IGBO PEOPLE, MIRED IN AND HELD DOWN BY THEIR 'CRAB MENTALITY?'

No one could have said it better, or put it more succinctly and in a language very easily understandable, even by a layman? No one has ever articulated it more eloquently and scholarly until now? For as long as the attempt at decoding the albatross bogging down the Igbo people have lasted, no other mind has ever precisely zeroed it down to near science, placing a handle on the root-cause of the intractable problem. A royal father has now finally identified and named the Igboman's leg-iron, their "crab mentality!"

His Royal Highness Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi Igwe Nnaemeka Anichebe has finally put a name to the monkey which is hanging around the neck of the Igbo people of this world. A monkey, which is militating against their real and actual collective progress, especially politically, within the Nigerian general society as well as their Igbo Diaspora. Icheoku adds, but instead of admitting this problem and finding a solution thereto, the Igbos have always tried to explain away this their lack of real brotherhood and cohesiveness/camaraderie as republicanism; and you ask yourself what is republican in a people that cannot galvanize and coalesce for a common purpose or help one another get somewhere meaningful? A people who selfishly make it all about the individual self or nothing; a somewhat 'if not me it must be no one else syndrome?'

His Majesty spoke in a recent forum, organized to address the place of the Igboman especially its new 'minority status' in Nigeria and the way forward for them within the Nigeria political entity. According to His Majesty, the Igbo people of Nigeria are suffering political stagnation in Nigeria because of their "crab mentality!" This affliction affects the Igboman's mind and prevents him from making any meaningful dash for power in Nigeria and at the same time, unable to support, push or allow his fellow Igboman to do so. Elucidating further, the Igbo people are like crabs placed in a basket, which would not move out of the basket and will not in any case, allow any of them to get out but will collectively hold each other down; making all motion and no movement to somewhere or anywhere. This quandary they find themselves, a near anarchical restiveness makes them their own peoples' worst nightmare. This 'affliction' makes it impossible for any Igbo man to ever climb out of a metaphorical self dug-hole where they are confined and consigned to. While none of them gets anywhere outside the hole, they will not help, assist or support each other either. Instead, they prefer to hold each other stuck down-under, preferring instead for all of them to remain mired down in the hole rather than have one of them rise up and out of the hole as an alter ego.

Crabs in a
hole or basket ordinarily could easily escape confinement if only they would band together and develop a workable game-plan. They could make a crab-pyramid to help one another get up and get out of their hole; but no, they would not because crabs don't work together very well. Instead, they spend too much valuable time squabbling amongst themselves and arguing about petty things including nothingness. This is the sorry fate which has befallen and overtaken the Igbo people of the world; and until they resolve to shake the monkey off their back, it is going to remain a knee-jerk feeble approach with their political endeavors in Nigeria. Icheoku says, who says the Igbo people do not still have some fine minds amongst them, as exemplified by this custodian of their ancestral bequeath and inheritance, the Agbogidi.

Until now, opinions have been as diverse and varied as they are inarticulate, ranging from the mundane to the inexplicable; but suffice it to say that His Royal Highness finally got it right; - he nailed it right down to the Igbo problem. Call it unruly crowd mindset of the Igbo nation? Term it a motley-crowd mentality of the Igbo people? Call it obstructionist tendencies of the Igbos? Call it their 'I or no one else' syndrome? You are right and right you shall always be with whatever description you proffer, as long as it agrees with the sentiment that the Igbo people of Nigeria have a problem of not supporting one another, and a self-inflicted one for that matter. Is it petty, you bet it is. Is it selfish, oh yeah! Is it self-inflicted, yes; if not, tell Icheoku who from outside Igboland that is a greater enemy of the Igbo people other than themselves? A product of self hate, avarice, jealous, envy, restiveness, disunity, lack of cohesion and a dis-organised, disheveled, dishevelled, inarticulate, rambunctiousness, smart-alecs syndrome and a society where everyone thinks and sees himself as superior and all-knowing than the man next door.

The simple, short and concise answer to the Igbo 'un-supportive of one another' question, is that the Igbo people of this world, majority of who call Nigeria home, are yet to reach their epiphany in understanding that leadership position is a requirement for any given society both for cohesion and for strength. That in order for any society to thrive, they must have a recognized leadership to serve as a guiding light; and also at any given time, there can only be one such captain of a ship? But possibly due to their political immaturity and naivete, coupled with somewhat puerile dispositions, the Igbo people, despite their proclivity for smartness, are yet to fully realize the efficacy of this proven societal imperative of having a cognizable and identifiable engine to pull or push the rest of the society train of the Igbo nation to a destination of relevance. But nay, a riotous and frenzied motley of people they are; more aptly captured by William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar when he referenced the plebeian mob. Icheoku says, until the Igbo people realize this their very devastating shortcoming, it will always remain for them, a sorrowful undertaking, their attempt at reaching a meaningful destination of political relevance within the Nigeria society.

Icheoku affirms that at no time was this "crab-mentality" of the Igbo people of Nigeria displayed more flagrantly than during the 2009's PDP governorship primary in Anambra State, the supposed flag-staff state of Igboland? For just only one governorship position, 55 sons and daughters of Igboland threw their hats into the ring, forking out 5.5 million Naira respectively in application fees, the highest ever charged by a political party in Nigeria, just for the permission to contest for their party's flag-bearer for the governorship of a state? In the end, the 55 not-so-wise men and women lost the bid for the governorship seat and the eventual candidate the PDP's hierarchy foist on the party as its governorship candidate in the election, Chukwuma Soludo, woefully lost to the APGA candidate Peter Obi. It was not for lack of trying or funding or thuggery or rigging that PDP's Chukwuma Soludo lost; no, it was because a house divided amongst itself is bound to fall, and each 'disenfranchised' candidate worked assiduously to undermine the foist candidate of the party, deploying their 'crab-mentality' in the process. In the end, APGA's Peter Obi sailed back to the governorship mansion without much of a fight from the opposition; buttressing the crab mentality of the Igbo people wherein 55 crabs held each other down inside a governorship bowl, refusing and sabotaging any one of them from ever emerging out of the hole and/or winning the contest.

Also during the previous PDP's chairmanship that threw up the disgraced erstwhile chairman Vincent Ogbulafor, Icheoku recollects vividly that over 23 applicants of Igbo stock ran a contest of death for that office; forcing the powers that be in Nigeria, led by the governor's forum, to foist Ogbulafor on the party. He was later forced out by a guffaw of political misstatement which went against all permutations of the current power that be, then Acting President Jonathan and his South-South clan. The manner of Ogbulafor's exit once again portrayed the Igbo people negatively within the Nigerian society, as politically incapable, incompetent and too loquacious, which does not augur well for any meaningful political advancement of the race within the Nigeria polity. That Igbo people Jim Nwobodo and the late Chuba Okadigbo were similarly used by the institutionalized anti-Igbo elements of and in Nigeria in Jos, to frustrate Alex Ekwueme's presidential run in 1999, paving the way for Olusegun Obasanjo's final emergence, also bears testimony to this "crab-mentality" of the Igbo people.

Their mantra and war-cry is always 'either me or no one else;' and if not me, let no one else get that trophy; forgetting that a leadership can be provided through and by the proxy of a brother or sister in power? Like the biblical King Solomon the Wise and the two women contesting ownership of a child, the Igbo people usually are more identified with the woman who insisted that the child be divided into two halves? The "crab-mentality" afflicting the Igbo people is not exclusive of homeland/motherland Igbos; no, it is ingrained in their DNA and continuously manifests everywhere and anywhere Igbos gather together including their Diaspora. Take your mind to the defunct World Igbo Congress; and so many other Igbo bodies that have attempted a flight only to become moribund shortly due to petty intra-Igbo crass struggle of who is who or the numero-uno? There is also the Igbo people addiction for taking chieftaincy titles, where everyone wants to be a chief with titles of "this 1 and that 1"; as nobody amongst them ever wants to be number 2 of whatever title they buy or take? There are sometimes, so many "this 1 and that 1" that you wonder when will the "this 2 and that 2" ever emerge or begin to take root?

That Igwe Nnaemeka Anachebe, Agbogidi of Onitsha, a main city of Igboland in Anambra State came up with this apposite allegory, clearly depicting the problem bedevilling the Igbo people of Nigeria, could not have been a better coincidence. Good enough he is one of the custodians of Igboland and on whose laps falls the duty and responsibility to fix what is broken and should endeavor or help to coral Igbo people into a pen of support and love for one another. As a correlative, Icheoku asks, is His Majesty going to lead the Igbo people, especially of his Anambra State stock, towards finding a meaningful solution to the problem which continuously stunt Igbo collective progress within the Nigeria society, especially her political advancement? Icheoku regrettably answers in the negative, as even such effort will be clobbered down by the fabled Igbo people's 'crab mentality' as many other traditional rulers might not even allow the Agbogidi to rise up amongst other crabs from their dug-hole? They would not allow him to take the credit of being the man who finally solved an intractable problem hindering Igbos collective progress; and the wheel of Igbo "crab-mentality" keeps on churning and churning ad infinitum!

Concluding, Icheoku quotes a south-south Niger Delta operative in the presidency at Aso Rock, Mr. Smart Eselemo, who in answer to a question on the looming presence of Niger Delta people in Abuja, said, "it was true that so many Ijaw prominent personalities have relocated from the Niger Delta to Abuja since Jonathan became acting President; they relocated not because of anything but because they want to assist in seeing that Jonathan succeeds. You know, Jonathan is the first minority in Nigeria to become a President under a civilian dispensation. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the minorities, especially those of us from the Niger Delta, to ensure that he succeeds.” Icheoku asks, can the Igbo people of Nigeria faced with a similar situation where one of them finds himself in such a position, ever rise up to the occasion in support of one of their own? Can the Igbo people of Nigeria instead of perpetually undermining each other learn from Mr. Eselemo that "our own" is better than nothing and that it must not always be me, me and me? Can the Igbo people of Nigeria and the world over, ever learn to support one another instead of continuously adopting the "pull him down" attitude, which has become very symptomatic of the Igbo people of the world. It is either them or nothing else and as always, would, if not them, make sure it is no one else; and you ask yourself, when will the Igbo epiphany take place. So long as the Igbo people remain mired in their own squalor, caused by an inherent "crab-mentality" of 'me or no one else,' they will continue to grope for a meaningful relevance within the Nigerian society and the Diaspora!

NIGERIAN COUPLE'S WHITE BABY, WHOSE CHILD IS IT ANYWAY?

A Nigerian couple living in London from Imo State, Ben and Angela Ihegboro recently welcomed a white skinned, blue eyed and blonde-haired baby into this world. Icheoku asks, who is the real father (baby-daddy) of this baby in view of the tragedy of Florida last few months where a Nigerian pharmacist found out that his 18 year old 'son' wasn't his afterall and killed his unfaithful wife as a consequence. Icheoku advises a DNA test to determine paternity before act of God is blamed for giving a black couple the strange gift of a white kid. Who knows the real father of a child but the mother?

SAMUEL OGBU NWOBODO OGBU, FIRED UP AND READY TO SERVE NKANU-LAND!

An accomplished family man, successful attorney and entrepreneur, who now wants to take up another challenge, fighting the cause of his Nkanu people! He wants to go to work for his people of Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency of Enugu State Nigeria as their next elected Federal Representative in Abuja!

To the people and constituents of Nkanu East and West Federal constituency of Enugu State Nigeria, his message is simple, - "you have been under-represented for so many years and now comes the man of the hour to fix what is broken and remedy what has been so badly damaged for these past many years." His name is Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu, a native of Akpugo and he is your candidate for the Federal House of Representatives. Sam wants to serve you at the National Assembly as your next elected representative in 2011 and urge you to send him to Abuja to go and put his training and experience to your beneficial use; and bring home for you the bacon which have so far eluded your constituency all these past years of inadequate representation!

Icheoku was invited to a fundraiser and introduction of candidate held in Bay Area of Northern California USA a few weeks ago by 'Friends of Sam for House of Representatives. During our chit-chat with the candidate, he revealed a man with a steely resolve; possessed of a burning desire to help his Nkanu East and West people reinvent themselves. He wants to empower them to restore their dignity, by reasserting their voice once again in Enugu State and Nigeria politics. He strongly and reasonably believes that since the last time his late father represented the area at the then Anambra State House of Assembly, that the constituency have never been so adequately served again by the subsequent crop of charlatans who were in it primarily for themselves. He however plans to put a stop to this under-representation and bring back selfless service to the people, reminiscent of the old days of his father, as their next elected House of Representative member. For Sam, the days of seating out the party while on the fence and criticizing what is going wrong is over and any one who wants to drive the car must now do so from the inside. Sam believes his world experience as a successful USA-based attorney as well as international businessman will help him successfully navigate the corridors of the National Assembly towards bringing back home for his people of Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency their fair share of democracy dividends.

A former chairman of Security and Intelligence committee of Governor Sullivan Chime transition committee, Sam stated categorically that the PDP in Enugu State has no factions and that the party is led solely by Governor Sullivan Chime with Honorable Chief Vita Abba as its chairman; both of whom he expressed unalloyed support and loyalty to. He equally said that Governor Sullivan Chime by his own assessment has earned the right to a second term based on what he has been able to accomplish during his first term; principal among which is creating an all inclusive and cordial ideas-based enabling political environment where people of ideas are now attracted to get involved in politics of and in Enugu State.

His cardinal objective when elected will be to pursue a 'State of Origin Act' legislation where the paramount and determinate factor in any Nigerian's state of origin should be the state of birth of that person as opposed to the present state of ancestry which hinders full integration in Nigeria. According to him, it does not make any sense for example that a third generation Igbo person residing in Sokoto whose father and grandfather were born in Sokoto will still be identified and treated as an Igbo man after such generational period sojourning in Hausa-land. Or an Ijebu-Igbo man who has called Enugu home for over half a century and still being treated as a Yoruba man alongside his Igbo-fluent children? Or that Fulani man who shepard his cattle to Aba before independence and settled there ever since with his new inlaws who are Igbos? Also he will fight for the establishment of an 'Employment Development Agency' to help streamline matters of employment and lack thereof in Nigeria. Attorney Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu believes that technical qualifications in Nigeria should be standardized similar to the days of 'British City and Guilds' such that carpenters, plumbers, electricians and such other trades and artisans could have one qualifying certification to ensure uniformity of competence and skill. This would in turn ensure a steady pool of well qualified artisans and tradesmen which in turn will boost confidence of foreign investors that their technical needs for pedestrian-manpower could be supplied should they decide on investing in Nigeria; and as a consequence entice them to so invest. For Sam, things in Nigeria could always be done better in order to improve, hence his decision to go home and lead the effort from the inside. It is his believe that to change something, one has to get involved in the change effort and not just be finger-pointing.

On Freedom of Information Act, Sam says, pass it now; as he has personally seen its beneficial use as a practicing attorney in the USA. On Babangida intended run for president, Sam is of the opinion that he is a Nigerian and since nothing expressly precluded him from running for any office, he can run for the office; but whether he will win is another question? On President Goodluck Jonathan's prospective run for president in 2011, Sam said he is not aware of it officially; but likewise any other Nigerian, he too is eminently qualified to run as well. He promised to declare his assets but does not ascribe to Madam EFCC's Farida Waziri call for the Chinese treatment of corrupt Nigerian public officials; but encourages a systematic approach through the legal framework in place in tackling the corruption. On legislators' constituency fund, Sam said it was wrong for such legislators to privatize such public money and that they should account for projects on which they spent such allocations. On kidnapping, he said it is a function of societal decay and the bi-product of the high unemployment in Nigeria; but nothing justifies such criminality.

On his vision for his people of Nkanu East and West Federal constituency, Candidate Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu said he wants to be an agent of change for all the people of the constituency and for once make the people feel a real representation, provided by a man with experience, integrity, honor and a sense to make a difference in reaching out to the communities therein with various forms of real democratic dividends. For him, he is not going there for self but is hunched with a legacy of a selfless father-politician, whose populism he wants to emulate and possibly surpass and shall provide a shoulder for all-in-need in Nkanu West and East to rest upon. Sam plans also to forgo his periodic monetary allocation in lieu of job allocations and positions for his people of Nkanu East and West federal constituency. Continuing, he said that he will be the vehicle through which the constituency will be heard loud and clear in Enugu State and Nigeria political scene. His will provide an all hands representation for the entire 28 wards/towns that make up the constituency and in his theme of bringing hope to the hopeless, he plans to provide gainful employment and/or training for at least five persons in each of the 28 wards during his first term in office. His explanation on how he will accomplish these job creation was quite satisfactory and having so far created over 80 jobs in his private capacity tells a lot on the experience he is bringing to the project when elected.

Sam does not believe in handouts or giving people clippers as their empowerment tools as some candidates do, notwithstanding that such beneficiaries do not even know how to cut hairs? He promised to efficiently apply his constituency funds and receipts to directly empower the people properly to not only give them fish but also teach them how to catch fish for themselves. Sam believes in a lasting empowerment that will long outlive and outlast his term of office; and having done that before, he plans to reenact same again; but now on a grander scale, spreading it throughout the 28 wards of Nkanu East and West Federal constituency. For Sam, there is a great difference between being wealthy and being great and he will rather be great by seeing his effort translate and transform several peoples lives from hopelessness to hopefulness in Nkanu East and West constituency, starting with the initial forty people he plans to start-off his job-creation initiative with, upon being sworn-into office.

Sam also promised to establish a fully staffed and functioning constituency office in his constituency where his people can be in touch with their representative and also hold periodic courts akin to America's town-hall meetings. Simply summarized, if Nkanu East and West federal Constituency is tired of the status-quo and looking for a progressive change, Attorney and businessman Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu is the change, the agent of change and a catalyst of change which the constituency has been waiting for. To the people of Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency, Sam says, wipe your tears of sorrow and hopelessness as it is a new day in Nkanuland; when effective representation will mount the saddle.

Under Sam, the days of half measures will forever be gone in Nkanuland once elected; and just as it takes one person to start a market, he plans to to be that single person to start the onward march to real progressive change in Nkanuland particularly in Nkanu East and West Federal constituency. His experience in America has taught him that people can do better if driven and he plans to be on the saddle, helping to drive his people towards realizing their various and respective dreams. Candidate Sam is of the opinion that the single most militating factor in his constituency is that over the years less qualified and under-motivated people have been representing the area and this will end as soon as he is elected; as he will chart a new course and direction for the people of Nkanu East and West constituency. Sam promised to forever change the course and face of politics in Nkanuland if and when elected as the next Federal Representative in 2011. On who is sponsoring his election, Sam said in addition to what he has squirrelled away over the years as a practicing USA based attorney and entrepreneur, he hopes that friends and people who see the vision he is bringing to the table will come to the table and help him to realize it.

In summary, Icheoku says to the people of Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency of Enugu State, this is the man you have been waiting for! In Attorney/Entrepreneur Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu you have found what you have been looking for in a Representative. His articulated vision and passion is unparalleled and he is very real grass-root new generation politician. Having listened to him make his case on the need to have actual and real representation for Nkanu East and West Federal constituency coupled with his international exposure, pedigree and degree of preparedness, Icheoku affirms that Nkanu East and West couldn't have asked for any more qualified and better candidate to fight their cause in Abuja than Sam. So Nkanu East and West Federal constituency, this is your chance to get it right; opportunity knocks on your door and open you should. Samuel Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu is your candidate, the right candidate and the very candidate doctor-politics ordered for your constituency! Take him; accept him, vote for him and send him to Abuja in 2011 as your next Representative in the Federal House of Representatives!

SHIRLEY SHERROD'S COMMENT, RACISTS?

"I didn't give him the full force of what I could do. I did enough. ... So I took him to a white lawyer. ... I figured if I would take him to one of them, his own kind would take care of him." - Shirley Sherrod, former director at USDA. Icheoku agrees that this comment is racist and further avers that racism is an ongoing thing in America with practically everyone guilty of the sin. It is only when stumbles and misspeaks of this kind surfaces that people begin to pretend everything has been honky dory prior. Who is not a racist including you, me and everyone who would rather take care of one of his/her kind first before reaching out to the 'others'. Our Lord Jesus Christ foresaw this when he said "all have sinned and fallen short of glory' and 'he who is without sin should throw the first stone'.The solution is that we should be talking more about our differences towards finding more galvanizing common grounds for our lasting cohesion instead of the existing 'don't ask, don't tell' disposition. To pretend otherwise that there is no racism in America is akin to pretending that President Barack Hussein Obama is white. Shirley Sherrod was caught off guard and she got what she deserved by being fired. As a public official, she should have known better on how to play the 'tag-along to get-along' silent game. The racial connotation here includes 'not doing alI she could have done' and 'taking him to one of his own kind'. Her futile explanation of 'in context' falls flat; and that not withstanding, she should have simply known better.

ANDREW BREITBART, THE VILLAIN WHO SET THE SHIRLEY SHERROD'S RACIAL FIRESTORM!

You are looking at the redneck racist race-baiter Andrew Breitbart, who sold the country a dummy and they bought that an innocent woman made a racist comment; resulting in the victimization of the woman who was merely educating the country on how to get over their prejudices. That makes this fat pig a pork!

IKE EKWEREMADU AND KIDNAPPING IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA?

Icheoku read with shock reports implicating and/or associating Nigeria's deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu with kidnapping in Enugu State? Icheoku also read another report of a denial of the alleged by the deputy senate president through his spokesperson. Whether Ike Ekweremadu is an innocent victim in the kidnapping saga or a godfather/benefactor of those kidnappers, providing them with necessary cover from his Abuja high office as deputy senate president, no one really knows; but sure, smoke usually follows a fire!

Some Nigerian politicians are so brutally selfish and self-centered that they are capable of just anything and everything under the sun including as in this case, kidnapping? For them as long as there is some political gain to be made and provided there is no adversarial impact on them and their families, the harmattan wind wild fire might as well assume a blaze of Hades velocity for all they care.

In this case of alleged Ekweremadu's involvement with kidnappers, there are so many 'known unknowns' and many things we think we know which we don't know; but the only certainty that presently exist is that there was an allegation and then a subsequent denial. As always, between the allegation and the denial lies the shed of grey, which usually houses the nest of the real story or put in another way, where the whole truth and nothing but the truth lies. Icheoku will however not second-guess anything at this time nor without any convincing evidence, wantonly brand anyone a suspect. We would air on the side of side of reasonable doubt and hope there is no smoking gun anywhere and elsewhere. But the scourge of kidnapping in the South East has become a terminal cancer and everyone with any Igbo blood flowing in his/her veins should see it as not deserving any flicker of life whatsoever. It is about time something drastic is collectively done to put these kidnappers out of business and for good! Enough of these ongoing blackmails and wanton shedding of blood of innocents in the South East and turning Igboland into inhabitable desolate 'wasteland?'

Now the question remains, what is the South East doing to curb and peter out the banditry of kidnapping which is turning the once proud land of our fathers into the new 'old Lebanon' of Nigeria? Where are the Igbo supposed leaders at this hour of great need to call these maga-dogs to order and at worst order their eradication from the land through self-help vigilantism, if that is what it takes to wrest our communities back from these band of marauding thugs. Icheoku asks, what is Ikemba Nnewi Odumegwu Ojukwu's position on this and whether he has spoken out condemning this malaise and ordering these beasts to beat it from his South East? What has Alex Ekwueme done or said about this hooliganism and has he reminded these animals the quantum of damage they are doing to the Igbo nation?

Where is Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on this or is he waiting for another pitiful Vincent Ogbulafor's corruption scandal to erupt eliciting his removal from office for him to start running around and pontificating about a non existent "Igbo-ness"? Is Ebitu Ukiwe, Uche Chukwumerije, Jim Nwobodo, Ndubuisi Kalu, Allison Madueke, Ike Nwachukwu etc keeping silence and waiting for who to bell the cat? Why are all these Emperors Nero of Igbo-land singing, playing the fiddle and making merry while Rome of Igboland burns in an inferno of unprecedented ferocity? A time for providing real leadership in and for Igboland never called until this moment, and any supposed Igbo leader who fails to answer the call of fatherland should forever hold his peace and never once again, so parade him/herself. How could mother-hen be watching while the hawks continue to make a mince meat of her chicks, with unabashed sky-bombardments?

Recently, Edo (Benin) Kingdom got tired of such too many incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping and took the matter into their hands to solve it. They invoked a traditional panacea over their land, putting a diabolical curse on anyone directly or indirectly connected with the social malady. Low and behold, Benin Kingdom have enjoyed relative peace ever since and it was at the instance of their King, Omo N'Oba Erediuwa 1 that the Chief Priest Nosakhare Isekhure administered the curse. This forces Icheoku to ask, are there still 'Kings and/or Chiefs' left in Igbo land and what are they doing to help their subjects who are under an enveloping siege by a band of kidnappers? If Icheoku remembers correctly, there is this one all-over-the-place supposed Igbo Royal Highness and chairman/leader of all Igbo traditional rulers, HRH Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, who sometime ago was engaged in a visceral battle with all the "Ezes of Ndi Igbo" of this world? It was then his self-assumed battle to stop anyone anywhere from assuming the ceremonious title of "Eze Igbo" be it in the north, west, south and even in the Diaspora?

This particular ruler was travelling to every kingdom, emirate and chiefdoms in Nigeria from the Emir of Kano to the Sultan of Sokoto to the Oba of Lagos to the Oba of Benin, practically begging them not to recognize any 'Eze Igbo' in their domain and to withdraw any such existing recognition from any Igbo man residing therein. Icheoku wrote an oped then, denouncing his effort as a waste of time and an evidence of a man with so much selfish ego and a desire to be the one and only 'Eze Igbo' in Nigeria? It is also important to point out that it did not matter then to this chief that these other 'Eze Igbo' in foreign lands have no real nexus to the Igbo South East and are not in any competition with him and his ilks; or in any other way a threat to their respective stools and/or kingdoms. But now that a real task militating against 'Ndi Igbo' has arisen, needing a real Igbo ruler/chief to rise up and go to war as in good old days, no one has seen the brake-lights of this traditional ruler nor heard his comment. Icheoku asks Chief Ilomuanya where are you and what is going on in Igboland; or are you afraid of also being kidnapped?

What use are these Igbo rulers/leaders when their women and children are living in bondage of the fear of kidnappers in their homeland if they cannot provide necessary leadership needed to run these bastards out of town? Where are the Igbo governors of the five South East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo or are they like Ike Ekweremadu, also sleeping with the enemy and sympathetic to their cause; in order to later use them to scare away any possible opposition come 2011? Icheoku is ashamed that these urchins have been allowed for too long to turn Igboland, the once proud home of such greats as Zik, KO Mbadiwe, Dee Sam Mbakwe, Pius Okigbo etc into a practically no go area or at best a 'visit at your own risk' enclave and with such a great trepidation. When will this fog of darkness ever lift from dear motherland.

It is about time this menace is put to an end and we hereby unequivocally condemn kidnappings in the South East as it is not only criminal but also giving all Igbo man and woman one heck of a bad name. These imbeciles who have turned Igbo nation into an unlivable hell-hole should really be ashamed of themselves for being the lilly-livered cowards they are, who are only strong at home. What happened to the standard test of bravado of the yore when real men go to foreign lands to plunder and bring home their loot? What happened to taking bravery abroad to go wrest back from the 'Whiteman' what they took from the continent centuries ago and are still taking? What happened to taking mercenary jobs in Afghanistan, Iraq and other such hot-spots of the world where brave men go to prove their mettle? Why become mere frustrated 'kitchen-brave' scumbags throwing their birds-muscles at motherland, robbing and kidnapping hapless Igbo men and women who still hold forte and call Igboland home; when many with means have simply deserted the region, fled to other regions for safety. But who are these faceless urchins that cannot be stopped or is there no willingness on the part of the Igbo people to have this come to an end?

Finally, talking directly to these bandits, Icheoku says please for God's sake call off this madness before you cost IGP Ogbonna Onovo, the first Igbo Inspector General of Police, his job. As you may be aware, Nigerians are becoming very restive and are questioning if IGP Onovo is up to the task of policing Nigeria since he cannot even police his own South East region by getting rid of these kidnappers. So South East kidnappers, if you have any common sense, you should help IGP Onovo to succeed in his job and enable him serve out his term before he is prematurely removed for perceived 'incompetence' in failing to reign in kidnapping, a problem wrought by you, his kinsmen and women. Icheoku is also calling on every Igbo man and woman to rise up against this army of invaders and fight them off the land and with their last blood if necessary.

This metastasised cancer of kidnapping in the South East demands that all Igbo hands be turned into surgical-hands, united to excise it; with the governors providing the leadership effort before marshal law is declared, replacing them with milads, who could then take these states back from those lowlife kidnappers. Worst case scenario, give the Bakassi boys back their machetes and cutlasses and let the real brave man be left standing. Also whatever is left of the fractured MASSOB should consider this kidnapping as an affront on their fledgling 'statehood' or how else can they assure Igbo people that they will be capable of providing good governance when they cannot rout out these shitless kidnappers from their territory? The governors of the South East are hereby warned and put on notice, either they urgently lead the effort at purging the South East of these kidnappers or President Jonathan should declare a state of emergency and let military administrators put a stop to these arrant nonsense and give the Igbo people back their homeland, freed of kidnappers!

WE ARE BACK, FROM A LONG OVERDUE VACATION!

We are back, rested, refreshed and ready to up the tempo, as we rev Icheoku's engine to full throttle! It can only get better and more punchy. We apologise for no letting you, our teeming visitors understand earlier the reason for our absence these past week which saw many of you contact to inquire what happened to their Icheoku daily briefs. We just had to go; but now we are back! Thank you for being such a loyal visitor and supporter of the Icheoku project; our promise to you is that we shall continue to strive to earn your admiration.

Icheoku and crew took a long over-due vacation which saw us through New England Boston Massachusetts and Northeastern states of New York, New Jersey and Maryland. It was awesome, having to wake up in the morning without rushing to any place of work and trying to be everything to everybody just to be accommodated in the place of work? It was nice just waking up so late fully aware that there is no rush hour traffic to beat before a day at the seat or desk; and that you have the leisure of retiring whenever you desired so late in the night, since there is no fixed time to wake up early the next day.

New York was what it is - the ever bustling 24/7 hour city, where the only thing that goes to sleep is the sun; as people frantically pace from place to place from sunrise to sundown and again to sunrise. From Brooklyn to Manhattan to Bronx via trains 4 and 5 and J and M to Queens and LILR to Long Island and Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island the five boroughs are open for New Yorkers and their teeming visitors whenever they needed to visit. But the heat was sweltering and the undergrounds were steaming; except that the subways were fully air-conditioned and humming.

We took a cruise on Hudson river to Lady Liberty as well as Ellis Island; after being entertained at Battery Park by a coterie of New York acrobats and their jabbing humor-laced one-liners. One can never fully imagine the size of the monument until a privileged walk inside the crown - what a marvelous piece of a creative ingenuity of Mr. Eiffel? Wall street is still as imposing despite the economic malaise they brought about the previous years, with their menacing bull still standing firm and charging as ever. World Trade Center is a beehive of construction activities, though barricaded and no longer accessible but the picture tells a story of earth-moving equipment and construction workers trying to put back a replacement of what Osama Bin Laden brought down in 9/11. "Fela on Broadway" was very hilarious and entertaining; but nothing compares to the real Ebam Eda of Kalakuta Republic Moshalashi Yaba and Pepple Street Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria while he lived; may his rebellious soul rest in peace! The view from the top at Empire State Building 102nd floor was as spectacular in bringing New York to view as could be expected. We also visited Central Park, Madison Square Garden, Bryant Park and Grand Central Station. We took a trip to Yankees Stadium in Bronx's 161st in honor of the departed Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner who died the week we were in New York. Longing for an African food, our palate drove us to 153-11 Rockaway Boulevard Jamaica (Queens) NY 11where we feasted on a home-style bitter leaf soup with various meat products and one of the finest pounded yam we have ever come in contact with in recent past. So now you know, when next you are in New York and desires a home-style cooking, just visit 'Tropical Grill", the home of fine African cuisine.

We stayed at Holiday Inn Express downtown Brooklyn and it was one heck of a fine discovery - very clean, well kept, quiet, and easily accessible - a walking distance from Atlantic train station from its 279 Butler Street tuck-away. It also provides an impressive hot free buffet-type breakfast. There is also free Internet, free telephone services as well as daily cleaning of your rooms with fresh towels and bedsheets. Maria our room-minder was superlative and so was Jaime the front desk staff. A large flat screen television and chilling split-unit air-condition makes you not want to leave the room; but at last you are on vacation and you must step out to see New York.

Our visit to new Jersey was just for two days as we went to East Hampton to attend a gala-nite fund raiser and then to New Brunswick to visit with families where we watched Spain lift the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 golden trophy. Admitted Spain were not our favorites and we rooted for Netherlands, Argentina was, but hey it is a game and they won; so our congratulations Spaniards. Also still on the world cup, Icheoku asks when shall the president of FIFA Sepp Blatter resign or quit office; or is there no term limit at FIFA? Our visit to Boston was nothing special since it was very brief and business-orientated; but with nothing much to salivate about and so was Maryland. Also while we were gone, the BP hole from hell in the Gulf of Mexico was finally plugged; and we hope that President Obama can now tell Malia that the damn hole has been plugged daughter? But in all, except for the hellish New York triple-digits mid-summer heat, it was one nice vacation and we hope to splash the tons of pictures and videos soon on the Internet for your perusal. Now we are back to business of holding their feet to the fire; and have a lot to share with you!

ATTORNEY/ENTREPRENEUR SAM OGBU NWOBODO OGBU, READY TO SERVE!

Candidate for House of Representative for Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency of Enugu State Nigeria, Attorney and Entrepreneur Sam Ogbu Nwobodo Ogbu, says to his Nkanu people of Enugu State, "send me to the House of Representatives to bring to you an effective and real representative representation." According to him, he has a vision for Nkanuland and Enugu State and prays they will honor him with the privilege to serve them at the national assembly to enable him showcase what he has in stock for them. He pledged to work tirelessly and selflessly to make all of them proud of their son and representative. Quoting him, "Nkanu people, this is our moment in history, let us seize it." Icheoku wishes Sam well with his political aspiration!

BP GULF COAST NIGHTMARISH HOLE FROM HELL, PLUGGED AT LAST!

At last it did not take another drill-hole to choke off the gushing gusher of BP's runaway oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. It also did not have to wait till the expected August ending anticipated time-frame to have it sealed. It all came to a head through the ingenuity of BP's consortium of engineers and 'plumbers' faced down with the biggest plumbing challenge of the century, trying to plug a spewing hole 5000 feet below the sea.

It was a grueling period for everyone and every sea animal in the gulf of Mexico including sea-turtles, seabirds, fishes etc. Executives of BP as well as its shareholders knew no rest as people demanded they just fix the damn hole. Even the president's daughter Malia once asked the president, whether he has fixed the hole yet? But at last, the hole has been plugged and everyone can now have a sigh of relief as well as a well deserved rest before the simultaneous job of cleaning and restoring the pristine gulf waters goes into full throttle.

Icheoku says, congratulations and thank you to BP for at last fixing what you guys broke beneath the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and hopefully, the blueprint for this engineering wonder will be preserved for any future occurrence as Icheoku is sure such hazards are necessary concomitant to such high risk endeavor prospecting for oil at such a depth. Plugged at last; plugged at last; the BP gusher is finally plugged at last!

DAN GILBERT, OWNER OF CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, A SORE LOSER!

Icheoku condemns the attack on 'King' LeBron James by the owner of his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mr. Dan Gilbert. Such a low-level descent by the mogul is uncalled for and smacks of an irate sore-loser, who is throwing tantrums and mud simply because his beloved 'wife' left him for a more promising suitor? For seven long straight years, did LeBron James labor, toil and play for this mogul, giving his Team Cavaliers all he got. For the seven long straight years did the championship ring elude James, thereby diminishing his monumental sacrifice on the court as the King remained without a crown; for what is an NBA player without a championship ring? King James did all he could for this man in the hope that his franchise will do something to turn around their fortune, but no, mother luck had already since gone from the team.

However the owner and Team Cavalier seem not to get the message that every NBA player covets the almighty championship ring, which has been the most elusive experience haunting LeBron James. This forced James to make that move to Miami, which to the Cleveland owner and hater, and fan-base is termed betrayal; while to every dispassionate mind, is a deft move whose time has since come. Icheoku understands the feeling that goes with one or owner or coach when one's flag-staff player goes off to another franchise; but a man of Mr. Dan Gilbert's standing could have done much better, managing his anger by sparing LeBron all these unnecessary tirades. Mr Gilbert would have just thanked LeBron for all that he did and tried to do in Cleveland and wished him on well. But no, everything must either be his way or the highway.

Dan Gilbert worked relentlessly to retain LeBron in his Cavaliers, and having failed, to persuade King Jamesoney to stay behind in Cleveland, he now goes off ranting like a woman-scorned. Dan Gilbert, Icheoku wants you to know that your outbursts were uncalled for and rather too rabid. Before James, was Cleveland Cavaliers; and after James Cavaliers will still be Cavaliers, as it will not just develop wings and fly away.

In Dan Gilbert's open letter to his countrymen and women(fans) on James departure, he said as follows: -

1. - "As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier." Icheoku responds that LeBron James made everyone know of his possible move to a new club, so it was preposterous of this Cavalier owner to in any way suggest that LeBron James abandoned ship? James never deserted anyone including Team Cavaliers but merely moved on in search of a more proactive team that will help him win an NBA Championship ring; and so important is this to LeBron that he had to forgo additional 30million dollars prospective offer just to be with a team with the greatest and brightest chance of winning.

2. - "This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment!." Icheoku says there is nothing narcissistic, and/or self-promotional with the manner LeBron tried to get a bang for his decision 2010. He is an incredible star with big talent and has earned the right to whatever he does that is not criminal. Or was Mr. Dan Gilbert a third-rate whimper from a man who has paid his dues and who is sort after like bees seek out nectar.

3. - "The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you." Icheoku answers Dan Gilbert that what his team had with James was a contract and that he completed the agreed number of years. So where does this betrayal come in from, as James had no contract with Team Cavaliers nor did he make any promise which he breached by moving on to Maimi. betray presupposes the defeat of an existing trust and non exists in this situation.

4. - "Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us. There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you. You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal. You have given so much and deserve so much more. Icheoku quips that LeBron James was not a coward but a brave young man who polices the hoop-land like only very few other basketball greats. Moreso, James gave the franchise his all for seven years of brave unalloyed service to Cleveland; but a tree does not make a forest? So on account of giving and receiving, James has also paid his dues; hence no one should intimidate him with such sentiment, of Cleveland fans having given James so much?.

5. - "In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: “I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE.” Icheoku retorts why did this Dan Gilbert waited until King James LeBron left Cleveland in frustration of not ever winning a championship ring, before making this boastful vow of promise? Dan Gilbert knew clearly well that James left Cavaliers because his team could not win any championship; so is it save to volunteer that Dan Gilbert wanted LeBron gone from Cleveland, otherwise why did he not "guarantee" a championship prior to enable James to stay?

6. - "If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels. Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there. Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works. Icheoku responds that if anyone involved in this matter wants to ascend to heaven alive it is this miserable Dan Gilbert who failed to understand the purports of words he continually employed during his press conference on LeBron James departure. What is shameful or selfishness here that a world class talent served out his contract and wants to try his ring-luck elsewhere? What is selfish in a mega-star team player, just trying to do god for and by himself, deciding to relocate to another part of the country to continue playing a team-based sports?

7. - "This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become. But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma. Just watch. Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day. I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue." If this is not one of the most uncouth, thoughtless and idiotic outburst of the recent past, then Icheoku must have gone fishing. What loyalty is this Gilbert talking about since he merely had a contract that has drawn to an end and James was no longer obligated to him? Who is heartless and callous in this case other than this mogul whose acidic venomous tongue is gushing abuses and levying curses on innocent LeBron James, who did nothing against him or his former team Cavaliers. Luckily the 'curse' of Cleveland is affixed to the soil of Cleveland and cannot travel with anyone including James, hence shall remain where it.

In conclusion, after 7 long years and no championship ring, what does this human-specimen, Dan Gilbert expect from LeBron James? May be to blindly remain in Cleveland and rust away, playing for a third rate Cavaliers without a chance on earth of winning the championship. From the content of his bile-fueled address, one will discern that Dan Gilbert craved for the days of indenture servitude so that he could have iron-marked LeBron James as his perpetual basketball player without any say in how he plays, where he plays and/or how he is treated. It is always difficult to let go especially when that thing is the anchor of your life; just like LeBron James was the oxygen in the Cleveland Cavaliers lungs. But the world is dynamic and people will always move on and Lebron James has moved on with Miami Heats, case closed. May be LeBron James and millions of fans world-wide could use some apology from this hater, Dan Gilbert. Icheoku wishes LeBron James success in his newly chosen Miami Heats and pray that he can find the ever elusive championship ring soon and very soon.

NIGERIAN EAGLES WORLD CUP SQUAD, INVOLVED IN UNDERWORLD(CRIME-MAFIA) MATCH FIXING?

Icheoku asks, could this be the reason why Yakubu Aiyegbeni purposely kicked a goal-line ball out of the goal post in Nigeria's match against South Korea? Could this also explain all the unexplained mystery of the disastrous appearance of the Nigerian side at FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010; a team that was both unfit and lacked any drive. Hopefully the investigation will uncover the real man behind the mask of the lackluster Nigerian Team Eagles!

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!'