Friday, December 25, 2020

Former Akwa Ibom State Military Governor Mr. Idongesit Nkanga is dead at 68

 

Former Akwa Ibom State Military Governor and (retd.) Air Commodore Mr. Idongesit Nkanga is dead.

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

It is with a heavy heart that I report the death of Mr. Idongesit Nkanga who was a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State.  Mr. Nkanga was appointed governor of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria and governed the state from September 1990 through January 1992 during the military dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babangida. 

At the start of the Nigerian Third Republic he handed over governance of the state to an elected civilian Governor. He had contested for the governorship of the state under the platform of the National Democratic Party but lost to former state governor Obong Victor Attah.

Mr. Nkanga reportedly died yesterday on Christmas Eve December 24, 2020 in an unnamed hospital in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. It is alleged that he died as a consequence of complications from COVID-19. He was 68 years old at the time of his demise. He was also the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the time of his death.

Mr. Idongesit Nkanga during a
consultation meeting in Albany, New York
As the chairman of PANDEF, Mr Nkanga had been outspoken and was a prominent advocate for the restructuring of Nigeria and the development of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

I got to know Mr. Nkanga personally very many years ago during his visit to New York State’s capital Albany. I met and became acquainted with him during a consulting engagement in Albany. He was a great statesman and son of Akwa Ibom State and will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace (RIP).


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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.

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Nara Ekela Mo: Global version of the song performed by resonance and friends

Nara Ekela Mo: Global version of the song 

Nara Ekela Mo (English meaning - Take my thanksgiving) If I had ten thousand tongues. It still won't be enough.

By Tim Godgrey
Performed by Resonance and Friends


A joyous taste of united praise from tour global Church family: 37 people in Brazil, England, France, Indonesia, Singapore and Spain sing united praise to the Lord.

Song based on 'What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?' from Psalm 116:12 (ESV). Global cover version of the Song in Igbo and English by Tim Godfrey. Performed here by the Global Resonance Multicultural Worship Collective, Arts Release (WEC International).

Preface to video

As you enjoy this great gospel song remember this: There is only one God, but many races, cultures and many languages ~ Tom Okure, Ph.D.

This beautiful Nigerian gospel song has been song so many times and by so many people and groups. The original rendition of the song was made in Nigerian Igbo language. The uniqueness of the lyrics of this global version is the fact that it is rendered here in English, Igbo, Yoruba, MandarinTamil, Bahasa Indonesia and French.




Friday, December 18, 2020

Christmas Songs: Old Classics by Nat King Cole,Frank Sinatra,Dean Martin,Elvis Presley,Bing Crosbey

 

Christmas Songs and Entertainment Series: No 3

OLd Classics Christmas Songs by Nat King Cole,Frank Sinatra,Dean Martin,Elvis Presley,Bing Crosbey Classics Christmas with Fireplace


Christmas Carols: Old Classics - Holy Night

Christmas Songs and Entertainment Series: No 2

CANTIQUE DE NOEL BY ADLOPHE CHARLES ADAM

Holy Night Rendition
Courtesy of Harmonious Chorale-Ghana

 

Christmas Carols : Old Classics by Jim Reeves

Christmas Songs and Entertainment Series: No 1


Old Classics Christmas Carols

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Nigerian Central Bank (CBN) Provides Regulatory Guidelines On New Diaspora Remittances Policy

Regulatory guidelines on Nigeria's new diaspora remittances policy. 

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

COMMENTARY 

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele in a press conference on December 3, 2020 formally provided further regulatory guidelines on Nigeria's new diaspora remittances policy. 

Godwin Emefiele, Governor of CBN
We in the Diaspora applaud the new remittance policy and the action of the Central Bank of Nigeria to improve the foreign exchange earnings of Nigeria derived from diaspora remittances into Nigeria estimated to be as high as 26 billion US dollars annually. Nevertheless as the saying goes: “The test of the pudding is in the eating.”

While the policy intentions of the central bank and the Nigerian government are very noble, the failure of many government policies in Nigeria are usually in the implementation of the policies. There are vested institutional interests and black market agents who will resist this policy and are already showing their opposition to this good intention policy designed to help the economy.   

We will shortly see and report back to our readers on weather this policy is working by examining the practical application of the policy. A key question for our examination is whether the Nigerian Banks entrusted with the implementation of this innovative policy will have the dollars readily in the proper denominations to give the recipients of the overseas transmitted funds? From practical experience of many individuals operating domiciliary accounts, it is sometimes difficult to withdraw or have access to one funds because the banks usually claim or complain that they do not have the funds to give the funds owners immediately. 

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Nigerian Influencers featuring Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.

Nigerian Influencers featuring Godwin Emefiele Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

Godwin Emefiele is presently Nigeria’s Central Bank's (CBN) Governor. He has been in the position since June 4, 2014. Born on August 1961 in Lagos State, Nigeria, Emefiele is originally from Ika South,


Godwin Emefiele Governor
of CBN since June 4, 2014
Agbor region of Delta State. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Finance (1984) and an MBA in Finance (1986), both from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also an alumnus of Executive Education at Stanford University, Harvard University (2004) and Wharton School of Business (2005). He was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).


Before he joined the CBN, he worked as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank PLC, one of Nigeria’s biggest banks with over 7,000 staff, about $3.2 billion in shareholders’ funds, and subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa, China, and the UK. Prior to his banking career, he lectured in finance and insurance in two Nigerian universities. He holds degrees in banking and finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

During his first term, he oversaw a currency interventionist policy on behalf of the Nigerian presidency, strengthening the Nigerian Naira by putting in billions of dollars into the foreign exchange market. He also began a multiple exchange rate regime designed to reduce pressure on the Naira and avoid a series of devaluations. In 2019, the Senate approved him for a second five-year term making him the first person to serve for a second term since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy.

Friday, November 20, 2020

The Amazing Fluted Pumpkin Vegetable Leaves and Fruits

The Amazing Fluted Pumpkin Vegetable Leaves and Fruits

ICMS, Inc. Reports
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

The fluted pumpkin fruit in this picture was one of many harvested recently from a relative's farm. It aroused my thoughts about this incredible amazing vegetable vine.

Fluted pumpkin or Gourd is a common tropical vine vegetable grown in Nigeria and across West Africa. Both the leaves and the fruit seeds are edible and widely consumed in Nigeria, especially in the southern Nigerian states. It is one of the most widely eaten leafy vegetables among southern Nigeria’s Igbo, Efik, Ibibio, and Annang tribes, who use it for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Its biological name is Telfairia occidentalis but it is called by many different names by the local populations that consume it. Common tribal names used to refer to this plant in the south are Ubong, Ugu, Umee, ikong-ubong, Umwenkhen ugwu etc.

When young, the fruits of a fluted pumpkin look very green, but as they ripen, the fruit turns yellow and finally cloudy white upon ripening. Generally, mature fruits weigh as much as 6kg to 7kg. The seeds are encased within a fleshy fibrous bright-yellow endoscarp. Seeds in outline are compressed ovoid, about 4.5 cm long, black or brown-red colored, and asymmetrically ovate. 

The leaves are used to prepare various tantalizing soup dishes in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria such as edikang ikong and okra soups. The plant is known to have many nutritional and health benefits. The leaves are not bitter-tasting and can be easily consumed raw or cooked with other food ingredients.  The leaves are low in calories but contain high amounts of vitamins, iron, and calcium. The freshly juiced leaves can be taken as a blood tonic by someone feeling ill or just weak. This is why pregnant women and lactating mothers are encouraged to consume plenty of the leaves. 

Medically, the plant is used to treat convulsion, malaria, anemia, and cardiovascular diseases. The health benefits of this plant leaves are so numerous that it is probably a significant latent cause of good health among Nigerians. I say this because the leaves of fluted pumpkin are very high in protein and eaten frequently can act as a protein vitamin supplement for the body’s daily requirement.

While the leaves and seeds of this plant are edible, it is astonishing that research alleges that the roots are poisonous and not fit for human consumption.

The health benefits of fluted pumpkin are many and include the following: Good for the digestive system, Blood purifier, Treats Anemia, Treatment of Infertility, Treats Malaria, Prevents Diabetes, Prevents Kidney Diseases, Helps Nursing Mothers, Reduces Stress, Prevents Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia, Boost Immune System, Improves Memory, Improves Blood Production.

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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

 




Friday, November 13, 2020

Say Goodbye to Trump’s Cabinet

 

Say Goodbye to Trump’s Cabinet by "Now This"

It's not just Trump leaving the White House in January — say goodbye to all his lackeys, too

-------------------------------------------------

After more than a week of continuing mail in and absentee ballot vote counting after the November 3, 2020 general elections and rankling in the remaining battle states of Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona etc.; the vote tally for the US 2020 election is now complete. Consequently most of the major media outlets including CNN, MSNBC, BBC etc. have now called the outstanding states and predict electoral vote count of 306 in favor of President Elect, Mr. Joe Biden and 232 electoral votes in favor of President Mr. Donald Trump. This gives President Elect, Joe Biden a very clear victory over President Donald Trump. 

Nevertheless and the facts notwithstanding, President Trump is yet to concede and many other Republicans continue to back him.

The video by "Now This" below is a narrative and synopsis of the prominent people who served in the Trump Administration that will be departing the Whitehouse in January, 2021 with him.


Nigeria's railways modernization project employs its first female train driver

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

Nigeria started its standard gauge railway modernization projects (SGRMP) with the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.  A standard railway gauge line connecting Nigeria’s federal capital city Abuja with Kaduna its commercial capital enables goods and people between the two cities to move at a faster pace.

In February 2011, the construction of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line started and was finished in December 2014 with financial support of China.

In July 2016, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari officially inaugurated the line for commercial services. China Civil and Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), which is constructing the Lagos Rail Mass Transit System also built the rail line for the Nigerian Federal Government.

It is hoped that Nigeria’s railway modernization projects will help develop a badly infrastructure network in Nigeria and in the process ease dependence on poor roads in the country and help create badly needed jobs for the teaming unemployed in the country. The Abuja-Kaduna rail line modernization projects (SGRMP) in Nigeria employed an estimated 4,000 people and is projected to create over 5,000 additional jobs during its operation.

Standard gauge railway modernization projects in Nigeria

A significant obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development has been the lack of adequate infrastructure. The first of the country’s standard gauge railway modernization projects, accommodating high-speed rail lines is expected to bolster Africa’s largest economy as railways make a comeback after many decades of negligence.

Nigeria has been modernizing its railways and is currently undertaking the modernization of its standard gauge railways.

In 2006 the federal government awarded $8.3bn contract to CCECC for the Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernization project. This was the beginning of the standard gauge modernization project.

The project soon ran into funding difficulties which prevented its implementation. The initiative was then scaled down and re-scoped into different standalone segments. As a consequence, the existing 1,124km narrow-gauge Lagos-Kano line was rehabilitated. As part of the Lagos-Kano standard gauge project, the Abuja-Kaduna segment has been implemented.

First female train driver in Nigeria Ms. Isa Fatima Abiola

The railways modernization project also scored a first by employing the first female train driver in Nigeria Ms. Isa Fatima Abiola. She is a role model and trend setter for young women. In this video, she explains how she got involved with this opportunity and encourages other Nigerian young women to take on the challenge. 

The initiative to modernize Nigeria's railways seeks to exchange the current narrow gauge system with the wider standard gauge system. This will enable high speed trains to operate on the railway network under construction. Nigeria's high speed train will first be operated on the Lagos to Ibadan route.

Railway development in Nigeria began over 100 years ago by the Colonial British government in order to help it move Nigeria’s rich agricultural products from the northern parts of the country to the southern ports in the south on their way to the United Kingdom. With the rise of oil production in Nigeria in the 1950's and the country’s dependence oil revenues for economic development, there was deemphasize by the Nigerian government on the export of agricultural produce in the 1970s. Dependence on oil revenues coupled with government policy neglect and mismanagement caused the Nigeria’s railway system to fall into a state of shabbiness.  

As of 2009, annual passenger rail trips in Nigeria had dropped from its 1963 high level of about 11 million to just over million passengers.

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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

Saturday, November 7, 2020

President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris Election Victory Speeches

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

Both President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris tonight November 7, 2020 delivered impressive speeches to a large crowd of supporters and the nation in Wilmington, Delaware.  VP Elect Kamala Harris delivered her speech first and then introduced President Elect Joe Biden.


The incoming president Joe Biden spoke very frankly from the heart to a deeply divided American nation pleading for unity and understanding after four years of turmoil. He pledged to be a president that seeks to unite and not to divide the nation.  Biden said: “with full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country and a thirst for justice let us be the nation that we know we can be. Biden stated that he seeks “a nation united, a nation strengthened... and a nation healed.”



Pleading with supporters of Trump in his speech Biden stated: “For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight. I’ve lost a couple of times myself. But now, let’s give each other a chance,”

Vice President Elect Kamala Harris ushers in a “New Day for America” in her victory speech.


Addressing her supporters on Saturday night, Harris began her speech by thanking voters for “turning out in record numbers to make your voices heard” and ushering in a “new day for America.” Her speech gave her supporters and America a glimpse into her and Biden’s vision of hope for America.

 In her speech, she said:

“Now is when the real work begins. The good work. The necessary work. The essential work to root out systemic racism in our justice system and society, to combat the climate crisis, and to unite our country and heal the soul of our nation.”

Kamala Harris is the first female and colored woman to be elected as vice president elect in America.

In her history making moment and speech, she called attention to her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harris who was a scientist and an Indian immigrant. She also paid tribute to “Black women, Asian, white, Latina and Native American women, whom she said “throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight.”

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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.


Jubilation erupts all over the United States as Joe Biden is declared President elect of the United States

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

The State of Pennsylvania and the network MSNBS followed by many other networks have called the winner of the 2020 presidential elections in favor of Joe Biden.


Soon after being declared President Elect, Joe Biden issued a press statement:

"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice-President-elect Harris ... With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation."



Joe Biden won by over four million in the popular vote count. This is the most votes ever recorded for a presidential candidate in American history. Joe Biden becomes the oldest president ever elected in the United States of America at the age of 77 years and his running mate Kamala Harris is the first black female vice president ever elected. 



Celebrations and jubilations immediately erupted in the streets of Philadelphia, Washington DC, New York City and many other cities around the country. 

Dr. Jill Biden, the new first lady elect of the United States in a tweet shortly after the announcement reaffirmed her husband President elect Biden's pledge to be president for all America.

“He will be a President for all of our families.” ~ Dr. Jill Biden



Shortly after Joe Biden was projected to become the 46th president of the United States, President Trump’s lawyer Mr. Rudy Giuliani indicated in a press conference in Philadelphia on Saturday that President Trump will not concede the election. He stated: "Obviously he's not going to concede when at least 600,000 ballots are in question,"

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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.


Thursday, November 5, 2020

Huge buckets of mail in and absentee ballots trending in favor of Joe Biden in US 2020 Election.

Impact of Mail in and Provisional ballots in the 2020 US elections.

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

Perhaps Trump’s strategy or expectation was that the election would be called in his favor and he could declare victory in many critical states where he was ahead in vote counts. This expectation is obvious and manifest especially in the critical battle states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia etc. where Trump was ahead before all votes were counted.

Listen to his son Eric Trump in the video below here who insists that his father Trump is the winner and the democrats are fraudulently stealing the election result from him. Either his claim is based on ignorance of the ballot counting process or this was a deliberately flawed strategy of the Trump campaign. It appears that the campaign wanted and preferred their voting base to do walk in voting on November 3, 2020. 


While there is nothing wrong with this traditional method of people walking in to vote on the exact Election Day, everything is different this election year because of the Covid-19 (corona virus) pandemic and its associated fears. Because of the pandemic and fears of infection, most voters and especially a majority of democratic and minority voters opted to vote early and through mail in ballots to cast their votes.

Naturally and historically, many states and voting districts count and release their results of walk in balloting first and this appeared in many states and especially in red Republican states like Arizona, Georgia etc. to give the Trump campaign a large lead in voter counts. In some cases Trump was leading in many district counts as high as 60 to 80 percent vote counts.  

Milwaukee Election Commission worker
processes and sorts absentee ballots.

What the Trump strategy perhaps failed to take into consideration was the fact that in places like Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania the remaining amount or batch of uncounted votes consisted of huge pockets or “buckets of mail in ballots” that would be trending in favor of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.

As the counting of absentee and mail in ballots continues and Trumps lead continues to narrow, the suspense grows as we all watch Joe Biden overtake trumps voter count leads in more of the critical battle states like Wisconsin, Michigan etc.  Mail in ballots in the scale we have witnessed in the 2020 US general elections this years election is unprecedented and counting of ballots is taking days now and creating great anxiety in the US population. Many states like Navada say they are amazed at the scale of the delivery of mail in ballots from the US postal service to election administrators. This explains why the Trump campaign is suing to stop the counting of mail in ballot votes which favors Joe Biden in the critical battle states. 

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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.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

US special forces rescue an American citizen Philip Walton in Nigeria kidnapped on Tuesday from his home in neighboring Niger.

 

US Government working with the Nigerian and Niger governments rescued an American citizen Philip Walton in northern Nigeria on Saturday October 31, 2020.

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

A 27 years old US citizen by name Philip Walton was rescued by US navy seals in an operation on Saturday in northern Nigeria. The operation was conducted jointly by the US government in collaboration with Nigerian and Niger governments working together.

US navy seals image
All but one of the kidnappers are believed to have been killed in the operation in northern Nigeria.

Phillip Walton and his family have lived in Niger for about 30 years raising sheep, poultry and camels in a border town in Niger near Nigeria.  The abductors are alleged to have been six men riding motorcycles and equipped with assault rifles who arrived at the Walton’s home in southern Niger’s Massalata village early on Tuesday. The kidnappers demanded money and searched their home before leaving with Phillip Walton. His wife, young daughter and brother were left behind.

Intelligence provided by the CIA led to Walton's whereabouts while US African Marine Special Operations helped to locate Walton by tracking the abductors mobile phone.

US president Trump in a statement while campaigning in Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon said: “Last night, at my direction, the United States military conducted a successful operation to rescue an American hostage in Nigeria, kidnapped just 96 hours earlier. United States Special Forces executed a daring nighttime operation to rescue their fellow American with exceptional skill, precision and bravery … The former hostage is currently in good health and has been reunited with his family….”

In another statement Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state said: “The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive. We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria … We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”

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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.


Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Long lines to buy fuel reemerges as a result of #ENDSARS protests


ICMS Inc News Reports.
By Tom Okure, Ph.D

Queuing to buy fuel in Abuja and other large cities in Nigeria has always been a problem no matter which administration or political party was in power. However, over the past year, the scarcity of fuel and the price for fuel has been relatively stable. The EndSars protests has been very disruptive to both economic and social life.

The persistent demonstrations going on coupled with the vandalism and the destruction of both private and public property by hoodlums merged with the EndSars protesters, has adversely impacted economic activity in many major Nigerian cities including Abuja. According to Nigerian fuel marketers, ten of their fuel tankers were attacked by #EndSars hoodlums merged with protesters. These attacks has caused consumer fears which has created panic buying of petroleum products especially in Abuja FCT and the surrounding arrears.
Most fuel stations in Abuja including many NNPC retail stations were closed on Monday October 26, 2020 and some still remain closed as of the writing of this report.

Official statements by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) warns the public against panic buying of petroleum products, stating that “NNPC has over two billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in stock to guarantee steady supply, and at least 60 -day-product supply sufficiency.”….. “There is no need for panic buying, be rest assured that supply will soon return to the entire country.”


Mr. Kennie Obateru who is an NNPS spokesperson indicated that the scarcity situation will be resolved in a few days. According to him “Normalcy is expected to return to the petroleum products supply chain in the next couple of days.”

It is not clear how long the #EndSars protests will last or the disruption to economic activity. One thing is clear that an already difficult living condition imposed by the demonstrations are becoming even worse by the imposition of curfews by many State governments resulting in the difficulty of fuel tanks to deliver their fuel products to their destinations in a timely manner.      





Video Excerpt below: Courtesy of ChannelsTv 

Follow this Link  #ENDSARS Aftermath: Queues Resurface In Fuel Stations



Friday, October 23, 2020

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel Urges Calm in Broadcast as #EndSARS Protesters Vandalize Properties in Uyo.

Criminals masked as protesters vandalize government and private property in Uyo

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

The #EndSARS Protests in Akwa Ibom turned violent on Thursday October 22 as hoodlums and criminal gangs masked as protesters vandalized and burnt down government and private property in Uyo, the state capital. Several public and private property were targeted, looted and set on fire. In a televised broadcast message to #EndSARS protesters, the State Governor Udom Emmanuel called for calm and announced a series of placating projects and measures designed to create immediate jobs and apprenticeship opportunity to calm the youth agitation gripping the state.


In his broadcast massage on the situation, Governor Udom Emmanuel extended a Curfew imposed on the city of Uyo from 12 noon on Friday October 23, 2020 to 7:am on Saturday October 24, 2020. The government urged all Uyo residents to stay at home and directed its state security forces to strictly enforce the curfew.

Among the properties targeted and vandalized in Uyo by hoodlums as an outcome of the #EndSARS protest are AKBC the State Broadcasting Corporation along Udo Udoma, AKISIEC office, Udo Udoma, LG showroom, Ikot Ekpene Road, Cold Stone eatery, De Choice mall, Access Bank, Aka Road, Ibom Plaza and Anchor Insurance building, Wellington Bassey Way.

Akwa Ibom State, in common with other states like Lagos state has witnessed a change in the peaceful #EndSARS protests which started two weeks ago in the country into a violent unruly mob protests. The change in the nature of the protest started on Tuesday October 22nd with the unprovoked killings by Nigerian soldiers of #EndSARS protesters at Lagos Lekki Toll gate. After the incident, the protests have turned violent all over the country and it was just a matter of time before the violence arrived at Akwa Ibom state. 

A common feature of the current protests are the infiltration of criminal elements disguised as legitimate protesters. The criminals have hijacked the peaceful protests and are primarily responsible for the civil unrest spreading all over the country. In the case of Akwa Ibom State, the authorities discovered that those arrested and involved in the vandalism are outsiders from other states and definitely non-citizens of Akwa Ibom state. Many of the criminal elements simply came into the state to destroy and loot property. State authorities conducting an assessment of the damages inflicted by the vandals found looted properties hurriedly abandoned along the road including such items as steel cabinets, cookers, plasma television monitors, among others. Many apprehended criminals could not speak any native Akwa Ibom language.

Whether the curfew and the broadcast of Governor Udom Emmanuel calling for calm will stop further protest is yet to be seen. One thing is clear, the upheaval by youths in Akwa Ibom in common with their counterparts in other parts of the country demands urgent governmental response and genuine societal change implemented by government actions not empty promises. The protesting and rampaging youths are angry and may continue to seek revenge on symbols of government oppressive authority. 

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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.


Thursday, October 22, 2020

Full video of President Buhari's Address to the nation on the #EndSARS Protests.

#EndSARS Lagos Protest Update: Protesters Set Fire on Ikoyi Correctional Facility and Loot Palliative Warehouse

Rampaging Protesters Set Fire on Ikoyi Prison and Loot Massive State Palliative Warehouse

ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

The protesting and rampaging youths are persistent and angry and still out in the streets of Lagos and seeking revenge on any symbols of government authority. Today they targeted the Ikoyi Correctional


facility and set buildings on fire. They also discovered a very large warehouse containing food palliatives that we presume was stored by the state government to be distributed to the public but is apparently still stored away for whatever reason. The warehouse is being looted and trashed as we write this report.  Lagos state government appears to be loosing control of the crisis situation with the youth. The curfew, and police water cannons etc. appears to be ineffective at deterring the determined youths from rampaging government facilities, looting and setting buildings on fire


 Despite the 72 hours curfew imposed by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu which is still in effect, the youths have managed to defy the orders and are in the streets.


In addition to the warehouse looting today, the youths have attacked the Ikoyi Correctional facility and set the correctional facility buildings on fire as we are writing. Gunfire could be heard as large groups of invading youth forced their way into the facility premises. The prison staff does not appear to be able stop the hoodlums as the entered the facility in large unruly groups.   



Efforts of Lagos state to begin any type of meaningful dialogue with the angry youths also appears to be unsuccessful, in part because there is no recognizable leader among the angry youths that the government can talk to. The original peaceful protesting #EndSARS Youths appear to have been hijacked by hoodlums and criminal youth gangs in Lagos now determined to inflict as much destruction as possible on government facilities. 
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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.







Wednesday, October 21, 2020

A day after Black Tuesday at Lagos Lekki Toll gate, Nigerian Youths continue their protest

Nigerian Youth are in pain and seek retaliation against symbols of state power 



A government that continuously brutalizes and lies to its people loses its legitimacy to rule in the eyes of the governed. 

Nigerian government public statements to the press and international community a day after the bloody

killings at Lekki toll gate, falsely claims that only a few people were injured in the crackdown on unarmed youths, but the facts speak for itself. The youths are defying the curfews and the use of force against them and feel a sense of pain as well as empowerment. Many have directed their anger and pain against symbols of state oppression like police stations, TV stations affiliated with politicians, bus terminals and even the toll gate where their friends were killed.


Even though the government is appealing for calm, there is a feeling and need by many youth to revenge the death of their fiends in the hands of the government. 

Take a look at the amount of damage in Lagos the day after bloody Tuesday inflicted by protesters:

  1.  Nigeria Port Authority Lagos - set ablaze
  2. Orile Police Post, Lagos - set ablaze
  3. Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos - totally destroyed
  4. BRT Terminal, Oyingbo - New Buses set on fire
  5. Television Continental, Ketu, Lagos - set ablaze
  6. VIO, FRSC Office, Ojodu - FRSC branded cars,   generators set ablaze.
  7. BRT Terminal, Ojodu, Lagos - buses set ablaze.
  8. BRT Bus at Berger - set ablaze
  9. Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja - shut down
  10. Recreational Center, Oregun, Lagos - set on fire.
  11. Oba's Palace, Lagos - burnt to ashes. His scepter of authority seized.
  12. Sanwo Olu Mother's House, Surulere, Lagos - set ablaze
  13. Kings college on fire
  14. Many lives lost already to the protests all in Lagos and south west.
  15. Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos burnt
  16. GTBank Branches burnt down
  17. AccessBank Branches burnt down
  18. Channels Television shut down
  19. Ajeromi Local Govt Secretariat
  20. Lagos-Island Local Govt destroyed
  21. Lagos-Island East LCDA Secretariat set on fire
  22. Lagos Mainland Local Govt Secretariat Destroyed
  23. Ibeju Lekki LCDA Secretariat destroyed
  24. Sanwoolu's Uncle's house on Lagos Island
Despite two weeks of fierce protest, President Buhari has yet to make a televised public statement to the public on the protests.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

BLOODY TUESDAY IN NIGERIA

Bloody Tuesday October 20, 2020 in Nigeria 

The Nigerian Government cannot claim to be a democratic government. Today October 20, 2020 in Lagos State Nigeria and in several other cities around the country, it unleashed the brutal force of its military against unarmed youth protesting for a long overdue change in the country that is plagued by 
poor governance, poor infrastructure, very high level of unemployment for youth, excessive corruption at high levels of government, impunity of politically elected officials etc.  

For about two plus weeks, the Nigerian public both inside the country and in the diaspora has been fascinated and exited over the sudden awakening of Nigerian youth take to the streets all over the country to demand change in the current system of things in the country. Nigerian youths who have   

been used by numerous previous political parties and governments with promises of jobs, opportunities and a better life to achieve their political aims. Once in power, the youth are forgotten until the next round of political campaigning.  

 This particular protest unlike any previous youth agitation appears to be different and took the government by surprise. A very well organized and community supported and funded youth protest has emerged demanding real change in Nigeria and is ongoing and generating momentum daily. The government thought initially that it would go away after a couple of days, but the demonstrations and street protests have persisted.  There are some reasons why the protests may not be going away any time soon! Evidence from the protest reveals widespread community and even diaspora support for the youths. Support for the protesters include free food from the community, free medical treatment from volunteer doctors and nurses, free supplies of needed materials including raincoats and umbrellas etc. to ward off the rains, free radio and television coverage of the protesters and their demands, monetary donations from well-wishers to designated banks from within and outside Nigeria etc.

The large protests has been persistent and becoming disruptive to normal economic and day to day activities in many parts of the country. However, instead of the Federal government to negotiate with the protesters and find a way to understand their “seven points demands” etc. for change from decades of neglect and dissatisfactions over the decay and corruption of the country, the government decided to snuff off or silent the protest by the use of brute military force against the unarmed group of youth demanding change. Imagine the use of machine gun fire directed at a crowed of unarmed youth. 

Observers of the Nigerian scene like this writer, expected some level of the use of government coercion to subdue the relentless protests, but our hope was that in the democratic dispensations that Nigeria has adopted to follow since the return to civilian rule, nothing of the sort like we have witnessed in the Lekki toll gate incident would occur.



The tactics adopted by those behind the killings shows and reveals their premeditated intention to kill as many youths as possible, and the succeeded. For example, prior to executing their killing mission, the Lagos state government declared a curfew and used it as the pretext to intervene. One may suppose that the government policy makers expected the youth to disobey the curfew order, and they did. This provided the needed justification to intervene. 

The disobedience to government curfew directives was followed by sending in the military. We now understand that the particular set of military boys that opened live fire directly on the crowd of protesters were soldiers from the 65 Battalion Bonny camp led by their commanding officer by the name of  one Lt Col S.O. Bello. Who directed Lt Col S.O. Bello and his team of murderous soldiers to open fire on unarmed Nigerian youth is still not clear at this point in time. We understand they are writing their reports to the authorities that demand to know who directed the military to the Lekki toll gate scene.



The premeditated actions of the policy directives of those behind this gruesome event is obvious. First they removed the monitoring circuit cameras around the Lekki tool gate so the evidence of their killing actions would not be recorded. This was followed by shutting off the lights around and at the toll gate where the youth were gathered singing the Nigerian National anthem etc. In the darkened atmosphere of the scene and without any announcement or warning to the protesters they opened gun fire directly on the crowd of youths.  Several incidences of point blank shooting and killing of innocent demonstrators occurred today not only in Lekki Lagos State but in many other Nigerian major cities in the guise of enforcing a declared government curfew.

What a brutal and unnecessary action from the Nigerian government and its soldiers supposed to protect the Nigerian people. This particular action and the many murderous actions of the government police over the last two weeks only amplifies the widespread stereo type of western governments criticisms that African governments do not care about the lives of its people. 

Similar events as we witnessed in Lekki toll gate take place regularly in other African countries daily. Uganda for example has been plagued with officially sanctioned extrajudicial killings for several years. The government of president Museveni recruits desperate people from Burundi Rwanda, Congo etc. into his armed forces. They kill and treat people like trash. Zimbabwe is another case in point.  Under these circumstances that we have witnessed taking place in Nigeria and other African countries, how does one justifiably argue against such western governments stereotyping of African rulers.

Nigeria is the largest economy in African and is supposed to be the pace setter in governance and human rights for other Afrcan nations. The international community must denounce the barbaric actions of the Nigerian army and government and come to the defense of the rights of the Nigerian people to protest against poor governance and excessive brutality of corrupt and ineffective government against its own people. 

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Innovative Microenterprise Business Ideas in Nigeria


ICMS, Inc. Reports 
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

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 which you can use to guide your research of the viability of your business idea. In order to succeed, you not only need a viable business idea, you need to create a business niche for your business by thinking outside the box. 


In Africa there are many self-employed and small microbusinesses due to lack of employment. Street vendors are selling every type of merchandize and food items imaginable. In the streets of major cities like Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Calabar, Uyo etc. the competition to sell is so fierce that it is difficult to distinguish who is hawking fresh and safe to eat fruits or genuine products.  In order to survive and standout from the crowd of sellers, a seller has to be different from the rest.

In this BBC Pidgin English news video report , a microenterprise entrepreneur in the city of Benin, Nigeria shows off his innovative idea of marketing his fruit business. His name is Abraham Chukwu, a street fruit vendor.

He has created a niche business for himself, by dressing professionally as a blue collar worker hawking fruits in the street of Benin. His professional dressing attracts customers to his fruit business and keeps them coming back. 


If you are thinking of 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 your existing plan, don't hesitate to contact us at Okuret@gmail.com or icmsinc@aol.com with your questions and ask for a price quote for technical assistance. We also provide by appointment online video internet based advisory and counseling services to small and microenterprise business owners seeking answers to their business problems.

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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.


Thursday, October 1, 2020

Nigeria celebrates 60 years of Independence day and unveils a logo assuring Nigerians of “greater inclusiveness” going forward.

 Today October 1, 2020 is Nigeria’s Independence Day.


By Tom Okure, Ph.D. 
ICMS, Inc Reports 

As part of the independence celebration President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled a 60th Independence Logo and assured Nigerians of a “greater inclusiveness” going forward.

Nigerian Government Independence Logo
According to the Nigerian government, the 60th Independence Logo depicts “Together Shall We Be,” and was chosen to forge a more united and cohesive Nigeria. The skillfully crusted diamond of the logo on the Nigerian map symbolizes “our age of treasure, the worth of the Nigerian people, who sparkle to the admiration of the world.……The fair green and the dark green colors respectively remind us of our warmth, welcoming spirit and love, as well as abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land.”
President Buhari shows off the anniversary logo

Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960. At the time, there was great enthusiasm among Nigerians, who believed their future was bright and as a nation they would realize whatever they set their minds to accomplish as an independent nation. In 1963, Nigeria became a federal constitutional republic, with Nnamdi Azikiwe (An Easterner) as its first president and Tafawa Balewa (A Northerner) as the prime minister. The country adopted a democratic governance approach and all seem well at the time, until 1966 when a series of military coups derailed Nigeria’s democracy. After 16 years of perpetual and brutal military rule and interruption of democratic institutions, Nigeria in 1999 returned to democratic civilian government. In an elaborate ceremony, power was transferred by General Abdulsalam Abubakar to President Olusegun Obasanjo (a former military dictator himself), who was elected in a nationwide elections.

In 1999 Power was transferred by General
Abdulsalam Abubakar to President Olusegun Obasanjo

As the Federal government announced its plans to celebrate this significant milestone year of its independence, many Nigeria’s argue that there is nothing worth celebrating, because during the last six decades since independence, all the passion and hopes of Nigerians have been smashed.  The great excitement after independence has been eroded due to persistent national insecurity, ethnic clashes and religious prejudice combined with high unemployment rates etc. 

Despite the enormous human capital and economic resources that the country is endowed with, it has yet to achieve any real level of economic development takeoff. Its economic development remains stultified because of lack of basic infrastructural development in the areas of electricity, road and rail connection, education etc., leaving its citizens despondent and entrapped in an endless cycle of struggle to survive by barely meeting their basic human needs.

Without peace and security, Nigeria like most other countries cannot achieve the aspirations of its people. It is the hope of this writer, that this Independence Day will unleash a renewed sense of hope, togetherness and enthusiasm of all citizens despite the ongoing devastation caused by the Corona Virus (Covid-19) epidemic. One would hope that with the “greater inclusiveness going forward” implied in the unveiled national logo to celebrate the independence, all Nigerians will renew their sense of national belonging and Nigerian politicians and policy makers will rise to the great task of building social trust between the people and the Nigerian nation. Nigeria also needs to tackle its endemic societal corruption in all facets of society.

We wish Nigeria a joyous and happy independence celebration and God’s blessings in its new age. 

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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.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Nigerian Music Influencers: Featuring Timaya’s "Born to Win" Video

Timaya’s "Born to Win" Video

This is Timaya’s first single video from his upcoming 6th studio album called "Gratitude" 

Here we feature two versions of Timaya’s Born to Win Video (his Official Video and Lyrics Video) Timaya is currently featured in the September cover of Nigerian Influencers Facebook group page. For a brief profile of Timaya the Nigerian musican, songwriter, performing artist and founder of DM Records Limited click on the link below: 

Profile of Timaya (Unofficial)
By Tom Okure, Ph.D 
Enjoy the Video 

Timaya – Born To Win (Official Video)

  

Timaya – Born To Win (Lyrics Video)


   


Friday, September 25, 2020

Japan Introduces Smart Public Restrooms (Toilets) in Tokyo Constructed With Smart Glass

Smart Public Restrooms (Toilets) in Tokyo Constructed With Smart Glass

By Tom Okure, Ph.D. 
ICMS, Inc Reports 

In Tokyo Japan, an impressive smart public restroom design is being introduced to embrace diversity which can accommodate anyone. The restroom project is an initiative referred to as “The Tokyo Toilet Project” and employs sophisticated smart glass technology designed to make modern restrooms in Japan “accessible for everyone regardless of gender, age, or disability and to show the potential of an inclusive society.
The glass panels are of many colors and quickly become opaque when the cubicles are locked


The smart glass (transparent) toilets designed by 16 global creators were introduced on August 5, 2020 and the brainchild of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban. The smart public toilets are initially “located in Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park (5-68-1 Yoyogi) and the Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park (1-54-1 Tomigaya).”


The smart glass transparent technology appears to be similar to the technology used in transitional eye glasses but with a quicker response immediate effect time turning immediately from clear to opaque when the toilet door is locked. The immediate transition from clear glass to opaque makes people assured using the toilet facility that they will not be watched from outside while using the toilet inside.

 According to” Nippon Foundation” many public restroom users in Japan especially those using restrooms located at a park typically complain or worry about two things “the first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside” … “Using the latest technology, the exterior glass turns opaque when locked. This allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside. At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern.”

In 2019, Tokyo Japan prefecture had an estimated population of 13,929,280 with the greater Tokyo area considered to be the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with more than 37.393 million residents as of 2020. Tokyo as a modern city has so many futuristic design innovations. 
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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.