RELIGION IS DELUSION, NOT AFRAID OF BURNING IN HELL - RON REAGAN

"I think when you hold an opinion that you find entirely reasonable, you are surprised when you discover that other people don’t also consider it reasonable, and kind of get up in arms. Religion often goes hand in hand with ignorance and scientific illiteracy. I think what troubles me – whether it’s religiously inspired or not – is the ignorance, foolishness, and I might say, stupidity of people. This championing of anti-intellectual, anti-science, scientifically illiterate theories and lack of critical thinking is disturbing. I am Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell." - Ron Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, a non believer since childhood and promoter of Freedom From Religion Foundation.

JONATHAN OF OTUOKE IS 100% AT FAULT, BLAME PMB NO MORE !

Icheoku says has been doing some reflection lately about  the last Nigeria presidential election. The verdict, President Muhammad Buhari did nothing wrong but merely presented his candidacy for Nigerians and they voted for him to be their president, despite his known well rehashed faults and shortcomings. So, what is then the beef with PMB one might ask? Icheoku concludes that instead of the continuing attack on PMB, dissatisfied Nigerians should turn their anger at the real harbinger of the outcome of that election. Former President Jonathan Ebelesieme Goodluck of Otuoke, the man who disappointed so many fully invested Nigerians and who did not or rather refused to do what was necessary to win his reelection is the person who left so many people stranded and presently drowning midstream. He is to blame but not the lanky man from Daura who merely took what was surrendered to him. 

Icheoku says had the man from Otuoke done what was needed or sought the advice or taken some advice from people who are knowledgable, all these wahallah about and concerning the 2015 presidential election as well as the avalanche of aftermath, including election annulments and selective EFCC investigations would never have arisen in the first place. But he turned tail when it mattered most and without proper consultations, conceded an election which could have been declared inconclusive or marred by unlawful underage almajiri voters as captured variously on video; and now somebody said this man deserves the continuing defense of his whatever points agenda or legacy or lack thereof? Icheoku says we don't think so. Be that as it may, from now going forward, Icheoku will let PMB be because he committed no crime other than present himself for an election and won. Therefore, baring any developing story which compels our commentary, Icheoku will no longer continue on the adversarial side of the political fence in Nigeria. Further, if it might interest anyone, Icheoku is not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria and therefore not a partisan hack. Icheoku is just an interested party, desirously canvassing for what is best for Nigeria and Nigerians.

So did Jonathan do enough for Ndigbo to deserve all these pouring of support and earn the continuing defense one may ask? Ezu River of corpses of massacred Igbo youths just came to mind, reminding Icheoku that more Igbo people were murdered during the government of Jonathan of Otuoke than any other since the 1999 resumption of democratic governance in Nigeria. These murders came through his security agents who operated with impunity as well as Boko Haram, which on one such murderous swoop took the lives of over 29 Igbo people from just one town in Anambra State, Agulu. Was the Ezu River corpses  investigated and was anyone held accountable by Jonathan for those floating corpses? Jonathan fired Minister of Internal Affairs (Interior) Emmanuel Iheanacho and had his fuel depot in Apapa raided and shut down by his NIger Delta terrorist thugs Government Tomopolo and company. It took the intervention of a Northerner to force its reopening. 

Edwin Clark once told Orji Kalu, who paid him a solidarity visit and to canvass for support for Igbo presidency in 2019, off; telling Kalu that if the Igbo people dreams or wants the presidency of Nigeria, that they should go and fight for it the same way they, the Niger Delta people, fought and won their own turn. As far as Edwin Clark was concerned, the NIger Delta South-south people alone fought and won the presidency by themselves, discountenancing  the huge Igbo support, and therefore any other people including Ndigbo should do the same if they want the presidency. That Edwin Clark and his co-Niger Delta travelers hijacked Jonathan's government is a fact which in part led to Baba Iyabo's writing the satanic verses. Further, Jonathan had five years to build and complete the 2nd River Niger bridge but choose to play politics with it that today, rudimentary work on the bridge has stopped. 

Continuing, Jonathan fired the first IG of Police from Igboland just six months following his appointment because according to the man from Otuoke, Ogbonna Onovo was not fast enough in tackling crimes in Nigeria, just within six months? Jonathan fired COAS General Ihejirika for simply doing his job, routing Boko Haram just because Governor Nyako demanded that by accusing him of perpetrating genocide. Jonathan fired NPC Festus Odimegwu simply for exercising his freedom of speech right, explaining why census figures have been the way they are in Nigeria. The same subject matter was openly similarly discussed by David Mark but with no consequence. Jonathan fired INEC Maurice Iwu and replaced him with a Fulani man Jega. Jonathan fired two Igbo chairmen of the PDP, Ogbulafor and Nwodo without any substantial cause. 

Jonathan begged Fulani man Aliyu Gusau to please accept defense ministerial appointment and also appointed Gusau's inlaw, another Fulani man Dasuki as his NSA, while he was busy firing Ndigbo from positions of authority.  Jonathan made two Fulani men Tafida and Ali his campaign directors respectively both times he ran for president because he did not consider an Igbo person worthy enough. Jonathan fired Immigration woman boss Rosemary Uzoma and replaced her with a Plateau man simply because she restructured the department allowing merit to be the order of doing business therein. But the same Jonathan looked the other way when Custom boss Dikko was accused of crass nepotism. Jonathan did not consider Onye Igbo worthy of occupying any meaningful portfolio worth anything including the none headship of any of the three arms of government. The oil ministry, defense ministry, internal affairs, external affairs, NNPC, police, his personal staff including political advisers and spokes persons etc were never considered suitable for Ndigbo by Jonathan. Jonathan did not appoint an Igbo person as even a co-chair of his National Conference.

Jonathan did not site any industry throughout Igboland. Jonathan did not build any road in Igbo land nor completed Onitsha or Oguta inland seaports. No road was made motor able in Igboland courtesy of Jonathan's wasted five years in Aso Rock seat of power. Jonathan did not complete Enugu airport. Jonathan spent hundreds of millions of dollars wooing Yoruba people during the last election with little or nothing to show for it in return; while he ignored Igbo people as an already banked group. Alex Ekwueme celebrated his 80th birthday and Jonathan did not even send him a birthday greeting card but the same Jonathan attended several birthdays for Yoruba people including Tunji Braithwaite 80th birthday in Lagos as well as Olu Ibadan's 100 years, despite that the Olu publicly endorsed Buhari.  

All these are neglect were despite his adoption as an Igbo person by some Igbo people; who twice gave him resounding enbloc votes in Igbo land. Jonathan created more opportunities for people of other regions than he did for Ndigbo. Then query, why all these unearned loyalty and continuing defense of this man from Otuoke who did not do jack for Ndigbo. Then add the antecedents of Melford Okilo, Ken Saro Wiwa, Adaka Boro and the ill-fated Biafra that was sabotaged by his River-rine people, one begins to wonder if Ndigbo insensitively poured water in a leaky basket or too optimistically embarked on an ill-advised venture believing that things have changed in the Riverrine areas for good. Anyway Icheoku says choose ye what your position will be moving forward, but as for Icheoku, we have chosen to disembark from the wagon of continuing defense of this timid and cowardly man from Otuoke. 

Henceforth, our activities will be limited to general events devoid of acting as attack dog against President Muhammadu Buhari; who merely won an election and should be allowed to exercise his mandate however he sees fit. Moreso those Jonathan shared Nigeria's money with should rise to his defense or fork out some percentages of their loot for hired guns to defend his indefensible record. A man who had such a golden opportunity fretted away deserves no pity nor mercy and should therefore be left to carry his own waters. Like Jesus advised, let the dead be allowed to bury themselves. 

FYI:- On Biafra, admitted that reasons abound for the increased agitation, but Icheoku says it is not a viable option; rather a more working Nigeria is preferred as the politics and not the composition is the problem in Nigeria. Our article on Biafra is nearing completion. Thank you guys for your engagement while the politicking lasted; now Icheoku formally signs off from PDP this and APC that and everything and anything PMB is now suspended and will no longer make our talking points. The time to move on to other things is now and on that bandwagon Icheoku hops. So long fellas. Salute.

WITHOUT YOU ALL, THERE IS NO ME - OONI of ILE IFE OGUNWUSI

"I come before you all today as a man pledging his unwavering commitment to his Kingdom and his people that I cannot do this alone; without you all there is no me. I will serve you all with everything I have”. - Ooni of Ile Ife designate Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

JEB BUSH'S FALTERING CAMPAIGN, NOT HIS FAULT?

Icheoku says lamentably the last name of presidential candidate John Ellis Bush aka JEB seems to be his greatest albatross, hounding him in his current lackluster bid for the United States of America's presidency. Unlike most people who would ordinarily draw bountiful mileage from such a storied pedigree; but not this time, as Americans have decided to say no to and reject monarchy of any type, form or color or by proxy of any sort. A matter made worse because Jeb is running so soon after the disaster that was the other Bush, his brother W. A time when the country is still struggling to recover from the escapades of the last Bush is not a good time for another Bush to seek to occupy the White House. 

Jeb's problem is his coming to ask Americans for their presidency at a wrong time and with a last name which does not inspire anyone, neither gives hope nor optimism, not any more. The other Bush took away the luster in that name such that no American really cares any longer about having yet another Bush in the White House. The feelers from the American people appear to be, no thanks; but not another Bush in the White House. At least not so soon following the memories of Iraqi invasion and the disastrous economic crash that saw 800,000 monthly job lost that also saw so many homeowners go under water. A Jeb without a last name Bush, who has no relationship with W and who has the record he has would have done better running for president. So peradventure, instead of looking for someone else to blame for his hydroplaning presidential nomination campaign, he should see if he can possibly change his last name and also find some magical potion to make Americans forget to associate him with the Bushes, especially W.

Icheoku says there is something usually in a name and the Canada Prime Minister elect Justin Trudeau milked his family name to an election victory. Majority of the time, having an easily recognizable powerful name is always a positive which usually works in favor of the named. But not with Jeb, who is finding it very difficult to understand why his last name BUSH is not working the campaign in his favor. A distant fourth place runner-up in the Republican Party primaries campaign polls, which has seen him seriously pondering his probable exit from the contest. It is possible he is also wishing that his last name is somewhat different and distanced from W's. It appears that following the last experience, no American wants to enter this particular Bush again, not anymore. Unfortunately too, it does not look like Jeb will ever recover his mojo which appears to be forever lost and gone. It is beginning to show with the downsizing of his campaign staff and his recent lashing out and trouncing about that he has better things to do than being president? Icheoku queries if he had better things to do, why waste his precious time running and desiring to be president?  Why is he running in the first place to do a job which is merely good as opposed to other that is better, a pastime? 

Icheoku and so many Americans who have been bitten by the bug of The Donald have no objection to what Jeb would like to do and hereby do oblige his exit. We also gladly accept his admonition that we should go vote for Trump and we plan to so do. Americans want to change course, mix things up a little, build the great wall, grow an economy that works for all and become respectable once again in the world. We have found in Donald Trump such a desired protagonist of change and we are gladly riding on his bandwagon of Lets Make America Great Again. We need a formidable leader who will not be beholden to any special interest and Donald Trump will provide that leadership. 

So as we await the formal withdrawal of Jeb from the presidential election campaign primaries, which is very imminent, Icheoku says this one reason for the rejection of yet another Bush will also play out against Hillary Clinton. America is a democracy and not a monarchy; notwithstanding the subterfuge used in passing the baton  - whether from a husband to a wife or from a father to a son and yet to another son or rather from one brother to another brother. Icheoku is emphatic that a country of more than 300 million people can do better finding a new person than having yet another Bush or Clinton in the White House. In the final analysis, the presidential election will be fought between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; and provided Donald Trump chooses his vice presidential running mate wisely, he will defeat Hillary Clinton and will be sworn in as America's 45th. Icheoku says so long Jeb as America is not ready to gamble on another Bush, at least not in this decade. Now you have our permission to go and do those other things which you would rather be doing than being president.   

WOMAN OF THE YEAR IS A MAN, BIOLOGY DON'T MATTER ANYMORE?

Icheoku says the blurring of lines between gender continues as Glamour Magazine names a person who is biologically a man their woman of the year. By this honor, it now appears that biological appendages is no longer the determinant factor of anyone's gender and has no effect whatsoever. A genderless society, driven by wild-eyed feminists insurgents who are hellbent on creating a gender-neutral society and one wonders how far is actually going too far with the attempt to blunt sexes. Is it possible that these anti-biology anarchists are trying to establish a world of Aphrodite, where irrespective of one's biology, it does not matter?  It reminds Icheoku of some people 's argument in the past that the difference between a clitoris and a penis is just a question  of length. 

It is rather very unfortunate that Glamour Magazine could not find any real woman throughout the world worthy of naming its woman of the year and has instead chosen a make-believe woman, a man, to bestow that honor. It is also very condescending, insulting and lowly for that magazine to make such a broad-brush statement against women that they are not women enough or not worthy enough for the honor? But whether transgender women are women or look like women or sound like women or behave like women is still a debatable proposition. 

Icheoku however disagrees with one commentator that 'Jenner might feel like he is a woman, wants to be a woman and living as a woman, but thoughts alone do not generate biology or reality." The controlling factor of anyone's sexuality should be the state of mind of such a person - if as in the case of Bruce Katilyn Jenner, he feels like a woman, so be it; admitted there is nothing as good as the real thing. Lastly, Icheoku says if it is ok for women of this world to accept a man as their woman of the year, oh well and dandy, it is also alright by and with Icheoku too.  Now welcome Bruce Katilyn Jenner, a man by biology and a woman by preference, the 2015 Glamour Magazine's Woman of the year. Congratulations Kat.

IFE, WE HAVE A NEW OONI.

Icheoku says boy did William Shakespeare call it right that some people are born great, some people achieve greatness while some people have greatness entrusted to them. As with the newly chosen Ooni of Ife, the three variables seemed to have confluenced in him. He was born great as a prince; he achieved greatness by being accomplished in life and he now has greatness entrusted upon him by being made the Ooni of Ife. 

At merely 40 years of age, he will have a very, very long reign baring any unforeseen intervening circumstances. By his selection, the Ifes have proved themselves smarter than Nigerians, choosing a young vibrant man to lead them; unlike the infamous septuagenarian whom unthinking Nigerians settled for. Icheoku wishes the new Ooni of Ife, the 51st Ooni of Ife, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi Ruling House a happy,  peaceful and successful reign. Congratulations to Ife people for a peaceful transfer of power in their Kingdom and to the new Ooni for being the peoples first choice. May his reign be prosperous and remarkable. 

'I FACED WHAT HAS TO BE FACED' - AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Icheoku says what a woman of great courage, simply Amazonian. Icheoku doffs our hat to a very remarkably true embodiment of a strong woman defined. A woman who is infused with steely courage and one who understands what the term strength in women actually indeed means. Watching her interview on CBS 60 Minutes program,  Icheoku could not but gawk in awe at the amazing wonder the people of Myammar are blessed with, packaged in a petite pretty lady, named Aung San Suu Kyi. She was eloquent, she had grasp of the issues, she is resolved, she is modest and she is simply very beautiful. Icheoku longs for the day Nigeria could be blessed with such a rare breed, such highly resolved individual, who could help take Nigeria out of the hands of those marauders, whose vice-grip on the country has deprived it of much needed oxygen it requires to exhale.

Icheoku says this woman is a great testament to and true definition of what really being a strong woman is. As opposed to all those wild-eyed feminists whose idea of being a strong woman is the perpetuation of strange oddities and despicable misbehavior against their husbands. Crazed-out Jezebels who have converted their homes into hellish dungeons for their completely emasculated husbands to tremblingly whimper in; and who brashly parade themselves as strong women but unfortunately do not cut it for Icheoku as such. However, Icheoku has no sympathy for these castrated breed of husbands who because of food, support and sex have completely pawned over their manhood and now make do with merely being seen as Mr Mom or married to that woman? As Rush Limbaugh would say, if you acquiesce to your manhood being locked away in testicles lock-box, that's your problem. But serving as devil's advocate, Icheoku says whether these men who cannot fend or support themselves and their families, who cannot cook or feed themselves and who cannot find sex if they have to, are still men, strictly so called, is somehow debatable. This led one woman to once quip concerning her victimized husband, what use is a man anyway when everything is on me, regardless?

Icheoku says there is no rational man or husband who would not support every of his wife's reasonable aspiration and ambition; but majority of men, especially real men, usually take strong exception to being supplanted or substituted or overtly converted to a full Mr Mom. They simply will accommodate but will reject and refuse trading places with their wives completely. Like Aung San Suu Kyi rightly observed, these men see it as "not a sacrifice when you choose to do something" and will do it happily; but they will resist when it is compelled to the point of becoming nauseating. A matter made worse because some of these 'strong women' claimants, whose only claim to strength is in  lording it over their husbands, will turn around to tell how they dot on their father. They proclaim their father's role-model  stature but fail to understand that their own daughters would like to share in the single pleasure of similarly dotting on their own fathers, their estranged husbands. 

So query, would these women of lowly esteem be feeling this elated about and concerning their own fathers if their mothers were so mean, nasty and vagrant as to have alienated their fathers from them? The good news however is that what goes around, comes around; and fortunately their own sons will someday fall preys to other women somewhere. It naturally follows that if you treat another woman's son as garbage that another woman's daughter will treat your son as garbage someday; thus visiting your iniquities on your son accordingly. It is just the way of the world and it is steeped in unexplained and inexplicable mysteries. In this world, Karma is still very effectual and the same goes with those sons of Beelzebub from hell who maltreat their wives; as some other anarchists from the pit of hell will visit your daughters with so much unprintable nightmares. 

Icheoku agrees with Aung San Suu Kyi that 'you don't get something simply because you want it'; you have to work for it. A hard worker who works very, very hard and who sees challenges as opportunities to make some difference is an example of the type of a strong woman who any man would gladly wish to have as a wife. According to San Suu, some answers to certain life's problems are both simple and difficult and it is in establishing trust. By the same token, Icheoku remembers other strong women of great courage including those Aba Women Rioters of 1929, Winnie Mandela, Rosa Park, Mrs Ransome Kuti, Margaret Expo as well as the women of history who helped change certain  narratives. Icheoku wishes Aung San Suu Kyi all the best in the forthcoming election. What a world it would be if the United States of America has a president named Hillary Clinton the same time Myammar will have a president named Aung San Suuu Kyi; signaling the final take over of the world by the female species. Overall, a very good interview it was, of a very courageous woman who has a burning desire to help transform her country and citizens. 

BOB MANUEL UDOKWU, FINDING A SPOUSE?

Icheoku recently read an article in a Nigerian Newspaper, wherein Bob Manuel Udokwu told of how he met his wife. According to his story, he was taking a walk one evening on campus, when he sighted his future wife and was particularly moved by her gait and strut. He stopped her, complimented her and after the initial pleasantries, they agreed to meet again and again; and before you could say jack, they were dating. 

Thereafter their story of boy meets girl took an air of its own and today they have celebrated fifteen years of a marital bliss. Icheoku says what a very romantic and  indeed beautiful story of how a couple met each other; needless to add that it did not take the pulling of a teeth before she said yes to his proposal. Marital  chemistry is usually such that it does not necessarily require too much of a convincing because when you see it the one, you always know and feel it too. Icheoku says congratulations to the Udokwus on their marriage anniversary and many more happy returns. What a lovely couple, telling a lovely story of how they first met and they appear to be happy too and are equally lovely to look at.

This little background is necessary as this article is about finding a spouse and why some people have been unlucky in that department thus far. These people seem to be looking at the wrong places and with over bloated expectations of who their ideal spouse is or should be? Icheoku admonishes that the first rule of the thumb in finding a spouse is to curb your (enthusiasm) expectations. Moderate your exaggerated wants and desires of what you want in a spouse or what you would otherwise consider an ideal spouse because the good Lord left those perfect tens in heaven when he made Adam and Eve to be earth's dwelling. There is no one single individual that will fit all the tabs and who would check all good in all the departments, meeting all and every set down criteria. 

So like an examination, where one does not have to necessarily ace it all or score 100% in order to pass, you should be prepared to accept certain percentile as a passing score and then treat same as a whole and complete passmark for a spouse. Just make a list of what are most important to you and if they are ten and your potential spouse has six of them, that should ordinarily suffice. But just in case you still wants one such all-rounder spouse anyway, then be prepared to wait till you rendezvous with God to ask him why he kept them in heaven. However before arriving at the departure hall, first be prepared to live and die a lonely agonizing life as a bachelor or spinster in the event marriage was important to you. But if you want someone to accompany you in this journey called life, then be prepared to cross-out some expectations in order to successfully find a matching companion. 

The best test for deciding on a spouse is to imagine him or her figuratively without any clothes or anything to his or her name, absolutely, totally and completely EMPTY and NAKED. If you can accept him or her as is, then dive in; but if it is the shirt on his back or the skirt covering her behind that enticed you, then back off as you are backing the wrong horse. He or she must be organically attracted to you and not because of collateral accessories surrounding the masquerade. There was a story about this princess who was so picky about a suitor that his father was practically giving up hope of ever betrothing her daughter to a husband. One day the tortoise got wind of her "am too much for any man" stance and prepared to trick her into matrimony. The tortoise went and borrowed heavily and with pomp and pageantry, came heralded to the king's palace seeking his daughter's hand in marriage. However, as soon as the tortoise brought home his princess-bride, all those lenders came and retrieved all their stuff and there started their martial problems. 

But if you are that female waiting for Dangote or President Buhari to come calling, remember that when Dame Patience met President Jonathan in the creeks of Niger Delta, little did she know that the shoeless kid from Otuoke would one day rise to become a president. Ditto did Michelle Obama not know what the future held for her when she met a fledgling Barack Obama who could not even afford to take her out to dinner. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton met similarly situated and stories abound of other successful couples who met as struggling stragglers. So, what Icheoku is saying is that in as much as having some stuff is good, but ladies, it is always a bummer when a man feels that it is his surroundings and not his personality that is your main allure. Likewise when ladies feel that it is their other stuff that primarily captured your interest. If they feel like they purchased you, they will treat you like their property because they reason that if you could take the bait, others might as well. Therefore, looking for happiness in marriage, look for that person who deeply cares for you, particularly for your happiness. Like with God's commandment to seek first the kingdom and all other things will be added to you, first find yourself a compatible loving spouse and miraculously other things that makes life livable will follow. 

A word of advise for all those ladies out there looking for a man and who waste their valuable time and resources in pentecostal churches seeking to find their miracle of a husband or paying nocturnal visits to babalawo shrines in search of that magical potion to snare a husband; Icheoku says, waste your time no more. It does not work and will never work as love is never forced nor compelled. Like with everything without a free will, the struggle for freedom will definitely someday ensue and it might be disastrous. The solution is simple - at anytime, just be yourself, remain who you, conduct and comport yourself 24/7 as you never know where your own Bob Manuel Udokwu might be watching from. 

Always be true to yourself and stop living a lie of being pretentious in a church while later throwing up your wide-side especially amongst your supposed friends. Unfortunately some of these your "friends" who know you better might have brothers, brother-inlaws and/or even their own husband's friends who might be looking for a wife but they would rather not recommend you to them. A rule of the thumb, if you are that good and your girlfriends, especially those who are married, know you are that good, why have they not recommended you to some of these single men within their circle? This is one huge mistake many women make, thinking that their wild-eyed drinking, snorting and whoring buddies are their best friends? Nope, they are not; otherwise they would have since hooked you but they don't want you too near to their circle.

Also many guys are smart enough to spot out such desperately seeking-husbands women in churches and quickly bolt away before they could be seized. It is ideally, a case of "a cunning woman die and a cunning man bury her" type of conundrum, where both the hunter and the hunted are both skillful at playing the game of hide and seek or catch me if you can?  It reminds Icheoku of a story of one such lady who went into a fake trance in a church one Sunday and prophesied that this particular guy, who she has been eyeing for a very long time, is her revealed husband. Unfortunately, this guy was also eyeing a different lady all together and told the 'possessed by spirit' lady that he will have to pray about it and get back to her during next Sunday's worship. 

On that Sunday, the guy told the girl that the Lord told him that he will reveal the final truth to him about her previous revelation during the worships' miracle hour. As soon as the hour of deliverance arrived, on a cue, the guy went into his own Version 2.0 trance and upon power of anointing overcoming him, started prophesying that the good Lord warned him to stay away from the lady in question; not to ever marry her because she is married to the water-spirit and any attempt to do otherwise would bring so much catastrophe, pain, anguish and tragedy to them both.  That they must break every bond between them including the thought of becoming a couple to avert an immediate death in the hands of kidnappers or even a hasty accident enroute their houses and the threat is real.  They later went to the pastor to share their "revelations", to which the pastor ruled that they should stay away from each other and for their good. 

Icheoku says instead of running from pillar to post in search of that elusive knight in shinning armor, ask yourself are you leading a double life? Is your behavior behind closed door the same as that which you exhibit outside? Would your church pastor vouch for your behavior as a classmate would and both find you a worthy companion? Does you church members know you as a none smoker but you smoke everything including joints and roaches with your evening friends?  Do you live a double life that compels people to say 'are we talking about the same person' or another person all together? A penny for your thought, because you don't know who is watching or might be interested, before everybody, day or night, in public or in private, in your character remain as constant as the northern star of which true fix there is no fellow in the firmament. Networking is still the surest way to scoring a spouse as no one will want to admit someone within their circle if their coming in will unravel the existing bond. If your friends love you enough, they will land you a spouse and they have a magical way at it too. 

So always keep it real as you never know where that your man might be springing out from, anytime. Just like this beautiful lady whom Bob Manuel Udokwu snag up, your man might be staring at you from across the building or like Isaac's wife, Rebecca, might ask you for some flimsy favor.  Icheoku says congratulations to the Udokwus and to all those happily married couples celebrating their various anniversaries. To those still not so lucky in love yet, people who are still pounding the pavement of love in search of the one, Icheoku says don't give up, help is on the way as Cupid  is headed your way. Just be smart to discern when he arrives with your spouse and accept and work out whatever kinks that might still be left in him. Men somehow are still somehow lucky as they are not as challenged because they do the hunting and they decide on what game to shoot. Further, men are not as time-constrained and can always do their thing whenever they decide. Salute. 

HILLARY CLINTON BENGHAZI INQUISITION, AN OVERKILL?

Icheoku says who is out to get or rather stop Hillary Clinton from going forward with her presidential ambition; or does any unbiased right thinking American think that 11 hours of grilling time was reasonable? Icheoku does not know about you but harps that like Barry Sanders implored, all these anal examination of the first woman to seriously contend the presidency of the United States of America, must cease and stop. America, a misogynist society of very chauvinistic males, are swooning into a tizzy that a woman could potentially be presiding over them and they are all out to nip that happenstance in the bud. 

Overall, Icheoku thinks she stood her grounds as she performed creditably well. Query were Hilary Clinton not running for the presidency, would the Republican dominated Congressional panel been this intrusive with their penetrating questions? Were Hillary Clinton a member of the 'ole white boys' club of America,  wearing pants instead of skirts, would her time before the panel been this heated? Anyway, but for her occasional avoidance of eye-contact, she did not present herself as an easily intimidated female, but someone who feels as equal to those panelists. Icheoku says so what next in the concert to derail her campaign or intimidate her out of contention. But the people of America will do the final deciding and until their verdict is reached on November 2016, no one knows what their views on her performance today really is.

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.