Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program

COVID-19 Pandemic and Opportunity for Government and Corporate Partnerships to Jump Start the Economy

With the spread of the COVD-19 pandemic into our communities, many small business owners have been totally devastated and many have closed down and may never open or recover with substantial assistance from government loan programs and corporation partners dedicated to revitalize our economy. Under these circumstances it is extremely important to ensure that our small and micro-business owners that are major employers that sustain our communities succeed. 

ICMS, Inc has a proven track record of evaluating and assisting small and micro-enterprises to start and run their businesses successfully.  

We are seeking committed corporate and government business partners to further our business cause of helping the self-employed grow and sustain their business passion. We ask lending banks and government agencies offering government recovering assistant loans to support our Micro-Enterprises Assistance Program by sponsoring a business evaluation for a small business owner eligible for assistance today.

Contact us to see how we can partner to help jump start our small business community. Email us at okuret@gmail.com or icmsinc@aol.com

 

Many small entrepreneurs regularly take advantage of our expertise and technical assistance to turn their business dreams into business success. ICMS, Inc  helps big and small business owners write winning business plans, review their business operations and determine what constraints may be hindering their successful growth and financial performance. Meet some of our self employment clients:

Richard Bloomquist

Richard Bloomquist owns a sole proprietorship massaging business called Helping Hands (or HH). The business provides a supportive environment for individuals who need massage for its benefits in relaxing and as an alternative treatment to help in the recovery from specific medical conditions and injuries

Louis Vendetti

Louis Vendetti owns a business that creates and sell specialty promotion gifts and souvenir products to individual and business consumers. Customers can choose from a catalog list of over 600,000 specialty products and can have any graphic or image imprinted onto any product or component quickly and inexpensively.

Patricia Tanksle

 

Patricia Tanksley is self employed and the owner of "The Garden Keys" or (TGK). She owns and operate a flower shop stemming from her passion and love for floral design and gift basket making. She puts together floral designs for friends, relatives and church members for major holidays as well as weddings, anniversaries, and funerals

Dr. Okure and Edward Borowsky

Edward Borowsky is professionally certified as a tool-sharpener. He owns a small business called TEJEM Sharpening Service (or TEJEM). The business sharpens all types of equipment and tool blades such as circular and chain saw blades, clipper blades, carbide equipment, and routers and drill bits.

Dr. Okure and Charles Hartman

Charles Hartman used to be a professional bowler. He now runs a small business called “Chucks Bowling and Sports Emporium” (CBSE) which sells bowling balls and bowling related equipment and supplies, including sports trophies and other types of sports equipment.

Richard Bloomquist and Dr. Okure

Billy Searles owns and operates a small business called Adirondack Woodcrafts. He uses a variety of woodworking tools including saws, sanders, drill sets, hammers, plane and chisel sets to make and sale woodcrafts such as birdhouses, picnic tables, business signs and a variety of holidays gift products based on catalog designs.


For technical assistance on how we might help you grow your business, email us at okuret@gmail.com or icmsinc@aol.com


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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D President and CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS, Inc). The information included in this article may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy advisor and commentator and a change advocate.

Business Planning and Assessment Services

At Inter-Continental Management Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc) we provide a broad range of business and management consulting services in addition to a host of other technical assistant support services. Our services are designed to help simplify the complex managerial and technical problems that our clients face in their daily operations.

At ICMS, Inc "the success of your business is our business" and we seek to build a lasting relationship with you and your organization that will be a foundation to your continued business growth and success.  Below is an overview of our customized business planning and assessment services:

Custom Made Business Plan

If you fail to effectively plan for your business success, you are planning to fail in your business venture. At ICMS, Inc we specialize in developing custom business plans for new startups and expanding businesses. At your request, we will work with your company to develop a comprehensive business plan that will be ready for the review of your investors in a timely manner.

Planning ahead is not an easy process especially because you cannot readily get a feedback as to its value. Nevertheless, when you start planning for the success of your business, the objective and advantages of planning become clearer. Planning enables you to deal with unforeseen circumstances that may suddenly plunge your business into a sudden difficult situation through no fault of your own. Planning for all types of eventualities that may confront your business allows you to deal with them in a rational manner and still reach your objective in spite of temporary setbacks. On the other hand, failure to plan can spell disaster or bankruptcy for your business.

Planning to meet the funding requirements of your lenders and the unique circumstances of your company is a complex process. Developing a customized business plan requires an unwavering commitment of time and effort from everyone involved in the process. Our objective in any business planning engagement is to provide you with a quality business plan that will please you and your investors and mirror your unique operational circumstance. To achieve this goal, we have to create an effective partnership and working relationship with your firm that merges your business vision and experience with our expertise and insight to produce a winning business plan document for you.

Irrespective of the size or stage of your firm or the amount of capital you are seeking, we guarantee that we can tailor our experience and expertise to help your company to develop an effective plan. If you think you or your firm can benefit from developing a customized business plan, email us with your questions and a price quote for technical assistance.

 
Assessment and Review of Existing Business Plan

If your lender or investors have recently rejected your business loan application, your business plan may be flawed and needs to be reworked and strengthen before you reapply for funding from another lender. ICMS, Inc can review your existing plan and give you expert advice and ideas on ways to turn your existing plan into an effective plan. Our technical consultants will read your plan from cover to cover and make blunt and insightful recommendations to help you improve your plan to meet the expectation of your bank and investors. Our reviews include the following:
 

·        We provide a blunt critique and thorough analysis of each section of your business plan with substantive suggestions for improvement.

·        We ask probing questions to stimulate your thinking on various aspects of the plan that may need clarification from your investors.

·        We provide useful insights and suggestions to enable you to be well prepared to successfully defend your plan before your lenders and investors.

·        We edit your document and provide technical write-up of sections that need critical improvement to make your business plan arguments more effective.

·        We restructure sections of the plan document that are weak to strengthen your presentation.

·        We design an impressive cover page for your plan and provide you with binding assistance to ensure your document has a professional look.

If you think you or your firm can benefit from a thorough assessment of your existing plan, don't hesitate to email us with your questions and a price quote for technical assistance.

Request Technical Assistance

Request Advisory Services

A guide to help you determine if your business idea is feasible.

How To Determine Your Business Idea Is Feasible

By Tom Okure, Ph.D

ICMS, Inc. Reports

Dr. Okure is consulting with a business client

Deciding if your business idea has a profit potential can be a difficult endeavor, especially if you have never been self-employed before and don’t know how to research your idea. There are several proven steps that you can use to guide your research into the viability of your business idea.  

Below is a guide to help you determine if your business idea is feasible:

1. Create a profile of your potential paying customer.
2. Describe the features and benefits associated with the product or service offering.
3. Determine the target geographic market you plan to sell to in your first operating year.
4. Determine who your competitors are in your target market.
5. What are your competitors charging in your target market?
6. How low can you price your product or service to remain competitive?
7. List distinguishing product and service features that will attract customers to you.
8. Determine the current market or industry trends in your target area.
9. Determine the market's growth potential.
10. Determine how you plan to make potential customers know you exist.
11. What are your sales and revenue projections in your first year?
12. What government permits and approvals are needed to start your business?
13. Describe the process of manufacturing or producing your product.
14. Briefly describe your fulfillment process.
15. Determine your first-year production/manufacturing capacity.
16. Who are your potential suppliers?
17. What resources do you need to have in place before you start your business?
18. Determine your fixed and variable monthly operating costs to run your business.
19. What personal strengths and weaknesses are likely to impact your business operations?
20. Describe your contingency plans to enable you to buffer market /operational shocks.

Planning ahead is not an easy process, especially because you cannot readily get feedback as to its value. Nevertheless, when you start planning for the success of your business, the objective and advantages of planning become clearer.

Planning enables you to deal with unforeseen circumstances that may suddenly plunge your business into a difficult situation through no fault of your own. Planning for all types of eventualities that may confront your business allows you to deal with them in a rational manner and still reach your objective in spite of temporary setbacks. On the other hand, failure to plan can spell disaster or bankruptcy for your business.

If you are starting a business or have an existing business and think you or your firm can benefit from a thorough assessment of your business idea or existing plan, don't hesitate to contact us at icmsinc@aol.com or okuret@gmail.com with your questions and a price quote for technical assistance.

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc. (or ICMS Inc). ICMS, Inc, is a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York.

What is a “Not for Profit Organization or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and Does a Not for Profit Organization Need a Business Plan to Operate Effectively?

What is a “Not for Profit Organization or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

By Tom Okure, Ph.D
Date: August 12, 2015

A not for profit organization is defined as a type of organization that does not maximize profit or revenue for its owners. All of the funds (money) generated by or donated to the organization is dedicated to pursuing the mission of the organization. The United Nations defines a non-governmental organization (NGO), also commonly referred to as "civil society organization" (CSO) as a not-for-profit group, principally independent from government.  NGOs and CSOs are typically established on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good. An NGO is task-oriented and consist of individuals or members with a common interest or goal.

Not for profits organizations provide a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring public concerns to governments, and monitor public policy and program implementation by government and private institutions. Many NGOs and CSOs are organized around specific issues and encourage involvement of civil society stakeholders at the community level.

Operating a not for profit or NGO requires an unrelenting dedication, passion and a focused attitude or mindset towards achieving a mission. Whether the mission is to save endangered animals, combat climate change, or feed the homeless, it is nevertheless necessary to have a business mindset in operating the NGO if it is to succeed in its objectives.

Does a Not for Profit Organization Need a Business Plan?

Definitely yes.  A “Not for Profit organization or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)” needs a viable business plan in order to grow and succeed in it's mission, even if the owners are not expecting to generate large revenue as a profit maximizing business.  

Refugees from Nigeria queue to get water
at the Minawao camp in Cameroon.

If you fail to effectively plan for your business or organizations success, you are planning to fail in your business or organizational mission.  A good and carefully thought out business plan is the foundation to any business or NGOs continued growth and success. 

A viable business plan for a Not for Profit organization should cover many topics especially the organizations plan for a steady cash flow, that is how the Not for Profit organization plans to raise funds to support its mission including a realistic plan to support staff salaries and manage fixed costs such as rental etc. 

Planning ahead is not an easy process especially because you cannot readily get a feedback as to its value. Nevertheless, when you start planning for the success of your business, the objective and advantages of planning become clearer. Planning enables you to deal with unforeseen circumstances that may suddenly plunge your business into a sudden difficult situation through no fault of your own. Planning for all types of eventualities that may confront your business allows you to deal with them in a rational manner and still reach your objective in spite of temporary setbacks. On the other hand, failure to plan can spell disaster or bankruptcy for your business.

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Read more on how to sucessfully operate a not for profit and where to get help to develop a viable business plan: 

Nonprofit Success Depends on Your Business Mindset

Non Governmental Organizations

ICMS, Inc: Business Planning and Assessment Services

Small Businesses and the Impact of Rising Oil Prices

As oil prices rise sharply, so are the prices of everything that we consume and depend on including the price of basic food products in grocery stores, the price of gasoline to fuel our automobiles, the price of travel tickets for airlines and bus fares, the price of eating out in restaurants etc. The price of crude oil has increased more than 20 percent since the beginning of 2011, rising from about $90 per barrel of Brent crude, the benchmark for the industry to over $110. We have not witnessed such a significant increase in crude oil prices since the fall of 2008 when steep oil prices coupled with the collapse of the stock market resulted in the world economic recession that we are yet to recover from.

There is genuine fear today that the civil unrest we are witnessing in the Middle East may persist and we could witness a sustained disruption in the world's oil supply. Every slight price increase in the cost of fuel at the gas station, translates into a reduction of billions of consumer spending power in the economy which in turn reduces the ability of consumers to spend money in their favorite community’s places such as restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, craft shops etc. Monies siphoned away from consumers at the gas pump end up instead with large transnational oil companies and their oil producing host country partners, thereby reducing economic activity in our local communities.

Given that roughly two-thirds of economic activity in our communities is triggered by consumer spending, the recent spike in the price of crude oil is becoming a major concern to small business owners. Consumer surveys suggest a direct correlation between consumer low confidence and reluctance to spend and the sharp increase in fuel/oil prices. Many small business owners are becoming increasingly concerned as the price of crude oil goes up because it is affecting their businesses adversely by reducing their purchasing power for their inputs for production and their financial bottom line. Small businesses, which the government says are the engine of growth in the economy because the generate over 70 percent of the nation's jobs, have been especially affected adversely because each penny in rising oil prices translates into higher transportation fuel surcharge costs for their businesses.

Small business owners have no choice but to absorb the rising cost of oil through sharp increases in fuel surcharges from transportation companies they depend on to deliver their products. Utility companies are also adding fuel surcharges to their electric bills. Small service businesses like taxi companies, plumbing and electrical companies, carpet-cleaning companies etc has witnessed their cost of fueling their cars and service trucks go up sharply since the civil protests in the Middle East began. The cost of doing business is going up for these small businesses as gasoline powers the trucks and cars the utilize daily to service customer transportation needs, customer plumbing needs, carpets and upholstery cleaning needs, fast food deliver needs etc. In many small businesses, the largest expense after payroll is typically transportation related costs.

Many business owners are trying not to pass the higher fuel cost onto customers, but not doing so is cutting sharply into their business profits and bottom line. Even businesses such as restaurants, fast food outlets, sports bars that don't utilize their personal transportation are feeling the pinch of higher oil prices. Their business owners are seeing the prices of all the goods the obtain from their vendors rise sharply with the rising price of oil. The vicious cycle of manufacturers and wholesalers trying to make their money back some way means that they pass their rising cost to the small business owner who in turn either absorbs the cost or passes it on to the ultimate consumer.

Small businesses and retailers of electronics goods derived from factories in East Asia may also witness a slow down in demand and an increase in their inventories if oil becomes more expensive as the cost of transporting consumer electronics from factories in Asia and the cost of the raw materials employed in producing the electronic gadgets rise. As the cost of shipping electronic goods from the Far East to the United State rise, retailers of electronic products are likely to raise prices on cell phones, laptops, television sets etc, discouraging consumers, already feeling the impact of the ongoing recession, from purchasing or upgrading their electronic gadgets.

Consumers protest higher prices of goods they consume simply by not parting with their money and cutting back on consumption. When consumers cut back on consuming various products sold by small businesses, economic activity slows down in our communities. Rising fuel prices are impacting on the way small business owners are doing business. Those small business owners who are able to successfully devise strategies to cut other costs to compensate for rising fuel and transportation costs will survive with reduced sales and profits and seeing their operating costs rise. Others may be forced to cut back on expansion plans or delay hiring new employees or may even be forced to close down their operations if the price of oil continues to rise and the upheaval in the Middle East is not resolved in the near future.

Lowest Gas Prices in Albany

Albany Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com

Nigeria's Centenary Celebrations

Amalgamation Proclamation by Lord Lugard

Nigeria is planning an elaborate series of events to commemorate and celebrate the nation's 100 years of existence. According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim,“The centenary celebration will provide all Nigerians the opportunity to share in Nigeria’s story of freedom, achievements and aspirations as well as showcase the country in proper perspective to the world.” The celebrations will be funded through a partnership of the organized Nigerian private sector and interested international investors with no financial support from the Federal Government. The celebration is scheduled to start on February 4, 2013 and will be ongoing for about 20 months providing the opportunity to put in place what is referred to as legacy projects intended to set Nigeria on a renewal path. The celebrations will highlight Nigeria’s history including the British amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates of Nigeria by Lord Lugard who was the British colonial representative at the time. The amalgamation formally gave birth what we know of today as the country of Nigeria.

Of particular significance as part of the legacy projects are plans to erect a new City Gate in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital; the development in Abuja of a Centenary City which is expected to attract private investments estimated at $15 billion and the creation of more than 15,000 jobs. Each of Nigeria’s state will benefit from the legacy projects through the building of a unity square in each state and in the establishment of medical diagnostic centers in each of the six geo-political zones of the country. Many other economic and infrastructural enhancing investments are planned as part of the centennial celebrations. These include the following:

• ICT centers in all universities that do not current have one; 
• a modern library in a university in each of the zones;
• police crime laboratories, one in each of the zones; 
• building and renovation of sports facilities in each of the federal universities as well as renovation, naming or renaming of colonial sites in the country. 

There are also plans to renovate and upgrade the National War Museum in Umuahia, Colonial History museums in Lokoja and Aba, the National Museum inside the Old Residency in Calabar and establishment of a dialysis center in each of the zones. The plans for the development of the Abuja Centenary City are quite ambitious. According to Senator Anyim, the new town, would be a replica of Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen, Singapore and lately Songdo. The Centenary City would occupy virgin land space totaling over 1,000 hectares along Abuja Airport Road. The land for Centenary City will be acquired in accordance with the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Land Swap Agreement. The Centenary City is designed to be “the second largest ‘private city’ development in history, after Songdo International Business District in South Korea.

The theme of the centenary celebrations as stated by Anyim is “One Nigeria: Great Promise and Mission To Re-inspire the Unity of Nigeria,” and is packaged to show case Nigeria to the world, depicting her past, present and future while highlighting the rich heritage in cultures, languages, ethnic diversity and yet, unity in diversity. Why celebrate? Anyim pointed out several reasons. Nigeria has the largest and most vibrant parliament in Africa, in tandem with other maturing political institutions with deep and rich traditions. Nigeria is also the largest black nation and the seventh most populous nation in the world. The celebration is needed among other reasons to promote the essence and advantages of our unity.

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All rights reserved by Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc). The information included in this publication may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy commentator and change advocate.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are Trending in the United States

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are Trending in the United States

Author: Tom Okure, Ph.D

Date: July 16, 2015

Did You Know That …. Electric vehicles are trending and are the wave of the future?  Yes, you heard it from me, and if you are an electric car owners you are part of a small but steadily growing community in the United States.  

Tanger Factory Outlet

Public records indicates that there are over 10,003 electric vehicle (EV) stations and 25,874 charging outlets excluding privately owned stations in the United States.  Many state governments, shopping malls etc., are recognizing the trend and investing in electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid charging stations.  

Greensboro, North Carolina-based Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. recently announced that in addition to its electric vehicle charging stations in its Deer Park and Riverhead Tanger Outlets, it plans to create a network of 23 electric vehicle charging stations at Tanger locations across the country.  

Colonie Center, Albany NY

New York State Governor Cuomo recently announced that New York State will install more than 360 electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid charging stations across the state as part of what he termed the Charge NY initiative. The initiative is spearheaded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and plans to establish a statewide network of up to 3,000 public and workplace charging stations over a period of five years and to put up to 40,000 plug-in vehicles on the road during the period.

Some proactive shopping malls like “Colonie Center” in Albany, New York have already set up dedicated and well-marked electric vehicle plugin charging stations in their parking lot dedicated to electric vehicles.  

Colonie Center, Albany New York
electric vehicle plugin charging station

There are other electric vehicle charging stations in the New York Capital District. This writer found four dedicated spots at Niskayuna ShopRite supermarket for electric vehicles. There are also charging stations in Malta, New York at the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park and also at the HVCC Tec-Smart facility.  Other facilities in Albany, New York can be found in Guilderland at NYSERDA and in downtown Albany at the Holiday Inn Express.

One last note. A dedicated and well-marked electric vehicle plugin charging station is highly recommended when seting up a charging station to prevent non-electric car owners from blocking the charging stations…….Now You Know

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All rights reserved by Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc). The information included in this publication may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy commentator and change advocate. 

Rivers State Sole Administrator Ibot-Ete Ibas meets with traditional rulers and sets the tone (intentions) for his administration

I will not condone excuses for any disorder in any community, Ibot-Ete warns traditional rulers!

ICMS, Inc. Reports

by Tom Okure, Ph.D

Meeting Excerpts

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The newly appointed Rivers State Sole Administrator, retired Nigerian Navy Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas CFR, has arrived in Rivers State to resume his duties following Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's suspension of the elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara after declaring a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. 

Ibok-Ete Ibas CFR after confirmation and
swearing in by President Bola Tinubu

In his official broadcast to the nation on 18 March 2025, President Bola Tinubu, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended the incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and also all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. During his speech President Tinubu indicated: “𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐌𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢 𝐅𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲, 𝐌𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐠𝐨𝐳𝐢 𝐎𝐝𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐱 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬." The President in the same speech nominated the retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Interim Administrator of the state's affairs noting specifically that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas would not "𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐛, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞." 

In his first official meeting with some traditional rulers in Rivers State, the new sole administrator made several important remarks during his interaction with the traditional rulers.

Administrator Ibok-Ete Iba's first meeting
with Rivers State traditional rulers 

He noted that he recognized that the task ahead of maintaining order cannot be achieved in isolation, because traditional institutions are a vital partner in his mission and traditional institutions are the bridge between government and the people and "the custodians of our values and the mediators in times of conflict." He further noted that the wisdom, influence, and leadership of traditional rulers are indispensable in the collective efforts that will be required to de-escalate tensions, foster unity, and rebuild trust amongst the rivers state people. He warned traditional rulers to shun all acts of partisanship in their speeches or body language and insisted they have to remain a neutral and impartial abita respected by all for their fairness and integrity. Ibok-Ete stated that traditional rulers must not condone any acts of vandalism or any form of illegality, and he indicated that traditional rulers must promote the common good of the river's people and should report all forms of illegality or abuse to the relevant authorities. He urged traditional rulers to set up local and traditional institutions that promote peace and unity in their respective domains to open up communication lines with their communities to gather information. He urged them to protect the sources of their intelligence in their role in community policing. The new administrator noted that he expects the input of traditional rulers to the state through their councils or other channels he plans to establish. Community policy is one of the key strategies Ibok-Ete stated that he plans to use to restore peace and security in the state.

A traditional ruler welcomes Ibok-Ete
as the new administrator of the state 

He also emphasized that his administration "would not condone excuses for any disorder in any community." He expects traditional rulers to control their domains to ensure peace and stability prevail. This is because traditional rulers are the first line of defense against lawlessness and their leadership is crucial in maintaining order. Administrator Ibot-Ete further noted that his administration will be open to any useful suggestions and security intelligence from traditional rulers aimed at improving the way things are done, as traditional rulers' inputs will be invaluable in shaping the administration policies and strategies He closed his meeting remarks to the traditional rulers by references his statewide broadcast speech the previous day to the state where he noted that "the journey ahead may be challenging but together we can rebuild trust, restore stability and protect the future of our state" This Ibok-Ete indicated can only be accomplished by putting aside our differences and working as one family united by our love for River State and our shared desire for progress. Watch the video that follows for a comprehensive view of the new administrator's meeting with Rivers State's traditional rulers.  

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Background of Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas 

Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, MSc is a retired Nigerian Navy Vice Admiral. Records indicate that he was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko Cross River State, formerly the South Eastern State of Nigeria. In 1966, he started his primary school education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School in 1971 in Calabar. He attended the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute Calabar from 1972 to 1976 for his secondary education. Between 1977 and 1979, he attended the School of Basic Studies Ogoja before proceeding to further his education in 1979 at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Rivers State Sole Administrator
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR

His military career began when he enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983. He was the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021 and has been serving as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State since 18 March 2025, after Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended by President Bola Tinubu after declaring a state of emergency in the state. 

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D. CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc. (or ICMS Inc.). ICMS, Inc., is a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York  

Nigeria’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program to the poor and COVID-19 pandemic. Who are the beneficiaries in your Community?

ICMS, INC EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Are you aware of Nigeria’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program in Akwa Ibom State?

ICMS, Inc Reports

By Tom Okure, PhD

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Nearly half of Nigeria’s total population lives in extreme poverty. Nigerian Federal government says it has been working towards improving the poverty situation in the country, but most experts say 

government plans are inadequate and unsustainable. Last year in 2019, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in a report released in New York stated that poverty in Nigeria had risen from 86 to 98 million in ten years.  Nigeria has a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program that has been in place since December 2016 that is designed to bring poor Nigerians out of poverty.

President Buhari announced that conditional cash
payments (CCT) would be paid to poor
and vulnerable household in Nigeria

With the spread of the COVD-19 pandemic into Nigeria, efforts to cushion the extreme poor in Nigerian has become even more urgent. Abuja, Lagos, Uyo etc and many other cities in Nigeria are currently under a two week shut down and citizens all over the country are suffering because of the shut down and lack of economic activity. Many residents of major cities are starving because they have nothing to eat. The situation is made much worse because of poor and intermittent supply of electricity and lack of proper refrigeration to preserve foodstuff by most households.  Experts say that the situation in all cities are going to get worse until gradual economic activity is restored. Even where limited and controlled market and shopping economic activity has has been implemented, like in Lagos, residents complain that it is limited and ineffective because they are unable to buy any real food stuff items except limited non perishable items. In a recent televised national broadcast, President Buhari announced that conditional cash payments (CCT) would be paid to poor and vulnerable household in the lock down states of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT.

According to the Nigerian government “Beneficiaries are entitled to N5, 000 every month; however, the payment of N20, 000 now to each beneficiary is for four mouths. “It is going to happen all over the country, but we are starting with FCT, Lagos and Ogun. These are the frontline states. Other states will follow.” (See Link: Conditional Cash Transfer: FG doles out N20, 000 each to 5, 000 in FCT).

Did You Know!

That Nigeria’s N5,000 monthly cash transfer payment program has been ongoing since 2016? Is this Federal cash transfer program being implanted in Akwa Ibom State...and if so, what ministry is administering this program and how are the poor being selected to benefit from this program? Do you know any person in Akwa Ibom State benefiting from this poverty elimination program?  

Has any AKSG or Local government officials visited your village over the past two to four years to identify and collect the names of poor people especially poor people considered very vulnerable including widows, the aged, disabled individuals and those with chronic diseases and unemployed?  Do you know or are you aware of where Akwa Ibom State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU) or office is located?

State Implementation of Conditional Cash Transfer Program

A National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) under the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria is responsible for implementing Nigeria’s CCT program and is the primary intervention arm of what is termed the National Social Safety Nets Project. In order to generate needed data to capture the Nigerian poor and vulnerable in the country a National Social Registry (NSR) was also created by the Federal Government. CCT program is a component of National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) which is supported by the World Bank, to provide financial support to targeted poor and vulnerable Nigerian households.

While the National NCTO mandate is to distribute the targeted cash transfer across the country, Nigerian States like Akwa Ibom State implement the federal CCT program at the state level through the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU). SCTU manages and coordinates the targeted cash transfer and livelihood intervention. Each local government area establishes a cash transfer team to implement activities at the community level. (See link State Implementation….National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO). 

Since the CCT program implementation in December 2016

 “Every two months, the federal government disburses nearly N3 billion to the beneficiaries. But with millions of outstretched hands in need of financial assistance, the cash transfer scheme has turned into a lottery.”…. “The N5, 000 monthly cash transfer is ultimately to bring the recipients out of poverty.  

NCTO showing CCP payments in Anambra State

But since December 2016 that the payment started, only 297, 973 caregivers are currently being paid in what appears as a drop in the ocean. Estimations suggest that about 87 million Nigerians – 44 percent of the country’s population of 196 million – live below the International Poverty Line of $1.90 (N684) a day.” (See Link: INVESTIGATION: Poorest Nigerians deprived of federal government’s cash transfer)

President Muhammadu Buhari has always reiterated his commitment to lifting millions of Nigerians from poverty. The president has repeatedly stated that:

"Our ongoing social intervention programs continue to target these vulnerable groups through the ongoing school feeding program, government economic empowerment program, ... job creation program loans for traders and artisans, conditional cash transfers to the poorest families,"

“Buhari's lofty goal is to alleviate 100 million Nigerians from poverty within the next decade. But experts say to increase the Poverty Escape Rate in the country, economic growth must remain steady and population growth controlled.” (Source: Nigerian Authorities to Alleviate Millions From Extreme Poverty)

Information Worth Knowing!

COVID-19 Virus and CCT Payments

Buhari in a recent nationwide broadcast stated that the payment is a government measure to cushion the effect of the lock down of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT on the poor and vulnerable households. 

President Buhari announced that conditional cash payments (CCT)
would be paid to poor and vulnerable household in the lock down
 states of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT

“As we know, the CCT is for poor and vulnerable households in the country. “Beneficiaries are entitled to N5, 000 every month; however, the payment of N20, 000 now to each beneficiary is for four mouths. “It is going to happen all over the country, but we are starting with FCT, Lagos and Ogun. These are the frontline states. Other states will follow. “With the current pandemic and circumstances on ground, this amount will go a long way to support the families in their daily lives. “Today, we are giving out N20, 000 each to about 190 beneficiaries in Kwali Area Councils. The total beneficiaries in FCT are 5, 000,’’ Farouq said. (See link: Conditional Cash Transfer: FG doles out N20, 000 each to 5, 000 in FCT).

After the president Buhari’s national broadcast, the “National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) has clarified that only one million vulnerable Nigerian households on the National Social Register (NSR) would get the N20,000 relief fund from the Federal Government to cushion the impact of the lockdown necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic.” National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) is under the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and is the intervention arm of the National Social Safety Nets Project.

This report is part of ICMS, Inc Report’s educational and Now You Know Information series and is designed to keep the public informed on government public policy they ought to be aware of.

Links for additional reading:

National Cash Transfer Office
Conditional Cash Transfer: FG doles out N20, 000 each to 5, 000 in FCT
INVESTIGATION: Poorest Nigerians deprived of federal government’s cash transfer
Nigerian Authorities to Alleviate Millions From Extreme Poverty

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D President and CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS, Inc). The information included in this article may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy advisor and commentator and a change advocate.

President Trump's Call for Iran Regime Change Is An Impossible Mission According to Iran's Foreign Minister

Iran Regime Change Is An Impossible Mission According to Iran's Foreign Minister

ICMS, Inc. Reports

By Tom Okure, Ph.D

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi states that the United States' President's call for regime change is ‘mission impossible.’

In an interview with the US NBC media outlet, the Iranian foreign minister reacts to United States and Israeli strikes in Iran as unprovoked and unjustified. 

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Link to the full interview with NBC News:  https://youtu.be/FpMdBT3jVH4?si=-12oVpPkzr1Dq0Yu

In the televised video, we see Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking live with NBC News from Tehran. In the interview, Abbas Araghchi argues that the United States cannot force regime change in Iran, calling the idea “mission impossible.”

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is still alive "as far as I know," the country's foreign minister said in an exclusive interview with NBC News. Speaking live after the joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel, Abbas Araghchi said two commanders had died, but senior officials in the regime had survived the joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel.

Why this interview matters

• This interview captures Iran’s official stance during a rapidly escalating conflict.
• It also reveals how Iran plans to project strength and stability despite international pressure.
• It further highlights the widening gap between official Iranian messaging and public sentiment, especially among Iranians commenting online.

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D. CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc. (or ICMS Inc.). ICMS, Inc., is a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York