NIGERIA AT CROSSROADS, THE ELUSIVE NATIONHOOD?

Icheoku says the only reason certain things, actions of some individuals and groups, as well as  state actors themselves, are getting away with the things they do in Nigeria is that Nigerians, as a people, are not united and do not stand united against them. Nigerians  protest individually, usually from their tribal or regional perspective, and depending on whose ox was gored and stand hands akimbo when others' ox is involved. Once the act does not touch or concern their ethnicity or tribes men and women, they treat it as not their business, hence don't usually get involved in it or in trying to resolve it. 

This is the reason the oppressors and the henchmen and women of Nigeria get away with whatever atrocities they commit; because in the tripod based Nigeria, it is always easy for the oppressor to double-team with the unaffected against the affected.This is the problem afflicting Nigeria and until Nigerians begin to see a person's or group's or ra egion's problem as their collective problem, Nigeria can never move in the direction of attaining nationhood. Icheoku says the day Nigerians will start seeing each other as brothers and sisters who share in the same common destiny of the Nigerian state, that day will their dream of nationhood be attained and achieved. That day of euphoria is when things will generally get better for everyone, including the unaffected, the affected and the oppressor. 

Icheoku says take for example the current marginalization of Southeast Ndigbo in Nigeria affairs which the Yoruba Southwest does not care about. In their thinking, it is purely Ndigbo problem which Ndigbo themselves should sought out with President Muhammadu Buhari, if they feel so marginalized; despite the fact that the issue is glaringly starring everyone on the face. Take also the issue of Boko Haram which is ravaging the Northeast but which every other group and people in Nigeria who are not in the affected region see as the North's problem. According to these non affected people, it is "dem, dem wahallah" so let them deal with it as they see fit. Further take the constant killing and pillaging that has refused to abate in the Middle Belt, where Fulani cattle rearers and local inhabitants farmers are constantly at war with each other, fighting, maiming, killing, burning and looting each other. Other none affected Nigerians see it as the problem of the Middle Belt, hence it is theirs to solve if they so desire. 

Continuing, take the problem of nomadic cattle rearers in Southern Nigeria, which was highlighted with their recent abduction of a Yoruba High Chief Olu Falaye. As far as other Nigerians were concerned, it is a purely a Yoruba problem which only the Yorubas have to confront if they want it solved. Ditto the kidnappings and killings by the same wandering nomads of peoples of the Southeast and South-south region. Furthermore, very lately, Southeast and South-south region, formerly of Biafra, have rekindled their agitation for an independent state of Biafra. Many protesters have been killed by security agents; many have been detained and even their leader has been in detention for quite some time now. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has so far refused to honor a perfected bail which was granted by a legitimate court of the land; which bail was further affirmed by a Higher court which ordered the unconditionally release of the accused. The government has refused to honor these rulings, the guy is still being held, albeit illegally; but as far as other Nigerians are concerned, it is Biafran people's problem and they should solve it if they so desire. 

Icheoku queries when has the breach of the constitution of Nigeria to a fair and speedy hearing, which a bail facilitates become a regional problem? What is the use of law if it is not broadly, fairly applied throughout the spectrum of the people that are under it? It is akin to an Igbo proverb wherein the chicken was laughing at the guinea fowl which is being deep-fried, not knowing that its turn will come in a few days later. Life lessons is not usually about the dead as the dead has died and moved on; no, it is always about the living, who has refused to or did not learn a thing from the dead. Today it is Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafrans whose rights to fair and speedy hearing as well as life, is being trampled upon with flagrant disregard to two duly constituted courts' orders and unlawful killings; tomorrow, it might become Otumba Adams and the Oduduwas or the AREWA or Niger Deltans. 

What goes around, comes around; but regrettably in the usual partisan Nigerian fashion, even the supposed human rights lawyers in Nigeria are keeping mum while the constitution is being violated and in a democratic dispensation. Icheoku has not seen any of the Nigerian pretenders of defenders of human rights and the constitution raise their voice to condemn President Muhammadu Buhari's government for disobeying two valid subsisting courts orders. Not even the Nigerian Bar Association or other various States or Cities Bar Associations officials have voiced against this and you wonder why their selective advocacy and campaigns on human rights and abuse of the constitution. The funny thing is that these Nigerians will not miss any given opportunity to identify themselves as human rights lawyers and you wonder what shameful face they presently still parade themselves in, with a man who was ordered released from jail still being detained in utter violence to the letters of the constitution and the authority of the judiciary, which two institutions they were sworn to uphold and defense zealously.  

What face would these people use to stand in front of cameras or interviews to identify themselves as former chairmen of this and that Bar Associations or Human Rights campaigners or advocates when they have not said anything about the vagrant refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to respect two valid orders of court. Icheoku is emphatic that a law abiding president or government must first comply with subsisting valid orders of courts and could summarily rearrest the accused if they want to. But to so completely disregard the two orders of courts as if the courts don't matter anymore or that the executive is superior to the judiciary, in a three tier government of co-equals, is rather benumbing and mind bugging. A matter made worse by the graveyard conspiratorial silence which the lawyers of Nigeria and their associations have maintained all this while. Icheoku here once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari to honor his uttered word that he is now a "converted democrat"  and respect the law of the land hich every democrat is mandated to respect.

Icheoku says all these nonsensical madness in Nigeria will go away and simply disappear the day Nigerians start seeing each other as one; asking questions and demanding answers as one; seeing each other's problem as their own problem; and collectively acting as one towards finding solutions to their problems. That is the day Nigerians will truly heal and their country will indeed morph into a nation with Nigerians singing hallelujah that finally at last, they have a country which has finally transformed into a nation. 

But regrettably, like many other things Nigeria, this wishful thinking is simply utopia as Nigerians agree among themselves that they are not one people, nor even a country talkless of a nation. Nigerians don't see themselves as one, neither do they see each others problem as a communal problem needing and requiring a communal joining of hands to fashion out a solution. As a result the massacre of Middle Belt people by the Fulani nomads will continue; the vagrancy of those nomadic Fulani cattle rearers in the South will persist; Ndigbo will continue to agonize their marginalization in Nigeria until something happens either to redress this situation or grant them their independent existence as a nation or a truly federating unit of Nigeria; Boko Haram and other Islamic militants will continue to run amok in Northern Nigeria and of course the Yorubas will continue to suffer whatever peculiar problem that is common to them. 

At the end of the day, everybody gets shafted and a big conundrum will be left for everyone to stew in. They will continuously shout at each other, pointing accusing fingers at one another, fighting, crawling, scratching, maiming and killing one another for what a simple unity could have solved more peacefully. It is a very unfortunate situation indeed but the reality on the ground, which is bedeviling Nigerians, that after 55 years of attaining their independence, true nationhood has eluded the country. Nigerians, Icheoku calls on everyone to please wake up and smell the coffee that there is a need for a true united Nigeria. Further, a true unity, far and beyond the sloganeering unity which is served only when convenient, will indeed take care of all these separatists agitations in the land. Let every Nigerian be the change which everyone desires to see in Nigeria; and peradventure help move the country forward and into doing greater things. The country has crawled around for too long and it is about time it started running; only if the country can become united. But what a shame!

NNAMDI KANU, THE JOSHUA OF OUR TIME.

Icheoku says like Moses, Ojukwu lead Biafrans out of Nigeria but stopped short of the promised land, that is Biafra actually alive and thriving. This is the prophetic text Nnamdi Kanu has come to fulfill; who like Joshua, will actually lead the people of Biafra right into Biafra. 

Icheoku can't wait as we pray for the Almighty protection and fortitude to enable this true son of Biafra to mission accomplish his objective. Icheoku calls on all true blooded Biafrans to support the effort and for those bastardy Biafrans, who are Biafrans in name only and when convenient, please butt out of the way with your cynicism and backbiting as the assured is near and nearer than you can imagine and/or believe. SAI NNAMDI KANU; SAI BIAFRA.

ICHEOKU'S PERSONS OF THE YEAR 2015, FAYOSE, KAYODE AND KANU.

Icheoku says it is good for a man to take a stand of conviction and stand resolute on it, regardless of how unpopular others might see his action. It becomes even better when it is a conviction founded on truism, but which others are too afraid to venture out on. This three men have been profound on speaking out their minds as it relates to the state of affairs in Nigeria, irrespective of who the godfather concerned is. 

For being courageous and bravely standing in front of a moving train that is Nigeria under the weight of corruption and injustice, Icheoku says Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, 

former Aviation Minister Fani OluKayode and Indigenous Peoples of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu have earned our persons of the year 2015 recognition. They have etched their names in the sands of time and history will say them well. Congratulations F.K. and K.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, A CONVERTED DEMOCRAT IN NAME ONLY.

Icheoku says two court orders, yet to comply; and you wonder whether the lean and mean Cassius of Daura thinks it is deja vu 1983 and his despotic indefinite detention of persons without trial all over again? Leader of IPOB and Biafran man of the moment, Nnamdi Kanu, who is being illegally detained by the President Muhammad Buhari's government of Nigeria has successfully secured bail from two courts of competent jurisdiction but the government has refused to comply as ordered by releasing him. Icheoku says this is a government of a man who lied to the whole world that he is now "a converted democrat", yet won't comply and adhere to the rule of law. 

Query, what manner of a democrat will twice refuse to comply to a valid subsisting ruling and order of two courts, which granted bail and upheld same; and which bail condition have severally since been perfected and still pretends to be a converted democrat? Icheoku says this type of conversion is not heart-deep and sooner Nigerians realized that they made an egregious mistake in electing this despot and gear up for the fight ahead for their freedom, the better. President Muhammadu Buhari, Icheoku says, obey valid orders of court, comply with courts'  orders and release Nnamdi Kanu from the continued illegal detention forthwith and immediately. WAI BIAFRA, SAI KANU.

NYESOM WIKE FIRED, GOOD RIDDANCE !!!

Icheoku says thank God for the good riddance of a very putrid rubbish called Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. ICHEOKU hereby calls on all Ndigbo and other bona fide Biafrans in Rivers State to remember the Wike betrayal when they go to the polls. By honoring such a bloody monster as the genocidal Yakubu Jackal Gowon, Nyesom Wike displayed his imbecilic lack of understanding of the sacrifice that was Biafra.  Biafrans should therefore vote for the other guy during the ordered fresh election, regardless of that other guy's party or political affiliation. Whatever your vote or however you vote or whomever you vote for, you must VOTE AGAINST WIKE.

Former Governor Nyesom Wike committed the ultimate betrayal of Biafrans when he ignored the heinous pain and suffering caused and inflicted on Biafrans by the Berom hyena, Yakubu Gowon; was insensitive to the over 3 million lives of Biafran women and children who were lost to Gowon's starvation induced kwashiorkor including another 1 million lost defending the homeland; and honored such a dishonorable and despicable murderer, renaming Liberation Stadium and Aba Road after the  rabid mongrel. It shall not be well for Wike and the signs are there already.

Icheoku says it is now back back time for Wike's brutus stab on Biafrans; and Ndigbo as well as every true full blooded Biafran registered voter in Rivers State, is hereby minded not to forget Wike's insult to injury when they go to the polls.  This fat thug, who muscled himself into Rivers State's Government House in PortHarcourt, must not be voted for again, but should be resoundingly DEFEATED to serve as a lesson that no sin ever goes unpunished and those that take on God's own children shall get instant justice here on earth. Icheoku says both Nyesom Wike and Yakubu "JACKAL" Gowon shall not die well IJN.

EL-ZAKZAKY AND ARMY CLASH, WAR OF ISLAMIC SECTS IN NIGERIA?

Icheoku says gradually but surely, the war of the worlds between Sunni and Shites Islamic sects have finally touched down and anchored in Nigeria. From now on, it is going to be Saudi Arabia/Turkey pitched against Iran, as they battle for consolidation of their hold on Northern Nigeria Islamic community. With the clash between Shiites and the Nigeria military, resulting in a bloody ordeal with Shiites Sheikh Ibraheem El-ZakZaky almost killed, the situation if not managed well could spill out of control. 

First it was the Sunni Islamists Boko Haram backed by the Wahabist Saudi Arabia and now the Shiites Islamists with Iranian backing are now ready to join the confrontation with the authorities in Nigeria. The only good news is that the president of Nigeria, President Dr Muhammadu Buhari is himself a Sunni, the reason he was initially defending Boko Haram and would readily crush the Shiites, a rival sect to his Sunni sect. Icheoku calls for other religions as well as secular Nigerians to remain on eternal vigilance and plan contingencies on defending themselves as this two foes are now set on a course to ravage Northern Nigeria the same way they have laid waste the Middle East with Syria and Iraq being their current theater. 

What a world we live in where adherents of the same Islamic religion cannot seem to agree on whose mode of worship or brand of their religion is the ideal one, leading to the massive carnage ongoing in the Middle East as well as other parts of the world where they have stepped into. Icheoku says Iran and Saudi Arabia are set for a brutal confrontation with each other in their competition for the hearts and minds of followers of their brand of Islam in Nigeria. A proxy war, using Boko Haram and Shites, is certainly afoot and your guess is as good as Icheoku's that it will be very destabilizing indeed

May be this will be yet another ground for the demand for an independent secular Biafra State, where all these religious manipulations will not be tolerated nor accepted. Icheoku however says that the Nigeria government of President Buhari can ill-afford another front on its war against Islamic terrorists, with the already Boko Haram raging inferno in Northeastern Nigeria.  Icheoku warns that adding yet another merchants of death in the name of Shiites Islamist warriors, opening another front in the middle of the North, in Kaduna, is rather too risky a proposition for Buhari's government to fathom nor handle. Therefore whatever be the cost or sacrifice, the government must firmly sit on the situation in order not to let it slip out of control.

WIKE'S HONOR OF GOWON, MISGUIDED AND IMBECILIC.

Icheoku says the recent honoring of the genocidal Yakubu Jackal Gowon by Rivers States Governor Nyesom Wike, whereby he renamed a street and a stadium after Gowon, is most regrettable. It is a very pathetic move, made by an unthinking buffoon, who is either very ignorant of history or did not give a damn nor care enough to understand the ramifications of his action. How could any sane man honor a man who caused so much pain and sorrow to a people, whose roots and names, Governor Wike shares; admitted that he removed the "N" in his last name and instead of "Nwike", settled for "Wike"? Icheoku asks how could a man, who is supposedly acquiesced of the dark place reserved for Yakubu Gowon among the people formerly of Biafra, consider honoring such a vampire who drove utmost joy in watching millions of Biafran women and children starved to death? 

How could any God-fearing man honor Yakubu Gowon after the depravity that was his twenty pounds payment to returning Biafrans despite whatever they previously had in their bank accounts? How could any man who does not think through his anus, ever consider honoring a bloodhound like Yakubu Gowon who declared no victor and no vanquished, yet treated returning Biafrans in this manner? The same wild dog bandied the sloganeering three Rs of reconciliation,  rehabilitation and reconstruction; but went on to implement his reconstruction in Lagos, which did not witness the war pillaging; instead of the theatre of the war that was the Southeast? This is the man Nyesom Wike honored and Icheoku asks for what or is Wike telling all those hurt by Gowon to go fuck themselves?

Icheoku decries this as indeed regrettable that the fat thuggish man in Rivers State's government house PortHarcourt did not think through his action, otherwise he would have seized himself of its lack of merit. Icheoku queries, where else in Nigeria has that name Yakubu Gowon been associated with anything joyful or worth celebrating? What is there to celebrate of such an animal, who after causing all those deaths in Biafra, went ahead to plan a coup that killed Muritala Mohammed? A Gowon,  who but for President Shehu Shagari's amnesty would still have remained a persona non grata in Nigeria, exiled in the United Kingdom. But no, Nyesom Wike wants some cheap publicity and he renamed old Aba Road as well as former Liberation Stadium after this hyena. 

Icheoku hereby categorically condemn the action of Governor Nyesom Wike as very insensitive and not carefully thought through. How does Wike reconcile his action to the over three million Biafran lives took by Yakubu Gowon? So what if Gowon created Rivers States which was not out of his love for the people of Ikwerre but done in his failed attempt to box in and completely emasculate Ndigbo and cut them completely off from the Atlantic Ocean, as a land locked entity. But Gowon forgot that Biafra was not just only an Igbo effort as Philip Effiong was not Igbo, neither were other minorities of the then Eastern region who participated in the Biafran effort of self determination. Hopefully a more thinking governor would some day emerge in Rivers State to redress this slap on the face and erase this Berom jackal's name from the two landmarks. Governor Nyesom Wike, Icheoku says, you are a disgrace and disappointment to Biafra and you should be ashamed of your deplorable action. 

TRUMP YOU'RE HIRED!

 

Icheoku says on today's CNN Republican Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, no grounds were lost by the Donald. Donald Trump will deliver the goods and Donald is not beholden to anyone interest or lobbyist group. Donald is a straight talker. Donald is bold and brash and Donald has a can-do attitude and Donald will make America great again. Icheoku says go Trump; go Donald and together lets make America great again!

DINO MELAYE, A HYPOCRITICAL LOUSE.

Icheoku recently watched the rants of Dino Melaye of Kogi State wherein he rambled and riled against Sahara Reporters for what he termed a clandestine campaign of calumny  against his person? According to this megalomaniac, if the 'excesses' of social media is not checked in Nigeria, it is capable of destroying everybody including Nigeria's democracy. Continuing, he said that he and his colleagues in the National Assembly will write the United States of America government to help them censure Sahara Reporters as well as other anti-Nigeria social media outfits operating in the United States. He also beat his chest that his chamber is sacred and hallowed and as distinguished members, they will not tolerate the rapid fire invasion that is social media in Nigeria. 

Icheoku says this man exhibited his emptiness and total lack of understanding of how the world of social media works? He is talking about regulating social media and he is talking about writing American government to censure them? This buttresses former APC Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed call, asking Dino Melaye to go back to school and take some lessons on basic civics, the art and manner of public speaking as well as that in public decorum. First, Dino Melaye called his assemblage of thieves and bandits, sacred and hallowed; and one wonders what is so distinguished about these bunch, whom Deputy Senate Leader Ike Ekweremadu once said majority of them cannot even read and write and are only interested in their paychecks and other perks of office, including constituency allowances? 

Icheoku is at a lost on what is so special about a congregation, whose current leader or president, is an indicted criminal suspect, who is facing trial for criminal corruption and embezzlement of pubic funds. This their so called president, Bukola Saraki, was recently docked, accused of high corruption and stealing; yet he is leading Dino Melaye and his co-travelers of Nigeria's very important men and women of a so called hallowed chamber?  Just few days ago, the same leader of Dino Melaye and his ramblers, was involved in an alleged armed robbery of over three hundred million Naira from some Bureau du Change money launderers. This is the type of chamber Dino Melaye wants social media operators to quake and tremble at their mention? 

A law breaker who opened and operates/operated foreign bank accounts in contravention of laws governing Nigeria public officials and he is supposedly a member of laws enacting National Assembly? A domestic violent person who abuses his wife and who should be in jail if he lived in a more civilized society instead of the zoo called Nigeria? An ignoramus who does not know that social media and other online based outfits do not require or need registration of any kind to remain operational; and that the Nigeria Cooperate Affairs Commission has no  oversight authority over such a media outfit based in New York which gets to Nigeria through the airwaves. But it is Nigeria and people like this animal is in power and running his dirty mouth in this manner. 

Olusegun Obasanjo once called Dino Melaye chambers an assemblage of thieves and vagabonds? A retired police IGP who is or was a member of the National Assembly, once threatened to name his so called "honorable" colleagues whom he had previously arrested and indicted for criminal 419 and other fraudulent practices while still in service? Yet these are the collection of men and women Dino Melaye calls sacred and hallowed? Dino Melaye is now being called out to account for his own dishonorable misdeeds and he remembered that Sahara Reporters and other social media are doing hired job for some goons, whose retainership they are on? Dino Melaye actually used the word "clandestine" in describing the activities of social media in Nigeria and one wonders whether it is the soundbite of the meaning fog that works that attracted and influenced Dino Melaye's choice? 

Icheoku queries at what point did Dino Melaye have this sudden epiphany that possibly, Sahara Reporters might be a hired hand? Of course not during the time when the same Dino Melaye was wining and dining Omore Sowore, the proprietor of Sahara Reporters, and using his web-based media to hound then Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah? So query, if according to Dino Melaye, Sahara Reporters is now a mercenary social media, why was it any different and not the same during the Stella Oduah debacle? Was it a case of what was good for Stella Oduah not any longer being good for Dino Melaye; or are some Nigerians more important and should be treated as untouchables, while some other Nigerians are mince meat? 

When Princess Stella Oduah was being pummeled for whatever dealings that took place in her Aviation Ministry, relating to some over-inflated car purchase, this thug, Dino Melaye, was the linchpin. He was running around with Sahara Reporters, adorning his anti-corruption garb, haranguing and harassing the Aviation Ministry lady without first waiting for a court of competent jurisdiction to determine her guilt and pronounce her guilty accordingly. Ditto was his protestations over the alleged Sanusi Lamido Sanusi's missing $20 billion dollars oil money?  He did not spare anyone his presence in Boko Haram, Chibok Girls as well as in so many other issues of the day and cause which this self appointed crusading patriot selectively chose to impose himself as its arrow-head. 

Icheoku says Dino Melaye is a true exhibition and exemplary of the saying that those who wield the machete do not allow any machete near their back. In the jaundiced eyes of this man, Sahara Reporters were a God-sent social media during Stellar Oduah's persecution; but now they have morphed into agents of Lucifer from the pits of hell simply because they unearthed some of Dino Melaye illegal dealings and escapades? Now Dino Melaye is moving mountains and valleys, threatening long prison sentences, just to demonstrate that his feathers were rumpled and no one dares? He wants his pound of flesh, cashing in on the ever forgetfulness of the gullible Nigerian society that they would not remember his days of cavorting with and carrying waters for Sahara Reporters; including a lobby-SR visit with Sowore Omore which he made to New York and bragged about it. 

Icheoku says who respects a collection of questionable characters masquerading as the Nigerian senate, which is led by an indicted corrupt man? Which Nigerian, except those begging for crumbs from their table to feed their hungry dependents, who defers to such an assemblage of the society' dregs in character and resume? A motley of persons who would not disclose how much they are pilfering from the Nigerian society by shrouding their pay and perks in utmost secrecy? Icheoku says who cares how pained Dino Melaye feels about what Sahara Reporters and other social media has to say and write about him, when the same supposed anti-corruption crusader did not find it germane to protest his indicted corrupt Senate President Bukola Saraki? 

Protesting alleged corruption by Dino Melaye was germane during the lynching of Stella Oduah but now, the same he-goat marches in solidarity with the corrupt Bukola Saraki, dutifully accompanying him to his corruption trials at the Code of Conduct Bureau? Icheoku says Stella Oduah was merely accused but was never indicted; Bukola Saraki was indicted and marshaled into the dock and took a plea like a common criminal, but this questionable character Dino Melaye still puts up appearance at Saraki's side and you wonder how cultured is this man Dino Melaye? Icheoku says what is sacred and solemn about a congregation of thugs, who maimed and killed and bribed their way to secure their positions and who have nothing to show to Nigerians in justification of their relevance and need for a continued existence? If Icheoku has his way, will enforce Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu's suggestion and phase out the Nigerian senate of lousy persons as represented by Dino Melaye. 

What a bum who exhibited his crass ignorance by saying that his assembly will write American government to censure a media outlet when he should have known that the media enjoys optimum freedom in America and is not shackled nor amenable to America's government intrusion, dictates, control or censorship. If he felt violated by what was written about him, does he not know that his redress lies with the court in an action for defamation? But no, he want to go through the back door and bamboozle his colleagues into passing into law a retrogressive legislation meant to muzzle social media. Anyway, he can try but an assured defeat awaits him; but in any event, social media does not need their useless licensing to stay operational. Unlike their local newspapers which need their advertisements and commercials to stay afloat, the overhead involved in running online media is not too substantial that other wide-world advertisers cannot foot the bill. 

Icheoku concludes by stating that in a more civilized society, this always brawling tout Dino Melaye, can only qualify for a prison warden or a county dog catcher  position, but definitely not a senator of a country. He lacks the mien and decorum and demeanor and mannerism necessary for a senator. That this man is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria adds credence to the school of thought which dismissively wave off that chamber as a motley crew.   But regrettably only those who can maim and kill get into offices in Nigeria and that is the cross heavily weighing down on Nigeria's shoulders, and which have stunted its growth since the past fifty five years of its independent existence. Anyway, channeling Dick Cheney's dart to Patrick Leheay, on the issue of the threatened war against social media in Nigeria, Icheoku says to Dino Melaye, to go fuck himself.

GUANTANAMO PRISON IS HARRY POTTER'S AZKABAN - SHAKER AAMER.

"They've got an island in Harry Potter, it says Azkaban. Where there's no happiness, they just suck all your feelings out of you. And, you don't have no feelings any more. And truly that's how I felt all the time. This is Azkaban. This is not from this world, because that's what they tried." - Released Guantanamo Bay prisoner Shaker Aamer on his prison experience. 

Icheoku says and he seems not to be too mad by his experience?

BIAFRA, DEFUNCT?

Icheoku says it depends; if Biafra is analogous and synonymous with Ojukwu, its alter ego, then Biafra for all intent and purpose, equally rests in peace like its protagonist in chief, the Ikemba Nnewi. As for Ojukwu, he never left anyone in doubt as to his wishes that Ndigbo have fully reintegrated back into Nigeria. As far as Ojukwu was concerned, Biafra did in fact come to an end and he severally manifested this intention and desire in so many ways. 

First, he accepted a full unconditional pardon from a Nigeria President Shehu Shagari and returned to Nigeria from his exile in the Ivory Coast. Second, he joined a national party, the NPN, and contested for a senate seat under its platform as a prospective senator of Nigerian. He had a choice of joining the NPP which to a greater extent was a regional Igbo (Biafran) party, but he chose not to. Third, he vowed to go to war again; but only to ensure Nigeria's unity and would fight anyone and any cause that would jeopardize the country's existence as one indivisible entity. Fourth, in every interview and press releases he gave ever since his return from exile, he did not leave anyone in doubt where he stands on the question of Nigeria's unity. 

Ojukwu severally reiterated his position that there will be no more secession by Biafra and that Ndigbo are back to Nigeria for good and for the long haul. Lastly, he accepted and received his full pension and  accrued benefits from Nigeria government as a retired Colonel of the Nigeria army. And then when he passed away, he was buried with full military honors by Nigeria government and his burial was attended by notable Nigerians, including the late Emir of Kano Ado Bayero, who came to bid a fellow Nigerian farewell. Therefore it is safe to vouchsafe that Ojukwu died a Nigerian and would not be holding a brief for these modern day Biafranists who now want to secede. 

Conversely, if Ojukwu is not Biafra and Biafra is not Ojukwu; and it is agreed that the two were separate entities; and that Biafra as an idea is bigger and greater than any one single individual including Ojukwu; and that Ojukwu is but the then arrowhead of the struggle for freedom that is Biafra, then Biafra survived Ojukwu and is still very much alive and well in the hearts and minds of those it represents something very dear and uplifting. So it goes without saying that the current restiveness among the polity that constitute Biafra is well founded because they have a standing to aspire to a dream Biafran-land; and therefore their agitation should be treated with all its deserved seriousness by the authorities in Nigeria in order to avoid a complete nuclear meltdown of Nigeria. 

Biafra is an idea which time came a very long time ago; but is only being hounded and suppressed by forces that are too afraid to let it come alive and thrive. It is a symbol of a cause, founded to protect against crass and imprudent discrimination, marginalization and suppression of a people. It is an effort against oppression, genocide, pogrom and a defense of a peoples' right to life and pursuit of happiness. It is a call of duty to fight for survival of a people threatened with complete annihilation. But unfortunately, the lessons of the last civil war appear lost on Nigeria, as many of the unjust things that led to that war still subsist till today. 

They have become rather more perversive and their perpetrators more emboldened and audacious. The discrimination of the same people and the treating them as if they are second class and not bona fides of the Nigeria society has only metastasized leading to the current uprising by boys and girls who were not even born during the last war and whose fathers and mothers were hardly old enough to have fought in the previous war. It shows that Biafra lives on, did not die with the last war nor was it buried alongside with Ojukwu, regardless of what his intentions were on Biafrans' reintegration back into Nigeria.

Biafra, as an idea conceived out of the urgency of the then now to provide  a bulwark against a state's supported genocide and threatened annihilation of a people, survived; and has been transmitted down to the present generation as well as in store for those generations still unborn. Like the Jewish nation, which pulls all strings every time to avoid a repeat or a relive of the holocaust, successive people who constitute Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, see themselves as always in a permanent state of perpetual alert, in order to prevent being overrun again by other Nigerians who do not wish them well. It is not that the people of Biafra do not want to share a space with other Nigerians as fellow Nigerians, no, they simply feel not wanted nor welcomed in Nigeria by other Nigerians, who always feel threatened that the people of Biafra are there to take everything and overshadow them.

Icheoku says this is the fuel driving Biafra, especially the current agitation by courageous Biafrans who were either not born or were too young to actually participate or appreciate the magnitude of the disaster that was the previous confrontation with the Federal Government of Nigeria. So the government of Nigeria as well as other Nigerians must address the issue fueling this agitation rather than condemning those agitators as disgruntled miscreants who are not relevant and are up to no good and do not mean well for Nigeria. Icheoku says that a government of Nigeria and other Nigerian nationalities, who want an all inclusive Nigeria, must address the inequities and blatant marginalization and discrimination that is so pervasive in Nigeria. It is akin to the American experience where racist white people are eager to brand black men as angry but do not care to find out what is it that is at the root of this anger in black males of America. 

Icheoku says it is not the composition of Nigeria as it is that is the problem. Nope, the problem is the skewed politics of "we and them" that has continually seen the people of Biafra left holding the plate in the affairs and matters of Nigeria. There is stength in number and majority of Nigerians including the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, would prefer a united one Nigeria as opposed to a balkanized one. These people would like to see a more united and unified Nigeria, where every citizen feels a sense of belonging and equally having a skin in the game of building the country and equally benefiting from the country. But it is not so; instead some people feel entitled to everything while some others feel left outside the door, begging for what should be theirs as of right. This is the problem and the underlying reason fueling all these agitations throughout Nigeria. No people or even a person likes to be blatantly treated as a stranger in his own father's house or country as in the case of the people of Biafra in Nigeria.

For example, if those Golden Eaglets who played and won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Championship Chile 2015 as Nigerians, could find jobs in any part of Nigeria as Nigerians; could live in any part of Nigeria unfettered as Nigerians; could aspire to any office in the land including the presidency of Nigeria as Nigerians; could marry anyone and raise their children in any part of Nigeria as Nigerians; could live in any part of Nigeria as Nigerians without being treated as none indigenes; could have their children attend schools in any part of Nigeria they call abode without discriminatory fees and charges; then bring on one united Nigeria and every Biafran would stand for it. Biafrans are for one indivisible, truly united Nigeria; but not one where unity is stressed when convenient for some and put aside when it is not. 

Continuing with the Golden Eaglets analogy, but where any member of the winning team say from Edo State comes back and cannot go to Sokoto to get a job except as a mere contract staff without benefits; cannot live freely in any part of Nigeria if he is Igbo, without fear of deportation as an unwanted nuisance in Lagos or having his head randomly chopped off if in Northern parts of the country for simply being Igbo; cannot have a bridge linking to his geographical region built because it is an existing Nigeria state policy to deny and deprive his region of infrastructural developments; cannot aspire to the highest office in the land, the presidency,  including holding certain portfolios, then these perpetrators and deniers of equity in Nigeria must have another thing coming and should roll their sleeves to deal with what is down the pike with the newly reignited Biafra agitation. 

Icheoku says there is nothing unusual about devolution of unions which can no longer meaningfully co-exist as one. With married couple, it is called divorce; which allows spouses who cannot continue to tolerate each other in the same living space to go their respective ways. Such also applies to geographical entities and the world is filled with entities that have splintered over the many years because they could no longer live peacefully together as one, with South Sudan being the latest. 

If Nigeria goes the same way and Biafra becomes an independent entity, so be it as it will not be the first nor the last such came into being. However, Icheoku continues to advocate for a stronger, more unified and united Nigeria; but one in which every one feels equal and where there is no born to rule mentality people lording it over their assumed  lesser mortals. Icheoku maintains that no one is superior to another in Nigeria and therefore it is insulting for some people to always insist it is going to be their way or the whole country goes to hell in hand's basket.

Scotland had a referendum for statehood; Basque separatists did too; so why can't the authorities in Nigeria or even the United Nations push for a referendum in Nigeria to conclusively determine what is actually in the best interest of Nigeria, a united or a balkanized Nigeria. Must they wait until the agitation boils over and there is a conundrum before they do the needful? Icheoku however cautions that an independent Biafra might not be what is needed at this time as a more functioning united Nigeria is the key. Experience shows that as long as humans live together, fault lines will always emerge, no matter the devolution of political entities. 

Modakeke and Ife are still not the best of friends in Oshun State? Onitsha and Obosi people in Anambra State are still feuding? Junkuns and Igbiras; Tivs and Idomas; Zango Katafs and Hausa/Fulanis; Beroms and Fulanis etc have remained permanent cats and dogs. Then on the international sphere, the very recently created South Sudan have seen war erupt between the Dimkas and Jolof tribes. So internecine conflict will not end with the letting go of Biafra but should it be a bar to trying? Even families still fight amongst their members; and in nearly homogeneous societies such as one united by one religion, crisis still develop. Pakistan was primarily carved out as a safe-haven for Muslims from a Hindu-dominated India, to ensure peace among its muslim population,  yet they are still killing themselves.

It is a fact of life that things do not always usually go as planned; but like couples trapped in an arranged unhappy marriage, Icheoku says may be the different nationalities that constitute Nigeria should try a brief timeout from living together? They could give it a shot and be at liberty to later come back together as one, why not? It is an experiment that might be worth undertaking, considering the degree of restiveness currently pervading the country. A clobbered nationalities which who do not see themselves as one nor primarily as Nigerians; but who easily first identifies themselves based on their tribes. They don't care about Nigeria's survival, but only cares about what they can milk from it. 

This is the reason they are always insisting on their way or the highway for others; and thus, secretly wishing by their action that country's center do not hold but to fall apart and into pieces. Icheoku does not share in this their divisive and detrimental actions; and says that whatever happens, absent a more reinvented and revived Nigeria which is working for everyone, a peaceful dissolution of the entity might not be an out of place thinking. Such a peaceful dissolution as happened in the former Yugoslavia, might be  the best option for Nigeria under the present circumstance.  Better still, let Nigeria devolve into its regional components as truly federating units; and let every region compete with one another to be the best they can be, but still under the umbrella of one Nigeria. 

NNAMDI KANU IS BIGGER THAN BUHARI - KUKAH?

“This country cannot continue this way. MASSOB has right to demand Biafra since we have freedom of expression. The problem of Nigeria should not be with Kanu but should be with who let the door open. The President of Nigeria or any governor, unless he pays, cannot bring the number of people that Kanu brought out. The anxiety of Nigeria should be that a young man who can bring out such great number of people is worth doing business with." - Bishop Matthew Kukah. 

Icheoku says that possibly explains why he wants to cut him to size by continuing to detain him despite a duly granted and perfected bail releasing him from detention. Icheoku says Radio Biafra Nnamdi Kanu can only continue to grow bigger and will continue to dwarf the man who just finally got his certificate and a doctorate one for that matter, Dr President Muhammadu Buhari.

BIAFAN AGITATORS ARE TERRORISTS - JUNAID MOHAMMED.

"Next to the Boko Haram is the South-east terrorists, who have been on but very soon they are going to be demolished, like it is being done to Boko Haram. Now, tell me what they are, if they are not terrorists? What is the difference between what they are doing and what Boko Haram terrorists did or are still doing? As far as I am concerned, they are one and same thing." - Dr Junaid Mohammed. Icheoku says now the real trouble is about to begin in Nigeria with the impending crackdown on peaceful protesters.

CERTIFICATE OR NO CERTIFICATE, BUHARI IS NOW A DOCTOR?

Icheoku says thinking outside the box, the governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir el Rufai has magically cured the certificate albatross hounding President Muhammadu Buhari. By persuading the Kaduna State University to award the president an honorary doctorate degree, the president can now prefix his name with a 'DR' and to hell with all those antagonists who protest that the president does not have a First School Leaving Certificate. Icheoku queries what use is then a F.S.L.C. when the president now has a doctorate, for crying out loud? Icheoku says congratulations to Dr President Muhammad Buhari, the now "CERTIFICATED"president of Nigeria. All hail the doctor-president !!!.

IBN BALA NA'ALLAH, ANTI SOCIAL MEDIA SENATOR OF NIGERIA

Icheoku says like Adams Oshiuomhole of Edo State, this senator from Kebbi State gets his coat (suit) from a carpenter. What a testament to the caliber of human denigrates at the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

FIVE SIGNS OF A BAD MARRIAGE AND THEIR FIXES - NANCY JERGINS.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the sidelines at my daughter’s lacrosse game when I witnessed one of the 5 signs of a bad marriage unfold before me. A mother sitting nearby was cheerfully watching the game too, when a man walked up behind her. Without turning around to look at him, she brusquely said, “You’re late. What’s your excuse this time?” 

Ouch! After watching them over the next few minutes, I figured out that he was her husband. Of course, I have no idea what was going on in their marriage, and maybe the wife was just having a bad morning, but it reminded me that I should never talk to my husband that way in public (or in private, for that matter). If we do see any one of these signs of a bad marriage in our own relationship, we should regroup and try to correct the problem before it becomes too destructive. Here are the 5 signs of a bad marriage. 

1. You’re rude to each other:- No one can be polite 24/7; but, if rude is your default, there’s a problem. Rudeness is often a cover for resentment because of something your spouse has or has not done. It’s a way to get in nonphysical digs at your spouse. It also shows that you don’t find him or her worth the effort it takes to be courteous. 

How to fix it:- First, ask yourself why you’re being rude to him or her. Is it a passive-aggressive way to get back at him or her? Is there a bigger issue you need to discuss? After you’ve considered those questions, talk to your spouse and say something like this: “Josh (Jane), I know we’re both nice people, but I admit I haven’t been acting that way toward you. I apologize for being rude and short with you. I’m going to do my best to treat you with kindness.” Then, even if he or she doesn’t offer to reciprocate, move forward with your resolution. 

2. You disrespect each other in front of your children, friends and families:- It’s one thing to be snippy and disrespectful when no one is around. In that case, you’re only hurting yourselves. But if you act that way in front of your children, you’re hurting them too; in front of your friends that you don't value your spouse and in front of your family that you made a mistake in choosing him or her. 

How to fix it:- Children need to see their parents as a team – devoted to each other for the good of the family. When you tear down your husband in front of your kids, you are damaging your children’s sense of security. You want them to see their dad as a great guy. If you treat him disrespectfully, they’ll have negative feelings toward him too. Or, they’ll feel sorry for him and take his side over yours. In other words, your actions will either alienate your children from their father or from you. Either way is not good. So starting today, treat your husband respectfully in front of your children. (So also should spouses not tear down each other  before their friends and families)

3. You assume the worst about each other:- This is called negative interpretation, or mind reading. For example, if your husband says, “Where’s the dry cleaning?” You hear, “Why didn’t you pick up the dry cleaning? You never get it when it’s your turn.” When you’re in the “assume the worst” mindset, you also focus on your husband’s mistakes. Not only does this foster negative feelings in you toward your husband, it makes him feel pretty worthless in your eyes too.(Or using such words as 'you are a monster, animal, idiot, harlot, lazy, stupid and such other words and name-calling that does not uplift but tears down and belittles each other). 

How to fix it:- The fix is actually simple – assume the best. Don’t read a negative message into what your husband says, how he acts, or what he chooses to do. If in doubt, ask him what he meant and give him a chance to make himself clear. 

4. You don’t like spending time together with each other:- When you have spare time—whether it’s a free half hour after the kids have gone to bed or a weekend night when the kids are staying with their grandparents—if your husband or wife is not your first choice to be your free time companion, then you have a problem of bad marriage. And when you do spend time together, it turns tense. 

How to fix it:- The only way you will grow closer to your husband or wife is to spend quality time with them—that’s the first step. When you are together, make that time exempt from serious discussions or hot-button issues. Keep it light, keep it fun. Go in with a good attitude but not one full of resentment or mere toleration. Prepare yourself to have fun and be fun. 

5. You argue instead of discuss:- If every discussion turns into a battle of argument of who will win, you need to work on your communication skills with your spouse. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s crucial. You both need to feel safe to bring up any topic. You need to be confident that while a discussion might get intense, it will not degenerate into yelling, name calling, temper tantrums or angrily walking off and away from each other. 

How to fix it:- The good news: You can learn to communicate better! Go to your husband and tell him that you want to be able to talk about things with him, but don’t point a finger at him. Then use these ideas to learn to discuss instead of argue.

SYRITA BOWEN, A WOMAN OF COURAGE

Icheoku says give it up to yet another great Amazonian, Syrita Bowen of Enid Oklahoma, for standing up for what was right and faced down what was wrong. If only the disgraced rapist policeman Daniel Koltzclaw knew that this 57 year old spunky grandmother would not accept to be raped by him, may be he would not have forced himself on her. Icheoku says a big standing O for another woman of America, who refused to keep quit, refused to become a service whore to a criminal policeman Koltzclaw and who also refused to remain silent when violated. Syrita Bowen, you are a great American and indeed newsworthy!