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Galaxy Backbone uniquely built to lead digital inclusion – Abubakar
BY: Ikenna Oluka
Galaxy Backbone Limited was uniquely built as a national resource to lead country-wide digital inclusion drive, says the MD/CEO, Professor Muhammad Abubakar.
The MD/CEO was a Guest Speaker at the 2020 EKO-KONNECT Users Conference in Lagos.
He was represented by the General Manager, Customer Operations & Services at Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Frank Ugbodaga, who delivered his paper on ‘Development of ICT Infrastructure for National Education Research & Learning’.
Galaxy Backbone, an agency under the Federal Ministry Of Communication & Digital Economy, was established in 2006 based on the need for the government to pursue a coordinated and harmonized approach to information and communications technology acquisition, operation and use in the public sector.
He said that the recently signed joint venture agreement between Galaxy Backbone Limited and the Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative (Eko-Konnect) is a testimony to the robust backbone network the Company has built to foster connectivity, research and education which are critical elements of economic development.
The collaboration was expected to boost reliable high-speed connectivity, access to research outputs, teaching, and learning materials for tertiary education in Nigeria.
Prof. Abubakar said that Galaxy Backbone, wholly-owned enterprise of the federal government, will continue to leave up to its mandate by providing ICT infrastructure and services to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as tertiary institutions.
He said that as the largest public sector backbone provider, the Company is a giant in collaboration and aggregate partnerships for value addition and digital services which will support and help actualize the 8 pillars of the National Broadband Policy designed by the Honourable Minister Of Communications & Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami.
“Galaxy Backbone Limited has robust infrastructure. Today, we account for 13% of all fibre optic cables laid in Nigeria which is around 37,000 kilometres. Therefore, Galaxy Backbone is positioned to support rapid development of ICT infrastructure for education, research and learning hence the partnership with Eko Konnect.
“GBB represents a ready-made backbone which the government and private organisations can leverage. We also represent the platform for linking national, regional and global research network and knowledge clusters. So, we are happy to be part of the arrangement.
Galaxy Backbone has agreed to provide datacentre services and a fibre-optic cable transport network through which Eko-Konnect would interconnect campuses and provide a number of, “above the net” scholarly communication services including a real-time collaboration platform, trust and identity framework, develop relevant cloud services and pilot a shared research product repository.
In the first project commencing immediately, the joint venture will establish the hubs in Enugu and Awka, interconnect nearby institutions in Eastern Nigeria to peers in the Lagos area and environs, and counterparts in the global research network through the West and Central Research and Education Network (WACREN).
Chairman, Eko-Konnect Board of Trustees, Prof. Charles Uwadia, welcomed the collaboration saying “This development gives the much-needed impetus to the several initiatives providing services for research and education communities in Nigeria.
Eko-Konnect is a community-driven initiative which promotes the establishment of research clusters in geo-political regions of Nigeria, interconnected via a backbone to provide the high-speed networks that are essential for sharing, accessing and processing the high data volumes generated by research and education communities.
…It’s unprecedented to earn above minimum wage in Enugu- Labour
… We’ll commence implementation immediately- ALGON
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has approved N80,000 minimum wage for the state’s work force, including local government workers, effective October 2024, noting a direct link between a motivated workforce and his administration’s vision of growing the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.
The new minimum wage covers all state employees, primary school teachers, and local government workers.
Organised labour has described the wage as unprecedented, as it was the first time that Enugu workers would be earning above the national minimum wage.
Mbah announced the new minimum wage on Thursday after a meeting with the Enugu State Minimum Wage Implementation Committee headed by the Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu and labour leaders, including the state’s labour leaders.
Mbah said, “Few weeks ago, I inaugurated a committee with the responsibility to oversee the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage in Enugu State. Today, I’m happy to announce a new minimum wage for workers in Enugu State, reflecting our fidelity to their welfare, in regard of which we have been resolutely committed.
“We have approved the sum of N80,000 as the new minimum wage in Enugu State. This underscores our commitment to bequeathing lasting legacies of improved living conditions.
“Our commitment to improved workers’ welfare runs deep, and is rooted in the firm understanding of the inextricable link between an inspired workforce and the audacious economic targets we had set our sights on.
“We clearly understood that reducing poverty to the barest minimum and achieving an unprecedented economic growth target were contingent on the output of the workforce. Therefore, for us, the best way to acknowledge that labour creates wealth is by ensuring that the workforce, which creates the wealth that oils the wheel of government, is sufficiently motivated.
“We have similarly demonstrated our commitment to workers welfare through the consistent payment of the wage awards, a gesture we had pledged to sustain until a new wage structure took effect.”
Speaking, the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, thanked governor Mbah for always prioritising the welfare of workers, describing the new minimum wage as “a great one for Enugu workers.”
“In the past, when minimum wage is announced, it takes up to one or two years for anything to happen; and when it did, we took anything they gave us as we saw it. But today, you have even given us something much higher than national minimum wage.
“But I am not totally surprised because when other governors were paying N12,000 wage award, you were paying us N25,000. When others paid for some months and stopped, you continued paying it until the new minium wage as you promised. So, we have enjoyed wage award for 11 months and today you announced the minimum wage which is the first of its kind since my 32 years in service,” said.
Speaking to Government House correspondents, the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Ben Asogwa, said, “We are so happy. The governor did not just announce ₦80,000 minium wage, but said that it cascades down to even local government workers. He said that he does not want disparity in salary implementation in Enugu State anymore because we all go to the same market.
“This is the first time in history we are seeing the implementation of minimum wage above the approved amount by the federal government. Actually, when we entered into the negotiation, we were afraid because we know quite well that we are not among the states that share in dividends of oil money. We know quite well that we are at the back when it comes to federal allocation, but His Excellency actually surprised us.
“One thing we have seen is that he understands the impact of motivation on productivity. The governor has set a pace and we know that any other person coming after him will have the challenge to meet up with the target set by His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah.”
On his part, Chairman of the Association of Local Government Workers, ALGON, Enugu State, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, pledged the commitment of council chairmen to implementing the new minimum wage.
“When you motivate workers, they become more productive. What I am promising on behalf of the Enugu ALGON family is that we are going to cascade the new minimum wage to the local government level. Implementation begins immediately,” he said.
News
Matawalle Brief President Tinubu on Security Situation in North-West
Minister commends Nigerian Military, reports SANDRA ANI
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON, briefed President H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on the outcome of his two operational tours to Sokoto State
Dr. Matawalle highlighted the significant successes recorded by the Nigerian Military in combating insecurity in the region, praising the dedication and professionalism of the Nigerian Military, particularly the Armed forces of Nigerian . “They will continue to play a critical role in safeguarding our nation,” he emphasized.
According to a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, director (Information and Public Relations), at the Ministry, the Minister eulogised President Tinubu for his Government’s commitment to providing necessary resources to maintain operational efficiency in countering security threats in the North-West. He also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to bolster NAF’s capacity as part of the strategic fight against insecurity in the region.
Dr. Matawalle’s operational visit to Sokoto State aimed to rekindle the people’s faith in the Federal Government’s efforts to restore peace and security in the North-West region. His presence, along with the Chief of Defence Staff and other military chiefs led to the elimination of many bandit leaders amongst whom is Halilu Buzu sububu. This demonstrates the government’s determination to flush out bandits and terrorists.
The Minister called on residents of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces to ensure the success of ongoing operations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was very pleased with his briefing and commended the Minister and the troops in their renewed vigour to eradicate insecurity in the North West and the country.
…Says MOD has the infrastructure to make both systems work effectively
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, has inaugurated the Project Steering Committee and Project Implementation Technical Team for the Performance Management System (PMS) and the Enterprise Content Management of the Ministry of Defence with a charge on the members of both Committees to make the Ministry shine.
Inaugurating the committee at the Ship house, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary said that the Ministry of Defence has the infrastructure and human resources that are experts to drive the process to success. “We have experts in the Ministry that can drive the process. We have Directors and Deputy- Directors from different departments who are experts and can help in cascading the processes down to other staff of the Ministry,” he said.
He therefore called on the Ministry’s Performance Management System (PMS) Champions to demonstrate unwavering commitment and excellence in driving service delivery and achieving set targets in line with the ministry’s mandate towards fulfilling the renewed hope agenda.
While he acknowledged that there might be initial hiccups, he charged the PMS Champions to be resilient in overcoming the initial challenges that may arise with the programme’s rollout and re-emphasized the need for a continuous training. “In MOD, training is not going to be an issue. We can afford to be organizing training on PMS and ECM every week.
Furthermore, Dr. Kana said that the PMS and ECM Champions are expected to lead the charge towards ensuring efficiency, productivity, and accountability across the Ministry, with the ultimate goal of achieving total compliance with government performance standards.
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