LAMAR ODUM, CRACK IS WHACK

Icheoku says regrettably he failed to heed Whitney Houston's warning and has ended upside down enroute to wherever he is headed. What an avoidable tragedy.

FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP CHILE 2015, THE GOLDEN EAGLETS ARE GOOD.

Icheoku says watched Nigeria's Golden Eaglets overrun host country, Chilean Under 17 side and the verdict, the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke chaperoned boys performed brilliantly very well, routing the Chileans 5 - 1. It was not the goals nor the stellar performance put up by the Nigerian side that did it for Icheoku, no, it was the composition of the team, simply the best Nigeria has to offer without regards to federal character or quota system. The result was outstandingly worth mentioning as it goes to showcase the great possibilities that await a Nigeria truly united where no parochial allegiance is paid as to where any Nigerian comes from or the need to represent every section of the polity regardless of lack thereof of the most competent representative for the country. 

When Nigeria wins, it is Nigeria that gets the honor and kudos, not the area that produced majority of those ambassadors of note. When commentators are calling the game, it is Nigeria that comes out of their mouth and not the geographical zone in Nigeria that sired those players. When the mesmerized sports writers write about the encounter, they reference Nigeria but not the part of the country from where they came. Icheoku therefore queries why not Nigeria continue in this part to greatness, leaving out those who wants to be left behind and allow them play catch-up if they later decide to so do and then compete. But a situation where very brilliant performers are sacrificed on the alter of federal character or quota system representation is not good for Nigeria and no rational Nigerian should stand by and watch this cancer continue to wreck havoc in Nigeria. 

From the names of those brilliant boys at the FIFA Under-17 World cup tournament Chile 2015, it is obvious which geographical area in Nigeria produced most of them. It is equally obvious which religious belief majority of them adhere to. But these boys are bona fide Nigerians playing their hearts out and winning convincingly while flying the flag of Nigeria. This is exactly what a nation looks and should look like and this is the pathway to nationhood if Nigerians are seriously desirous of ever some day seeing their country morph into a nation. 

Icheoku hopes that this group of very talented and formidable ball kickers can be kept and nurtured together as to someday graduate into the nations senior team, the Super Eagles. If they could outplay their counterparts from the United States of America 2-0 and now Chile 5-1 at this age, there is no reason why they should not be able to replicate the same classy performance five to ten years from now when these their current competitors from these other countries will similarly mature into their respective senior teams. But regrettably, a Nigeria under a spell, afflicted by crass partisanship, political rascality, parochial stupidity, religious bigotry, ethnic necropsy as well as other idiocies, including a very retrogressive federal character and leprosied quota system, will have this opportunity similarly fretted away as with every promising dream that went unfulfilled in the country. 

Anyway, Icheoku plans to continue watching these beautiful boys of soccer do what they do best; and prays their effort is rewarded eventually with the tournament's golden trophy. These boys are good and Coach Amuneke is a viable soccer tactician and the combination shows. It simply shows the limitless possibilities awaiting a Nigeria where merit is allowed to take its rightful place. Like the defunct MAMSER once had it, if some people are good cattle rearers, they should be encouraged to rear their cattle better and more and more; if some people are good soccer players, they should be encouraged to play better and better; if some people are good politicians, they should be encouraged to play better and improved their politics. This way, the good will someday graduate into better and then go on to become the best; and collectively, only the best will then be representing Nigeria in every sphere. Or is this too much to ask of Nigerians, especially those Nigerians who are burning with a desire to see a Nigeria truly come of age. Icheoku says congratulations to Coach Amuneke and his Nigeria's Golden Eaglets on their performance this far. Icheoku wishes them all the best. 

MARRIAGE IS A UNIVERSAL CROSS, SO YOU DECIDE.

A woman once went to court for her divorce proceedings. She told the judge that she wants out from her marriage due to irreconcilable differences? Out of curiosity, the judge inquired as to the nature of the irreconcilable differences, to which the woman responded, 'Your Honor, he is a man and I am a woman and we can't simply get along." 

Icheoku says her argument seems to make sense, reasonably made sense and was indeed still making sense till date until very recently, when the world was woken up to married same-sex gay couples also queuing up for divorce. This development automatically defeats the time worn argument that women and men in marriage do not necessarily get along due to their gender differences. The argument being  that it takes a woman to understand what a woman needs and also that it takes a man to understand what a man needs. Icheoku says does anybody actually understand what another person really needs  or wants out of any given situation? Query, were this sex differences the primary underlying reason, what other explanation then exists why same sex married lesbians and/or gays ultimately now find themselves in divorce courts too? Conclusion, the devil is not in the couples but in the coupling; hence parties getting along for so long begin to experience serious problems the moment they say the almighty "I do" to one another. 

Icheoku says it is the obligation of marriage, the fact that one is now somewhat yoked in the same fate with another person which triggers the turmoil that inevitably leads to  divorce. So can a society, desirous of maintaining harmonious co-existence of its citizens, simply do away with the officialdom of marriage and permit two consenting adults to just live their lives as partners with full co-habitation rights but devoid of the marriage insignia. This way, parties could live together, sire and parent children together if they want, but are relieved of the weighty obligations of being married. Icheoku once met this lady who was in a relationship with this guy for close to seventeen years. Then believing that they have known each other quite well and nothing to loose any longer, decided to tie the knot; but the tied knot survived only six months before they headed to divorce court. Icheoku also met a couple who decided from the get go to be just live-ins, remain monogamous and no children. They are nineteen years and still counting, this 2015, into a fabulous relationship. 

So would it be that people were never meant to be married,  because as human beings, people have their respective individuality which often proves extremely difficult to weave into a seamless relationship? This individuality which started from the womb ensures that even Siamese twins, triplets, quadruplets or whatever other number of fetus-pairing possible, were all conceived in their own respective amniotic sacs. Icheoku says is it possible that this exclusivity continued with one's life, thus making it near impossible to spend one's entire life with another without bickerings? Except of course where one party to the marriage decides to play the possum while the other party lords it all over the manor; in which case some semblance of bliss will exists, but at whose expense anyway?  

Icheoku once interviewed a 67 year old woman who has been married to the same man for 49 years plus who allegorized that most working marital relationship is akin to that relationship which exist between a dog and a dog owner, where one party makes all the decisions while the other party just obeys and complies, period. According to her, there is always an element of control, no matter how subtle, which is prevalent in any marriage. It is the struggle for this authority that often manifests as problems which then exacerbate to irreconcilable differences. Continuing, she said that the smart thing to do is for one party to quietly acquiesce in the authority of the other and for most part, because of the nature of women, they are often ceded the appearance of being in charge in order for peace to reign. 

Icheoku does not know about you, but it is one heck of a big asking or demand to make of some men, especially the alpha man who do not know and will not understand how to reconcile what he knew growing up as a given against what a feminist society is otherwise dictating. But hey, it is a doorway nobody ever forced anyone to walk through and by the same token, every individual must make his or her determination as he or she sees fit and proper under every given circumstance. Unfortunately, there is not a one solution kit to solving marital difficulties and like one man observed, getting married is the easy part but staying married is the heavy lifting. Regrettably too, with due respect to Al Gore, there is 'no controlling legal authority' in the form of a book, which exists, on how to stay married. It is like raising a child which no school teaches any parent, once the baby is born, the parents will just go on loving him or her and the raising is miraculously accomplished.  The same procedure is also applicable to marriage,  couples just have to go on loving each other and working it to make it work.

Now you know, so when next time you get mad at him or her, please remember that you two are not the same person. Remember that you are with someone who is entirely different from you; who was raised differently from you and whose demons probably are totally and completely different from yours. Also remember that you are with someone who has a different prism with which he or she looks at things; but who is now sharing a space that ordinarily would have been yours and yours alone to occupy and enjoy. The solution, necessary accommodation and tolerance are required and in unconditional quantity and quality. That is the key, the proverbial magic wand and you have to selflessly do your own part, regardless. 

However, if at the end of the day, you still feel or think that your marriage sucks specifically and that there is some Eldorado somewhere, please try your neighbor's or rather ask them politely. Marriage is a universal yoke, a one cap fits all societal adventure but without any prescribed one silver-bullet universal solution. It is a freedom encumbrancer and you must first decide whether it is worth losing it all, your freedom. Therefore, if you must, learn to tough it out or you will loose it straight out. With marriage, the grass is not greener anywhere, so learn to fertilize and water yours in order to achieve some acceptable level of greenness. But overall, it is a joyful thing if you are lucky to find more joy than pain therein, both weighted against all odds. 

CANADA ELECTS NEW PM, JUSTIN TRUDEAU.

Icheoku says in 1983 Pierre Trudeau was the Prime Minister of Canada while Muhammadu Buhari was Head of State of Nigeria. In 2015 Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre Trudeau, was elected Prime Minister of Canada while Muhammadu Buhari was elected President of Nigeria. Icheoku queries, does this not give Nigerians a serious cause for concern and reason for some serious soul searching? Icheoku says congratulations JT and may your government seek immediate rapprochement with Washington, which your outgoing predecessor Stephen Harper, screwed up big time.

WHY DID I GET MARRIED, SERIOUSLY?

Icheoku says whenever a spouse goes into this question asking mode, it is a strong indication that he or she probably married the wrong guy or gal; or what some would call another man's woman or another woman's man. Marriage is not supposed to be spouse-repellent or rather repulsive and irritable; and it is not supposed to be a dreadful association. Therefore any time marital relationship deteriorates to a point where either spouse starts being seen as the source of annoyance or irritation to the other spouse, then it is time to sing the final requiem or dirge and nunc dimitis of the union and to say to your tents Oh Israel. 

Marriage is not supposed to be scary or discomforting; but like wearing the wrong shoe size, if unmatched, could be painfully disgusting. This is the reason Jesus preached against being unequally yoked; and it has everything to do with personalities or rather compatibility of spouses. Many people who fall into this "Why did I marry" category are those spouses who married because of what their spouses are rather than who they are. The bait takers, who fell for the storied glitter and glamour; only to find out that there is truism in the saying that all that glitters is not gold. Strong spouses on the other hand do not marry because they have to; they marry because they want to and to who they want, not who circumstances forced them into. 

A rule of the thumb never marry a person because  of sympathy or because the accessories around them are attractive and you want in. The reason is that sooner or later those glitters will turn gaudy and you will get bored and want out. But inner qualities do no tarnish and if you marry right, you will stay happily married as long as you both shall live. Marital difficulties become exacerbated only when spouses are polar opposites and cannot even find common grounds to work together to solve their problems. The result, end of marriage fight which sometimes leads to divorce or even the killing of one spouse by another in order to get out, secure his or her freedom. So now you know, what being married looks like as opposed to many why did I get married scenarios.

HILLARY CLINTON MUST NOT RUN AS A WOMAN.

Icheoku says whatever happens, Hillary Clinton must not blow her new perception as a formidable presidential material who could become president. She must de-emphasis her frequent pointy reminders that she is a woman or rather that she is impliedly running as a woman presidential candidate? Icheoku warns that such might re-ignite the gender war in America and thus bring out the worst in chauvinistic American men who, feeling threatened, will then challenge themselves to stop her from realizing her dream at all cost. It is so far so good, so she should stay on message and avoid too much references to her gender.

MARRIAGE, DON'T DO IT?

Icheoku says unless you find compatibility in a potential spouse, please for Jove's sake and your sanity, don't get entangled in the goddamn bondage. It is not worth it and it is not compulsory nor time constrained; except of course you don't care, in which case you might as well do it with any first caller, regardless. But for all those faithful passionate romantics, if you don't feel it, please just don't do it, just walk away. Just remember that any excuse or reason will suffice and when there is none, just use the "I changed my mind" one. The sky will not come tumbling down on your head simply for previously agreeing to but only to later disagree. 

Flip flopping is acceptable in marriage intentions or even for ones already consummated, if need be. It is called clear thinking and there is nothing wrong in honestly giving such a huge life commitment decision, involving with whom to spend the remainder of one's life, a serious rethink if you have to. To help you do this, first ask yourself what do you need out of a marriage, not necessarily what you want from a marriage; and determine if the intending spouse will help you fulfill that. If not, then run to the hills as there is no need hoping to later try fixing what was none existent in the first place. This failure to uncover is the primary reason why people are mostly miserable in their marriage; in what would otherwise be a very pleasurable experience.

Ask yourself if you had a choice, would you? If you are made a trade, would you deal? If you are in a dark room, do you still like what you see in him or her? If you are deaf, will his or her voice still sound musical to your ears? If he or she is absent, do you still feel her or his enveloping presence around you? Do you break out a smile thinking about them? Do you always wish they are with you or do you dread their presence? Can you go to bed on an empty stomach but not feel hungry with them around? Do you see some beauty in things around them which other people might consider none existent? Do they make you ever hungry for their presence that a little absence keeps your mind wondering how well are they faring? Do you like their company and being seen with them - kind of to flaunt them? Can you swear by them and completely see them as indispensable and irreplaceable. When you feel these things, then know that you are one heartbeat away from landing what doctor a-fulfilled-marriage prescribed and ordered. Compatibility is the key to success of every marriage; it comes first and should come before any other consideration.  In short, it should be the very bedrock of everything marriage. 

Without it, the other two Cs of marriage - Children and Comfort, cannot and will not be enough to hold down the marriage. Some people marry for children and once they get them, the marriage is literally over. Some also marry for perks of marriage and once they are securely plugged in, it is bye-bye to the marriage as divorce settlement will be more than enough. But with compatibility, once you find it, it is welcome marriage and it is here to stay. So ask yourself what is the cardinal factor for you in considering a step in that territory - is it children, comfort or compatibility with spouse? Remember that nothing good comes cheap and whereas children and comfort could be sourced from anyone, compatibility is definitely not that readily and so easily available. 

It is rare and precious and like a good flawless diamond, is very difficult to find. This is the reason why self-assured people do not rush into what they will later regret by either rushing out of it or grudgingly suffer prison-like term therein, while maintaining a retinue of paramours. This rare breeds would rather wait marriage out than get entrapped in a hellish situation. But at the end of the day, it is for everyone to decide and determine what works and what does not work; and what he or she considers utmost importance - either to marry or not to marry and why. Admitted it will be good to find the three Cs in every given marriage; but life does not always work that way, which leaves you with choosing what is more important to you in order of hierarchy and then proceed accordingly.

But always remember that while a marriage can survive childlessness, financial difficulty and occasional general problems/discomforts including health issues, it cannot and can never survive incompatibility of spouses. So once you find the lucky one, your soul-mate, be thankful and grateful; and then work it to make it work for you. Always ask yourself what can you do to make the marriage work better as you pray that your partner is similarly disposed and wired too. If mutual, it turns into a bliss with each spouse seeing him or herself as the missing link and then works tirelessly hard to supply it in fulfillment of the partnership. However, if you do not find any of these three Cs persuasive enough reason for taking that great plunge, then consider flying solo. 

You might be better off just remaining single and not feel needlessly yoked down just to yield to societal pressure. It is not for everyone and the good news is that it is not compulsory; so you can damn anyone who mouths off about your single-hood. Marriage is not an obligation as Jesus never married; neither did Mary Magdalene nor the pope, his cardinals, archbishops and reverend fathers. Better still, you can also simply ignore them as busy-body meddlesome interlopers, who are up to no good; and only interested in muddling your happiness. Being single is a right not a privilege, so no one can take that away from you if you don't want. If you are happily married and fulfilled, then kudos to you. But either way, curb your enthusiasm and remember that you can never have it all. Be grateful and thankful for what you have, especially if  you are lucky to have a fulfilled companionship. Salute.

LAMAR ODOM'S SCARE, BLAME NO ONE BUT LAMAR ODOM HIMSELF.

Icheoku says unfortunately a society where nobody likes to take responsibility for their actions are now looking for somebody to blame for the drug overdose of a 35 year old man, who is sane, was married and also fathered some children too. A man who voluntarily checked into a brothel and blew a whopping $75,000 in a tharee day sex orgy with prostitutes, binging on drugs, alcohol and other things offered on the menu, including herbal Viagra or Reload; he overdid himself and ended up comatose and someone is making excuses for his action? Icheoku says please give me a break that either Kobe Bryant or Khloe Kardashian or any other one else is the babysitter of Lamar Odom and should have stopped him from walking the plank if that was what he choose as a means of his exit. 

With this staggering and mind boggling disclosure, whether he even deserves pity and sympathy from the general public, especially those Americans who cannot afford food to eat, becomes questionable. An amount which could have easily helped pay off an indigent student's college loan or even help feed some homeless hungry Americans scattered everywhere in America or made into a charitable donation to some good causes.  Icheoku says imagine what $75,000 could do for you, particularly those down and out Americans who are instead living the American nightmare. But no, he would rather waste it on heightened immorality, cavorting with prostitutes and indulging in banned illegal substances simply because it was his money? It was his money and therefore he reserves the right to and can do whatever the heck he wants to with it including selfishly over-indulging himself to the point of now near death. Yet somebody is making excuses that it was someone's else fault and asking people to empathize with him? 

Icheoku says but for our common humanity, Lamar Odom does not deserves sympathy nor pity; but should in the same manner make his latest ordeal his personal and private matter too. Michael Jackson overdosed on drugs. Whitney Houston same; ditto her daughter with Bobby Brown, Kristina; and now Lamar Odom is nearing the exit aided by the same illegal substances. Icheoku queries when will enough be finally enough before we can stand up to these addicts and ask them to seek and get help? Why do we as Americans continually make excuses for these crackheads who think that they are on top of the world by being doped and inebriated? So many people have died as a result and you ask yourself what was Lamar Odom thinking or did he think that what killed others cannot and will not kill him, because he is a superman? What lessons did we all including a pre-comatose Lamar Odom learn from the tragedies of MJ, Whitney and Kristina? It appears nothing and the same demon that took these other people away forever is now trying to add Lamar Odom to its hit list and someone is saying what? 

Icheoku does not care a hoot about whatever personal troubles any one is going through that possibly forced their hands. We all have our issues, but how we solve them or get out of the bind is primarily a personal call. While some people choose the narrow straight path including getting help that gets result, others bullshit their way through them be numbing themselves with narcotics and barbiturates and sometimes they go over their limit resulting in Lamar Odom's like condition. So it goes without saying that Lamar Odom exercised an option here, he made a choice to get stratospherically high and then to engage in orgy with prostitutes as if sex was going out of stock. He did not make it out in one piece and is now life-challenged, clinging to his life by the thread and battling to save himself from a threatening death. 

So whose fault was it that Lamar Odom overdosed on substances but Lamar Odom's. Yet some people are trying to make excuses for a fully grown 35 year old adult male, who is expected to and should be solely and entirely responsible for his actions. No one made him do it nor was a .45 Magnum pointed to his skull and threatened to, UNLESS. Therefore let us all stop all these bulk-passing and blame game; and instead concentrate our energy in praying for a miraculous breakthrough with his gravely challenged situation. This is the much we can collectively do now under the circumstance, but anyone trying to point an accusing finger to where it does not belong, including Master P, is rather too patronizing. Such behavior should therefore be condemned by everyone as not useful, neither right nor proper. Icheoku says Lamar Odom is an adult and as such is fully responsible for his actions and conducts, including for whatever he voluntarily ingested or needled into his veins at the Love Ranch prostitutes cove in Carson City Nevada. What a strange lesson it is indeed that despite the warning of Whitney Houston that CRACK IS WHACK, Lamar Odom still choose to ignore it anyway and is now tethering on the brinks. What an avoidable tragedy that keeps on giving and which is claiming more and more victims including some of America's finest.

LAMAR ODOM, WHEN TOO MUCH PARTYING IS BAD FOR YOU?

Icheoku says the news out of Las Vegas Nevada that former NBA superstar Lamar Odom was found unconscious in a brothel is not heartwarming at all. If anything, it yet showcases the drug problems afflicting millions of Americans, majority of who are psychologically and emotionally lonely and looking to drug as an outlet companion. Unfortunately many of these cries for help usually go unanswered until it is too late to intervene and  successfully pull the victim off the ledge of the cliff, before the fatal jump. A case of struggling with one's demons, Icheoku would say; a drug demon which has held Lamar in a stranglehold of 'clean today dirty tomorrow' and for such a long time. Now it is finally threatening to take him out of this world and forever. 

Lamar Odom is in a fierce fight for his life, comatose and on life support; a result of alleged multi cocktails of drugs found in over-doze quantities in his system. Latest information has it that his organs are beginning to pack up and that he sustained brain damage, further decreasing and diminishing his chances of making it out alive and if, not whole. Icheoku wishes Lamar all the best in his effort to stay alive and hopefully if he makes it out alive and well, the scare will be more than enough to forever scare him away from those scary substances to which he could not completely break free of their addiction. What a way to abruptly bring one's life to a screeching halt - in a brothel cavorting with prostitutes and heavily doped to the point of death. But hey, he is an adult and only he can help himself shake off his monkey. What a life we live.

HILLARY CLINTON DEBATES FOUR MEN, DEMOCRATIC PARTY DEBATE 2015.

Icheoku says Hillary Clinton was amicable, jovial, relaxed, in command of the issues and for the very first time in a very long time, came across as an amiable feminine female.  As opposed to her usual Nurse Ratched feminist demeanor, many Americans took a second good look at her and came out with a very warm impression of the woman who wants to be the first female president of America. Icheoku says if she continues in this path, being a female who wants to be president as opposed to a feminist who wants to be president, may be her chances will greatly improve. 

The problem thus far is that many men have a very strong distaste for females who blur the line between femininity and feminism. No one quarrels with powerful strong females; but most people have issues with females who are obtrusively feminists and thus obnoxious. Real men like feminine females, they are pretty and admirable; and this is what has been a great turn off for so many regarding Hillary Clinton; but she morphed into a likable powerful and strong female in today's Democratic Party Debate in Las Vegas Nevada. 

Overall she did impressively well and held her emotions in check, a big plus for Icheoku and all those blue dog democrats who were previously leaning away from her candidacy. Her hair was nice, her make up right and her face showed little to no stress at all; indeed she was relaxed and very present throughout the entire debate. The only issue still militating against her candidacy is whether Americans are getting tired of same name politicians ruling them. Just like the Bushes, Hillary Clinton will be another President Clinton should she win the presidency and one wonders if such would become a quasi-monarchy as opposed to the all-comers democracy which America practices. 

One of her Icheoku's most memorable lines were "I never took a position on Keystone until I took a position on Keystone", in answer to charges of flip-flopping depending on the audience before her. Her "America's best days are still ahead" is equally remarkable. Other instances of her alleged shifting sand positions was her earlier stance against homosexual marital relationships and is now for it; her anti immigration and now for it; as well as her pro trade deals and now against it. But overall, her rebuttals were convincing enough to warrant giving her candidacy a serious second look. She also promised to stand up against NRA towards more sensible gun legislation.

Barry Sanders was also impressive as a man who is assured of where he wants to take the country to and the roadmap to get there. For his age, he was indeed looking good and Icheoku liked what we heard. Icheoku's memorable one line was his was "To take back our government from billionaires and millionaires and create a vibrant democracy for everyone."

Then enter Martin O'Mally, the candidate from Baltimore. Icheoku says he is the most photogenic of all the candidates and somewhat reminds Icheoku of John Edwards. He is tall, he is handsome, he has youth on his side, he has executive experience as a former Mayor of Baltimore and also former Governor of Maryland; in short he looks most presidential. He did not distance himself from President Obama. On the question why 100,000 citizens of Baltimore, a city of 600,000 residents were arrested in one year under his zero tolerance mayoral initiative, he explained that the situation he met then called for such high-handed crackdown. One of his Icheoku's most memorable line was "Lets speak to the goodness about our country" and "America elected a president not a magician" in defense of President Obama's perceived shortcomings. 

Licoln Chafee and Jim Web were practically no-shows at the debate. Chafee's no scandal and good judgment credentials were both positives for Icheoku. However why the CNN debate moderator Anderson did not give him enough comparable time to marshall out his points is beyond  Icheoku's comprehension.

Overall, it was a good issue based and polite debate as majority of the people who watched it came out somewhat satisfied. However, the absence of any minority candidate sort of touched some sore spot amongst those of us who are now used to seeing a black president in the White House and wonder how these candidate plan to supply that missing link. 

Icheoku harps that the beauty of our democracy is in the process that usually begets its leadership. The road travelled to get those who lead us is the key. They have to earn it as of right and not inheritance or born to rule bequeath like Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, who following the example previously set by his predecessor President Jonathan Goodluck, refused to debate prelude to his election. Yet he was "elected", begging the question, how did Nigerians determine he has prepared enough for the office. 

But hey, whatever works for any country; but for the United States of America, if you want to lead, you must prove that you have what it takes to lead - sort of pass your interview for the job which starts with the primaries. Whatever happens and whether it is going to be Hillary Clinton or Barry Sanders or even Martin O'Mally that eventually emerges as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, it is going to be a memorable battle with whoever emerges from the Republican Party. Icheoku cannot however wait to see how the debate will match up in a probable Hillary Clinton against Donald Trump; admitted it is going to be a very long shot permutation. Icheoku says all the best candidates and may the best person secure the nomination. 

SALEM AND SELMA, TWO AMERICAN CITIES UNITED IN UGLINESS?

Icheoku says never in the history of mankind have two cities, with nearly similar sounding names, spelt exactly with the same number of alphabets and of the same two syllables, co-existed in the same country. The cruel coupling irony of the two cities is that both shared the past ugly exhibition of man at his worst. Both cities represent the height of man's cruelty against fellow man, a situation somewhat comparable to Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps, admitted on a lower scale. For their infra-dignity,  Salem and Selma are permanently etched in infamy for the atrocities which they visited on a section of their very own populace and will forever be remembered for it. 

Salem is the notorious Massachusetts city, made infamous for its persecution of its citizens who were branded witches; and regardless, once the little girl calls one out as being a witch, the witch must then of course be put to death. So it became a trial by ordeal and sorcery where the accused 'witch' is thrown into a well and whether or not the accused sinks or floats, it does not matter as a witch deserves not to live. A Catch-22 sort of situation wherein if the suspect floats, he or she must be killed for being a witch because good non-witch people do not float in wells. Conversely, if the suspect drowns, then it was mission accomplished because he or she drowned because he or she was a witch. A sort of bloody cleansing to satisfy a naughty child's indulgence and people tolerated that and for too long, costing so many lives. 

Selma on the other hand is an Alabama City made notorious when Martin Luther King led protesters therefrom intending to march to Montgomery to protest the inhuman racists of the deep south America which denied blacks voting rights. but were stopped on the Edmund Pettus bridge. On that day in March 1965, they were met with brutality of the worst kind for merely demanding that they be recognized as full humans beings deserving of some dignity and with rights to vote and be voted for in a democracy.  But Governor George Wallace thought otherwise, unleashed his hound dogs with police dogs, mounted horses, water cannons, horse whips, tear gas, live bullets and all sort of unprintable repression gadgets. At the end of the day, many lay dead, dying and mortally wounded and the march was aborted. This is the only significant thing which any one remembers of Selma.

Icheoku says what is in a name one may ask, especially when that name contains six letters A, E, L, M, S and belong to two cities, both of which turned out to be reprehensible memories of America's not too distant past. But thankfully witchcraft and sorcery was outlawed and so also was racial servitude and superiority of one race over another; as well as the right to vote and be voted for which became instituted. This shows that every freedom of today was purchased with sorrow, tears and blood of men and women who once stood up in the past to say never again. But do today's beneficiaries of such selfless sacrifices appreciate and treasure these past sacrifices, you decide.

HEAVEN OR A COOLER PART OF HELL, YOU DECIDE?

Icheoku says should humanity really be striving for the biblical heaven or just work hard enough, to be good enough, to be placed in a cooler section of hell upon final judgment?  This becomes imperative as it appears the benchmark and threshold for making heaven is rather too stringent, beyond reason; and somewhat humanly unattainable. An apparent near impossibility of some sort, suggesting that potential candidates for heaven are but striving in vain. The bible itself says this much too, when it harps that making it through the gate of heaven is a very arduous task that is nearly, completely impossible. Except for those, who in their Pharisaic self-righteousness, have chosen to ignore the black letter law encapsulated in the bible regarding this and would rather delude themselves that they are "Christian-enough" to be admitted to heaven, Icheoku says they are probably but trying in vain. 

In Matthew 18:3, the bible says "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." In Matthew 19:21, Jesus tells a man who is desirous of making heaven to 'Go sell everything you have and give to the poor and then come back and follow me and I will guarantee you heaven.' In Matthew 19:23 - 24, Jesus continues, 'It is hard for the rich to go to heaven as it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for the rich man to make it to heaven." Then add Exodus 20:1-17' provisions of the Ten Commandments which decrees that if you want to go to heaven, you must love God and if you love God, you must keep his commandments. With these and many more other bible provisions and/or requirements for making it to heaven, it certainly appears that a very strong bar exists, which makes it very difficult for anyone to cross the gates of heaven. To this effect therefore, one is forced to wonder if anyone really stands any chance of eventually getting past through that gate and are we all but laboring in vain? 

Therefore is it not arguably a better effort for humanity to work hard at having their respective sentences in hell reduced, rather than continuously wasting their time seeking to make the unattainable heaven? In this way, humanity will be forced to cut their enthusiasm about the the place of bliss and peradventure not to be disappointed on that very day.

Icheoku says since different categories of sin would naturally command different punishments, by working hard at reducing our sins or the degrees of our sins, we can actually earn a place that will not be too hot.  Lesser sins or smaller sins cannot be expected to be punished as other more heinous sins which the intolerable, searing and scorching heat of the center-pit of hell would be reserved for. For instance a petty thief cannot be expected to receive the same punishment as hardened criminals such as killers, armed robbers and other highly corrupt government officials; otherwise where is the fairness? Many churches are in agreement with the proposition that hell and heaven have categorized levels. For example, a church like American Mitt Romney's Mormons, The Church of Latter Day Saints, believes that there are different tiers of hell and heaven; but that both do exist here on earth? Even the pope very recently expressed some doubts if any physical heaven and hell do exist somewhere out there? 

But one thing which is not disputable and which majority of faithfuls do agree on, is that humans are very sinful and are usually unrepentant at the time they die and could not have had time to ask for forgiveness and/or attain salvation. So what becomes of these people and would every sinner's sin be ball-parked as same or would they be judged based on the gravity of their respective sins? If the later, it necessarily follows that they will be similarly punished differently according to the magnitude of their sins. Conversely, if the former, then there is certainly a miscarriage of justice as the punishment could not have been commensurate to the sins and thus inequitable. But the good Lord is a God of equity and would not unduly punish his children who strayed just a little as he would those who strayed mightily. 

Icheoku says so dead in sin and if the Bible's account is true, every sinner will automatically proceed to hell? This will definitely leave majority of human-beings jammed in a highway to hell, holding just a one way ticket. But it does not make sense nor is it justifiable that every sinner will be published equally; hence it cannot be a one pit of fiery inferno burning people alive. There must be some category of hot, hotter and hottest in hell otherwise fairness would have lost its meaning. Regrettably, barring any consideration as to weighted sin and weighted commensurate punishment, hell will certainly be an over saturated place with the over 99.7% of humans who are most likely destined to hell. However, Icheoku is leaning towards the school of thought and belief which suggests that all sins cannot be punished equally. Further that each sin will have its commensurate punishment, depending on its gravity; thus eliciting different levels of hellish punishment including the length of stay therein as well as the degree of radiation by heat. This is Icheoku's position and adds that since no man is infallible, may be human-beings should be striving to be punished fairly and according to their transgression, rather than making the heaven utopia. But for all those still bent on heaven regardless, Icheoku prays for a good tailwind underneath your wings.

KUNLE SONAME, NIGERIAN BUSINESSMAN BUYS PORTUGUESE CLUB.

“Last Friday we effected a transformation of our club through the sale of part of the capital to our new partners, Tavisstock Global Resource Ltd, led by Mr. Kunle Soname. We wish all the stakeholders the best and believe it will be a lasting partnership that would bring great sporting success to Clube Desportivo Feirense.” - Portuguese Clube Deportivo Feirense.

“It is a great thing to have achieved this. My sincere gratitude to God and everyone involved in the take over process. Securing Clube Desportivo Feirense was the next step in the right direction for me. I love everything about the club: the organization, the philosophy and the fans I have no intention of changing anything in the club because I am satisfied with their operations. Rather, I want to ensure the progress of the club through promotion to the Portuguese Primera division. Having been involved in Nigerian football over the years by running Remo Stars Football club, I felt it was time to further develop the team. It would also bring benefits for Nigerian football through players transfer, training for officials and administrators, who have proven they have what it takes to succeed in Europe. I still have my commitment to Remo Stars FC; it is the beginning of all I have achieved in football and I will keep improving the team to get it to the greatest heights." - Kunle Soname.

Icheoku says with those two statements the ownership rights were transferred to Kunle Soname who is now officially the new owner of the club. Icheoku says congratulations and that leaves Aliko Dangote still out  and waiting for Arsenal to deal. 

ENYEAMA'S FORCED RESIGNATION, OLISEH FUCKED UP BIG TIME.

Icheoku says it was the late literally giant, Chinua Achebe, who once quipped that 'one of the truest test of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised'; and on this note, Icheoku commends the former Nigerian Eagles goal-tender, Vincent Enyeama, for resigning from the national team rather than being made 'to look like a slavish beggar.' Nothing is worth losing one's honor for; as without honor, no life is worth its living. Therefore rather than take the recent double whammy maltreatment of being demoted from the captainship of the Eagles and also being forcefully removed from the Eagles' training camp like a destitute  criminal, Vincent Enyeama was right in simply walking away from the team while still retaining whatever was left of his honor in the service of his fatherland. 

Icheoku agrees with former Eagles captain Christian Chukwu that as a captain, Vincent Enyema deserved some respect. That regardless of whatever shortcoming he might have, the greenhorn coach of the national side, albino Sunday Oliseh, should have handled both incidents in a more matured, civilized manner that would have avoided the ruckus just generated. But to simultaneously demote Enyeama from the captainship of the side and also physically instigate his forceful removal from the training ground was simply too much for anyone with any modicum of honor to bear. The treatment was rather too over-broad and was not done in good faith, but rather to humiliate the goal-tender. Query, why invite Eneyama to the national side training camp only just to humiliate him in this manner, asking security men to physically remove him, tearing his clothes in the process. A man who has dutifully served the country for so long as to become the most capped player of the national side, at least, deserves better. 

Icheoku says Nigeria, not Vincent Enyeama, would be the biggest loser of this development. Vincent Enyeama is doing greatly, Vincent Enyeama has done greatly and Vincent Enyeama will do greatly in the future, however long that future might last. Vincent Enyeama is a good goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama is a very patriotic Nigerian and Vincent Enyeama is committed to the national team. It is only albino Sunday Oliseh who knows what his beef with Vincent Enyeama is, that would so recklessly force this issue to such a head, leading to the goalkeeper's resignation from the national side. Icheoku says Vincent Eyeama will be just fine, with or without the Oliseh managed national side; and being not a beggar, should not be made to look like one. To Vincent Enyeama, Icheoku says, all the best with all your future endeavors; and thank you for your service and for being man enough to walk away rather than allow yourself to become anyone's shriveling slave to be subjected to such a demeaning treatment. To Sunday Oliseh, Icheoku admonishes that you got this one really screwed up big time; and for triggering the resignation of Vincent Enyeama from the national side, SHAME ON YOU. 

BUHARI'S MINISTERIAL SEAT ARGUMENT, INORDINATE?

Icheoku says the argument being made by President Muhammadu Buhari as reason why he wants to, in addition to his presidency, also appropriate the petroleum ministry, is to say the least unfounded and very hollow. First as the president and commander in chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, he is the numero uno of the government; and by extension, automatically the de-jure head of all the ministries.  His surrogates, the ministers, are only there to assist him and help him run the government and they also serve at his pleasure. The president has the power to appoint, assign, reassign and even dismiss his ministers as he may deem fit and from time to time so determine. Hence, the president has the supreme right to deploy to the oil ministry his most trusted minister, who will directly report back to him and through whom he can still run and direct affairs of the ministry as he pleases. 

Therefore begging the question, why does President Muhammadu Buhari still wants to be specifically directly in charge of the Petroleum ministry? If a president has a marching order for any minister, the minister will not flaunt it or risk being dismissed. So a more rational President Muhammadu Buhari could have, in the same manner he appointed his inner caucus officials, similarly choose another one such person and deploy him to the Petroleum Ministry with specific directives on how he wants him to run the ministry and instruction to keep him timely posted on developments therein. Also the president could appoint a  personal assistant as a liaison between him and such a minister and who would report back to him on hourly basis on developments therein the ministry if he so prefers. Icheoku is therefore at a loss when the president said that it was because he wants to directly supervise reforms in the petroleum sector,  that is the reason he wants to be directly in charge of the sector as the substantive minister thereto. 

The president is already in charge of every ministry and running the whole gamut of the governance in Nigeria as an elected chief executive, with the people's mandate to so do. His ministers are not elected executives nor do they have any direct express mandate such as the president's. These ministers are but mere underlings who are only helping the president execute the duties of his office. They owe their offices to the president and will remain therein as long as they continued to enjoy the president's goodwill. Therefore the president, unto whose desk the buck stops, literally is the one running the whole ministries by proxy of his appointed ministers, who are duty bound to carry out directives of the president as he may spell them out to them.  

The question then is, why does the president, despite this truism, still wants to run the oil ministry personally by himself? Why not in the same vein or rather buffoonery argument, run the whole country as a sole administrator since the reason he adduced for coveting the petroleum ministry are equally implicated in all other ministries. Afterall they all need reforms, so why just single out the Petroleum ministry as the only one the president wants to double as the minister in charge? Icheoku is not buying into the argument being made by the president and so should every Nigerian with some thinking in his or her head. By doing that, he will in addition, be depriving a State its slot in the Federal cabinet. 

Further the president has not shown thus far that he has the capacity to successfully run both the office of the president as well as the petroleum ministry; hence he should do a serious rethink on this his plans to so do. Query, what would a President Muhammadu Buhari who is also doubling as Minister for Petroleum differently do in the oil ministry which a President Muhammadu Buhari who is confined only to his presidency, not be able to do through his appointed  Minister of Petroleum? Icheoku says there is possibly nothing the president could not do by proxy of his appointed minister who is somewhat an extension of the president. It is just like an octopus with several tentacles, each contributing to the business of keeping the body alive and well. 

Icheoku maintains that the president, just like he argued as justification for his skewed earlier appointments, should be in a position to find just one more of his very trusted friend to put him in charge of the oil ministry.  But it is indeed very tasking of a reasoning intellect for the president to hijack the oil ministry based on a none existent need. Icheoku deplores this latest effort as another one of President Muhammadu Buhari's attempt at self elevation as the only saint in the hell called Nigeria. Icheoku says it is very condescending and rather arrogant of the president to so cockily see himself as the only chaste Nigerian that can successfully supervise the needed reform in the oil sector. Icheoku does not buy into the myth of his infallibility and urges Nigerians to demand that the president starts trusting the people he is governing; instead of his present attitude of being above everyone in the department of moral uprightness. 

President Muhammadu Buhari, Icheoku says relinquish the Petroleum minister's portfolio and let a State use it to fill their constitutionally mandated slot in the Federal Executive Cabinet. The president should just put one of his man-Friday in the ministry and dictate directives to him as he may deem wise. The president should remember too that he has the prerogative to summarily fire any minister and replace same whenever he desires. Icheoku is convinced that this should be the best route traveled, as the appropriation of the oil ministry in addition to his  presidency is but a greedy nonsensical, based on an empty none existent premise; only meant to foist his will above all Nigerians. Icheoku admonishes this is not the way to go Mister president. 

Finally, Icheoku laments that President Muhammadu Buhari disappointed majority of Nigerians, whose expectation that the president took his time in selecting ministerial candidate because he was simply getting the best there is, was dashed. To say the least, none of the listed candidate is a wow personality and they failed to trigger the explosion in the excitement that was built up preparatory to their names' release. A matter made worse with the inclusion of a very old man who was once a minister in 1981 and you wonder whether no Nigerian especially from Audu Ogbe's constituency ever matured enough this past 33 years to fill their allotted slot. Then factor in the inclusion of a former Lagos State Governor Fashola who spent 78 million Naira on a private website, yet the president is fighting war on corruption? Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State also made the ministerial list despite petitions about missing billions of Naira during his governorship which are pending against him and speaking about war on corruption? Anyway, only President Muhammad Buhari knows why he is playing games with the Nigerian people with these many promises breached and/or not kept. But hey, he was elected and so he can do whatever the heck he likes. SAI BUHARI.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, TAKING NIGERIA FOR A JOY RIDE?

“So what sense does it make that I said you are thief for 16 years, I have come to correct the wrongs that you did and now I am calling you the chief adviser in order to right the wrongs that you committed. Does it make sense? We are waiting to see how they will come out of this.” - Ibrahim Shekarau. 

Icheoku says only those gullible Nigerians who bought into the snake oil that is President Muhammadu Buhari, will be disappointed at the unfolding events in Nigeria today. The promised change has since changed for the worse and only God will help Nigeria.

DIEZANI MADUEKE'S ALLEGED CRIMES, SHAKESPEARE WAS RIGHT.

Icheoku says but for William Shakespeare who had warned the world through Duncan, speaking in Macbeth, that 'there is no art to find the mind's construction in the face,' the latest travails of former Nigeria Minister for Petroleum, Diezani Allison Madueke, in faraway England, would have been mere dreams, her very innocent looks considered. But at last the former Nigerian Madam Petroleum Minster was arrested and indicted for financial crimes of money laundering and racketeering running into several hundreds of millions of pounds sterling of stolen Nigeria resources. 

Icheoku says like Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, she is sure to be convicted and imprisoned following a trove of evidence including seized cash. Coincidentally both of them are from Bayelsa State and one wonders if pilfering state resources runs deep amongst the people of the state? Icheoku says Diezani Allison Madueke looks innocent, harmless, pretty and beautiful; but could all these alluring qualities be just ordinary facade beneath which lies a criminal mind of steel? If these allegations of fraud and corrupt enrichment are proved, then what a mask of Zorro this woman probably, deceitfully wore throughout her supervision of the Nigeria oil ministry. But hey, Eve, Delilah, Lady Macbeth, Jezebel, Bonnie (of 'and Clyde) are all women, so the look of Diezani might afterall have simply been a decoy, just a mask. Icheoku says except that she is standing trial in England, otherwise which Nigerian judge would after salivating on her face still have the guts to send her away to prison. What a woman.