WE ARE READY - GENERAL MATTIS

"The United States and our allies have the demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend ourselves from attack. Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability. The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people. 

President Trump was informed of the growing threat last December and on taking office his first orders to me emphasized the readiness of our ballistic missile defense and nuclear deterrent forces. While our State Department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now possess the most precise, rehearsed, and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth. The DPRK regime's actions will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates. My responsibility as Defense Secretary is to have military options ready if needed. We are ready." - General James Maddog Mattis, US Defense Secretary.

OZUBULU BLOODY SUNDAY: MASSACRE IN THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP.

ICHEOKU says whodunnit is really not that important and so also is the intended target, as it appertains to this essay. The predominant interest here is why anybody ever gave such senseless act of sacrilege a thought; talkless of actually carrying it out. Tens of innocent parishioners were observing their early morning Mass devotion when some lunatics walked into where they were assembled and sprayed them with bullets, leaving 22 people dead with 18 others seriously wounded. 

ICHEOKU queries what manner of human excrements would carry out such a dastardly act and inside a House of Worship, a CHURCH. Even if they are non believers, do not go to church nor believe in God and does not not understand the reverence of a Catholic Mass, they should have, at least, respected the sensibilities of those devotees and given them the opportunity to finish their devotions before killing them, if they must. But to do it in the depraved manner they did it, shows that they are callous, extremely wicked, ungodly and deserves to rot in hell.

The Holy Bible, in Book of 2 Samuel 1:20, admonishes "publish it not in Garth nor the streets of Ashkelon lest the daughters of Philistines rejoice and exult", to which ICHEOKU paraphrases "publish it not in Ozubulu nor in Ala Igbo that such great abomination took place and it is being discussed as real and not just a nightmarish dream from which people woke up and soon forgot.  How the people who did this, so lost their moral compunction,  that they descended into such a depravity and desecrated the House of God, with such reckless indifference to what the place meant and defied a sanctified place by shedding the blood of parishioners, is simply beyond pale. But it happened and all everyone can do now is to figure how to avoid a repeat happenstance going forward. 

Hopefully, security agencies will solve the crime quickly in order to arrest and punish the perpetrators, prevent panic among the society and also to preempt people from arriving at their own conclusions which is capable of adding more tension to an already tensed society. Security agencies must work hard to unravel the culprits, to avoid a total and complete breakdown of law and order, by a people who might feel that the government is covering up something or is somewhat in cahoot with the perpetrators and might resort to self help vigilantism asa result. 

To say the least, this massacre is certainly a new low for Nigeria, especially its security agencies that seem incapable of securing the country and her citizens and properties; admitted that they work under near impossible austere conditions and are simply overwhelmed with un-incentivized large workload. A country that is awash with problems, including a president who has been MIA for quite some time now, holed out abroad in London where he is receiving treatment for cancer, could sure use less of this madness. ICHEOKU says all is not well with Nigeria and denying it or trying to sugarcoat it can only make a bad situation turn worse. It is time now to seriously consider all available options towards saving Nigeria and reposition it for greatness; rather than continue to pretend otherwise while watching its continued slide.  

The implications of Ozubulu massacre has a global ramifications - from the Vatican which might take umbrage that its church was desecrated in this manner and her parishioners's right to life so flagrantly violated; to the United States of America whose Christian community might feel that the Church of Christ is now under threat in Nigeria; to Russia and some other civilized nations which must be wondering what manner of heartless people inhabit the geopolitical entity called Nigeria. A country whose mafia has, in the past, been compared to Japanese Yakuza, Russian Mafia, Chinese Mafia, Italian mafia and the Mexican Sinaloa mafia; but which has now certainly outdone itself by this church massacre. How these civilized societies, which consider churches sacred and sanctified, would view a country where devotees are murdered while kneeling in prayers inside a church during a Sunday Catholic Mass is anybody's guess. 

ICHEOKU says Nigeria is in a deep doodle, a very smelly, stinky and sticky one indeed; such that not even Londonderry own Bloody Sunday compares to this. Even though both the infamous British escapade in Irish Derry and the unsolved murders in a Nigerian Catholic Church in Ozubulu took place on a Sunday, but the Nigerian incident was right inside the sanctuary of Christ. Nigerian Boko Haram has such modus operandi and so too are terrorists ISIS; but that such a depraved heart massacre took place inside a church in the heartland of Christianity in Nigeria and also a very religious Igbo community simply begs the question will the police ever find the real culprits. ICHEOKU prays that they will; and also that the massacre will not draw the ire of the world, compelling them to brand Nigeria a narcotic producing, trafficking and facilitating country. If it happens and possible additional targeted measures are put in place, it will affect millions of innocent Nigerians. Lets hope it will not get there and ICHEOKU prays that the victim community finds the fortitude to bear the loss and heal from the trauma. May the souls of the killed now rest.  

TRUMP SPITS FIRE: PUTS NORTH KOREA ON NOTICE

"North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. As I said, they will be met with the fire and fury and, frankly, power." - President Donald John Trump. 

ICHEOKU says the Michelin Tire midget at Pyongyang is definitely courting trouble and messing with the wrong man. He probably thinks Barack Obama the redline president is still in office; but unbeknownst to him there is a new sheriff in town and his name is Donald John Trump and he does not mess around. Hopefully China can rein in the little man before he commits mass suicide with his North Korean people.

DANIEL CORMIER: TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW

ICHEOKU says has watched Jon Jones V. Daniel Cormier 2 rematch for the umpteenth time now and has come to a verdict that it is about time Daniel Cormier hung up his gear, stop fighting, retire; and concentrate on commentating and training other young and upcoming wanna be fighters. Yes, UFC 214 lived up to its billing; all the fighters gave viewers their money's worth plus more; with the spectacular will and power they exhibited. 

The evening was topped off by the main event Jones V. Comey 2 and the two fighters equally delivered. It was a thing of beauty to behold, watching the extent to which the human spirit can go on in the inert battle to survive and thrive. Round one came and went and so did round two and then in round three, a kick to the head triggered an even that led to a dazed, confused, stunned and nearly unresponsive Daniel Cormier being saved by the referee. When he finally regained his consciousness, Daniel Cormier, amid sobs, said "I thought the fight was going well; I don’t even know what happened.” ICHEOKU said that was the viciousness of the kick and subsequent elbowing which Jon Jones delivered on Daniel Cormier that his lights  literally went out, needing quite some time before he recovered nearly enough to give the few answers to the interviewer's questions. 

ICHEOKU says Daniel Cormier has nothing more to prove, having defeated all but one person, Jon Jones, in his weight class of the UFC/MMA. Therefore, having failed in this second opportunity to defeat Jon Jones, he should do the expected and take his bow when the ovation is still loud enough. Like Ronda Lousy, Daniel Cormier will never recover from the psychological  trauma his second loss to Jon Jones inflicted upon him. Prior to the fight, both of them had boasted to knock each other out and Daniel was so optimistic and fired up that he dreamt of it happening. He went into the octagon fully convinced that this is it and that he will defeat Jon Jones but it did not happen leading to the question what else Daniel? ICHEOKU says in answer, NOTHING and the best outcome for him is to retire or move out of the weight class; concentrate on his commentating as well as training up and coming fighters. 

Daniel Cormier had looked forward to a third fight in which they would have decided who is a better fighter, believing that his win would have parred them one win apiece. It did not happen and Daniel Cormier himself put it very succinctly when he conceded “If you win both fights, I guess there isn’t a rivalry”; to which ICHEOKU would add "anymore" and ICHEOKU completely agrees with Daniel's assessment. At 38 years old, he is not getting younger either and taking his leave now would guarantee him ample time to do so many other things both outside and inside the UFC/MMA. ICHEOKU therefore calls on defeated Daniel Cormier to retire now or at least drop off from the light heavy weight class which Jon Jones now proudly and rightly occupies until Jones either retires himself or moves from that weight class. Overall it was a good UFC 214 fight and every fan was entertained and satisfied. ICHEOKU says congratulations to champion Jon Jones who actually just reclaimed what rightful y belonged to him as no man has ever defeated him in the weight class. 

BIAFRA: ARISING QUESTIONS - an article by IKE EKWEREMADU

We know very well that the toad does not run in the daytime for nothing; if it is not after something, then something must be after it. Although Nigeria is not new to agitations of all kinds, the nation has of recent been caught in a cacophony of agitations by different groups and sections of the country. In particular, these agitations have been most pronounced in the South-east, where the activities of various pro-Biafra groups have been most prominent. 

There have also been loud and well-meaning voices in the South-east and all over the country strongly canvassing a restructuring of the country. All these point to the fact that there is widespread dissatisfaction over how Nigeria is presently constituted and run. The South-east region, in particular, has, no doubt, been at the worst receiving end of the structural imbalances with ripples of disequilibrium in the distribution of resources and opportunities since the end of the civil war in 1970. 

This, as we know, are at the root of the disquiet and agitation by various groups for a sovereign state of Biafra. Although the Biafra agitation has been with us even during the regimes of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan, it was managed, through tact and semblance of inclusiveness. Thus, after Ralph Uwazulike’s arrest and release from detention by the Yar’Adua administration, the agitation withered greatly. It was even much less noticeable under the Jonathan Administration. Therefore, the renewed and aggravated agitations across the South-east, the hero status of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the growing pro-Biafra sentiments in the South-east, and the widespread feelings of alienation and disgust with the Nigerian project since after the 2015 general election can be traced to the mistreatment of the region, which graduated from marginalization to exclusion, based on the 97 percent and 5 percent policy of the present administration. 

However, while our people have every reason to be aggrieved and the right to vent their frustrations and seek equity and justice by democratic and non-violent means, we should also not allow our emotions to rule over our reasoning. As our people say, it will not be good to hear that the she-goat delivered in tether when elders are at home. Questions would eventually be asked. History would inquire if no elder was at home when the toad put to bed and the baby toad grew up a puffed creature because no one cared to stretch its hands or legs. There are two major opinions as to the way forward for Ndigbo at a trying time like this. We have mostly the younger generation, who believe they have had enough of the Nigerian union, which they have described in unprintable terms. The other is restructuring, which seems to appeal more to the older generation. 

Beyond sentiments, it needs to be emphasised that Nigeria is a sovereign state, with a defined territory recognised by the international community. She is a member of the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others. This territory includes the South-east region. While the right to self-determination is guaranteed under the international systems, specifically the United Nations and African Union, this right has laid down procedures that must be religiously followed. For instance, while the call for referendum is legal, they do not come by fiat. 

Referendum is the ultimate result of wide and long negotiations, consultations, and processes involving the international community as we have seen in the cases of Scotland in the United Kingdom, Catalonia in Spain, Quebec in Canada, and recently in Puerto Rico as well as the successful secession of East Timor from Indonesia, Eritrea from Ethiopia, and South Sudan from Sudan. Unless these due processes are observed, as in the case of Eritrea, East Timor, and South Sudan, such enclaves will not be recognised as sovereign states by the international community. I have followed incisive arguments on this matter and looked at the history of other secessionist efforts in other parts of the world. For example, about 43 years after it broke away from Cyprus in 1974, with the help of the Turkish Army, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Northern Cyprus) is yet to be recognised as a sovereign nation by any nation because of lack of due process. The citizens can only travel with the passport of Turkey as citizens of Turkey, not Northern Cyprus. 

Today, there is widespread agitation by citizens of North Cyprus to be rejoined to Cyprus. There is also the case of Somaliland. Almost three decades after it declared itself a sovereign state from the Federal Republic of Somalia, the best the self-declared Republic (British Somaliland) has achieved is recognition as an autonomous state, but still part of Somalia in spite of the fact that Somalia is a failed state. We also have the Russia-backed breakaway Eastern Ukraine, which still uses the Ukrainian international passport and currency, several years after. It does not matter that it is supported by Russia, a world super power. In the Caucasus, the breakaway South Ossetia and Abkazia from Georgia are only recognised by Russia more than 10 years after. They can only travel as Russian citizens with Russian international passport. The international community still recognizes them as citizens of Georgia. 

Ndigbo also need to understand both the local and international political tides and sentiments to be able to make the right choices because the considerations for self-determination go beyond just the South-east. Already, extreme utterances and actions by some key elements in the agitation for Biafra are taking tolls on our goodwill, friendship, and the sympathy we enjoy. Insults hurled at religious and political leaders of other regions are not helping us, politically. Today, discordant tunes over the boundaries or territories of a prospective sovereign State of Biafra is growing in proportions with the hard wickets hurled at our neighbors and compatriots. Indeed, as things stand today, the greater part of South-south region have continued to discountenance the idea of Biafra, perhaps, for these utterances or fear of becoming a minority within another sovereign state. 

Only recently, the Governor of Rivers State was in Sokoto to emphasise that the people of Rivers State are rather in support of a restructured Nigeria, not a sovereign state of Biafra. Similarly, the people of Delta State have reiterated that Delta State, including the Anioma cultural zone, which is Igbo, will not be part of Biafra. The truth is, times have changed because 1967 is different from 2017, and so have political interests. So much water has passed under the bridge and we have to be realistic. 

As I earlier said, there is serious clamour for Northern Cyprus to rejoin Cyprus. Beside the frustrations from isolation, the economy is also at the heart of it. The Monday, June 26, 2017 edition of UK’s newspaper, The Telegraph, estimates that the reunification of the tiny island could boost its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by GBP5 Billion. South-east’s political future should therefore be put in the context of its economic interest and survival. The Igbos have larger chunk of their investments outside the South-east. Our people have invested heavily in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. They are into trading. Imagine a situation where a Republic of Biafra would have to depend on Nigerian passports to travel out. Importantly, as I mentioned earlier, we are not certain that the South-south will go with the Biafra idea. And in the event that they do not, what are our options for economic survival? Flowing from this, and aware that no nation is a Santa Claus, what guarantee do we have for international support if the main oil bearing region pulls out? 

Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today. The hate rhetoric is getting worse by the day. Parting ways under such level of bitterness could be risky to the investments and lives of the South Easterners. Realistically speaking, is it possible that all Ndigbo living in the other parts of Nigeria, many of whom were born and bred outside Igbo land, and have been well assimilated by their host communities will return home? Many have never visited home and do not even speak Igbo language. Can we realistically expect those who have their investments in other parts of Nigeria to willingly abandon them and head home? Although international systems seek to guarantee the security of lives of peoples and their properties on either side of the divides, should there be a self-determination process that leads to the emergence of a new nation, such guarantees are not absolute and difficult to enforce, especially in a society such as ours. The quit notice and hate spewed by the Arewa youth to Ndigbo point to the fact that all is not well. And it calls for caution because the mother hen does not run without looking back to know the fate of her chicks. 

The other option left for us is a restructured federation. Ndigbo need to develop and market what it believes to be the right template for restructuring. The Eastern Region was rated the fastest growing economy in Africa in the First Republic because the regions were relatively autonomous; resources were largely developed and controlled by the regions. I believe Ndigbo will thrive, probably more than other regions, under a federal structure that guarantees substantial autonomy, justice, equity, security, and prosperity for Ndigbo wherever they live. What we need is a federalism where each constituent part fends for itself to promote industry. We need a federal arrangement that guarantees and allows every constituent state or region to be primarily in charge of its aspirations and preferences to catalyse competitive development. We need a mutually agreed arrangement that allows every component to take charge of the security of lives and properties of citizens through decentralised policing, while the Federal Government takes care of defending our territorial integrity. 

We need a federal arrangement where the best excels, and does not have to be sacrificed in the name of federal character. We need a restructured federation where the Igbo man or woman, and indeed, every Nigerian can live and ply his or her business in any part of the country without any form of discrimination, molestation, and destruction of his or her life and property on the flimsiest excuses. Igbos should be better off in a federation where they freely exercise their democratic rights without being hounded and killed by security forces. We need a federal structure that guarantees smart and efficient government. And I believe these are possible if the leaders and constituent parts of the nation come to the table with sincerity of purpose. We should push for that, please. 

Way forward Going forward, we need to set up a committee for a continuous engagement and moderation of IPOB, other pro-Biafra organisations and their leaders to avoid hate speeches and reckless statements that will make us lose our friends and sympathisers. We need to send a team of South-east leaders to have yet another meeting with the Presidency, this time to tell them, in clear terms, the need to address the fears and complaints about marginalisation of the people of the South-east by this government, which is fueling the agitation in our region. Government needs to take concrete steps and demonstrate commitment in addressing the said complaints. This will help the South-east leaders to manage the restiveness. 

The Igbos must continue to emphasise restructuring, which is presently enjoying acceptance by the South-south, South-west, Northern-central, and well meaning people from other parts of the North. I believe that at the discussion table for restructuring, we will have sufficient allies that will enable us extract a good bargain for a just and equitable society, where we will, no doubt, excel. Ndigbo need a bigger space to operate. In fact, Nigeria as a country is even a small space for the enterprising spirit of the Igbo, hence our people are scattered all over Africa and are capable of dominating the economic space. We need to send delegations to different entities of the North, especially Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri, Adamawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, among others, to engage the respective governors and top traditional rulers and clerics who will also help to moderate the utterances and actions of the Northern youth. 

These, I believe, will secure the lives and properties of our people all over the north and avoid their possible mass movement ahead of the October deadline contained in the threat by the Northern youth. We need to send another delegation to meet with the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, and the Director-General of the Department of State Security to express our concern over the safety of the lives and properties of our people living in the North and to urge them to take every necessary step to protect them. Finally, whatever choices we make, we must not allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions, but by reasoning. The same tree stump does not trip a wise man twice. We must learn from the past and act wisely and decisively. Likewise, we must endeavour to present our demands in a civilized manner and in a language that is cognizant of other people’s sensibilities, not in a provocative or rancorous manner. 

BARACK OBAMA GETS A DAY OF HONOR IN ILLINOIS, AUGUST 4TH.

ICHEOKU says former President Barack Hussein Obama has been honored by his adopted State of Illinois with a holiday, to be observed throughout the state, as Barack Obama Day. The State Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed Illinois Senate Bill 55 into law, declaring August 4, Obama's birthday, a State day of honor to celebrate the state's illustrious son and former president of the United States of America. 

However, government offices and businesses will not be required to close on the said day in commemoration of the day; but schools and other institutions are encouraged to observe it, but not necessarily required. ICHEOKU queries what use is a holiday if it is not observed with closure of businesses and government offices as well as schools and other institutions. But hey, it is Illinois and they have decided to honor their son in the best way they know how and ICHEOKU says congratulations to Barack Obama. August 4th of every year beginning with 2018 will now be observed in the State of Illinois as Barack Obama Day. 

JOE IGBOEKWE(GHI): THE SLAVE WHO WEARS PURPLE.

"In his bid to prove that he is not a slave, he ended up writing the story of his long years of slavery to the Tinubu dynasty. He was called a hungry Lagos slave and he responded by listing his long years of "serving" Tinubu for 8 years, Fashola for 8 years and Ambode for 2 years and still counting. In all his sordid tales, he didn't mention anyway his Lagos sojourn benefited his Nnewi hometown. He made mention of no tangible record of achievement. All he regaled us with was his long years of serving Tinubu and Sons Nigeria limited. Should we now crown him the longest serving Lagos servant? All the people with whom he served Tinubu are now Masters, yet, Igbokwe is still serving. The joke is on him but the bigger joke is that he didn't even realize it." - Charles Ogbu

TRANSGENDERS IN THE MILITARY: A NEEDLESS DISTRACTION.

ICHEOKU says commends the president for boldly and courageously telling volunteers to the United States of America military to serve as soldiers, period. Therefore, cosmetics and lipsticks should take the back seat as they train and fight to defeat any world's army and decisively too. It is based on the need to have a fighting military of great repute that ICHEOKU supports the president's ban of transgender or rather gender-conflicted persons from serving in the US Military. 

At whatever cost, the segregation which has inflicted much damage on the societal fabric must not be allowed to rear its head in the military. Soldiers bleed blood, not lipstick and they don't fight with lipstick on and America will have only an army of one, an army strong. So if anyone wants to fight or join the fighting men and women of the US military, that person must conform and not ask the military to conform to him or her. 

The military is the dominant party here and whoever is joining must abide by rules of the military and not the military make accommodations to suit personal idiosyncrasies. So it necessarily follows that any person who wants to volunteer his or her service must then serve as a soldier and not a "transgendered" soldier or any other form of soldier but a soldier of the United States military. There is no room for cosmetics including cosmetic surgery as the soldiers job is to kill and destroy and any volunteer must abide by this rule or fall out. Nobody needs a sex change in order to carry out this task and so should it remain. 

President Donald John Trump is providing the much needed and desired leadership and focus which America needs right now; pulling the country back from the precipice where Barack Obama had dragged it to and nearly destroyed the social fabric of a great nation with his attempted social reengineering of America. President Barack Obama's gay tendencies and inclinations nearly ruined America and it did not help matters either that he had forced the military to pay of r expensive sex change operations of any so desiring service member who is conflicted about his or her sexuality. 

ICHEOKU says thank you President Donald John Trump for bringing God back into the military and the country at large. In the president's own words, "After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."  ICHEOKU says the president said it all, exactly what the country has been waiting for; an America of one solider and not a military of variegated soldiers.

CHRISTOPHER WRAY: TRUMP'S NOMINEE FOR FBI DIRECTOR CONFIRMED

ICHEOKU says for those leftist looney tunes still protesting the election of President Donald John Trump and manufacturing a variety of fantastic Russians Did It collusion nonsense, the 45th president is soldiering on with his presidency. His nominee to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Wray, was overwhelmingly   confirmed 92-5 as the new director of the Bureau. 

With a new FBI director now in place, the president continues to stamp his authority on America and leaving a lasting legacy; having earlier appointed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and now an FBI Director Christopher Wray. The new director during his confirmation hearing assured Americans as follows: 

“If I am given the honor of leading this agency, I will never allow the FBI’s work to be driven by anything other than the facts, the law, and the impartial pursuit of justice. Period. Full stop. My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law.” 

ICHEOKU says with such assurance, no one is left in doubt that the new director will bring utmost integrity to his assignment. He will also strive to repair whatever damage the fired former director James Comey must have caused the Bureau when he failed to recommend the prosecution of Hillary Clinton after establishing a prosecutable case against her. That way he will restore the confidence of American people that the Bureau is apolitical and will always uphold the constitution in the discharge of its obligation. 

The confirmation now finally seals whatever sliver of hope the disgruntled James Comey might have entertained of ever coming back to the Bureau again. Hopefully, Americans can begin to believe in their FBI again and ICHEOKU prays that the new director will Make FBI Great Again and transform it into a place devoid of any cloud of suspicion or partisan influences. ICHEOKU says congratulations to Director Christopher Wray on his new gig and also to President Donald John Trump for making a right appointment and for having the nominee confirmed in such a non partisan manner. Simply put, it is yet another feather to the president's presidency's cap.

SCARAMUCCI FIRED: THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON PREVAILED.

ICHEOKU says this was certainly the most natural outcome of the recent feuding and tidal wave which swept the White House. To let both antagonists go and with it quench whatever taking of sides and loyalty rancor which may gave arisen amongst the staff. It is also good in order to enable both parties save face, with a no victor no vanquished declaration. 

It would have been a humiliating experience and a cut off of the nose from the face situation for Reince Priebus had Anthony Scaramucci remained, after Michael Short, Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus were forced out at literally his instance. Not after the spat between them which directly and for the first time publicly acknowledged that all was not well with the different personalities congregated in service of the president in the White House. Good enough, an adult has entered the service of the president and as a first act, has finally and fully resolved this budding conflict which was ominous, with potential to threaten or even take-down the presidency of President Donald John Trump.

Anthony Scaramucci had come in as Communications Director with great fanfare and great expectation and was warmly received; including by ICHEOKU, who dubbed him the communication director/press secretary President Donald John Trump has been waiting for. He was presentable, he had the presence and also commands the stage; he was photogenic and people were attracted to him as a welcome relief to the ever studious and uptight Sean Spicer, who was too cumbersome to look at and somewhat boring. His first introduction to the White House press corps was equally charming as he took the podium and made it his own, amiable and answered all questions that were thrown his way. 

But his passion did him in as he became so out there, talking, pushing back and threatening such that he suddenly became the news instead of being the vehicle for the news. He became arrogant, cocky and somewhat condescendingly full of air; acting as if he is even the clone of the president. Simply put, he morphed into the junior President Trump and people were drawing closer and closer to see and hear what he is going to say or do next. Then suddenly he lost his mind, forgetting that the White House is different from his boardroom in New York where whatever he desires and wants is commanded. He also forgot that the White House is closer to American Christian community than it has ever been in the recent past. 

Then enter the profanity laced rant to a New Yorker reporter which finally took him down and out. The diatribe and exhibited vulgarity was simply too much for everyone, including a president who is still trying to wish away his own "grab them by the *ussy' Access Hollywood with Billy Bush comment, to bear. So when the opportunity finally came with the new Chief of Staff General Kelly, he was shoved out and there ended the ten day reign of the King who wanted to 'fire them all' but ended up himself inside the belly of the beast and now, a goner too. What a cruel irony that what he wanted to visit on others was visited on him. What a short lived tumultuous White House Communication director Anthony Scaramucci was. It must all be in the stars. So long Mucci.

JONES DEFEATS CORMIER: 3RD ROUND TKO IN UFC 214

ICHEOKU says it was a thriller although not in Manilla; but Anaheim California and it lived to its hoopla. It was a good fight and as ICHEOKU predicted, Jon Jones defeated Daniel Cormier in a third round technical knockout. Now their rivalry is finally over and with a two time wins, Jon Jones is now the indisputable better fighter than Daniel Cormier. ICHEOKU says congratulations Jones for reasserting your fighting supremacy over Daniel Cormier. What a fight it was.

JOHN MCCAIN TORPEDOS HEALTHCARE REPEAL: VENGEANCE AND ANGER DRIVEN.

ICHEOKU says the ever angry 84 year old Senator from the great State of Arizona has nothing to lose, being terminally ill, afflicted with glioblastoma brain cancer, and it showed. He abandoned the president, his party's interest, including the of his closest friend South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and voted to kill Obamacare's repeal. He was the deciding vote and he voted alongside his Democratic Party friends to kill the repeal effort and the attempted repeal failed. 

ICHEOKU says yes, Senator John McCain is a perpetually angry person, unforgiving and it once again showed. He did not act out of any deep rooted concerns or convictions about the bill as every possible tweaking of the Healthcare repeal that was possible was made to accommodate needed concerns; such  that it become merely a shadow of its original self and now termed a "skinny" repeal, yet McCain did not bulge. He acted with a malicious mind in order to spite the president whose main agenda is a Healthcare reform, which drove his campaign message. Yes, John McCain acted to get back at the president and take his own pound of flesh from the president, for his remark that "those who were not captured" are the type of heroes he likes. It is obvious that Senator John McCain has not forgiven the president for the remark which the then candidate Trump made concerning the Senator's years of being detained inside a Hanoi prison. The Senator, known for his unforgiving spirit, clearly understood then that Trump's jab was meant to diminish his hero status and he has never forgiven Trump ever since. So when a golden opportunity presented itself to get back at Trump, the Senator did not show magnanimity but cashed in, measure for measure. 

Senator John McCain is as mercurial as he is a maverick, admitted he denied being a maverick when called out on that his special streak of his. ICHEOKU says here is a man who then as presidential candidate campaigned on repealing Obamacare and now that the opportunity finally arrived to get it done, he shirked and shied away; simply because he had an ax to grind with the president. Such an unforgiving spirit is not good for anyone, especially a senator of the United States of America who is now making his personal feeling come before the interest of the people of Arizona as well as the general United States of America citizens. Sad!

ICHEOKU says Senator John McCain is simply lashing out, probably because his days are numbered and he does not care about burning down the house as he departs. That the president sent him good wishes while in the hospital and even called him an American hero was not enough for the Senator to forgive a past squabble. Those paying attention and who are versatile with body language, saw the telltale signs of McCain going rogue with the repeal when he went off against talk radio hosts, calling them names and urging politicians to ignore them. It was unlike McCain and he was once a fan; but apparently he no longer have any use or need for them due to changing life circumstances and he told them to take hike. Otherwise how else could any Republican argue against talk radio hosts who literally direct conservative public opinions in the country; except to say that having crossed the bridge and have no further need for them, he is now telling the bridge and its builders to go to hell.

Senator John McCain also probably voted against the repeal just out of jealousy and envy of a president who achieved and accomplished more than he dreamt of by winning the United States presidency on a first try. The senator lost to then Barack Obama in 2008 after years in politics and here came Donald John Trump, on a first attempt, securing victory and is now the President of the United States of America. John McCain is human and humans do get envious and jealous of what they don't and couldn't have. So when all these considerations are factored in, the true picture comes to live and one can begin to actually truly understand what it is that moves McCain and indeed moved him to vote against the repeal effort - he is petty and little. 

Possibly too, because of his latest diagnosis of incurable brain cancer, he decided to make one last final stand, a last major act, before passing on. He wanted to leave one lasting legacy for which he will be remembered among other things, by voting against the repeal. Although one of three Republicans to vote against it, but his was the consequential vote in the 49 - 51 downer. The Senator has since returned to his Arizona hospital to begin a regimen of treatment which will only ease him out, as their is no cure for glioblastoma, the same malignant brain cancer which killed Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. But why the senator want such epitaph is really beyond many people's understanding; except that he is John McCain and he is irascible and choleric and it once again showed.

DC CORMIER V JOHN JONES UFC FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

ICHEOKU says their age long rivalry will be finally decided in Anaheim California today July 29th, 2017. ICHEOKU says Jones will win in round 3; admitted a good fight will be watched,

WHAT HAPPENED: HILLARY CLINTON'S NEW BOOK OF TALES AND MAKING EXCUSES.

ICHEOKU says short of running a lousy campaign devoid of fresh and bold ideas on  how best to move America forward; and spewing hatred for the other guy, her then opponent and now president of America, Donald John Trump, Hillary Clinton was stuck on stupid on the campaign she ran and continuing till today with all these made up excuses on why American people rejected her presidency, nothing else happened. 

This her ineptitude and lack of an original message were exactly 'What Happened' and nothing more. Therefore, since there is nothing new she is admitting to or admitted to in the new book, the book should have been more aptly titled "What I would have done differently" or 'Let me confess: I screwed up", period.

So, whatever the hogwash she narrated in the new book, which at best will be a compendium of all the inanities of the last six months or thereabout of pointing her accusatory finger at other people but not at herself, 'What Happened' will be an ordinary lame book with nothing new to add to what the people have already been inundated with and which they are tired of hearing. It is going to be a rehash of the Russians stole the election; the American people hate me and of course former FBI director James Comy did me in. As ingrained in her DNA, it is other peoples fault but never Saint Hillary Clinton's fault because Hillary Clinton's knows everything, is infallible and can do no wrong.

But a woman, who is a typical female, will never take responsibility for her actions or shortcomings including the lackluster mediocre campaign of only name calling which she ran. American people will be disappointed that the book supplied nothing new nor in any other way allayed their curiosity about the internals of the Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign of ineptitude 2016. 

ICHEOKU says will definitely read the book just for the heck of it; but will not pay for it nor buy it as ICHEOKU has since resolved not to and will never add additional dime to the Clinton's crime family's cash. Enough of the Clintons; it is about time they bowed out of the stage and vanish into a sinkhole of permanent leave of absence from the political landscape of America. The Cinton fatigue is real and if they do not advise themselves properly and beat it into an honorable retirement, soon the fatigue could translate to disgust and hatred. In a country of about 360 million people, it puzzles ICHEOKU that the Clintons and the Bushes would think that they are the only ones knowledgeable enough to direct affairs in America. The Bushes have been forced out and the Clintons need to also go as well. 

ICHEOKU awaits the launch of the book of fantasies, fallacies, falsehoods and rueful innuendos with some excitement to see what other additional made up story she told therein. But until she climbs down from her mounted horse of self hubris and looks in the mirror to see the "woman in the mirror" staring back at her, she will never know who it is that actually did her in; her arch nemesis, her own body double, her avatar, a woman similarly named Hillary Rodham Clinton.  

USA WINS CONCACAF CHAMPIONSHIP 2017, BEATS JAMAICA 2 - 1

ICHEOKU says congratulations to the coach Bruce Arena tutored United States Mens Soccer Team on winning CONCACAF 2017.

JEFF SESSIONS RECUSAL: THE FRUSTRATIONS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

ICHEOKU says President Donald John Trump is deservedly right in his beef against Attorney General Jeff Session for his rushed recusal from the ongoing witch-hunt Russia collusion investigation against the president. Anyone in the president's shoes would be; otherwise what is the use then of appointing one's own right hand men and women to certain positions, if such appointees cannot man up and do what is needed to ensure that the president is not unreasonably harangued by his detractors. Attorney General Jeff Sessions should have known when he accepted the appointment that the president expected that the ongoing witch hunt must stop and then help to stop it. But unfortunately, he removed himself from a glaring opportunity to help stop it with his rushed recusal. 

What difference then did it make, one would ask, that former Attorney General Lauretta Lynch is no longer running the Justice department if the president is still exposed to the same jeopardy which he would otherwise have had to deal with under the former Attorney General Lynch. How does anyone begin to understand why the president's own appointed Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who should understand certain subliminal messages not to expose the president to further certain avoidable risks including untold distractions, could so easily shirk away when at such risk first rear of its ugly head. ICHEOKU says his primary responsibility at the Justice Department is to ensure that the president is not unfairly targeted by the department nor treated differently by an already antagonistic department, whose former head somewhat colluded with the Hillary Clinton's campaign by meeting with her husband and chief surrogate Bill Clinton at an airport in Arizona.

A wing man of the president and then nominee for the position of the Attorney General of the United States of America would have told Congress, when asked if he would recuse himself, that he cannot in fairness answer the question right away without first studying the matter. That if anything is revealed going forward which makes it impossible for him to continue leading the investigation or that he cannot dispassionately supervise the investigation going forward, that he will then revisit the issue of recusal, advise himself according and act in the best interest of justice and fairness. That is how a seasoned, politically exposed  lawyer, would have responded to the question and not to so outrightly bind himself to a MUST recusal. ICHEOKU says it is obvious that his eagerness to land the job forced his volunteered recusal; without first studying its underlying ramifications. At least he would have anticipated such a scenario during the time leading to his nomination and confirmation hearing process and agreed with the president on the best way of navigating such crevice when it comes up. 

But no, he was baited and the president was left wondering what use then was his effort in getting Jeff Sessions appointed if he will not be there to at least somewhat get the president's back by preventing unfounded endless investigations. Had Sessions refused to recuse himself or refused to continue with the investigation and also refused to appoint an independent counsel, they all would have been within the purview of his powers and backed by numerous precedents set by his predecessors in office. 

In 1997, then Attorney General Janet Reno refused to appoint an independent counsel to investigate Democratic Party and Vice President Al Gore's Chinese fund raising money scandal;  and resisted every pressure mounted on her by the Republican Party to appoint an independent counsel to pursue the money scandal to its logical conclusion. She stood firm to the end and successfully pushed back demands for the investigation and did not comply with their demand. As recently as 2012 then Attorney General Eric Holder twice refused to investigate alleged criminal acts involving black voters in Philadelphia and also the Mexico gun running scandal known as Fast and Furious as well as numerous leaks of classified information. He stood firm and shot all the demands down despite the many outcries demanding for investigation and/or appointment of independent counsel to give them a second look. 

This is the minimum the president expected of his Attorney General Jeff Sessions; to at least develop some backbone and push back and not to capitulate to Democratic Party's pressure and then see where it all ends up. But to so hopelessly rush and throw in the white flag in surrender to the president's adversaries and antagonists, without a fight and much expected push back, amounts to capitulation and it was seen by the president as unbecoming of a man he considered one of his close lieutenants. If not his Attorney General, who else and the president is not asking anything out of the ordinary or that has never be seen or done before. 

The other issue most likely bothering the president is why the Justice Department singled him out for persecution since the alleged offense supposedly took place when he was a candidate for office and he was not the only candidate then running for office. So what is the logic of the Justice Department in still pursing the president for alleged Russian Collusion, which allegedly took place when he was a candidate for the office and one year later, nothing has been revealed or found. Meanwhile the other then candidate Hillary Clinton, whose criminal activities are screaming holy Molly for everyone to see, with over 33,000 deleted emails, smashed hardwares as well as millions of dollars which she received from the Russian Federation, is not being investigated.  Where is the fairness  and where is the justice and this is a Justice Department being led by the president's appointed Attorney General Sessions? 

This is the pain which the president feels; this is the apparent injustice which riles the president as he continuously wonders why give Hillary Clinton such a huge pass while continuously coming after him and singling him out as the bad guy offender or suspect? A matter which would made more sense had former Attorney General Lauretta Lynch still be in charge and calling the shots at the Justice Department. But it is Jeff Sessions that is calling the shots, an appointee of the president and the president cannot seem to get a break or at least a fair shake. 

President Trump wanted Attorney General Sessions to man up and cover the flank from the Justice department and not to leave that angle of pointy attacks leaking. It is obvious that the president cannot be left to single handedly continue to defend against all the wars of attrition which the leftist Democrats have mounted and could use some help of the Attorney General by not letting his detractors drive their dagger through frivolous investigations. This is the crux of the matter, the reason the president is showing signs of frustrations and somewhat rueful that he appointed Jeff Sessions the Attorney General and not some other person who would have met the challenge head-on and not chicken out at the slightest push. This is understandable as ICHEOKU would have since acted differently if in the president's shoes. Hopefully both men can find the magnanimity to sit down over their own version of "Obama beer garden summit" and hash out whatever it is that may still be sore between them and then move on with project Make America Great Again. 

There is nothing that would delight the far left more than to see a split inside Team MAGA and the president must take this into consideration in continuing whatever beef he may have against Jeff Sessions. The Session mistake has been made and only an amendment going forward will heal broken bones and there is no need exacerbating the matter. ICHEOKU like so many irredeemable deplorables likes Jeff Sessions, admitted would sign unto whatever the president decides as a way out and moving forward from the current  impasse. But the devil one knows is better than the stranger angel and ICHEOKU prays the presidents factors this in too in making this final decision; aware that what could replace Session might be a worser Sessions. 

The president must also be wary of the difficulty of a confirmation hearing which might pit the president against an unfriendly Senate, which will be angry that one of their own was treated shabbily and might want to take their own pound of flesh. Thankfully, Jeff Sessions' tone that "the President of the United States is a strong leader. He has had a lot of criticisms and he is steadfastly determined to get his job done and he wants all of us to do our jobs and that's what I intend to do" is somewhat reconciliatory. ICHEOKU agrees that the president probably just wants Attorney General Jeff Sessions to be up to speed and not slow the president's agenda and expectations of him down; and does not necessarily want to see him leave the Justice Department. ICHEOKU prays of a good outcome that will still retain Sessions and a satisfied president forgives the recusal and then move on to doing what he does best - Making America Great Again. 

I DID NOT COLLUDE WITH THE RUSSIANS - JARED KUSHNER

"When my father-in-law decided to run for president, I served his campaign the best I could, because I believe in him and his ability to improve the lives of all Americans. 

And now, serving the president and the people of the United States has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work on important matters such as Middle East peace and reinvigorating America's innovative spirit. Every day, I come to work with enthusiasm and excitement for what can be. 

I have not sought the spotlight. First in business, and now in public service, I have always focused on setting and achieving goals and have left it to others to work on media and public perception.

Since the first questions were raised in March, I have been consistent in saying that I was eager to share any information I have with the investigating bodies, and I have done so today. The record and documents I have voluntarily provided will show that all of my actions were proper and occurred in the normal course of events of a very unique campaign. 

Let me be very clear: I did not collude with Russia, nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so. I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses, and I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information. 

Donald Trump had a better message and ran a smarter campaign, and that is why he won. Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him. It is an honor to work with President Trump and his administration as we take on the challenges that he was elected to face: creating jobs for American people, keeping America safe and eliminating barriers to achieving the American dream.

Thank you very much, and I look forward to taking questions from the House committee tomorrow."