to reintroduce and revive the same previously chastised policy through the back-door, with the amorphous zoning system which you are the champion of?

FYI:- Icheoku however agrees with the evil-one that there should be devolution of more powers and responsibilities to the states and local governments; and reconfiguration of the command structure of the police to allow states and local governments fashion out their respective internal security needs and man that through some form of state police with provisions shielding them from unnecessary abuse by overbearing chief executives).

Babangida's newly found passionate fervor with zoning system also runs counter his earlier position, which he conveyed at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, that Nigeria’s growth and democracy is being challenged because the nation still accords greater emphasis to the religion and tribe of its citizens in deciding who occupies public positions? Quoting the evil-genius, “For now, there is still too much emphasis on religion and ethnic origin and little respect for merit and competence in choosing who occupies public office in Nigeria.” Icheoku reminds Babangida, in case his brainwave is flashing counter-clockwise, that the presidency is a 'public office' position and is also amenable to his prescribed new rule of competence and merit, as being the guide and only determinative factor for who occupies it. Further, referring to Babangida's irrational position that 'zoning stabilizes democracy', Icheoku emphasis that contrary to that, Nigeria's true stability rather depends on real democracy where the best and brightest is thrown up through popular votes to lead the people who enthusiastically follows, and not his newly found gospel of warped theory of zoning, which fertilizes and fosters medicority? True democracy also provides that any qualified bona-fide citizen of a practicing country, with Nigeria being the test-tube case here, can run for any office; including President Goodluck Jonathan who is eminently qualified and can run for the presidency of Nigeria.

Babangida was also quoted as saying, “Our country needs clear-headed, public-spirited leaders at every level to propel this country to a higher stage of development than is presently the case. If we have the right calibre of people at the helms of affairs, then it will be much easier to practice democracy in truth and indeed." To this Icheoku interjects that Babangida is not clear-headed nor public spirited; and is not the right caliber of individual who would allow democracy to thrive, having annulled June 12th, the freest and fairest democratic election ever held in Nigeria. Also if according to Babangida, religion is a personal affair with God/Allah, where each individual will personally answer for his own deeds before the Almighty, Icheoku asks, why then did he forcibly and surrepitiously smuggle 150 million Nigerians wholesale and lumpsum into the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), without their input or consent; and without even calling for a referendum on the matter from the different ethinicities and religiousities of a secular Nigeria to determine their pulse? Does this devil maycare know that gaffees of this nature roil the people of Nigeria so badly that it hurts? Hopefully Babangida is since ready to answer for all the atrocities of murder, corruption, destruction, lies and deceits which were the hallmark and corner-stone of his armed and dangerous eight years military intervention in Nigeria.

In the final analysis, call it his signature forked tongue moments or tongue in cheek conceited and insincere gaffes, but one thing is certain, that this Machivelian army man wears his secrets very close to his heart and do not usually tell anyone what he is really thinking or what his real action or game plans is. But Nigeria will be better off without him as no one want to relive the nightmare that was his 8 years of hijack of power in Nigeria in the eighties. Babangida's hands are bloody, soiled with innocent blood of so many Nigerians including dele Giwa, Mamman Vasta, Gideon Orkar and his patriotic crew, Zango Katafans, June 12th mayhem victims and such other Nigerians that his direct order, acts, omission and suggestion sent to their early graves? Babangida's thoughts are evil that dreamt up the annullment; and his deeds are calamitous that ignored Justice Oputa duly constituted legal panel of reconcilition which shows that he does not want a peaceful one Nigeria where the rule of law is supreme? Icheoku asks Nigerians, so why gamble with the possibility that this leopard IBB has changed or will change its spots? It is not even worth trying as the old dog IBB cannot be taught any new trick? Even the prospect of his becoming imposed on Nigerians is already causing so much restlessness and hysteria among the polity; so Nigerians why do you want to overheat the polity with the IBB question? Therefore Nigerians must move on without the evil one, Ibrahim Badamosi Bbabangida. Reject Project IBB, say no to IBB 2011.

Icheoku wants to end this piece by urging Nigerians to put to an end such crass and mundane tribal and religious allegiances, that brings about a situation where the President of the country was forced to wash the country's dirty linen before the watching world's global audience? The ethnic and religious dimensions to everything in Nigeria including politics has gotten so ridiculously entrenched that Nigeria is now a laughing stock of the world and a poster-country for tribalism and religious intolerance. It is a shame that Nigeria has degenerated so much because of tribalism and religious affinities that it was described by its president in far away Canada in the following unflattering terms:- “We are a country where our leaders tend to play tribal sentiments, saying I am from the South-South; I am from North-west; I am North, I am South, I am a Muslim and I am a Christian. All these are for selfish motives to make people who probably cannot compete with others, use these sentiments to get what they ordinarily are incapable of getting.” Icheoku says, this is a classical definition of a mediocre country and coming from the horse's mouth, the president, carries a basketful of credibility. This is the single most damaging factor of the Nigeria state; wherein people are relegated to the back while mallams without ability are foist on the populace as their leaders. The result is the comatose state of affairs in Nigeria caused by various inpet leaderships with which it was cursed for a long time until just few months ago? It is a basic law of life that one cannot give that which he does not have; implicit in which is that Nigeria cannot benefit from a bankrupt leadership, hence its continued down-ward spiral; but seriously speaking, don't you often wonder, can a blind man lead a man with sight?

Icheoku agrees with President Jonathan that Nigeria is populated with ethnic bigots including himself, who ironically manifests this through his dressing; as he continually reminds Nigerians daily that he is an Ijaw man who happen to be president of Nigeria, and by default, Icheoku adds? President Jonathan has maintained a monolithic fashion sense since he became president of Nigeria and even as its vice president, with his screaming Ijaw-biased traditional resource control outfits? If President Jonathan sees himself as truly the president of one Nigeria and not an Ijaw-man first president, why then does he not periodically adorn other Nigerian tribal outfits such as Yoruba's agbada, Hausa's babaringa and Igbo's red cap with jompar or even a well cut Armani suit? Why does he always have to wear his signature Ijaw bowler hat resource-control outfit which makes him come off as 'the Ijaw man who happens to be president of Nigeria?' What would other tribes and sections of Nigeria feel like whenever they see their supposed president not identifying with their own culture periodically - ALIENATED! Anyway, Nigeria is what it is - a land where tribal loyalty comes first before any other thing else; and so President Jonathan was wrong in branding anyone tribal because every Nigeria is guilty as charged with tribal bigotry; otherwise show Icheoku who in Nigeria is not a tribal bigot in some sense? But Babangida must not be president! Say no to Babangida; reject Project IBB 2011.

OLUFEMI ADEMOYE, ANOTHER US-BASED NIGERIAN-MAN WIFE-KILLER?

In local parlance, Nigerians “go say, e don happen again o! This time na for Tampa Florida USA where a Naija man again don kill im wife o!” Icheoku says stress, stress, stress and a foolish illogical attempt to put out the stress-source for good? Such stress-source under advisement here, most always, is usually hydra-headed and manifests in various forms from the mundane to the understandable; but does not justify or excuse such a heinous act as taking the life of another, especially that os a spouse. If Icheoku recalls correctly, there is a word in English Language known as ‘taking a walk’ which in Yoruba language translates to "Je ka alo". Icheoku does not think that any amount of stress given to a husband by his Nigerian wife in America, warrants the taking of her life; and we hereby once again condemn such act as both wicked and cowardly.

Admitted it is always easier to do the Monday night quarterbacking, long after the players had taken their shower in the locker-room; but at least you know our position on matters of life and death especially that of a spouse in the hand of the other? But what rational mind has ever taken the life of another one may ask, as in most cases? Such crime is always premised on the spur of the moment when maddening rage overtakes the accused's reasoning faculty and a hitherto reasonable man, overcame with the rage of a marauding beast, succumbs as he embarks on that journey to the land of infamy!

As a popular aphorism goes, anyone can remain an angel when no one ruffles their feathers; and anyone can also maintain his cool when no one unreasonably tasked his patience. So how many people can withstand the rude shock and odium of finding out that the child who you reasonably believed is your child, cared for, provided for, nurtured, dotted and loved so much, showering him with bountiful love and affection 24/7 until he turned eighteen years old, is not after-all your child? That the woman you called your lovely wife has taken you for a ride on a journey to lala-land; and deceived you for eighteen long years into believing that a love-child she had with another man is your child? We are talking about an only child and a male for an African man whose culture places very high value and premium on such male successor to the family lineage, tree, pedigree and name? Who will not loose his mind under the circumstance; but controlling it is where some people may differ with the accused in this case?

Imagine the pain of a father suddenly discovering after eighteen long years of bonding with his only child and “son”, watching him grow into a young man, attending his school’s basket ball games, going fishing with him, teaching him the ways of a decent respectful men, how to barbecue on July 4th as well as other holidays; and such other father and son familial relationships that transform boys into men, that he has been fooled by a wife who had an adulterous relationship and that the “son” was a product of that illegitimate sexual dalliances with her fringing adulterous lover? Like the biblical God’s quest to find a few good men in Lot’s Sodom and Gomorrah in order to spare them, Icheoku says, not many reasonable and rational men would be found under the circumstance.

Passion overtook his reasoning alongside his motors and turned a once rational professional man, husband and father into an incensed raging beast! The result, a bloody scene caused by gaping wounds on now lifeless female body and what used to be his wife? An industrious and well educated family man, who has never had any run-in with the law, now stands accused and charged with the murder of his wife and supposed mother of his only son? A pharmacist by training and trade, who owns a pharmacy and also doubled as an entrepreneur, president cum owner of a thriving African restaurant; who worked very hard and sometimes comes home frequently around 10pm, just in order to live and bequeath his family the American dream? Now suddenly he finds himself in orange jumpsuit, leg chains and body manacles just because of that lapse in judgment when he succumbed to his passion and the rest is now history as he stand accused of killing his wife of eighteen years and mother of his "son?"

A nightmare come to live of great proportion; and he must be wishing now that God never made him in the first place or that he never lived to see that day when everything he lived and worked for unraveled before his eyes and within a splitting moment, forcing some tears of "Had I known" out of his eyes as the judge read his charges in the court room. Icheoku believes that Pharmacist Olufemi Oladapo Ademoye was not crying because he is afraid of hanging or being giving the lethal injection or to attract sympathy or subtly ask to be sent home a freeman, no, Mr. Ademoye most likely was shedding, “the whys" tears?

Could he have taken a walk and never looked back, you bet. Could he have divorced the adulterous wife, what a good option on hindsight. Could he have adopted the child as he had done involuntarily all these eighteen years, what an excellent alternative? Could he have even committed suicide, after-all he is a pharmacist with access to some lethal cocktails, what a preferred option juxtaposed to what he is currently facing now? Execute him for what he did without his senses, Icheoku does not think it is a good option since there was no malice aforethought to warrant such excessive vengeful eye-for-an-eye punishment? Luckily enough he is charged with second degree murder which does not carry a death sentence. Send him away for good of his natural life, and then his “son” would have lost both his parents with no one to be there for him and see him take a wife in marriage. But should he just walk away a free man from killing his wife, no, as that will be belittling the value of human life; so he should be punished for letting his rage get the better part of him resulting in the loss of a life - that of his wife and mother of his "son." Like Portia said in William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, just a pound of flesh and no blood:- just enough but no more which in this case will be a measured and proportionate reasonable jail term. With no priors or any incident or history of domestic violence, his lawyer, Fehintola Oguntebi also of Tampa, stands a good chance of getting a lenient sentence for his traumatized accused client, a psychological victim of a wife’s lies, deceit and conceit of 18 long years, passing off a love-child as his which made him to loose it and snap upon discovering the betrayal.

Olufemi Oladapo Ademoye, 52, a pharmacist, restaurateur and Nigerian, living in Tampa Florida USA, has joined the ignoble club of Diaspora Nigerian men wife killers. He was taken into custody on June 16, 2010 at 9.56 am by the Hillsborough County Sheriff office, Tampa Florida charged with second-degree murder of his wife and mother of his “son”. Juliet Ademoye, 53 died as result of a trauma to her head and upper chest region of her body inflicted be a blunt object. Mr. Olufemi Ademoye's weapon of choice was a “weapon meant for baseball," a baseball bat” which he deployed dutifully in smashing his wife’s cranium, thereby purchasing for her an express one-way ticket out of this world. The tragic incident happened at the couple’s home at 8615 Villa Largo Drive Tampa Florida, 33614. According to the story, Olufemi Ademoye came across several emails of his wife of 18 years, in which she told her lover in Nigeria of their love-child and that the couple’s only son does not belong to her husband but him, the Nigerian lover-boy? Icheoku says this means that all through the eighteen years during which she pretended to be a dutiful wife that she was in love with someone else? The source also confirmed that the late wife was already pregnant when she met and married Mr. Ademoye but never disclosed that foundational fact but misled her husband for eighteen long and tortuous years that he was the biological father of their only child-son. Recall American rap artist Kanye West had warned about such unknown fathering of another man's child in his killer song the "Gold Digger;" where a similarly situated man found out after eighteen years of being a dad to his woman's son that he wasn't his afterall; and that woman even used money meant for the upkeep of the son for her own personal matters?

Still wondering why the epidemic rise in number of Diaspora Nigerians, who are steadily having their hands bloodied with the crimson life-liquid of their spouses and mothers of their children? Still wondering if the malaise is an exclusive preserve of Nigerians at the bottom end of the totem pole of economic well-being in America like frustrated low income earners who are the constant butt of their ‘American-nurse’ wives’ callous wicked jokes and taunts?

No, not anymore as well paid Nigerian professionals are now joining the club of infamy of "Nigerian-men wives killers," and in great numbers. The latest entrant and ‘honoree’ to this "Hall of Shame" is a Yoruba Nigerian from Lagos State. Mr. Olufemi Oladapo Ademoye is a pharmacist owner/president of Crown Pharmacy of 1459 W. Busch Boulevard Tampa Florida 33612 with telephone number 813.514.6800. He also runs a restaurant, African Eateries, located at 320 W. Waters Avenue, Tampa Florida where he also employed his late wife. He is also a foundation member of Oduduwa Descendants of Tampa, Inc. Florida; a Marketing Services group which appears to be now defunct? So why would this educated and successful Nigerian take the life of his fellow Nigerian wife and mother of his “son”?

This would be the natural beginner’s question for any interviewer; but Icheoku asks, could the questioner start the interview by asking the accused person, “how long have you quietly suffered the torture that led you to the present; and what was the final straw that broke the camel's back for you and did you ever consider leaving by moving out and moving on? Series of questions could be asked; but hey, the did is done and whatever remained of his American dream will now be completed somewhere behind cold steal bars in the big house.

Pharmacist Olufemi Ademoye, Icheoku says to you, walking away would have been a far better option as the action you took, taking the life of another, your wife and mother of your “son” will neither bring you any sympathy nor resolve the problem that forced your hands or pushed you. Except of course you belong to the self-help school of thought that would rather see the source of their problem immediately go away forever and for good; ensuring that nothing is sticking around any longer as a constant reminder to them of failed endeavors and dreams aborted, it is going to be one heck of a ride of too many "Had I knowns." What an unfortunate rage that compromised this family's life:- a dead wife killed by a soon to go away for a very long time husband and a son without any parents, whose paternity triggered the tragedy. Simply put, another pathetic tragic case of a Nigerian lost in America, whose American dream has now gone sour, transformed into a living nightmare on his own Ellis Street!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Today is July 4th, another anniversary of our nation's birthday; secured by blood and treasure from the colonial Britain, 224 years ago. The once fledgling nation state has come a pretty long way, maturing into a first among nations and within its very short life, relative to other much older nations of the world. On the political arena, it has given an opportunity to a minority black-man to have the singular honor and privilege to serve as her 44th president. So on this anniversary, Icheoku gives a shout-out to our beloved trailblazing President Barack Hussein Obama; who despite the daunting challenges facing him, still soldiers on like any typical American, hopeful of a better future for us all.

To the fighting men and women spread throughout the hot zones of the world, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, Icheoku says American people appreciate all your sacrifice. To all those people holding the fort back home including military spouses, fire service, police, national guard, custom patrol, emergency responders, coast guards, immigration, homeland security etc, Americans are proud of your service. The doctors, iron workers, teachers, janitors, rough-necks and all such other hands that make America run smoothly, Icheoku appreciates you.

So on this July 4th, 2010 as we celebrate our nations independence anniversary, let us in unison reaffirm our love for this great nation; and tell ourselves the simple truth that we are in it together, no shaking! Happy independence anniversary, America!

LUIS SUAREZ'S 'GOALKEEPING,' WHEN THE 'HAND OF GOD' TURNED DEMONIC?

Icheoku decries Uruguay's illegal second goal-keeper, Luis Suarez's one match suspension by FIFA, for deliberately parrying off a goal-bound header by Ghana's No 18, Dominic Adiyiah, as simply not enough, adequate or sufficient a punishment and/or deterrent. FIFA should have used the opportunity to send a strong message that criminal (cheating) behavior of that magnitude will not be tolerated at such level of its competition or any other one for that matter; but not the slap on the wrist of a one-match suspension he received, which will not make much dent in the team's performance-ability, being akin to the red card shown him and yet the team went ahead to win the match anyways. The entire Uruguayan team should have been sent packing and out of the competition, they are the final and ultimate beneficiary of Luis Suarez criminality of stealing a Ghanaian prospective winning goal and should not have been allowed to profit from his crime by proceeding to the next quarter final rounds of the competition.

Any trained eyes looking at the position of the ball, would agree that it had already beaten the attempted header of Uruguay's other last man on the left before Luis Suarez on the right, deliberately used his both hands to parry the ball away from inside the goal. This is just another glaring case of the ongoing referee snafus at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 with a referee not ruling a ball which has crossed the goal line a goal? The football/soccer governing body does not seem to be serious enough with reigning in and arresting the ugly situation which is spoiling the fun of the competition and have now enabled a side which, to all intent and purpose, lost a match to benefit from their frontal assault of the rules of engagement as they non-meritoriously proceed to the next quarter final rounds of the competition. Just look at the goal line and the position of the bent-over backwards Uruguayan other defender who attempted but failed to head off the ball; then take a look at Luis Suarez's goal-line toe position and his twisted body, as well as his hands position. Only one conclusion is possible from all these deductions, - that the ball was already in the net, a goal and should have been awarded to Ghana before the drama of missed penalties kicked in.

In essence, Ghana was robbed of their victory both by Luis Suarez and the referee, whose actions (commission and omission) affected the outcome of the match. Winning at all cost and by all and any means necessary, defeats the main essence of the world cup competition, which is supposed to help foster unity of the world, through international felicitations. So, tell Icheoku how any Ghanaian or African or even black-man in general will not constantly be reminded of this 'robbery' whenever a Uruguayan comes into his/her focus? Icheoku says, Uruguayans will henceforth because of Luis Suarez broad daylight stealing, be perceived as soccer-cheats and possibly some other thing cheats? If FIFA allows Uruguay to get away with this 'act of murder of its football competition' and Uruguayans proceed to the quarter finals of this competition as is most likely they would, FIFA would have, by necessary implication, officially instituted cheating as no other losing side will ever allow itself to be outscored; instead they will all turn to goalkeeping; after-all they have seen that penalties can be missed, and would rather take a chance at that option. The uncertainty of a penalty will always be a preferred option by loosing countries and their teams, to assured in-bound goals.

The right thing for FIFA to do or have done is to upturn the match-result and award it to Ghana: - declare Ghana the moral winner for playing and winning according to the rules; disqualify Uruguay for being jointly responsible for the illegal act of their player and further, ban Luis Suarez for life from playing in any FIFA sanctioned and organized football competition. Luis Suarez brought dishonor to the fun-competition, as another South (Latin) American football cheat, Brazil's Pele and Argentina's Maradona' fabled "hands of God" considered? Flagrant cheating as exhibited by Luis Suarez should be drastically punished by sending such countries out of the competition so that such cheat can go back to his country to explain to his country men and women, why he caused them their playing chance at the competition. It is just like allowing an armed robber to keep his loot, just because he was caught and sent to the jail; no Icheoku says the beneficiary country is equally at fault and should not be allowed to benefit from such offensive act of one of its players. What if they were all in cahoots in the scheme to win at all cost?

Uruguayans and their cheating scumbag, Luis Suarez, deserves a boot out of the South Africa world cup competition and Luis additionally should be banned for life from the competition. He irreparably damaged FIFA and its world cup competition until redressed completely in full. This is the right thing to do, the correct thing to do, the fair thing to do and another case which makes the current call for goalmouth/post technology not sound loud enough. Technology which will help referees in cases as this to see for a second time, that this was a clear goal and the most plausible decision, before making their call final.

To the Black Stars of Ghana, Icheoku says, thank you, kudos to you for a job well done; admitted providence and the cheating hand of Luis Suarez conspired to rob you what would have been soccer's crown jewelry for Ghana, Africa, the black race and other minorities of this world, in South Africa 2010. You made Africa proud to the end. Hopefully the government of President John Evans Attah Mills will still go ahead to accord you a rousing reception whenever you make it back to Accra as you richly deserved it - you won but were robbed of your victory! Walk tall with your heads held high, chests pushed out like models, you are the new soccer kings and ambassadors of Africa; your wonderful run in South Africa 2010 just crowned you that. Congratulations!

MESSI AND THE BOYS FROM BUENA AIRES, MESSED UP BY THE GERMANS!

When we thought that we have heard the last of the German’s destructive world cup squad, out they came roaring against the Diego Maradona instructed Argentine team led by Lionel Messi. The result, an un-replied 4-0 demolition of the boys of Buena Aires by the German side.

The German team has by this victory against Lionel Messi and his side, now made four goals their signature trademark in this world cup - against Team Australia it was 4-0, Team England was handed down a 4-1 trashing, and now their roasting of Team Argentina 4-0 today, July 3, 2010!

Their take no prisoner mentality, fueled by a scorching tactic of overwhelming mass attack mass defence is what any well tuned and oiled world cup machine side requires to get to the promised land of soccer glory. With this annihilating demolition of the Argentines, Icheoku says, the Germans are ready to rumble all the way to the final victory and clinch the cup. Echoing German Coach Joachim Loew’s sentiments, Icheoku agrees that the German team has the “will of champions”; and sure look unstoppable at this juncture from lifting the world cup golden trophy. All the "boys" now matured into men are very good, as fit as fiddle, and contests all balls, aerial and ground. They tirelessly run the field thereby stretching their opponents to unimaginable tiresome 90 minutes experience.

With youth, energy and stamina on their side, coupled with a cool as cucumber coach Joackim Loew, Icheoku does not see any team beating them, now that they are coast-free of their most menacing nemesis, Lionel Messi and the boys from Argentina. Congratulations Team Germans, and as your Miloslav Klose closed off Argentina with his two goals from the South Africa World Cup 2010 run, let us pray that their four goals fiesta wining streak will continue. The only bad news and downside of this defeat of Argentina by the German football machine is that the world will miss the opportunity of seeing Coach Diego Maradona streak as promised; but hey, who knows the shock and awe his exposed tiny whinny might have wrought on the world’s psyche?

EAGLES COACH LARS LAGERBACK RESIGN, OR WHERE IS THOU HONOR?

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre took full responsibility for Mexico's exit from the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup competition and resigned his office. It is instructive to note that unlike Nigeria, Mexico made it to the round of 16 and also played very well throughout their stay in South Africa; and later lost 3-1 to Argentina more superior soccer prowess. Icheoku asks, why then is the flightless overweight Eagles of Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback still hanging in there or is he tone-deaf to the cries of 150 million Nigerians? Just in case he has not been listening, Icheoku is asking him on behalf of Nigerians, to emulate the good example of the honorable Mexican coach and resign now! His abysmal mediocre performance in South Africa, managing what used to be the pride of African football is psyche unfriendly. Once again, Icheoku call on Coach Lars Lagerback to throw in the towel or be fired!

ICHEOKU SAYS, SEND 'THE PEOPLES CHOICE' TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!

The planning committee of "Friends of Sam for House of Representatives" hereby invite you to the Bay Area of Northern California Fund Raiser and introduction of candidate Attorney/Entrepreneur Sam Ogbu Nwobodo for Nigeria Federal House of Representatives Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency. As the Igbo saying goes, "O je be go" which means 'he is already going'; so join the send-off train and be counted as one of those who made it possible. It is time for new generation politicians to take over and deliver on the job that needs to be done to fix what is broken in motherland. The "boy" is good and he will get results. Signed: Friends of Sam for House of Representatives.

NIGERIA EAGLES, TWO YEARS BAN IS NOT ENOUGH?

Icheoku says to President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria that the two years suspension or ban of the Nigeria flightless Eagles from any future competition is not enough nor very far-reaching. They should have been totally disbanded and completely outlawed; their ever existence pushed into a faded memory of a distant past and a new national 'Team-Nigeria' reconstituted! Also since they cannot soar like the eagle anymore, may be their name changed to some flightless bird or if they plan to be agile again, to "Nigeria Gazelles?"

If the purpose of Mr. President's action is to send a clear message that, the below-par, non-enthused outing of the Eagles in South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup competition is unacceptable to Nigerians and to try to regenerate the humpty-dumpty Eagles, he should have gone the whole nine yards. President Jonathan should have in similar fashion, excised the other cancerous duo - fire the damn incompetent coach Lars Lagerback and also go to the jugular of football maladministration in Nigeria by sacking the entire Nigeria Football Federation. What Nigeria football needs at the present time is a fresh start, a new beginning at the football federation from level one to the last man standing therein. A new set of people, with fresh and different mindset, who are committed to the sports and not those present esta-coders/businessmen who are there for what they can grab. If the health-care sector is manned by doctors, justice by lawyers, records by accountants, Icheoku does not see any reason why sports administration should not be manned by professionals in that field and in the case of Nigeria Football Federation, by erstwhile footballers. Professional who gave the sports its pride of place in Nigeria and the world at large, such as past football greats, which Nigeria is abundantly blessed with. The Chairman Chukwus, Segun Odegbami, Adokie Amasiemeka, JJ Okocha, Siasia, Amokache, etc. These brand of Nigerians have vested interest in the success of football in Nigeria and therefore should be the preferred people to run the football body instead of those fat-stomach arm-chair administrators who have never trapped a passed round leather in their life? Even Jesus Christ was in support of such placing or square pegs in square holes when he ordered, 'to Caesar, Ceasar's!'

Also the emerging national 'Team-Nigeria' should be anchored by an indigenous coach with a long term fixed secured contract, with a clear objective spelt out in the contract to coach for say five years irrevocably and deliver result. Such a coach's salary and remuneration should be structured so that the bulk of his money is performance-based, with hefty bonus each time he delivers. For instance, "we shall pay you $10,000 per month but if you win this particular match, you shall receive a $50,000 bonus." No matter whatever he does during his contract, he should not be fired but his remuneration could be reduced accordingly in a pre-agreed manner that will operate as a driving force on him to show cause. The coach must also have a free hand to do things his way to turn things around; and his decision on any player or game-plan is final without any overriding authority to micro-manage or pigeonhole him. So many nations appeared in South Africa 2010 with their ex-internationals managing them such as the legendary 'Hand of God' Diego Maradona who is shepherding Team-Argentina.

Like those imported 'white' coaches, the indigenous coach must be handsomely remunerated to encourage him to bring home the laurels (trophies, cups and medals). Such parity or near parity will also reduce the inferiority complex suffered by these unappreciated coaches, faced with their boys some of who are grossing serious foreign exchange playing professionals overseas; as well as other foreign coaches. Such a home-grown coach must have his work cut out for him, which work description must specifically be free of the constant meddling by officials and without any provisions made for the accommodation of the usual federal character politicization of football in Nigeria. If all the eleven players needed to bring soccer-glory to Nigeria come from only Edo State or Zamfara or Ogun or Imo State, so be it; provided they do Nigeria proud.

It is imperative that a performance-based, result orientated endeavor like football must not be sacrificed on the alter of quota-system or federal character where every tribe or religion in Nigeria must be represented for political correctness.

Icheoku says, Nigeria should learn how to let its best and brightest people represent them or work on behalf of the country whenever the need arises, instead of the frequent imposition of mediocrity wrought by crass madness of a few called zoning, quota-system, federal character and all other manners of very mundane and parochial political considerations. The outside world that watched Nigeria Eagles play at the world cup in South Africa 2010 only saw a green and white decked Nigerian Eagles and not Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo Eagles? They also did not see an Hausa Sani Kaita receive a red card but a Nigerian midfielder who was sent off because of unprofessional reaction? The world did not see a Yakubu Aiyegbeni from the Midwest who refused to push a goal over the goal-line from a 2 yard position in front of an open net; but a Nigerian striker who could not strike a ball? Did they see a Yoruba Obafemi Martins or Igboman Eyeama; no, all they saw were the Nigeria duo, one, a striker who plays professional football in England while the goal-keeper is a wonder-worker at making near-impossible saves.

Icheoku asks, Nigeria, when will meritocracy become the watch-word instead of a person's last name or religious affiliation; the same reason the thought of illiterate Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida venturing back to power amidst so many highly educated professionals makes me want to loose my mind! It is about time Nigeria overcame this retrogressive pettiness of arrangements where under-performing athletes are allowed to participate in such a world-class sporting fiesta as the world cup just because their zone needs to be represented or included in the national team?

Finally, like the Japanese coach Takeshi Okada, a native of Japan, who has been with the Blue Samurai since 1994, what a reconstituted national Team-Nigeria will need is a steady, patriotic hand on the tiller of football coaching in Nigeria, an indigenous coach who will proudly answer his nation's call to duty and will go an extra mile to ensure that such honor is well defended. Unlike these mercenary foreign coaches, whose primary consideration is the bread and butter such opportunity provides, and could care somewhat if desired result are met, a native coach has so many things at stake and also lacks the luxury of escaping back to another homeland should the polity become super charged as with these expatriate coaches. Coach Lagerback is already in Sweden and never made it back to Nigeria with the disgraced Baba Ibeji Eagles? Admitted it may be initially wobbly, but heck, there is always a first baby-steps, but the home-grown coach should be allowed to falter and reboot himself, and figure out a best way forward; with constant seminars, workshops, symposiums and training the world over; and in some cases allowed to attend some soccer/football academies scattered all over the world. Then he should be charged with a fixed task of making the Eagles fly to soaring heights in Brazil 2014. It can be done Nigerians, yes Nigerians can! Thank you President Jonathan for your decisive action on the matter of the de-winged Eagles as we wait for the firing of incompetent mercenary coach Lars Lagerbach of Sweden.