SAME SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA, LEGALIZED?

Overruling California's Proposition 8 which de-legitimized same sex marriage, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said, 'Prop 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment.'. Icheoku says why does anybody even care a hoot about who or what anyone chooses to go to bed with or marry? As far as Icheokuis concerned, if one wants to marry his donkey, cat, dog, horse, fish, ape, gorilla, goat etc let him/her carry on. A union is a union and it does not matter with what the person is unionized.

It is ironical that American society which is targeting same sex marriage readily turns a blind eye to heterosexual couples marrying and divorcing several times over like CNN's Larry King? Or like the Mormons who engage in polygamy or the Catholic priests who are deprived of marriage and they surreptitiously engage in illicit molestation of alter boys or people pretending to be happily married while they cheat on their spouses like Bill Clinton's Monica Lewinsky episode. Icheoku says, if only these holier than thou people would heed our Lord Jesus Christ's injunction of 'thou shall not judge' or 'first remove the log in your eyes' teaching then everything will be honky-dory in our America!

To all same sex peoples of this world, welcome to the heartache called marriage. Detractors and gay-rights haters argued the judge ruled as he did because "he is one of them" - a gayman; but would they have rather a heterosexual judge did, leading to the same cries of favoritism. But which judge would have ruled otherwise faced with the mountain of adduced evidence and the fact that both chief law enforcers of California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Gerry Brown, were not interested in sustaining an apparent injustice and denial of rights ensconced in Prop 8 and chose not defend it. Also the two most visible constitutional lawyers in the United States Theodore Olsen and Boise teamed up to right the wrong wrought by Prop 8; and for those people who don't know who these lawyers are, they represented Bush and Gore respectively during Bush v. Gore 2000 presidential election disputation. They also accused the judge of liberal judicial activism, but luckily enough Judge Vaughan Walker is a conservative Republican, nominated first by President Ronald Reagan and appointed later by President George Hubert Bush Sr. It is also on record that his appointment was vehemently resisted and opposed by the liberal wing of the Democratic party led then by the current Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

Further the gay rights bashers argued that marriage presupposes sex, hence copulation is imperative; to which Icheoku answers, it depends on the type of orifice one prefers for copulation as sex could be oral, anal as well as vaginal. They further argued that God's injunction is to 'go and multiply; to which Icheoku answers that not all heterosexual couples have children. Some of them cannot have children either by choice, medical difficulty or impossibility as when the woman is barren or the man is sterile or probably the woman has passed child-bearing age. Additionally, they talked about the natural loving relationship between man and woman; to which Icheoku responds that late Laci Peterson was hacked to death by her husband Scott Peterson while she was carrying their 7 months old baby-boy. Now is that the kind of loving relationship these anarchists prefer?

Also if they are serious about maintaining social morality and viability, why don't they outlaw divorce and force people like CNN Larry King to stay married to just one woman. What about adulterous married men and women; or don't they destroy society's body fabric? Anyway, hopefully the United States Supreme Court will find no reason to reverse this decision, when it eventually makes its way thereto; and let anyone in any sort of relationship, if it suits him or her, marry whomever they prefer; and if Icheoku may stretch their pets if need be. Why not also make it mandatory that there will no longer be single parents or bachelors and spinsters for life? Why not make it mandatory that every Dick, Tom and Harry as well as Diane, Tessy and Harriet must marry. It is all about selectivity of societal norms when it suits them.

Also the issue of marriage or other unions is rather too personal and private for anyone to butt into such other peoples business. But hey, very soon the same-sexes will realize that marriage is what it is - it sucks! It deprives you of your liberties. It hamstrings your life as you be forced to start dealing with situations you would ordinarily have walked away from or out on previously. It will start forcing you to check with another human-being, each time you want to make a financial expenditure or just buy yourself a new toy like an automobile or a 3D television. What about the needless 'lets talk' moments when you least want to expend your saliva and would rather be left alone? What about I did the cooking, you have to do the dishes? What about fighting for remote control or who decides what program to watch? In short what about having to share you space with someone else? Anyway, California Gays, Lesbians and Transgenders welcome to the jungle! May the wedding 'Hell's' bells toll without ceasing and soon and very soon you will discover what the "m" in marriage stands for - M A D N E S S !

SOUTH AFRICA'S WAR ON CORRUPTION, POLICE CHIEF SELEBI SENT TO PRISON!

Icheoku says, once again South Africa has led the way for other African countries, especially Nigeria, to follow on how to seriously and effectively fight off corruption in the continent. The South African example have confirmed that for the fight against corruption to be effective, it must start from top to down because the top feeders of the corruption are highly placed and well connected elites of the society. These bandits of humanity must first be shaken clean and purged of their gluttony, which fuels their corruption, in order to put the "Fear of God" into the bottom feeders, the lower class and lesser mortals in the circle of the corruption pandemic if it must be broken.

Icheoku therefore calls on Nigeria's EFCC to emulate the good example of South Africa anti-corruption effort in convicting their country's national commissioner of police and set some example themselves with the several thousands of highly placed corrupt Nigeria's 'untouchable' high-ups, who have made the knee-jerk fight against corruption become more laughable.

But it would appear that the powers that be in Nigeria, who feed fat on corruption, will not release EFCC from the leg-chain it is in to really tackle the menace of corruption by going after the real deals top-heavies. If Icheoku remembers correctly, a one time Nigeria's Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun was escorted out of office in handcuffs for diverting police funds; but after the initial hullabaloo of camera. light and action, no one heard anything about the damn thing. Also his successor in office IGP Ehindero carted away in a car trunk the sum of 23 million Naira meant to pay police allowances and till today, he has suffered no repercussion as a result; and so are the numerous politicians and army men and government officials who have helped themselves gluttonously from states resources; yet there was no consequence for their itchy-fingers? South Africa has outperformed our expectation and Icheoku hereby commends South Africa anti-corruption effort for seriously saying to this cancer of corruption eating deep into Africa body fabric, enough; and also for making an example out of a well connected high-up government official, a national police commissioner, that no one is above the law.

The story has it that former South African national police commissioner (chief) and also ex-president of Interpol, Jackie Selebi, was sentenced to 15 years in jail by the High Court in Johannesburg for corruption - he accepted bribes from organized crimes. Convict Selebi was found guilty of receiving bribes totaling more than 1.2 million rand (166,000 dollars, 122,000 euros) in bribes between 2000 and 2005, including payments from convicted drug baron Glenn Agliotti, in return for sharing classified police intelligence on him with him and looking the other way while the kingpin carried on with his shady deals. Selebi was also ordered to forfeit to the state the total sum of 320,722 rand (about $43,800) which was the adjudged amount of proceeds of his criminal activities.

According to sentencing Judge Joffe Meyer, "high-level corruption posed a threat to the nation's hard-won constitutional freedoms." Icheoku says, just look at Nigeria and see how the brazenly corrupt Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is employing the proceeds of his corrupt enrichment while in power to truncate the polity through bribing them to sell their conscience (souls) to the devil. Continuing, Judge Meyer said, "corruption by members of the police force can never be tolerated. It is the very antithesis of what the police force stands for." Icheoku retorts that in Nigeria, police corruption is readily tolerated as constables are known to own properties which their salary and allowances can ill-afford and every person looks the other way while they callously at gun-points, shake down the citizenry to feed their corrupt habits. Nigeria police is standing still on its head, upside down, mired deep in corruption while bandits run amok in Nigeria, kidnapping, maiming and killing innocent folks." It is a trite crime-fighting saying that a compromised police force cannot put up a fight against crime? In Nigeria, that the police is synonymous with corruption and corruption foreshadows effective policing is an acceptable norm?

Judge Meyer further lampooned convict Selebi as "an embarrassment in the witness box; an embarrassment to the police force, an embarrassment to his appointors and employers; an embarrassment to the country and an embarrassment to all right thinking citizens." Icheoku laments that the opposite is the case in Nigeria where such thieving public officials, instead of being shamed and ridiculed by both the government and the society, are handsomely rewarded for being "successful" and given chieftaincy titles, appointed to offices and celebrated as "accomplished?" Some of them who are implicated in the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandal are still holding elected and appointed public offices in Nigeria today, such as Senator Jubril Aminu from Adamawa State and current PDP chairman Nwodo who still have a multi-million Naira bribery scandal lawsuit pending, while he was appointed the party's chairman? David Mark, the Nigeria senate president also corruptly enriched himself while serving as part of Babangida's military junta at then NITEL but is today presiding over Nigeria's highest legislative body? Babangida is running for president without first revealing the source of his stupendous wealth and how he came about the billions of Naira at his possession with which he is trying to truncate democracy in Nigeria, being a salaried retired army man?

That a 60 year old well connected police chief is sent to prison for 15 long years shows a government that is serious with fighting corruption and not the lip-service of Nigeria's EFCC which to date is yet to land any big gun behind bars; except for the 2 years slap on the wrist of Bode George. And like every thing African, instead of rewarding the Scorpions Elite Unit for snagging corrupt Selebi, President Zuma disbanded the unit to forestall another senior high-up from being nabbed. The president's action is similar to the treatment received by former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu EFCC who was rewarded for all his patriotic effort fighting corruption with his attempted assassination.

The interference by President Zuma in the Scorpion's Elite Unit anti-corruption work in South Africa by disbanding them alongside the then Nigeria's EFCC chairman's experience show that the men of power of Africa are the real reason why corruption thrives in the continent. They corrupt the society to gene up their support base and amass enormous money; and also use the reverse excuse of fighting the monster to hound and hunt down into extinction any possible opposition. Icheoku says this South Africa's example is the way to really fight corruption. It has to be confronted headlong and from head to toe; without respect to who one may know or associate with! What a testamentary and commendable headline to read that, "South Africa's Real War on Corruption lands a big fish, as police chief is sent to prison for 15 long years!" Icheoku prays that President Jacob Zuma should reconsider his position, change his mind and un-ban the anti-corruption Scorpion Elite Group so that they can continue their commendable work to nab more of Jackie Selebis of South Africa, especially within the police force since Selebi cannot be a stand-alone corrupt police chief. Kudos to South African anti-corruption effort and Icheoku hopes Nigeria's Madam Farida Waziri's EFCC is watching and listening on the way to go with the anti-corruption war effort.

KOBE BEEF, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE HYPE?

Inundated by the vaulted high ceiling stories surrounding Kobe beef, Icheoku saved enough and with great courage, spending $100 plus on a piece of hamburger, set out to fact-check the beef ourselves. Our conclusion, it is a nice piece of meat but would Icheoku spend such an extravagant amount of money for a hamburger again; not any time soon. Kobe beef is just like any other well marinated Angus beef out there but nothing to lavish such an outrageous amount of money on.

Our destination-restaurant, a somewhat high-end place which, mindful of possibility of litigation should our article negatively impact their business, we shall not name in this piece. But for the curious minded, once you google 'Kobe-beef' you will find the few select restaurants that serve the delicacy, once you live in a big city, for you to be the judge.

Stories abound of Kobe beef being the best beef in the world? That the cows are fed only organic grains and beers; massaged and sometimes kept in a temperature controlled environment? Simply put, that the cows are pampered and treated with utmost TLC and above all, slaughtered humanely and in accordance with tradition. Yet it is still killed for its beef just like any other heifer around the barn and our question is, is a piece of meat really worth the hefty price charged and paid for Kobe beef; and is the over-hyped attention to the meat worth it? Kobe beef for those of you not conversant with it or who have not had time to google it or Wikipedia it, is a beef from Tajma-ushi Wagyu breed of black cattle raised holistically in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture. The meat is a form of delicacy known for its tenderness and beefy flavor. According to traditional practice, beer is fed to the cattle especially during summer months to stimulate their appetite and make them gobble more feeds; this in turn increases their meaty content. While massaging is done to relieve stress and muscle stiffness in the cattle and in order to keep them calm and content?

However, if money is not a problem for you or you are like some of us very inquisitive minded individuals who like to find it out ourselves and who like adventures, Kobe beef is a good piece of meat to treat your palate with. But Icheoku says, don't believe the associated hype; as in a name-the-type-of-beef contest, Kobe beef prepared alongside Angus or any other beef will be hardly distinguishable by any untrained palate. It is just a piece of meat and nutritionists have not given their verdict on whether it provides more protein to the body than any other average Joe-beef out there in our meat markets or grocery stores. But until you are in a position to try it for the heck of it, spend your Benjamin on some other more meaningful and rewarding things than a piece of meat called Kobe-beef, that will like every other food, become an excreta within the next twenty four hours of their consumption. Simply put, Kobe beef is just another over-hyped piece of meat product being propelled by the marketing machine of corporate America and the rest of the world into our purchasing periphery, period!

BABANGIDA, A FLAWED AND TRAGIC CHARACTER EXTRA-ORDINAIRE!

His admirers and praise-singers alike call him the prince of Minna. Icheoku, because there is no love lost between him and us, call him the toothy-fairy monster of Minna. Icheoku sometimes also refers to him as the devil incarnate of a Nigeria in distress; the architect of Nigeria's festering corruption. An amorphous human specimen whose cancerous impact on Nigeria is still metastasizing and resonating, albeit very negatively, several years since his first forcible incursion into power in 1985.

Babangida is so much loathed by Nigerians including Icheoku that we do not wish him well. If we had our way, he would long since have been cooling off at Kuje or Abakiliki prison for the disaster he visited on Nigeria, assuming he is spared the death penalty. Yet this mongrel unabashedly still desires to once again rule Nigeria; and you ask yourself under what possible scenario could such a human aberration ever find himself back in the saddle of power in a democratic Nigeria, where Nigerians are allowed to chose who would rule them? Except of course Nigerians drank of some hallucinatory cool-aid there is no way in hell that Babangida will ever be allowed to preside over the affairs of Nigeria again through popular votes. Babangida had the opportunity once before when he hijacked governance in Nigeria and it was sorrow, tears and blood of an experience for Nigerians and no sane Nigerian living ever wants to relive that IBB's nightmare again.

Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is a tragic persona who is in perpetual confrontation with his gods; fighting and wrestling with them at every time and place that he is greatly troubled and unguided. His latest pet-project, operation rule Nigeria at any and whatever cost, is one such affront with his destiny and it is not boding well for him; again he is going against the wind of his gods advise. Many Nigerians have also on the graves of their mothers, sworn and declared that never again shall the evil genius of Nigeria rule Nigeria. Icheoku says, provided these crop of Nigerians are steadfast this time and will not jump ship later, lured away by the smell of Babangida's corrupting-cash, in their camp does Icheoku pitch its tent and together, we shall work to stop cold Babangida's inordinate ambition to rule Nigeria again.

Who knows also if the alleged stroke suffered by Babangida recently had affected his brains to the extent that he has been speaking with forked-tongue and does not appear to be articulate anymore. Icheoku have gathered some of Babangida's recent misspeaks and poorly articulated guffaws, which any savvy person especially one running for an elective office should not have made but avoided like leprosy. Here are some of such regrettable moments of damaging gaffes which could very appositely be titled "The Many Contradictions of IBB."

1. IBB said he is a democrat yet he annulled the freest and fairest democratic election ever held in Nigeria. Where therefore is IBB's democratic credentials if he could so viciously and violently stab democracy on the chest and in such vagrant and confrontational manner as he did with June 12 MKO Abiola presidential election?

2. Babangida said he and his family loves journalists, yet he killed Dele Giwa, fully aware that he is a journalist and on top of his game when he murdered him with parcel bomb? If this is how to love journalists, then no journalist should be loved.

3. Babangida said that Muhammadu Buhari is the best man to lead Nigeria, yet he is running in competition with Buhari for the same highest office in the land; after first overthrowing Buhari's government in 1985.

4. Babangida in 2008 said that he was too old to start running around now campaigning for any office in Nigeria including the presidency of course. But here is IBB in 2010 now beating his chest as the man to beat in the 2011 presidential election; and you wonder whether his center of gravity Maryam's departure affected his mind in such a way that he now reversed himself shamelessly?

5. Babangida pleaded for Abacha's hit-man in chief Mustapha to be released from prison on compassionate family grounds; yet he forgot that he, Babangida, killed so many Nigerians who had families and without ever considering that their families will miss them? Dele Giwa had family both in Iru-Ekpen and Lagos; Mamman Vasta had family; Gloria Okon had family and the list goes on.

6. Babangida said he is compassionate yet he did not blink an eye-lid when he sentenced his best friend Mamman Vasta to death, only for his Minister of Defense then Domkat Bali to inform the Nigeria people that Mamman Vasta was executed a few hours ago?

7. Babangida was a poor, impoverished almajiri kid growing up, yet he is reputedly the richest African alive today. Icheoku asks, how did he come about his present great fortune; except as every Dick, Tom and Harry knows, he is the most corrupt former head of state alive?

But how does a man who usually is not given to head-on confrontation or direct action always get away with his numerous atrocities. Babangida could not accept responsibility for annulling June 12th election but blamed it on a fantasy forces which threatened to kill him should he not do as ordered? Babangida could not look Abacha in the eye and retire him when he stepped aside? Babangida could not defy Obasanjo's orders not to run against Yar'Adua and chickened out of a 2007 presidential run? Most recently, intimidated by some students who threatened to disrupt his flagging off of his moribund campaign in Ibadan, Babangida once again turned tail because his safety cannot be guaranteed; leading Icheoku to ponder aloud, does this aging Maradona of Nigeria really have what it takes to deserve all the literature being written about and concerning him? Is he the brave army man he reputedly corners for himself or a child of destiny who providence puts at the right place each time history is to be written that he has assumed the colossal place in Nigeria's analytical history?

How Babangida's true-bravery history will be written depends on whether, faced with the current barrage of mounting opposition to his run, he once again withdraws from the presidential race, this time for President Goodluck Jonathan. Should he under any subterfuge, reason or excuse, shy away again from contesting the presidential election in 2011 contrary to his several boasts that he would not, then Icheoku shall add its voice to the cacophony of voices screaming 'an opportunist coward of the country,' each time the name of Ibrahim Badamosi babangida is ever mentioned again. But irrespective of what happens to Babangida's wishful thinking of a presidential run in 2011, as the national publicity secretary of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said, "Babangida could run in 2011, but it had become obvious that he would ‘run into jail or exile but certainly not into Aso Rock. Jail and exile are the only two places rightfully left for him now to run into." Icheoku also wants to reiterate, aligning itself with Razak Olokooba, that 'if Babangida had annulled the June 12th election based on the opinion of certain individuals against the wish of the Nigerian people, it is very possible that he would hurt the Nigerian masses again through the decision of those few individuals,' if elected and therefore must be rejected as the political leper he is. Once again, Icheoku says, away with Babangida; Nigerians please say no to Project IBB 2011.

IT IS OFFICIAL, CHELSEA BRAVES IT AND MARRIES A JEW-MAN!

Newly minted Mrs Chelsea Clinton-Mezvinsky went ahead with her wedding to Mr. Marc Mezvinsky, a Jewish-man, despite her earlier cold feet and butterflies filled stomach. Coming from a home where dad cheats on mom and going to a home where parents of husband are divorced, Icheoku fully understands Chelsea's fears as reasonable and well founded. Icheoku prays that her Methodist faith will not also clash with her husband's Judaism when it comes to raising any children that might result from the marriage? Anyway, Chelsea looks happy and Icheoku wishes her the best of a married life. Congratulations Chelsea!

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S OTHER WOMAN GETS HOOKED!

Icheoku while wishing the little girl of yesterday a blissful marriage, hopes and prays that she will be as strong as the older woman who had to put up with several dalliances of 'their' man, some of which later turned into a national scandal - 'The Monica Lewinsky scandal,' if you must be reminded. One thing is certain, Chelsea is not marrying a potential president in Marc because his name sounds Eastern European hence 'foreign'. But she may be lucky if he does not turn into a philandering husband just like her daddy? Anyway, happy wedlock Chelsea!

REP. CHARLES RANGEL, WRANGLED BY THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE!

"Sixty years ago I survived a Chinese attack in North Korea and as a result I haven't had a bad day since. But today I have to reassess that statement." With those words Democrat House of Representative member from New York, representing Harlem for nearly forty years now, Charles Rangel finally came to terms with his fate - a corruption tarnished congressional tenure!

Icheoku says it is only a matter of time before the congressman resigns his office or is expelled/fired by his colleagues for being such blemish on the House. What a low note to end a towering political career which spanned four long and meritorious decades. This is another example of the irony of life which no mortal can ever predict, that man majority of the time is his own greatest worst enemy. Oh Charlie, why?

Representative Charles Rangel was accused by House investigators of 13 count violations of congressional ethics standards including failure to report rental income from vacation property in the Dominican Republic, hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional income and assets on his his financial disclosure statements. his use of congressional staff and stationery to raise money for a center in City College of New York named after him; accepting favors and benefits from the donors that may have influenced his congressional actions; use of a subsidized New York apartment as a campaign office instead of a residence; and misuse of the congressional free mail privilege.

At 80 years old, Icheoku asks, what use is putting old Charlie through the grueling mill of a prosecution and trial; instead let the House force his resignation and then rest the matter. Mr. Rangel served his country both as a young military serviceman and also as a congressman for forty years without blemish until this current episode. Icheoku says it is possible that old age associated 'senility' clouded Charlie's rationality to the extent that he did not fully appreciate the gravity of his indulgences which in turn brought about his current travails? No one died in the process; so instead of crushing old man Charlie with a sledge-hammer, let his past records come to his aid and with a reasonable fine, allow Representative Charles Rangel to just 'disappear' into a well deserved, earned and long over-due retirement where he could live out his golden age in peace. We are not condoning his infractions nor advocating a no-guilty acquittal but that justice be tampered with mercy, his well advanced old age and years of service to his country considered.

Icheoku adds that forty years is such a long time for just one person to be occupying a public office; and this should serve as another ground to let old Charlie go. Therefore it is about time that Representative Charles Rangel yielded that Harlem seat to a younger more dynamic person with added stamina and fresh new ideas to move legislations forward. Charlie's longevity in the House of Representatives and its approaching inglorious end helps persuade the argument by some school of thought that it is about time term limits are set for our national assembly just like some states in the union are already doing with the California's example.

Finally Icheoku says, whether or not, as the Republicans who have already smelled blood in the water and plans to use Charlie's mishap as a campaign tool against the Democrats in the upcoming November mid-term elections, insists that 'the plea bargaining phase is now over and that the House is now in the trial phase," only one end-result can be achieved - his conviction. So why proceed with the drama of a circuitous trial if Charles Rangel agrees on his plea bargain to fall on his sword by admitting his culpability. This is a meaningful resolution of his ethical violations and one that will admit Rangel a more respectful exit from a scene which he had bestrode for a very long time. But either way and no matter how the matter is finally resolved, what a pitiful way to end a very long and otherwise would have been a stellar political career; it also adds another impetus to the existing cynicism in the polity that Washington politicians are there for themselves only, and that they are all the same irrespective of the partisan strips they may be wearing. But hey, a belated draining of the swamp promised by Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi?

FYI: Lawyers for indicted Charles Rangel and the House Ethics Committee finally worked out a plea deal, which the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct have to approve in order to give it any efficacy; provided of course that Republicans do not insist on proceeding full steam with the trial.

BABANGIDA ADDS INSULT TO INJURY ON YORUBA NATION, DARES THEM TO STOP HIM!

Not yet done with rubbishing the honor of the Oduduwa nation, Nigeria's evil genius IBB have decided to flag off his campaign on their soil - Ibadan? It also does not matter to the toothy fairy monster of Minna that MKO Abiola whom he denied the presidency is an Oduduwa son of the soil and their former Aare Ona Kakanfo. Icheoku asks, how much is too much of a trauma for one individual to dish out to a whole race; and hereby call on the Yoruba nation to make Oduduwa proud by denying IBB this second attempt at thumbing his nose at them. Why Yorubaland and not Minna or Zamfara if not to taunt the Yorubas and further provoke them to confrontation? There is an Igbo saying that if you bring the fight to my home, I will fight you till the last drop and so Icheoku calls on the Yorubas to take Babangida up on this his challenge this time; and not again turn tail. If Icheoku recalls correctly, the Igbos stoned Awolowo and nearly destroyed his plane at Aba in 1979 for daring to step his feet on their soil and ask for their votes after his infamous 'starvation is the best instrument of warfare' evil policy of the war which brought countless death by kwashiokor; and his wicked 'twenty pounds handout' to the Igbos after the genocidal war of 1967 - 1970. Let this rally not hold in Oduduwa-land and any Yoruba man or woman participating in it should be ostracized and banished from the kingdom as not worth being called the son or daughter of Oduduwa. Unconfirmed report also have it that Babangida suffered a mild stroke?

BABANGIDA IS EVERYTHING DEFICIENT, SO REJECT HIS SECOND COMING NIGERIANS!

"If Nigeria has not excelled hopelessly in several dubious departments no newspaper or magazine worth its salt in Nigeria will allow its front page to be used to celebrate a man that ruined and destroyed Nigeria, a man deficit in honour, deficit in character, deficit in integrity, a man without shame, a man who cannot be trusted." - Joe Igbokwe. Icheoku concurs and states that Nigerians will have no excuse to give should the accident of a Babangida's second coming ever come to fruition!

PROFESSOR WOLE SOYINKA'S PARTY, DISTRACTIVE AND NOT NECESSARY!

Icheoku is a fan and a great admirer of the Nobel Laureate and Capone-de-tut of cultism in Nigeria. For his great courage when faced with danger; for his bravery when the cat must be belled; for his literary success which earned him the much coveted Nobel prize for Literature and for his outspokenness when every other person around develops a feat of dumbness out of fear and/or intimidation, Icheoku salutes him.

From his storming of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria with a pistol in the 60's to demand some positives; to his "The Man Died" literary classicus; harpooning 'those who keep silence in the face of tyranny'; to his actually doing what he preaches by living the words through his countless fearless direct actions and criticism of Nigeria's ruthless ruling class; the man popularly referred to as 'Kongi' has won millions of admirers throughout the different geographies of Nigeria, Africa and the entire world. Icheoku is an unabashed smitten fan and we make no apologies publicly voicing this out. His advocacy of progressive change as a way to improve the lot of the masses resounds with so many followers and admirers as well as aspiring Soyinkas of this world, and Icheoku begs to be counted among this genre of humanity and we always listen whenever he spoke and try to follow his command. But we beg to differ here and politely state that the gracefully aging walking literature lost some of us with his latest adventure into partisan politics of his latest pet-project of a political party. Please Professor Oluwole Soyinka, Icheoku asks why and why now?

If the self-confessed Ifa-worshipper is looking for a body of people he could call his own, Icheoku believes his Pyrates Confraternity aka National Association of Seadogs fits the template. If Wole is looking for followers, Icheoku confesses we are part of his burgeoning followers included in the millions of other humanities all over the world who see in him a true hero. If Wole is looking for fame, Icheoku is satisfied that not many Africans are more recognisable the world over than Soyinka. So the million-dollar question is, what is driving the engine of this his latest dabbling into partisan politics? If it is for power, Icheoku begs to tell the esteemed Professor the home-truth that many revolutionaries the world over only get to power through direct action of an uprising or revolt or coup-de-tat; they just have to grab power as no one ever freely bequeaths them with power, knowing the length and extent they will deploy the weaponry of power to affect needed changes and advance their philosophy. So now, Professor Wole Soyinka, kindly tell Icheoku and the listening world what actually informed your decision to float a political party; instead of remaining on the fence as you have creditably done all these years and influencing opinion from the outside or at worst joining an existing party.

But now with the Lion becoming partisan, any further criticism or advise he might give to other political parties especially the ruling PDP will be treated as an antic of a partisan hack seeking some political relevance or undue advantage! No party or any of its operatives will candidly listen or seek advise henceforth from Wole due to partisan bickering and animosity; things that could have been avoided had it not been for this misinformed decision to venture into partisan-land. Further Icheoku opines that Professor Wole Soyinka's party is already tainted at birth with his association and founding father-ship and ownership of the Seadogs Fraternity; and some of us and millions of others who may have allegiances elsewhere can only see it through the lens of fraternal competition and rivalry. Simply stated, Icheoku regrets that a Wole Soyinka's political party is not what doctor-fix Nigeria or its politics ordered at this time; and the sooner he realizes it and makes a u-turn the better for all of our continued general harmonious co-habitation under the Wole Soyinka conscience of the nation leadership umbrella.

If Icheoku may ask, what does Soyinka tell thousands of pyrates who are already members of other political parties in Nigeria and some of who hold elected executive positions as well as appointed ones; and if Icheoku recalls correctly, at least two governors (one in Middle belt and the other in South-west) are known members of the pyrates confraternity? Is Wole forcing them to turn against their Capon as apostates if they fail to join his infant-party or abandon their current ship in national parties to join the new ship-ahoy, with eye-masks and red bandannas? If also Soyinka's days as the Federal Road Safety Corps Marshal General is any antecedental parameter to judge his new party, then Icheoku volunteers an opinion as how his new political party will be constituted - any intending party official or candidate must first show his badge of honor and swear allegiance to the bones and sickle? In other words, the new party will be a transfiguration of the National Association of Seadogs and this is a kind of a house where some of us cannot find a home; and will instead remain nomads.

These are some of the grounds constituting our pedestal of opposition and which in turn founds our spurning of Wole's new party as another attempt at raising parochial fraternization into political mainstream and relevance. Icheoku rejects this subliminal Seadoggy attempt at hoodwinking gullible Nigerians under the guise of a progressive political tent, completely and totally. Our advise for the world-famous scholar is to please retract his steps from this his so called political party project to no where; and remain the revolving epicenter mainframe of activism in Nigeria which he is - a rallying point for all of good-intentioned peoples of Nigeria with real burning desire to see some progressive positive changes take root in our dear fatherland irrespective of our respective fraternities or other otherwise disagreeable association-ships. Professor Oluwole Soyinka should please remain the 'conscience of the Nigeria state', which unfortunately only he currently occupies since the demise of Gani Fawehinmi, Ebam Eda Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Beko Ransome Kuti, Tai Solarin just to name a few.

Also if it will interest Wole to note, similar parties formed by these now deceased patriots never took flight and he does not have any special magic wand with which he plans to outdo these guys in order to make his new party soar. Men of this genre are not natural partisans and therefore there is no point really for Wole Soyinka to be trying out such a new trick; especially at his advanced old age of 76; except it is just a statement made for some silly distractions? Partisan politics is not for genuine rebels with desirable causes, as it entails a lot of wheeling and dealing which at the end of the day only suffocates the genuine intentions that were primarily set out to be achieved or addressed. Political parties are traps for conformity and political-speaks and Icheoku does not want our dear Wole to become conscripted into one particular partisan ideology that will muscle his activism and make him yoked to political correctness and thereby isolating many otherwise would be followers, whose idea of a political party and political ideologies might be in conflict with the new party's.

Gani tried it but his party could not take wings outside his immediate family and beneficiaries; Fela tried it with MOP and it only thrived within the walls of his shrines at Moshalashi and Pepple Street; so why now try to end up a local champion when as a roaring lion, your range is currently the entire Nigerian landscape. Wole, you have nothing more to prove at age 76 and your resume is the envy of so many of your contemporaries as well as generations before and after yours; so what is the big deal now with a political party? If you must partake of the political parties poisoned chalice, please join an existing political party or accept an appointment to serve in any capacity within the present context of a Nigeria distressed; but please for Jove's sake do not embark on this inglorious journey to no where. Not only is the timing very late, but you do not have the necessary political clout to harvest serious people outside your Seadogs fraternity to join unto your political train and this is the largest albatross hanging on your shoulder against any meaningful and serious politicking in Nigeria.

Once again, Icheoku reiterates that revolutionaries everywhere are never elected into office and the only way they can taste power is through a direct action such as forcefully taking over government! Therefore on a final note, what is the use, trying floating a political party whose end is already predictable and practically determinate; unless it is just another junket for additional relevance in Nigeria? But you do not need additional limelight any more as you have more than enough already. So now tell us why you are digressing from your preordained independent position since Icheoku is not buying your explanation that your Democratic Front for People Federation, DFPF, is a forum for progressives to rally together to dethrone the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP. First it is not true that all progressives shall find a home in the party and second the set out mission objective is unattainable and at best, a wishful thinking of an utopia. Until then and why even bother; please just reverse course, maintain your previous enviable position as every-one's generalissimo and conscience of the nation; and please avoid the crap partisanship of a political party!

SIX ENUGU STATE NIGERIA LAWMAKERS LINKED TO N4 BILLION DRUG BURST?

Icheoku says, if the alleged involvement of six Enugu State lawmakers in drug-trafficking and importation of 450 kilos of cocaine into Nigeria is true, we demand a full and complete investigation, disclosure of the identities of these people, including their communities and political party affiliations. We also demand that the full weight of the law be brought on them as law makers who should know better not to break the law. It is regrettable the grave length some of these unscrupulous and supposed "honorable" men and women will go just to remain in power. That these politicians need money to prosecute elections, does not grant them impunity to do just anything to get that money; and at all cost and any means whatsoever; including breaking the law on Nigeria's drug trafficking. What a bad example to set by people tasked with law making in Governor Sullivan Chime's Enugu State Nigeria? It is a shame!

The EFCC and the Nigerian authorities must therefore make an example out of these six (dis)honorable individuals by punishing them sufficiently. Also their political party/ies should suspend and disqualify them from running for any future elective offices on their party platforms for showing a bad example of how not to be legislators. Icheoku notes with regrets that this is the second time Enugu State lawmakers are making ignoble headlines and this particular illicit drug pushing by six of their lawmakers is not only criminal but unbecoming of any law makers anywhere, who by their present action, have now become law breakers instead. Enough should be enough; we demand that these 'six legislative drug traffickers' be suspended from the House immediately and made to face the full weight of the law. They must not be allowed to tarnish the image of Enugu State, the Igbo-man and Nigerians in general; and must therefore be severely punished to set example and as a recompense

'KING' GADDAFI OF AFRICA WITH HIS LESSER CHIEFS?

Something is definitely wrong with this picture where all the charlatans of Africa are assembled and posing with Libya's 'King' Gaddafi of Africa. Worst still all the depots of Africa are in the front row while those presidents that really matter in Africa are no where to be found; except for the fedora-hat President Jonathan of Nigeria who maintained a near inconspicuous second row position far left. Egyptians' Hosni Mubrak is no where to be seen and so is South Africa's Jacob Zuma the other two African countries in addition to Nigeria of any real net worth and value in Africa; and you wonder what Mugabe and Yoweri brings to the table in Africa that they should share the coveted front row position with King Gaddafi of Africa?

AS TONY HAYWARD FINALLY GETS HIS LIFE BACK, WHAT ABOUT THE PELICAN?

Reports has it that the wimpy cry-baby CEO and President of British Petroleum, Mr. Tony Hayward, whose company BP caused the worst environmental disaster with their apocalyptic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is finally going to get his wish - he is going to get his life back! Mr. Tony Hayward is quitting his job as the CEO and President of BP.

Icheoku says, at least Mr Tony Hayward has that choice and opportunity to just walk away from the messy spongy-orange fossil gooey substance, which have overrun the gulf courtesy of his BP. Unfortunately the pelicans as well as numerous other sea animals in the gulf of Mexico do not have that elitist choice; and so also are those several thousands of men and women of the Gulf States whose sole means of livelihood is dependent on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico truamatised by the BP's oil spill.

Icheoku does not begrudge Mr Tony Hayward the right to exercise his contractual option 'to get his life back' in matters as this; but only says that BP should not have granted him an exit at this time. BP should have delayed his resignation until he has fixed what was broken under his watch in the Gulf of Mexico.

To allow him to just take a walk at this critical time in BP's history is to encourage lame passing of the buck; as he should not be CEO and President just when the going is smooth but also now that BP has some serious mess to clean up at the gulf. By letting Tony Hayward to walk away shows that BP is elitist and does not really care about the 'little guys' whose lives have been choked off, at least momentarily, by BP's reckless and negligence oil exploration in the gulf. Icheoku asks, why now BP; or have you guys not insulted and tasked our patience enough with your numerous gaffes and half-measures ever since that spill from hell brought to the surface your incompetence in dealing with a hole in the earth 5000feet below the sea level.

Mr. Tony Hayward's exit will only complicate matters at this time as a new CEO and President might want to review and inaugurate a new approach to the cleaning effort at the gulf; causing further delays and more pains and suffering on the residents of the Gulf States. His unpardonable gaffes during this oil spill notwithstanding, Tony Hayward should have been compelled to restore the gulf of Mexico to its pristine state before he is allowed to go 'get his life back.'

What about the pelicans and other sea animals, the waters, beaches and the way of life of the Gulf of Mexico residents who were impacted by the atrocious mess of Tony Hayward's BP? According to one analyst, "a change in leadership will not change the mammoth tasks ahead of BP, from stopping the offshore oil gusher for good, to cleaning up the millions of gallons that have already leaked, to paying billions in claims — all while defending its stock price and repairing its battered reputation." Icheoku could not agree more that irrespective of the captain saddled with the messy BP's ship, the journey is still very far and unpredictable.

To some gulf residents, Tony Hayward's departure is a good riddance; and according to one commentator, "I just hope they replace him with somebody who understands the situation; from the beginning it was obvious this guy was not the leader needed in this crisis." Another said, "his departure doesn't matter, whatever happens with the corporate dudes is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what they are going to do about this mess." Another said, Tony Hayward seems like a pretty self-absorbed person, so I'm not surprised to hear he would walk away in the middle of all this. If anything it will help. They need to get him out of the way and get this cleaned up." And lastly, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, Democrat Louisiana added that BP's attitude about making things right is more important than who is running it.'

Icheoku says, hopefully the change of leadership at BP will help to repair and restore what was taken away by their spill and every other person and animal in the gulf can finally get their lives back like the outgoing Tony Hayward. But the most important lesson to be drawn from his exit is that when the president of the United States of American wants something he gets it; and so it was that Mr. Tony Hayward's exit is coming in the heels of President Barack Obama's retort that if he were calling the shot, Mr. Tony Hayward will not have a job any longer and the president's wish is finally coming to fruition. But does Tony Hayward deserve to be fired or forced to resign for the gusher of the gulf, Icheoku answers in the affirmative since as the CEO and President of BP, the buck stopped at his desk and someone ought to take the fall for the BP's mess in the gulf. Under the circumstances and judging the grand scale of the mess, Tony Hayward best fits the tab of that someone! So enjoy your retirement with your golden parachute, Mr. 'I want to get back my life' Tony Hayward.

It will be recalled that about three months ago, on April 20, 2010, an offshore drilling rig operated by BP exploded off the coast of State of Louisiana, killing 11 workers and setting off the hellish spill. Admitted that a temporary cap placed on the leaking hole about one week ago has succeeded in plugging the spill, but not before between 94 million to 184 million gallons had already leaked and fouled the turquoise waters of the Gulf.

FYI: - Mr. Tony Hayward, 53, joined BP in 1982 with a PhD in geology as a geologist; and currently makes 1.045 million pounds (US$1.6 million) a year in salary and about 2 million pounds (US$3.1 million) in performance bonuses plus other remuneration which totaled his take home in 2009 to more than 4 million pounds (US$6.1 million). Now you know or at least have an idea of the kind of golden parachute that will help Tony land in his retiement land; go figure!

THE WHITE CHILD OF NIGERIAN BLACK PARENTS MYSTERY, SOLVED?

Investigating doctors to this anomaly said, "white gene is to blame; and that this possibility looks most convincing as they were evidences that many Nigerians had interracial relationships with Caucasians." Icheoku says, now that Angela Ihegboro has been put on the spot by this report, it is about time she defended her honor against the alleged infidelity. Or has her sins found her and a small 'side-swap' done in the privacy of darkness now been illuminated by the morning sun? You tell Icheoku; but Mr Ben Ihegboro is one heck of a very nice and tolerant man as another unfortunate Nigerian man whose wife once gave birth to a Chinese-baby took a walk from his hospital visit and never looked back.

EAGLES FAILED COACH LARS LAGERBACK ABSCONDS!

The mediocre Swedish coach Lagerback who could not lead the Nigerian Eagles out of the preliminary rounds qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa has ran away. He was so haunted by his abysmal performance that he did not return to Nigeria but absconded from South Africa, abandoning his boys at Johannesburg and his personal effects in Abuja. Icheoku is happy that the coach advised himself accordingly, being a failed coach; but regrets that he beat the NFF to the game by choosing to fire himself instead of the odium of receiving the pink slip. Anyway, what a good riddance!