EVA LANGORIA AND TONY PARKER, "UNTIL HEIGHT DIFFERENCE DO US APART.'"

 

For those realists amongst humanity, it was no surprise as it was long in the coming, there being no chemistry between them. But unfortunately so many people in this world are delusional and fantastical with residences in the land of make-believe. They often mistake infatuation and star-struck for love; and the result as always is the same as the assured fate of a house built on sandy foundation. She was smitten and telephones calls were made between agents leading to the fairy tale nupital, nothing more. So it is very easy to see how the wheels came off the bus so soon and within such a short period of time since they lied to each other, "until death do us apart?"

May be Tony was finally tired of having to bend down every time to kiss his petite wife when he cannot scoop her up in one arm or there is no stool around for her to perch herself on and decided to solve the problem the only way he knows best. Or could it be that Eva was expecting too much from a black-man NBA star who is the toast of so many superior and taller damsels world over; otherwise which man doesn't play an aside once in a while. Eva should have been happy that his Tony was caught only texting or what would Ellen Nordgren Tiger Woods do; may be jump off the bridge? It is a trite saying that winners don't quit and quitters don't win; so as emotional-weakling Eva now moves out to make way for the other stronger woman to move in, Icheoku asks who is the final, biggest loser.

$46 MILLION PINK DIAMOND, AN EYE-POPPER FOR MILLIONS OF GRAFF-GIRLS!

If it is a truism that diamonds are girls best friend, then London based diamond dealer Mr. Laurence Graff must have 46 million girls now swooning over for his affection, no matter how shallow and trifling. Mr. Graff just doled out $46 million USD for the mother of all diamonds - the 24.78 carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond; a sort of heirloom from 60 years ago when it was first sold by American Harry Winston into a private collection.

The pink diamond, sold and purchased at a rare gems auction held in Hotel Beau Rivage, Geneva, Switzerland by Sotheby's; is graded as 'Fancy Intense Pink' by the Gemological Institute of America. It is classified as type IIa diamond and regarded as the best there is - flawless, purest and the most coveted of all diamonds in the world; which explains the jaw-dropping amount of money that changed hands as bargain for its ownership. It comes from a genre of diamonds that make up only two percent of world's diamond population which makes it as rare as they come. The ladies magnet numero uno was described by David Bennett, chairman for Europe and the Middle East at Sotheby's international jewellery department as "a stone that has huge character and appeal." 

But regrettably no one ever told the world the origins of the diamond, where the diamond originally came from; whether it was from India where pinkies were first discovered or from one of the numerous mines in Africa which have been exploited over the many years fueling ceaseless and needless blood-letting in the continent; which the movie, 'Blood Diamonds' tried to shine light on. Like the story of America, with history books replete with Christopher Columbus as discovering it and intentionally glossing over the facts that the Indians were here long before Columbus was even borntalkless of setting sail; so this diamond's history began 60 years ago when an American jeweler Winston sold it? Icheoku asks, why was the mine from which this diamond was harvested not mentioned for historical perspective or did America's Mr. Winston mine the diamond from underneath his ranch in Wyoming? We are talking about giving due credits here, people! 

'Pinky bling' was described by the Sotheby's as "exceptionally rare and truly magnificent pink diamond of the purest, vibrant hue." Enough encomiums to melt souls were stones animated and put millions of daughters of Eve into a tizzy as they profess their undying love for the diamond, masked as for Mr. Laurence Graff; the gemstones connoisseur who now owns the only very one stone which any connoisseur would die for just to get their hands on.Icheoku asks, how about that for bragging rights for Mr. Graff and also for being the payer of the most money for any diamond or jewelry or gemstone ever sold in an auction; shattering all records with his check? Finally as Icheoku says congratulations to this gemstone collector extra-ordinaire for his prized stone; we must add that millions of girls world over must be swooning at the thought of ever getting close to Mr. Graff, whether as a friend, acquaintance or 'just having any form of relationship with that man, Mr. LaurenceGraff!

SEX MAKES MEN LIVE LONGER!

Wives, girlfriends, guys and ladies, you now know; if you want him to stick around longer then do what the researcher ordered - give him limitless sex. Some Italian medical researchers, led by one Emmanuela Jannini, have determined that a healthy sex-life prolongs the life of men. According to their findings, good sex greatly reduces cardiovascular problems and is also a great fat burner; two ingredients necessary for longevity. It also produces more testosterone which decreases depression and improves metabolism in men. Icheoku queries does this mean that women who outlive their husbands starved them of sex; and if so and because of their great number, so many men must be going without getting some. Further how does this finding explain the fact that many women are usually more depressed than men since it takes two to tango! But hey, an Italian did the research and who knows if Uncle Berlusconi paid for the final report

ONE BILLION WORLD MUSLIMS, HAPPY SALLAH!

Clever Saudi Arabians as they have figured out a permanent source of foreign revenue; so even in the unlikely event the oil wells were to magically and calamitously dry up or disappear today, they will still be very liquid. Imagine Muslims all over the world required to make the Hajj at least once in their lifetime; translation - one billion people plus and counting who are expected to make the Hajj. So plus or minus this number, coughing out some hard currency to visit Saudi Arabia in their lifetime, is not a mere drop in the bucket foreign exchange earner. 

Flight, transportation, lodging, shopping, dinning and drinking whatever they are officially allowed to drink - that's tons of money that Las Vegas would salivate for. Anyway, that is evidence of Saudi-smarts and two million adherents just poured into the Kingdom to observe the Haji and with it came some foreign currency. Who said the kingdom never figured out all these things long before time and Icheoku asks when would the Vatican and Jerusalem follow suit; afterall religion is politics. But lest Icheoku forgets, what about those who cannot afford Mecca or Hajj? What is the fate of all those beggarly Muslims, too poor to go to Hajj or would they not make their paradise upon death? Anyway to all our Muslim brothers and sisters, both rich and poor as we do not discriminate, Icheoku says Happy Sallah to you!

PRESIDENT JONATHAN, NIGERIA'S SPENDER IN CHIEF EXTRA-ORDINAIRE!

 

When President Goodluck's team took over government in Nigeria in May 29, 2007, saved in Nigeria's coffers was a whopping sum of $20 billion (dollars). Today, less than 3.6years into their administration, the money has disappeared - depleted to less than $1.2 billion. It would be recalled that late President Yar'Adua before he kicked the bucket, was too sickly and perpetually absent to have had time to spend any much; so Icheoku asks President Jonathan where is Nigeria's money?

What happened to the content of the safe-box that was entrusted to you or was it a case of the rat being made the custodian of the dry fish? This becomes more disturbing in view of the fact that there is nothing much on the ground to justify and show for the massive profligacy. There is still no motor-able roads in Nigeria, no electricity in Nigeria, no jobs in Nigeria, no security in Nigeria, no healthcare in Nigeria, no social security in Nigeria, no $120 minimum wage for workers in Nigeria and the general despondency in the country has not yet abated. Nigerians, you can now see who you have manning the till:- a drunken-sailor like spender!

But don't you think there is something eerie, weird and unnerving about this guy's seeming timid demeanor; yet behind those aloofness lies a spender extra-ordinaire who is been spending Nigeria's wealth as if he just won the lottery! Jonathan, please show Nigerians invoices and receipts for what you have so far spent their $18.13 billion or thereabout on. Even the much castigated and despised Prince of Darkness of Minna, Babangida, at least has Abuja to show for Nigeria's unaccounted for $12billion dollars, admitted Nigerians still want him to pay it back or be punished for it. So you decide

FISTS FOR ALL AS NIGERIAN POLICEMEN FIGHT OVER BRIBE MONEY?

Icheoku says Chinua Achebe was probably wrong in identifying the trouble with Nigeria as lack of leadership. The real trouble with Nigeria seems to be that Nigerians are not a disciplined lot and without discipline nothing much can be accomplished. An undisciplined mind is a mind running riot which impacts every strata of the society as exemplified by these policemen, fighting over how to share bribe money which they strong-armed from cowering innocent Nigerians. Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the fearless one(ajanaku), rightly articulated it when he compared Nigeria with the infamous Ojuelegba roundabout in Lagos - confusion everywhere! Icheoku says, Etu Mopol!

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, NOW A BUDDHIST?

As a senator he visited Africa, the land of his father, where his father's kinsmen honored him, dressing him up in a turban traditional attire. Some people and press in America went gun-ho that he is of an African-Kenyan anti-colonialist tribe? His name is Barack Hussein Obama, oh no, that is a full evidence of his being a Muslim and an Islamist with a secret agenda to destroy 'their America?'

President Obama while in Japan for the just concluded APEC 2010 summit, visited Kotokuin Temple of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Japan and that must now make him also a Buddhist? Icheoku says, wait for the next few days before some media talking-heads of America will start propagating the idea that President Barack Obama is now a Buddhist. It is coming and such oddity of misinformation adds to the inexplicable naivety exhibited by many Americans which have made us all the laughing stock of the rest of the world; which marvels at the depth of misinformation or lack of any information in America.

As they most probably read such misguided statements within the next several weeks, they will be cracking their ribs laughing at our ignorance or appearance thereof that a mere ephemeral association by visit to a temple due to reverence or deference automatically now makes the president an adherent of Buddhism. Strangely enough no one called the president Jewish when he adorned the yarmulke while visiting Israel and when former CNN's Rick Sanchez complained out loud about who controls the media in America, he got fired. Icheoku admonishes Americans that President Barack Obama is not a new convert to Buddhism; he is still a Christian but merely visited a Buddhist temple just like you would Disney Land. Meanwhile welcome back home Mr. President from your ten day Asian trip and let the new war in Washington with those extremist Tea Party led Republican Congress now begin!

MANNY PACQUIAO, PHILIPPINES FIGHTING CONGRESSMAN!

 

Manny Pacquiao is the new World Boxing Council super welterweight champion. He defeated much rated Mexican Antonio Margarito in round eight of their scheduled twelve rounds fighting-bout. Icheoku asks, admitted there is dignity in labor but is it not about time this lawmaker hung up his groves and concentrate on his new legislative assignment for the people of Sarangani District in Philippines in the House of Representatives in Manila; just thinking about the dignity of his new office? Meanwhile congratulations Manny!

AUNG SAN SUU KYI, MYANMAR'S APOSTLE OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!

She is the latest symbol of democracy in the world; now joining the ranks of Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and such other freedom loving personalities the world have come to know, who accepted personal tribulation in order to bequeath their people freedom. But unlike the three, her people of Myanmar are still to taste real freedom of democracy but her release is a step in that direction and a testament that soon and very soon they sure will join the democratic nations of the world. 

In Yangon Myanmar,  the lady with a steely resolve who vowed to enthrone democracy for the people of Myanmar have finally secured her freedom from house arrest; seven long years after the military dictators holding the country to ransom failed to break her will and make her to renounce her pro-democracy credentials and activism. She was released from her somewhat private prison in a dilapidated lake-front villa where she was forced to call home the last seven years.

Democracy heroine Aung San Suu Kyi, 65, Icheoku and the world are proud of you for standing firm behind your conviction and not selling out on your people by accepting your persecutors' terms. Like Jesus Christ said, they can only break the temple housing the being and your eventual freedom just added another proof of that statement. 

Like President Barack Obama said of this hero of his, a prison is a prison and it does not make any difference whether it is someone's living room or state's or federal prison; as what is important is that a person's freedom has been emasculated. In his own words, "Whether Aung San Suu Kyi is living in the prison of her house, or the prison of her country, does not change the fact that she, and the political opposition she represents, has been systematically silenced, incarcerated, and deprived of any opportunity to engage in political processes." Icheoku agrees intoto and adds that a confined-space freedom, be it in a home, house, apartment or even a mansion is no freedom at all; and Suu Kyi attests to this fact too. 

Like Nigeria's 1993 election won by MKO Abiola was declared inconclusive by the military who later annulled it , and refused to handover to the winner, the military in Myanmar equally refused to hand over to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy which won an election in 1990. But there ended the comparison as MKO Abiola was poisoned and died in prison; while today, the world is celebrating with Suu Kyi on her release from prison of house arrest. It will be recalled that in 2009 an American man swam uninvited to Suu Kyi lake-side house-arrest home and she was punished for sheltering him briefly. Finally Icheoku greets Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, on her release and wish her more courage on the thorny road ahead. The military is the same everywhere in third world countries - they are so much entrenched and do not usually yield the fountain of power upon mere wish-washy agitation but persistent mass action and sometimes lots of blood flow. Aung San Suu Kyi, please enjoy your freedom while it lasts, except you are ready to hang up your groves, as the fight is not over just yet; but as they say in freedom world, "aluta continua!" 

LOU DOBBS JOINS FOX TELEVISION, HE IS HOME AT LAST!

 

Icheoku says what a predictable move as everyone always knew that his heart and mind were with the extreme right megaphone but he only had his body then at CNN. Fox is where he belongs, his natural habitat, where together with other extremist right-wing crazies like Glen Beck, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly, they can now rev up their racist agenda megaphone to enthrone their envisaged 'White-only' America. Icheoku therefore asks, it must feel so good to be finally at home, Lou?

CHRIST THE KING STATUE IN POLAND, THOU SHALL NOT MAKE AN IMAGE IN MY NAME?

The spate of edifying monuments being erected by Christians all over the world to honor Jesus Christ are growing daily in number and scale. The latest of such human gratification of self-ability is the Christ the King Jesus statue in Swiebodzin Poland, courtesy of a catholic priest, 78 year old Sylwester Zawadzki.


The statue which took five years to complete, at a total height of 167 feet, now dwarfs both the Rio de Janerio Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue at 125 feet and the Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba, Bolivia at 133 feet, which use to be the tallest of such Jesus statues in the world in that order. The statue weighs 440 tons and is visible from Highway A2 linking Warsaw and Berlin.


Icheoku says what an awesome work of art that the Polish were able to put up at Swiebodzin; but queries whatever happened to the biblical injunction 'thou shall not make any image in my likeness?' Or perhaps the argument could be made that it was his father, God the Father, who abhors and forebode image being made in his name and that baby-Jesus later turned adult-Jesus at 33, would not mind being honored in such manner? Being the affable guy he was and still is, Icheoku believes that Jesus Christ wouldn't mind that his statue is now the king of all statues in the world, including New York's Lady Liberty at 121 feet high as well as the other Jesus statue at 133 feet high Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba, Bolivia.


Further, the biblical injunction was purpose-specific that such images are not worshipped if made, so it appears from reading the scriptural lines that it will be ok to still make images provided they are not worshipped in place of the only living God who is both jealous and not entertaining of any rivalry or of divided attention whatsoever. The injunction in specifically mentioned "an idol or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the water under the earth" for purposes of worship (Exodus 20:4-5; Leviticus 26:1). So plus minus it is either you make an image and not worship it or you do not make any image at all; so God left the choice to humanity which the Polish people have so far exercised and made their 'Christ the King' statue. Deuteronomy 5:8, 27:15 says "cursed is the man who makes an idol or a molten image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret. so it appears that the Polish are safe from this curse as they did not keep their Christ the King statue in secret but set it high up in a public place where it is very visible.


Contextually, these passages are dealing with the same subject matter - an admonition against worshipping of images as God does not want people bowing down before such images and worshiping them as God or God-alternates. Provided these statues do not become objects of worship, being public artifacts to which the general populace could become familiar with and thereby risk falling into their idol worship, it appears to be ok for what they represent - a reminder and memorial of our Lord Jesus Christ. So it would appear ok and appropriate to have an image made of anything and anybody including Jesus Christ provided it is not worshipped in any form as God or God-alternate. Therefore the Christ the King Jesus statue in Poland as well as others in Brazil, Bolivia and elsewhere are sanctioned by God, provided humanity does not mistake them for God himself or his son and bow down to worship them. So once this fine-line is isolated and distinguished, then it is ok to have the 164feet Christ the King Statue in Swiebodzin Poland as a God approved edification of his son, Jesus Christ.


But the jury is still out on the appropriateness or otherwise of the project and whether the $1.7million spent on this statue was money well spent or could have been used in a more profitable venture like building schools or feeding the Polish hungry? But the priest behind  the construction of the project seems to have his own secret agenda to take Europe back to Christ as according to him, "He will be the greatest teacher of the faith and Europe needs preachers like Christ". So through this, all those Islamists trying so hard to Islamize Europe has been put on notice that Christ the King is watching their actions and will not allow them take over his continental Europe. Icheoku says, luckily too, Poland is not America where the ACLU would have shut down the project on grounds of secularism arguing that such gargantuan Christ the King is a an unfair propagation of Christianity above other religions in a public place. Finally, what would the crusading Islamists say or do with a towering Jesus Christ keeping his watchful eyes over their activities in his Poland, albeit Europe. Icheoku says this edifying statue is a bold statement that rapid Islamization of Europe would not be tolerated by Poland and stopped at Swiebodzin Poland's watershed!

9/11 TERRORISTS, TRY THEM IN NEW YORK OR SET THEM FREE!

The locus in situ and locus in quo of the crime of 9/11 was New York, so why move the trial of those criminals who perpetrated this atrocity elsewhere? Icheoku says if those damn terrorists can brave it to attack and destroy our two most prominent towers in midtown Manhattan, New Yorkers should also be equally as brave and hold them accountable for these crimes in New York?

Why would New Yorkers be cowering at the thought of trying these lunatics in New York when they, terrorists, never blinked when they flew both planes into WTC? Under our jurisprudence, criminals are tried in the place where they committed the crime except they move to be tried elsewhere due to obvious prejudice which might impact their case adversely. But here in New York where the crime of 9/11 was committed, we instead have the victims of the crime, hysterically pleading that those criminals be not tried in New York.

Icheoku says if New Yorkers do not want to try these criminals and bring them to justice in New York, thereby passing up on the opportunity to exert their pound of flesh, then the Justice Department might as well set them free as no other person or place want these human-dungs in their backyard, definitely not Icheoku!

OBASANJO'S ROUGHING UP, A BRAVE AND LONG OVERDUE STATEMENT OF REBUKE!

At last Icheoku has found a man of very courageous character in Nigeria; a somewhat hero, and a man who put in practice what many Nigerians have been dreaming and thinking about for so long. A patriot of sort who did what many Nigerians would do in a heartbeat, were the deity of Otta to be left with them alone in a dark alley or poorly lit street corner. But when the dust of this brazen attack is finally settled, the one question that will be in everybody's lips would be, how did he do it? How did this guy pull off this secret mission and hit his target without being shot and killed by the trigger-happy security detail always protecting Obasanjo from his past; except of course African black magic somewhat played a role?


Icheoku has been accused severally of having no love lost with Obasanjo and at one time, we thought that it was only us that Olusegun Okikilemu Matthew Aremu Obasanjo made raving mad by the catastrophe that was his regime; which was made even worse by the result of the 2007 election which he foist on Nigerians. But this guy who confronted Obasanjo has shown that we are not alone in our disgust for what his government did; and in as as much  as Icheoku does not support violence of any kind on any person, we strongly believe that this is a particular case where an exception would be well understood. Obasanjo bit more than he can chew with Nigerians and took Nigerians for a jolly ride and almost off the cliff. Therefore, Icheoku does not agree with those yellow publications now dubbing the Obasanjo's attacker, a mad man; no, the attacker is not a mad man but a completely sane Nigerian who waited for the time and opportunity to let Obasanjo know how despised he is and how lowly Nigerians regard him and boy, did he succeed!


The fate which befell Olusegun Obasanjo is a taste of the pudding of what awaits practically every Nigerian political and military ruling class, were it not for the army of security guards which they festoon themselves 24/7 with. As between these marauders and the polity, there is no love lost and Icheoku believes that were it Babangida that was similarly cornered, it would have been a more tragic encounter than the slap on the wrist which Obasanjo received. The moral lesson in this Obasanjo's attack is that Nigerians are not happy with their leaders (past and present) for all the iniquities they have visited on Nigeria all these years of their inept leadership and are looking forward to the day, opportunity will call for them to take their pound of flesh. A country with the vast resources Nigeria is awash with is still wallowing in abject poverty, no power supply, no good roads, no jobs, no health-care, no security and a lot of other no nos; while their supposed leaders are swimming in stupendous wealth whose sources are both questionable and unverifiable.


It is very case-sensitive, the insensitivity of these leaders, past and present, who show crass indifference to the plight of the governed in Nigeria while over-supplying their own nests for their generations yet unborn. Icheoku says, whatever happens to this brave patriotic Nigerian, who braved the odds and consequences of roughing up Obasanjo, the statement has been made that all these leaders are marked men and women before many Nigerians; and that the only thing saving their asses, are the retinue of gun-ho security men and women protecting them from their nemesis - Nigerians. To this true patriotic Nigerian, Icheoku says, kudos to you for the vehement statement you made by your action, which unmistakeably registered Nigerians general disgust to the demon that is Olusegun Obasanjo for his ruthless eight years governance which forced down their throats the content of some poisoned chalice.


Even if this patriot managed to land only one blow on Obasanjo, that blow is more than enough and it is a blow for and on behalf of the 150 million Nigerians who hate this monster of Otta with passion for what he did to them during his eight years of despotic power. It further shows that Olusegun Obsanjo as well as other leaders in Nigeria are prisoners in their own country and cannot freely move about for fear of their own people who they molested with their power while in power. Hear the accompanying statement made by this defender of Nigerians' honor while attacking Obasanjo and be the judge as to his true purport:- "God will punish you (Obasanjo) for all your crimes against Nigerians. ...................if you say I am crazy what would you say about Obasanjo. Am I the one that looted the funds of Nigeria, rigged elections and slept with his son's wife?"


As a Nigerian, ask yourself whether this guy was not holding your brief and fighting your fight, holding Obasanjo accountable and letting him know that his sins shall not go unpunished? It is sickening indeed for anyone in Nigeria to pretend that this attacker is mad and Icheoku takes it further to state that, if indeed the attacker is mad, he was made mad by the atrocious Olusegun Obasanjo government and Obasanjo's refusal to go away long after his governance was over, but choose to remain in the public eye, an eyesore of the biggest magnitude. Let there be an indictment of this guy and a trial and let the world watch Nigerians rally around a now hero of the people who stood up and spoke up on behalf of the people through his action.


The attack once again shows the vanity and fruitless of all these supposed security which these public officials imprison themselves with; as it could have been a totally different story were the man to be armed and more dangerous. But he was not a dangerous or insane person but a brave patriot who was only making a statement, expressing Nigerians disgust of Obasanjo; otherwise it could have been an Obasanjo's obituary that Nigerians will wake up reading and not merely that he was roughed-up. But like all the usual passing of the buck in Nigeria, instead for the security to admit that they bungled an assignment to protect the deity of Otta, they are now suggesting shamelessly that there could be a conspiracy involved in the attack? Icheoku queries if there was a conspiracy, why didn't those conspirators take Obasanjo out; or better still, could it be IBB and the boys who were behind this near hostage-situation in their attempt to force Obasanjo out of the 2007 political campaigns and by extension, deflate the President Goodluck Jonathan's main campaign support; just theorising!


But for all Icheoku could fathom, this guy is no lunatic; but was at the airport specifically for this opportunity to send a strong message to Obasanjo and the entire political class that Nigerians are not happy with them. But how he knew the exact time of Obasanjo's arrival, the very car that was conveying him and the general coordinates of his trip such as where and when to strike exactly shows no one is safe indeed. The precision and speed with which the attacker gained access to Obasanjo is disturbingly very mind-boggling, considering such a high value target like Obasanjo's security needs and needed measures. Finally why the doors of the very car Obasanjo was travelling in were not locked is also something that might interest the investigating security operatives into this would-have been biggest embarrassment to the Nigerian government that a former president was kidnapped or possibly killed by one person acting alone and in a Lagos airport Nigeria? Nigeria is a country in serious security crisis and with no foreseeable hope of remedying it in the immediate horizon. Cry for thy country, oh Nigerians!

EMMANUEL OBIECHINA (PROFESSOR), IS DEAD!

Icheoku remembers him as a once deputy vice chancellor of University of Nigeria and the professor of English who penned the book 'Mammon Worship in Nigeria'; where he vilified the worship of money over things more edifying such as accomplishments.


Professor Emmanuel N Obiechina died in Silver Spring Maryland USA on November 8, 2010; he was 77 years old. The academic world shall sorely miss this scholar who got his PhD in English Language since 1967; and have registered his presence in the field of education as well as the publication of educational materials. Icheoku says, may his academic soul rest in peace!

SAMSON SIASIA, AN INDIGENOUS COACH SOLUTION TO NIGERIAN AILING FOOTBALL.

Icheoku had long advocated for indigenous solutions to many of Nigeria's intractable problems including football(soccer). Long before the disgraced Swedish third-rate coach Lagerfield was hired to lead the Nigerian Eagles to FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Icheoku had always maintained that only a Nigerian coach would have the zeal and patriotism needed to take Nigeria football to the next level.


Clemens Westerhof sabotaged Nigeria in World Cup 1998 in the United States when his inexplicable substitution of Daniel Amokachie and Emmanuel Amuneke made its possible for Italy to defeat Nigeria. Bonfere Joe was no better and so were all those other mercenary pale-skinned coaches who came to Nigeria to earn their living wages not deserving of their pay checks. Football is all about politics and as always, no one can be more catholic than the pope himself and no one can sing your praise more than yourself. So our position then, now and tomorrow remains the same - that only a Nigerian coach can resolve the footballing logjam currently afflicting Nigerian football. It is on this premise therefore that Icheoku applauds and rejoices with the rest of other sports, especially football, loving Nigerians on the hiring of an indigenous coach to mentor the Eagles of Nigeria. Samson Siasia has been chosen as the new head coach of the Nigerian Eagles and Icheoku has no beef with the choice; and without going into the merits or demerits of his selection, all that is needed now is the support of every Nigeria to enable him succeed. It is not going to be easy or a smooth voyage without the tempest; but hey, sea going vessels are not made for the safe harbor so all hands must be on deck to navigate this baby to safety and see Nigeria Eagles winning soccer laurels once again. 


For Coach Samson Siasia to succeed in his new assignment, certain conditions must be made right including allowing him the freedom to do his job. A necessary concomitant to this is the free hand to operate:- to choose and select his team without the undue pressure of quota system by NFF officials, trying to field their favored players especially in international tournaments just for the mouth-watering dollar allowances. Siasia's weapon of choice for their resistance should be the media and he should never be timid about this but must scream on top of his lungs each time they foray and let Nigerians know that his arms are being twisted and by naming the very official involved. Failure to so alert Nigerians of such undue pressure will come back to haunt him should he fail on his national assignment, as the same officials will be the ones leading the charge against him to sack him as a failed coach. This vocalized protest is imperative and Siasia must use it as a weapon of mass destruction against all those roadblocks militating against Nigeria's Eagles' attaining soccer pinnacle in world.


Further, Siasia must not be shy at using the proverbial jackhammer on any unruly or disrespectful player who might be tempted to look down on him or otherwise question his authority; a thing which they would not ever contemplate were the coach of a light pale skin - the never going-away colonial tinged mentality. Stephen Keshi had a similar experience when coaching Togolese national team when their Adebayor (Manchester City) would not obey his instruction and was pivotal to his being sacked eventually. Siasia must be allowed to weld the big stick on any player no matter how highly rated or deep pocketed; and none of them should ever be allowed to demean his new office or undermine his authority. Siasia's power of discipline must be explicitly inked in the contract and must not be amenable or subjected to any overriding superior authority in the NFF or any other whatsoever. The buck of mentoring the Eagles should squarely lie on his shoulders, period.


Also the contract between Siasia and NFF must be firm and the fixed term of four years should be made subject to renewal at the expiration of the stated term based on performance. By this proviso, notwithstanding the lack of performance or under-performance of his within the contract period, he must not be fired or have his salary or allowance withheld; but must be given time sufficient enough to turn things around. Icheoku is talking about a real contract with all the 'ts' and 'is' properly crossed and dotted and such contract as would be easily enforceable should the Nigeria usual factor creep in somewhere down the road. In the event the NFF become adamant on letting him go before the expiration of his term, they should be made to pay a hefty penalty and vice versa Siasia, who should be made to respect the full term of the contract putting his best effort forward.


The Nigeria Football Federation must be prepared to rest its fate fully on the indigenous coach and be ready to swim or sink with it; and should never mete out to Siasia the Amodu treatment whereby a coach who qualified the Eagles against all odds for South Africa 2010 was later sidelined for an incompetent pale-skinned coach Lagerfield who later proved a monumental disaster at South Africa 2010. Coach Siasia must be made comfortable just like those white coaches who have lead Nigeria's Eagle in the past both in remuneration and perks of office; including things and officials to work with. To this effect, there should be a functioning department at NFF purely catering for the needs of the Eagles and their coach to ensure that the usually attendant bureaucracies are cut away and that the new coach gets what he needs to do his job and succeed; and when he needs it. Siasia should also be exposed to international coaching seminars and workshops world-over in order to learn more tactics as well as fine-tune his own coaching skills - simply put, the NFF should invest heavily in this experiment of an indigenous coach and see it turn a profit for Nigeria football. Even attending some European, Asian and South America Football Associations league matches and competitions especially the finals will not hurt his continuing education in football coaching.


Now a little digress on Stephen Keshi, admitted there cannot be two captains of a ship at the same time, but based on his prior records of performances as well as international coaching assignments in Togo and Mali, and having personally captained the Nigeria Eagles side in the past, Icheoku believes that making him assistant coach to Siasia will not be a bad idea. The NFF should offer Stephen Keshi the assistant coach position since they admitted that he interviewed greatly for the head coach job except that Siasia is who the masses in Nigeria wanted and preferred. So in some sarcastic speaking terms, Keshi was the runner-up of Siasia and should automatically get the number two position, except where he rejects it. Icheoku says populism is never a good anchor for any important decision making, but what will be in the best interest of the subject matter under advisement and in this case, football in Nigeria. Hiring a national coach for the Eagles should not have been decided on what is popular because sometimes the masses are plebianistic in their approach and like mobs, usually follows the flow. Resume and past records of performance and the commanding personality of the person would have been the most important deciding factors in choosing a new coach for the Eagles. But hey, a decision has been made, Siasia has been hired and Nigerians has to support the choice of their new indigenous coach and root for him to succeed.


Finally Coach Siasia should not rely solely on foreign based players to do the job required to be done with Nigeria winning footballing competitions but must also raise a home side that could effectively compete and vie for positions with their foreign based counterparts. The new Eagles waiting a rebirth should be a mixed bag, a potpourri of home-based and Diaspora players, each working to earn a place in the national side each time there is a tournament. If otherwise, then the argument favoring his hire will be defeated, since Nigeria might as well have settled for a foreign coach who could also assemble foreign players each time there is a competition. But Samson Siasia's job includes developing Nigeria football and working with the other coaches of the home FA to give Nigeria football industry a bang for their bucks. Why would sports bars in Nigeria be tuning to Barclays Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga or Conmebol  each weekend to watch other federations clubs when they can be doing that with the Nigeria league? Icheoku therefore says, the new indigenous coach must raise and rely heavily on the indigenous home-based players and help grow the industry. No position should ever be reserved for anyone player no matter how highly rated he is but each should be made to compete to earn their jersey and let the best always play. It will not be easy but it is doable; it will be rough but it could be smoothen; it will be tough but the strong will always find a way through or around it; and where there is a will there is always a way. On this note, Icheoku with the rest of soccer-loving Nigerians wish the new Eagles head-coach, Samson Siasia,  God's speed as he proceeds to restore hope to a hopeless Nigeria Eagles side that has for every intent and purpose been written off. Congratulations Siasia, all the best! 

NIGERIANS SUE TO BAN THE SALE AND USE OF CONDOMS!

 

Some HIV positive Nigerians have taken the government of Nigeria, its ministry of health and some NGOS involved in safe-sex condom use campaign to the high court because their use of condoms did not prevent them from being infected by HIV, the AIDS causing virus. In their prayer before the court, the plaintiffs which include one medical doctor are asking the court to issue injunction against the government and its agencies from parading and promoting condom as a safety net for HIV and to prohibit the further sale of condom or its encouragement or use since it does not prevent infection as claimed. Their grudge is that they were infected with HIV notwithstanding their meticulous use of the latex. Icheoku says whereas these plaintiffs forgot that HIV could be got through other means such as blood transfusion, it will be a hard ruling for the court to make in view of the world-wide position relating to condom and safe-sex. Moreover these plaintiffs did not adduce evidence to the effect that their condoms did not rupture or was not improperly positioned to render them ineffective. They did not also plead greater enjoyment of sexual intercourse by body-contact as a ground for their prayer. Anyway, Icheoku and the rest of the world will be watching closely to see how the court eventually decides on this peculiar Nigeria's condom litigation. It is instructive to note that the plaintiffs in this case did not indicate or say if they plan to call the Pope and former South African President Thabo Mbeki as plaintiffs' witnesses?

JOHANNES MEHSERLE, A WHITE RACIST KILLER-COP WALKS FREE?

 

Still wondering why black American males are perceived by their white counterparts as always angry; this sentence of white killer cop Johannes Mehserle is a very good reason. White policeman Johannes Mehserle (left) shot and killed a restrained and unarmed black Oscar Grant (right) without any justification whatsoever. First the trial was moved away from black people rich Oakland where the killing took place; second the white jury of Mehserle's peers found him only guilty of involuntary manslaughter and now another judge of his kind lets him walk? His sentence for killing a blackman, a mere 2 years with credit for time served and Mehserle had already spent about 292 days awaiting trial. Icheoku asks, is this justice or the type of justice that will make everybody feel equally protected in America; yet each time these white folks pretend not to know why the average black guy in America seem to be angry all the time. Injustice for one Oscar grant is injustice for every Oscar Grants in America. Were the scenario to be different and a black man killed a white policeman, it will be a death sentence without any options; but hey, this is America!