Abuja Nigeria: Court of Appeals Nullifies Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election, Orders Fresh Election Within 90 Days.

ICMS, Inc News Journal

By Tom Okure, PhD
Date: December 19, 2015
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According to media sources in Nigeria, a five man panel of the Court of Appeals sitting in Abuja, Nigeria has ordered a fresh governorship election in Akwa Ibom state. The lead judge of the panel, Justice Adedotun Adefope Okojie who delivered the court decision on Friday November 18, 2015 in Abuja indicated that the court’s decision was based on what the court termed “substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.”

The appellate court also set aside the decision of the October 21, Election Petition Tribunal for the governorship election by nullifying the entire prior election in the state and ordering fresh elections in the state within 90 days.

The appellate court noted that the governorship elections in the state was not properly conducted as required by the law.  It indicated that the onus was on the respondents, Governor Emmanuel (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prove that there was substantial compliance. It also stated among other things, that the election tribunal was wrong by laying the whole burden of proof on the petitioners, saying “whichever way one looks at it, facts show that votes recorded at the end of the election were far in excess of the total number of accredited voters.” Consequently, according to the reasoning of the Appeals Court, the tribunal was wrong in holding that non-compliance was not substantial to warrant the nullification of the entire election.….Watch Video and Read more:

Other links Related To This News:

Nigerian Vanguard
PDP Kicks as a Court Nullifies Akwa Ibom Governship Election

Nigerian Daily Post

Court Of Appeal Rules Against Akwa Ibom Governor/

Premium Times

Appeal Court Sacks Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel and Nullifies Entire Election

Clash between Nigerian Army and Islamic Movement for Nigeria (IMN) result in more than a 100 people dead and United States request the Nigerian government to investigate the Incident.

ICMS, Inc Reports
By Tom Okure, PhD
Date: December 16, 2015

The United States through its Embassy in Abuja has requested the Nigerian government to investigate the recent clashes between the Nigerian army and a Shi'ite Muslim sect in the northern part of Nigeria that resulted in over a hundred people killed.

Initial confrontation with the sect is alleged to have begun on Saturday with Islamic Movement for Nigeria (IMN) in the northern town of Zaria. The Nigerian Army claims it was provoked by members of the Islamic sect. The army also confirms it lost some soldiers during raids it conducted on the sect.

Major General Adeniyi Oyebade of the Nigerian Army indicated in a briefing to Newspaper reporters on Monday that the sect leader Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife have been arrested are safe in the army custody after the army raided three locations of the sect. the sect leader Zakzaky, was taken into custody in the northern city of Zaria, in Kaduna State. The sect is protesting the arrest and demanding the release of its leader. Read more...

Follow these links 

Nigerian Shiites Say Soldiers have killed hundreds

Iran Condemns Nigerian Army Attack on-Nigerian Shiites

Watch Videos

Shiites Blocked the public road and refused access to the Nigerian Army chief's convoy, after some senior officers pleaded with them to grant the Army chief's convoy road access:

Achieving Individual and Functional Independence With Innovative Technology

The Wonders of Innovative Technology…Achieving individual and functional independence with the use of customized technology

LIKE ➡ S. Saint

Posted by S. Saint on Saturday, December 12, 2015

Tanzania’s New President President John Magufuli is Leading by Example

An Exemplary African Leader
Tanzania’s New President John Magufuli is Leading by Example
By Tom Okure, PhD
December 9, 2015

John Magufuli who is Tanzania's newly elected President, led his people today in cleaning the streets of Dar es Salaam to mark his country's independence day. Stating that it would be a 'shameful' waste of public funds while people are dying of cholera, he cancelled the usually lavish Independence Day celebrations and instead ordered Tanzanians to clean-up their neighborhoods.

Dressed casually and wearing a hat and gloves, the president accompanied hundreds of people in sweeping the streets of Dar es Salaam and picking up rubbish in the city.  The scene was replicated across the country, with schools and shops remaining shut as people swept streets, pruned trees, and tidied up their areas from the crack of dawn.

Mr Magufuli said last month that it would be shameful to spend huge sums of money on the independence celebrations when cholera was kiling Tanzanians. He stated that Cholera has killed about 60 people in Tanzania over the last three months in poor areas which lack proper toilets. Since he was elected in October this year, Mr Magafuli has been nicknamed "The Bulldozer" Watch the Video:

No respite for aid workers as refugees continue to flood into Europe

With Europe tightening asylum qualifications to only those nations where there is open warfare, those whose applications fail will be classed as economic migrants, not refugees. In Greece on the flashpoint border with the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia people from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan are being bussed away after there were fears of violence between them and migrants who are stranded because their home countries are merely poor, not war-torn...Read more No Respite For Aid Workers As Refugees Continue To Flood Into Euripoe

African Cities Facing Climate Change

Many African towns have problems with electricity cuts but the solution is right there, solar panels. Vincent Kitio, a representative from the UN-Habitat agency, confirmed that their use is becoming more widespread:

 “I was very surprised to find in a small village in Burkina-Faso shops selling solar panels. These panels came from China and were on sale in the village shops. This means that we are finding ourselves more and more in a period of energy change because these panels are affordable and there is a demand. People are therefore turning to these new methods.”......Read more African Cities Facing Climate Change

THE DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF IKOT EKPENE-ITU-CALABAR FEDERAL HIGHWAY

NIGERIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; AKWA IBOM STATE ANS CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENTS PAST AND PRESENT 

WHAT IS THE EXCUSE FOR THIS SITUATION OF HUMAN SUFFERING? 

Cry My Beloved Country Nigeria!!!..... Watch the accompaning Video to this commentary and please comment and share your views.

The video and pictures are provided courtesy of Imo Udoima and Ray Ugba Morphy. The video is a follow-up to my Commentary reproduced below on the terrible current situation in Ikot Ekpene/Itu/Calabar Road on November 8, 2015. 

The road condition has gotten so bad that a small boat transportation market has sprung up ferrying desperate and stranded passengers from Akwa Ibom State and the Cross River State from one end of the impassable federal interstate highway to the other end. 

COMMENTARY ON THE DEPLORABLE ROAD CONDITION OF IKOT EKPENE/ITU/CALABAR FEDERAL HIGHWAY 
By Dr. Tom Okure
Date: November 9, 2015

Acknowledgements: Video and Pictures Courtesy of Imo Udoima and Ray Ugba Morphy

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Picture Courtesy of Ray Ugba Morphy

I encountered or should I say suffered this same despicable Inhumane road situation in Ikot Ekpene/Itu/Calabar road during my home visit and research tour of Nigeria between March to end of May this year and wrote about it. 

Many other people have written about and called attention to this sickening road situation for more than 15 years with no result or adequate policy attention taken by both the state and federal governments responsible for maintenance of these roads. 

Picture Courtesy of Ray Ugba Morphy

Self interest and political corruption of elected office holders takes precedence over the delivery of basic infrastructural improvements to better the lives of citizens throughout the country. The same deplorable road situation is also witnessed in the Ikot Ekpene/Aba federal road and Aba/Port Harcourt interstate roads intended to connect the states. 

The result is that each state remains isolated and commerce or economic activity which triggers rapid social and economic development is stultified. When will our policy makers learn?What happened to the federal road contracts we heard about that was supposedly awarded by the Jonathan administration to correct this situation? What a shame and disgrace to the Nigerian government! Misplaced priority and misallocation of limited economic resources is costing Nigeria too much in human suffering. 

Picture Courtesy of Ray Ugba Morphy

Now that the oil fortunes we enjoyed just a year ago in terms of high inflow of budgetary revenues are gone, what will we do to trigger the takeoff in economic growth that we so badly need? Or are we (the masses) supposed to simply resign ourselves to a permanent state of misery and Underdevelopment?







Video by Imo Udoima of the Deplorable Road Condition Of the Akwa Ibom State and the Cross River State Inter-State Federal Highway

This is the road that leads to Calabar from Uyo...My Brother was a President of this Country for 6 years yet couldn't patvh a spot on this road..this is how it has degenerated to..yet some Charlatans are saying that He was the best for the Country...Thunder..........
Posted by Imo Udoima on Friday, November 6, 2015

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The Effects Of Climate Change Are Being Felt All Over The Planet, But Not Equally

"The effects of climate change are being felt all over the planet, but not equally"

By Kofi Annan
Source: africaprogresspanel.org

"The effects of climate change are being felt all over the planet, but not equally" - Kofi Annan

Posted by Africa Progress Panel on Friday, June 5, 2015

Sportlight on two important claiming tactics being changed regarding your social security benefits

ICMS, Inc Commentary and News Sportlight On Social Security Law
By Dr. Tom Okure
Date: November 4, 2015

U.S Congress

Two important claiming tactics are being changed regarding your social security and will result in millions possibly losing out on their benefits. The first major change is occurring in the “deemed filing” rule. More precisely, the change in the new law would make it so that deemed filing applies beyond full retirement age instead of applicable to only before full retirement age.

Another important change in the proposed law will affect the suspension of benefits claiming tactic currently in place. What this means is that for those individuals who suspend benefits more than 180 days after enactment of the proposed bill, the following facts will apply according to the bill that is being passed in Congress and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama:

• There will no longer be the option to retroactively unsuspend benefits (i.e., get a lump sum for benefits that would have been receiving during the period of suspension if you decide to unsuspend).
• You will no longer be able to receive benefits on anybody else’s work record while your benefits are suspended.
• Nobody else will be able to receive benefits on your work record while your benefits are suspended.

For background, the United States Department of the Treasury had cautioned Congress that it must raise the nation’s debt ceiling by Nov. 3 in order to avoid risking a default on the country’s debt. As a consequence, Congress recently reached an agreement with the White House to increase US spending by $80 billion through September 2017 and increase the federal government’s borrowing limit until mid-March 2017.

It is as part of the budget deal reached between Congress and the Whitehouse to prevent a default on the country’s debt that resulted in the elimination of this two very popular Social Security claiming strategies, which includes the file and suspend tactics.

Read more about the changes about to take effect in the near future…Key Social Security Strategies Hit By Budget Deal

Celebrating Exemplary Annang Public Servants of Ikot Ekpene Descent of the Past

Celebrating Exemplary Annang Public Servants of Ikot Ekpene Descent of the Past

Featuring Chief (Hon) Udo Udo Okure, OBE

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Chief Udo Udo Okure of Nto Umoton Abatekpe

Chief (Hon) Udo Udo Okure of Nto Umoton Abatekpe family group of Ikot Ekpene was a Public Service Commissioner in the former Eastern Regional Government of Nigeria (1960-67) with its capital in Enugu. He was a top government administrator, adviser and policy maker in the Eastern Nigerian Government.

As Public Service Commissioner, he traveled extensively abroad to recruit and bring back many highly qualified Eastern Nigerians who were living or studying abroad. He recruited, hired and mentored some prominent and renowned public administrators from Ikot Ekpene such as Mr. Asuquo Ekanem of Urukuso and Mr. Isang of Abiakpo etc. who later took up the mantle of top administrators and policy makers in former South Eastern State of Nigeria which later became Cross River State of Nigeria. 

In recognition of his outstanding public service to Nigeria and the former British Colonial Government, Queen Elizabeth 11 of England awarded Chief Udo Udo Okure the high honor award of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). The Order of the British Empire recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds.

After the military coup of January, 1966, which brought an end to civilian rule in Nigeria, Okure was reassigned and appointed as the First non-white Chairman of the then newly created Calabar Cement Company (CALCEMCO) by the then Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Shortly after the liberation of the mainland portion of South Eastern State of Nigeria, Chief Udo Udo Okure was also appointed by the then military Governor of the state, Governor Esuene to serve as the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee for Ikot Ekpene. This was the last public service post that Okure held prior to his death. As a result of a conspiracy to get rid of influential Annang tribesmen, Chief Okure and a number of prominent Annang heroes were arrested and detained during a rehabilitation plenary meeting. Okure was subsequently executed while in Nigerian military detention under the instructions of the area military commander Benjamin Adekunle (also known as Black Scorpion during the Biafra Nigerian civil was). 

After the South Eastern State of Nigeria was liberated, tribal and ethnic sentiments and rivalry between Ibibios and Annangs which had laid dormant during the war resurfaced. Competition for dominance resulted in the plot by Ibibio politicians to eliminate many prominent Annang elites using the military as a vehicle to eliminate opponents. Those who had access to the military field commanders like Benjamin Adekunle employed their services to victimize and murder those considered as potential political rivals.

The essence of Adekunle as a willing murderer solder was well known during the Nigerian civil war. In an interview he gave on August 1977 with a Vanguard newspaper correspondent Mr. Muyiwa Adetiba several weeks before his death, Adekunle appeared to have regretted his image as a legalized murderer soldier. Excerpts from the interview reveals his attitudinal change and regrets as follows:

 ‘’My killing days are over” …. ‘’Hitherto I had been labelled as a legalized murderer by the society called Nigerians …… Right now, I will do any job that will lead to the saving of souls of fellow Nigerians. Not that I regret my period as a soldier, or my killing days as some people would like to refer to it. But there are certain times when you need to do some reassessments. To be a soldier can be a curse in that you are branded. People look at you as if there is no good in you, as if you are just a blood-thirsty cannibal’’.

Read More About Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle

Benjamin Adekunle popularly known as “Black Scorpion” during the Nigerian Civil War, was Commander of the 3^rd  Marine Commando of the Nigeria Military troops during the civil War. Prior to his dead and over a period of more than five years, he had been particularly suffering from various debilitating ailments according to his son, Abiodun Adekunle, but most especially from memory lapses.

Follow this Link: My killing days are over – Benjamin Adekunle

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Umana Optimistic Of Victory, As Tribunal Resumes Thursday

By Ekele Peter Agbo
Date: Oct 7, 2015
Source: Copyright © 2015 Leadership Newspaper. All Rights Reserved

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After a two week adjournment, the Akwa Ibom governorship tribunal sitting in Abuja resumes Thursday to adopt written addresses by parties in the matter.

Umana Okon Umana

Candidate for the All Progressive Congress in the election, Umana Umana had approached the tribunal challenging conduct of the poll and declaration of Udom Emmanuel as winner.

At the last sitting, the Justice Sadiq Umar-led panel directed that the respondents should file and serve their final written addresses on the petitioners within seven days beginning from Monday, September 21, 2015, while the petitioners should file and serve their final written addresses on the respondents within four days.

In the sitting which lasted for about three months, the prosecution called over 60 witnesses.

The tribunal which was supposed to sit in Akwa Ibom, was relocated to Abuja, following reports of violence.

Shortly after that, one of the respondents in the matter, Udom Emmanuel, filed an application before the Justice Sadiq Umar led panel for it to be relocated back to Uyo, but the tribunal dismissed the application, while tagging other demands by Udom’s counsel as academic exercise that has been overtaken by events.

Justice Sadiq dismissed the motion in its entirety based on security implication which supports the provision in Paragraph 20(2) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act on accessibility.

The petitioner’s (Umana Umana & APC) team was led by Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, Sen Idta Enang with 10 others and for the 1st respondent (Udom Emmanuel) team was led by Paul Usoro, Offiong Offiong, SAN and 10 others, 2nd respondent (PDP) led by Adekunle Oyesanya and 4 others, while for the 3rd & 4th respondent (INEC & REC) was led by Tobechukwu Nweke.

The tribunal granted most of the requests sought by the petitioners during the sitting. Among them was the inspection of ballot papers used for the election. Forensic experts were called to inspect the materials. Testifying before the tribunal, the experts alleged that they found non human prints and multiple thumbprints on the cards. They said over 100,000 ballot papers had non-human prints. The ballot papers were later admitted in evidence. Other witnesses who testified for the prosecution insisted that elections did not hold in the state and that there was wide spread violence. They alleged that several people belonging to the opposition died in the violence. The governorship candidate also took the stand as witness. Video exhibits were used to show what transpired during the polls.

The tribunal saw videos showing Umana addressing the press and highlighting the case of election fraud in his polling unit on the day of election. The next video showed him having a discussion with the Electoral Officer who was confirming that election materials were indeed carted away. The third video showed a set of INEC ad hoc staff (youth corpers) stamping ballot papers behind INEC office days after the election. The 4th video showed a PDP Local Government Chairman presiding over a massive operation of ballot box stamping using thugs. The fifth video showed a police truck and an Akwa Ibom State Corporation bus allegedly used to cart away election materials and intimidate voters who dispersed in fear. The sixth video showed bandits caught with election materials. The seventh video showed a collation centre and how the marks were tallied and written on forms.

In his testimony, Umana maintained that there was no election in his ward and that he was unable to cast his vote. After Umana closed his case, Governor Udom Emmanuel opened defense, with witnesses who claimed that the election was peacefully conducted throughout the state.

The first defence witness, Dr. Bassey Asuquo told the tribunal that the election was conducted without violence and that he voted in the polls.

Led in evidence by Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) counsel to Governor Udom, the witness who claimed to be a medical scientist and polling agent of the PDP denied allegations of ballot boxes hijacking and any form of violence.

He said in his testimony that results were collated from all the 14 units in Uyo local government except in three units where he admitted that the election could not be conducted because of violence.

However under cross examination by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) counsel to the APC and its governorship candidate Chief Umana Okon Umana, the witness admitted that 941 votes were recorded for the PDP in the unit he claimed election did not hold.

The witness also read out results sheets from different units signed by one Joseph Okon Peter who claimed to be a collation agent of the PDP.

Other witnesses were Mr. Godwin Ndukude, Isaiah Abia and one Maxwell. In his evidence, Mr. Godwin Ndukude, a former commissioner for transport claimed that the election was free and fair and that he voted in the poll.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is the 2nd Respondent, on its part closed its defence abruptly after failing to call more witnesses at two previous sittings of the tribunal. The PDP had listed 23 witnesses. One of them, who is Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area and PDP chapter collation agent for the April 11,2015 Governorship election, Barr Chris Okorie contradicted himself when he denied ever knowing that Barr Emmanuel Enoidem was the PDP State Collation Officer of the PDP. He had earlier made two witness statements on oath before the tribunal, one as a witness to the 1st respondent where he admitted that he accompanied Enoidem from the Etim Ekpo Local Government Collation center to the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where the results were collated and declared and another where he deposed to on behalf of PDP of which he was cross examined as a witness.

After the PDP closed its case, the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open its defence on the allegation of aiding election malpractice.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Sadiq Umar, made the order after counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), announced that the party will not present additional witnesses originally listed to testify at the tribunal.

The Independent National Electoral Commission called four witnesses in the matter. The commission had listed a total of about 100 witnesses. One of INEC’s witnesses, Mr. Pius Nwankwo, the head of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department of INEC in Akwa Ibom State told the tribunal that his responsibility during the governorship election included oversight on the Card Reader.

Nwankwo told the Justice Umar-led panel that the Card Reader malfunctioned in most of the polling units in the state. On the challenges of the Card Reader, he stated that there were three problems that affected the use of the Card Reader. Firstly, he stated that the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) has internal micro chips where particulars of voters are stored and also has an antenna that communicates with the Card Reader.

According to him, if the PVC is manhandled it affects the Card Reader and that will make it not readable. Secondly, he stated that human error equally affected the Card Reader.

The witness added that the Assistant Presiding Officers (APO) whose duty it was to handle the Card Readers were not skilled because they were trained for just one day. He added that the Card Reader itself may not function if there is no Internet.

After two other witnesses, Alex Ejesieme, told the tribunal that the person he intended to call as their fifth witness “suddenly developed health problems.”

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Link to original article below:
Umana Optimistic Of Victory As Tribunal Resumes Thursday

Amazing Wood Cutting Machine

Amazing Wood Cutting Machine

This is an amazing piece of wood cutting machinery and invention. Nevertheless the efficiency and effectiveness of this machinery is worrisome to the extent that it can wipe out (or harvest) an entire forest of trees that took so many years to grow in just a few minutes or hours.

If this tree/wood cutting machinery is used to harvest tress planted in a sustainable growth forest within a carefully planned Resource Based Economy, it could be a very good thing, otherwise this is a dangerous and eco-unfriendly equipment.

What’s your take on this Amazing tree cutting machine?

Nigeria Celebrates 55 years of Independence on October 1, 2015

Nigeria Celebrates 55 years of Independence on October 1, 2015 as a sovereign nation.  Happy Independence Day to Nigeria, the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation in the world.

Quick Facts on Nigeria

Independence Day Celebrations by School Children In Nigeria

Federal Republic of Nigeria, commonly referred to as Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic in West Africa, bordering Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where the capital, Abuja is located. Nigeria is officially a democratic secular country.

Nigeria is also known for its natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. There are several Safari destinations for tourist visiting Nigeria including the Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park which feature waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats. One of its famouse landmarks in the capital of Abuja is the Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital.

Federal Capital: Abuja

International Dialing Code: +234

Current President: Muhammadu Buhari

Currency: Nigerian naira

Population: 173.6 million (2013) World Bank

Official language: English

Read more about  Nigeria

Nigeria's President Buhari Appoints New Senior Special Assistants (SSA), SGF, Chief of Staff and Others.

Former Senator Ita Solomon Enang from Akwa Ibom State appointed as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on National Assembly Matters (Senate). 

By Tom Okure, Ph.D
August 27, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in a statement on Thursday August 27, 2015 announced that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a list of several new appointments.  

The list of appointees includes a native of Akwa Ibom state, former Senator Ita Solomon Enang as the President's Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on National Assembly Matters (Senate).  

Senator Ita Solomon Enang

Mr. Ita Enang is a career Nigerian politician who represented the Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011.  In the 2011 Federal elections, he was elected Senator for the Uyo (North East) Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State. Other appointments announced are:

• Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu as the President’s SSA on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)
• Babachir David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation
• Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff to the President
• Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) as Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service
• Kure Martin Abeshi as Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service

All the appointments are effective immediately according to the press statement.

The new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Lawal is from Hong Local Government Area in Adamawa State. He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree. He previously worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited. In 1990, he established his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm.  He is a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

The new Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari holds a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Law and Sociology which he earned from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick respectively. He previously worked in various capacities for the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever and Mobil.

Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) the new Comptroller General of Customs, was a former military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998. He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. 

Mr. Martin Abeshi, the new Comptroller General of Immigration is a native of Nasarawa State. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration and joined the Nigerian Immigration Service as an Assistant Comptroller in 1989

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All Rights Reserved by ICMS,Inc.

Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, economic development and public policy advisor, commentator and change advocate. Dr. Okure is the CEO of ICMS,Inc a New York State based management/business consulting firm and Global Master Servicing Agent (MSA) which provides referral, advisory, training, diagnostic and assessment and speaker services

Today’s Thought Starter

Thought of the day
August 25, 2015

No country developed or developing can afford to be isolated and to be disconnected from the global economy as all nations are economically inter-connected and affected by global events such as the recent crash of major world stock markets in China, Japan, USA, Mexico, Brazil etc., and the significant drop in mineral and world crude oil prices to the lowest level in six and a half years. ~
Tom Okure, Ph.D

Nigerian economy in a spiral downturn as world oil prices plunges to the lowest levels since 1986

……"The 2015 budget had envisaged federal government’s share to be about N3.6 trillion of total oil component revenue at USD65 per barrel, with estimated production output of 2million barrels per day."

 ……"The Managing Director, International Energy Services, Dr. Diran Fawibe, noted that the US market and parts of Europe are no longer Nigeria’s prime markets since the advent of the Shale oil, while the Arab producers have a better comparative advantage over Nigeria because of their nearness to the market."

 ..…."Oil is now headed for its longest weekly losing streak since 1986, according to Bloomberg. Oil is in a bear market, and prices are down nearly 35% from recent highs."...... Read more:

Economy in trouble, as oil price crashes

Source: Vanguard

Date: August 24, 2015

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor & Clara Nwachukwu

LAGOS – Nigeria’s economy may be heading for trouble, as oil price crashed even lower at the weekend, thereby threatening the 2015 budget and fiscal plan.

The international price of crude hit a six-year low below USD40 per barrel with West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures as low as USD39.89, while Brent crude declined further to USD45.10 from previous week’s level of USD48.87 per barrel. Nigeria’s sweet crude is similar to the Brent.

It is envisaged that prices will crash even further once Iran begins to enyoy its international pardon by pumping more oil into the already saturated market.

Photo Credit: Vanguard

This will spell more doom for Nigeria, which is producing less than its projected 2 million barrels daily, thereby increasing the cash crunch and liquidity flow in the economy, with many states still unable to pay salaries.

The steep decline in oil prices had in March this year forced the National Assembly to settle for USD53 per barrel as the oil benchmark price for 2015 budget, down from USD65 earlier proposed by the Federal Executive Council under ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. The government had earlier in the year effected downward review of the budget benchmark twice in response to sliding oil price from USD78 to USD73 and later to USD65. It even said it had planned for possible price fall scenarios of up to $50/barrel.

With this development, economists are expecting further downwards adjustments in the budgetary benchmark, revenue projections and ultimately expenditure provisions. Also, they expect further pressure on the value of Naira as the development has wiped off any accretion to the country’s Excess Crude Account. According to the Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, Mr. Charles Robertson, lower oil price will be painful for the budget. It means less money is available for much-needed investment in infrastructure.

Budget projections 

The 2015 budget had envisaged federal government’s share to be about N3.6 trillion of total oil component revenue at USD65 per barrel, with estimated production output of 2million barrels per day.

At current oil price, the component accruable to the federal government would drop massively to less than N2.5 trillion, putting the entire budget in disarray. Evidently all the projected expenditure, Vanguard learnt, are already being curtailed in the recurrent expenditure provisions in the budget, while capital expenditure of N634 billion is completely dropped.

An economist with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) told Vanguard that federal government may have abandoned the 2015 budget entirely and is now focusing on ordering the economy for 2016 budget and fiscal policy. He added, however, that in the interim, the apex bank would be battling with the external reserves and exchange rate pressures as a result of this development in the international oil market.

Analysing the current pressures on CBN over the external reserves and plunging oil revenue, economists at FSDH Merchant Bank, said: “Although the CBN may keep to its current exchange rate position, we believe that with the huge demand pressure in the foreign exchange market in the face of the declining oil price and unsold oil production, we are inclined to maintain our forecast exchange rates,” which is about N216/ USD1.00 in the official CBN window by next month.

The oil revenue situation appears more compounded as Nigeria’s ability to produce and availability of buyers have been on the negative since this year. According to OPEC, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) cut its July official selling price for Bonny light and Qua Ibo to 10-year lows relative to North Sea Brent, as an overhang of 15mb July cargoes were unsold. The OPEC added that loading delays also hurt certain Nigerian grades as refiners looked for more reliable alternatives.

Moreover, West African crudes were undermined by excess supply and relatively high freight rates for their cargoes making cheap North Sea and Mediterranean grades more attractive to some European buyers.

Market glut

The Managing Director, International Energy Services, Dr. Diran Fawibe, noted that the US market and parts of Europe are no longer Nigeria’s prime markets since the advent of the Shale oil, while the Arab producers have a better comparative advantage over Nigeria because of their nearness to the market.

He noted that what is happening at the international oil market is beyond government’s control, which is further exacerbated by the refusal of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, to which Nigeria also belongs, to cut down its production quota.

OPEC is unwilling to cut back production as it would have done in the past to shore up prices because of shale oil, thus resulting to the current glut in the market and continuous price falls.

Agreeing that Iran’s entry has again changed the market dynamic, the Chief Executive Officer, Oildata Energy Group, Mr. Emeka Ene, said offering discounts will compound Nigeria’s problems, since it is a mono-product oil economy.

Instead, he urged government to initiate longer term strategies such as the formation of alliances with other producer nations, like Venezuela.

He said: “We (Nigeria) need to think out of the box, and if we plan well, we can blend Nigeria’s light crude with Venezuela’s heavy crude to make it more friendly to the refineries.”

According to him, the reason government is finding the price falls very challenging is because oil has over the years been seen as an export commodity, rather than an investment product.

“The time to invest in higher field activities is when oil prices are down not when they are high. But we are unable to this this because there is no money for such investments,” he added.

The slide toward USD40 per barrel gained momentum earlier last week after the US Energy Information Administration reported a larger-than-expected build in crude inventories previous week.

This added to signs that the oil market remains oversupplied, with unequal demand, as the 12-member OPEC continues to pump at an unrelenting pace. The group’s latest monthly report showed that its output surged to a three-year high in July, boosted by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Angola, and Iran. More Iranian oil is expected on the market with lifting of economic sanctions.

Oil is now headed for its longest weekly losing streak since 1986, according to Bloomberg. Oil is in a bear market, and prices are down nearly 35% from recent highs. Friday’s drop comes amid a bigger sell-off in global markets. The major averages are seeing their sharpest weekly loss of the year, and the Dow lost more than 350 points during Friday’s session.

 Link to original article here:

Nigerian Economy In Trouble As Oil Price Crashes

Amazing Engineering Gadget For Laying Railway Tracks.

This is an awesome technological innovation and amazing engineering gadget for laying railway tracks.

Date: August 17, 2015

Source: … Electrical Engineering World

Reaching the mountain top in your line of business

Did You Know That: 

You have to be daring and willing to take the risk if you want to reach the mountain top in your line of business ~ Tom Okure, Ph.D

Now You Know !

Inter-Continental Management Systems, Inc., (or ICMS,Inc)

OUR MISSION...
To be a prime catalyst and facilitator for your business/organization's sustainable growth and success through our cost effective technical assistance and policy advisory services, strategic analysis and assistance for capacity building.

WHAT WE DO... 
We are a valuable intellectual resource and a “one stop window” for business solutions. We provide expert advice and counseling in all areas of running a business including business management, operations, market analysis, sales and financial projections

Remarks at Flag Raising Ceremony by US Secretary of State John Kerry in Havana, Cuba

Posted by Tom Okure, Ph.D
Date: August 14, 2015

Jose Marti once said this:  “Everything that divides men…is a sin against
humanity.”  ~ Remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Secretary of State John Kerry
at Flag Raising in Havana, Cuba

Secretary John Kerry also said this:  “My friends, we are gathered here today because our leaders – President Obama and President Castro – made a courageous decision to stop being the prisoners of history and to focus on the opportunities of today and tomorrow”

“For more than half a century, U.S.-Cuban relations have
been suspended in the amber of Cold War politics. In the interim, a whole generation of Americans and Cubans have grown up and grown old. The United States has had ten new presidents. In a united Germany, the Berlin Wall is a fading memory. Freed from Soviet shackles, Central Europe is again home to thriving democracies…… Let me be clear: The establishment of normal diplomatic relations is not something that one government does as a favor to another; it is something that two countries do together when the citizens of both will benefit. And in this case, the reopening of our embassies is important on two levels: People-to-people and government-to-government.

First, we believe it’s helpful for the people of our nations to learn more about each other, to meet each other. That is why we are encouraged that travel from the United States to Cuba has already increased by 35 percent since January and is continuing to go up. 

Raising the Flag at the US Embassy in Cuba 

We are encouraged that more and more
U.S. companies are exploring commercial ventures here that would create opportunities for Cuba’s own rising number of entrepreneurs, and we are encouraged that U.S. firms are interested in helping Cuba expand its telecommunications and internet links, and that the government here recently pledged to create dozens of new and more affordable Wi-Fi hotspots.

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Follow the link below to read the full video and text of remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry in Havana, Cuba at the Flag Raising Ceremony:

Remarks at Flag Raising Ceremony

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

A Gigantic Fireworks Burning Ladder In The Sky.

A Gigantic Fireworks Staircase in the Sky.

Date: August 11, 2015
By Tom Okure, Ph.D

Gigantic Fireworks
Staircase in the Sky

These stunning picture and video shows the artistic work of Cai Guoqiang, a Chinese artist who recently expressed his love to his grandmother in China in a very unique way through this gigantic fireworks staircase in the air.

The fireworks ladder is made of metal wire and aluminum and was packed with gunpowder and attached to the bottom of a hot air balloon.

The project started as a dream of Cai Guogiang about 21 years ago during a visit to Bath in England.  Mr. Cai designed the performance by drawing a draft of the design on the window of an art gallery. He states that his grandmother supported his dream of becoming an artist and the fireworks show was his own unique way of showing his appreciation for her support.

The 1,650 ft. fireworks incredible burning ladder which has since gone viral in the internet stretched right up into the sky in Quanzhou in south-eastern China.

Trial Of Nigerian Treasury Looters To Commence Soon-President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday in Abuja that the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources will begin in a matter of weeks

Source: Sahara Reporters, Inc. All rights reserved
By Femi Adesinna
Date: August 11, 2015

__________________

President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday in Abuja that the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources will begin in a matter of weeks.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Speaking at a meeting with members of the National Peace Committee led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari declared that his administration was irrevocably committed to doing all within its powers to break the vicious cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.

"Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress," the President said, adding that his administration was diligently getting facts and figures pertaining to the nation's stolen funds, before proceeding to the prosecution of identified culprits.

President Buhari told General Abdulsalami and members of his committee that the Federal Government, under his leadership, will not only ask for the return of  stolen funds that have been stashed in foreign banks, but will also ensure that those who stole the funds are put on trial in Nigeria.

The President also said that as part of its actions to address the national problems it inherited, his administration was reorganising Nigeria's revenue generating institutions.

The President explained that a single treasury account had been established for all Federal revenue to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds. 

"We have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised. But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated.

"As Petroleum Minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants.

"That is why security-wise and economically, we're in trouble," President Buhari told his guests, adding that those who have stolen the national wealth "will be in court in a matter of weeks and Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them."

Gen. Abubakar and members of his committee urged the Federal Government to be guided by the rule of law in its fight against corruption.

Members of the National Peace Committee who accompanied Gen Abubakar on the visit were Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

Others were Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Prof Ameze Guobadia, Vanguard Newspaper Publisher, Sam Amuka, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ben Obi, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and Dr Arthur-Martin Aginam.

The National Peace Committee, formed before the 2015 general elections, was granted permission by the President to transform to a National Peace Council.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 11, 2015

Link

http://saharareporters.com/2015/08/11/trial-nigerian-treasury-looters-commence-soon-president-buhari

Experience a Video and Virtual Crossing of the Majestic Delaware Memoria...

Experience a Video and Virtual Crossing of the Majestic Delaware Memoria...

How Major Cities Around The World Are Responding To Dwindling Car Parking Space.

How Major Cities Around The World Are Responding To Dwindling Car Parking Space.


By Tom Okure, PH.D
Date: July 30, 2015

The Necessity of Adequate Parking in Urbanized Centers

Adequate parking spaces are a necessity in any modern city.  A modern city requires sufficient parking facilities to accommodate city residents and visitors to the city to park their cars. Cars are an indispensable mode of modern transportation, and a modern city must plan to meet the parking needs vehicle owners. If city workers, residents and visitors cannot find adequate parking facilities or determine that they have to pay too much for parking, some people may decide to find other employment elsewhere or visitors may decide not to return to the city to shop, dine or spend their money in the city.  City residents also need cost effective parking facilities to park their vehicles near their homes and workplace or they may decide to relocate away from the city.

Parking space problems in cities are not necessarily a new phenomenon. Having said that, here are some new and existing trends that major urbanized city centers around the world have been using to respond to their parking space problems.

Automated Parking System (APS)

Many cities are responding to the problem of dwindling space for parking by encouraging the development of “Automated Parking Systems” (APS) as shown in this video.

APS are also referred to by many other names in the parking industry including robotic parking system, rotary parking system, stacker parking and automatic parking etc. An APS is simply a mechanical parking system which moves cars from an entry point to an existing parking space. Cars are stacked vertically in multiple levels purposely, in order to utilize as little land space as necessary so that many cars as possible can be parked in a little space. APS are totally automatic systems and require little personnel to operate

Automatic parking systems are very space efficient and a growing trend in many expanding cities with limited land space. You can simply stack all the cars, and the parking space does not have to be as wide as in a conventional parking lot, which occupies a lot of land space.  The main benefit of an APS is that more cars can by vertically stacked in a compact space by moving the cars by platforms and lifts. There are also no need for ramps or pedestrian areas in the parking facility.

Multistory and Economical Double Deck Lifting Parking Systems.

Many highly congested cities in the USA and Europe have historically relied on multistory and economical, practical double deck and lifting type parking systems to resolve their car parking problems. Visitors to New York City can attest to the difficulties associated with finding adequate cost effective parking in a typical work day week.

Picture Above Shows A Double
Deck Lifting Parking Systems

This can be especially frustrating if you have a major meeting and you have to be on time or a shopping activity in a particular place and you find yourself driving over and over a number of streets and avenues far away from your intended destination just to park your car.

Multistory Parking Facility in New York City

Everywhere you go in the major cities of the world like Tokyo Japan; New York City USA; London UK; Soul Korea; Guangdong China etc. one can easily find multistory and practical double deck lifting type parking systems.

The Growing Trend For Smart Phone Parking Apps

Technological advancements have also increased the use of smart phones and apps to improve customer service and improve parking solutions in major cities.  Smart phone parking apps are becoming a must have item for savvy car owners and a growing trend in many urbanized centers. 

These parking apps allow its users to pay for parking with the use of an (online) application. These mobile applications are implemented by the parking industry in many ways in the parking process. A driver with a smart phone and a parking app can access real time parking information and can be guided or directed through the phone to the nearest parking facility with real time occupancy and pricing information. Some of these smart phone apps can also inform (or message) parking lot users on a real time basis that their time on a parking meter or parking facility is about to expire and provides the user of the app with an option to extend their parking time and avoid packing violation fee penalties.

Online Smartphone App

Major cities in the USA and Europe have been using smart phone apps to guide drivers to where to find the nearest empty parking space. These phone apps have become a vital tool for visitors visiting congested cities with hard to find parking facilities.  Many parking lot developers and owners now have electronic sensors placed in designated parking facilities. Smart phone users with a parking app that is voice controlled, can be guided to the nearest available space.

In November 2012, Ellicott City, MD in the USA started using an online smartphone app which greatly helped busy motorists in the city to find the best available parking spot.  The app directs travelers in real time to open parking spots just like a GPS provides directions to the city itself. The app works by providing real time information on available parking spots in Ellicott City based on data gathered by street level sensors mounted wherever parking spots are available. 

…..Read more 

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman Announces Smart Parking Technology in Ellicott City

Finally, the end of hunting for a parking space in Manchester City, UK

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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. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, economic development and public policy advisor, commentator and change advocate. Dr. Okure is the CEO of ICMS,Inc a New York State based management/business consulting firm and Global Master Servicing Agent (MSA) which provides referral, advisory, training, diagnostic and assessment and speaker services.