ICT
Pantami Charges Galaxy Backbone on Innovation, Customer Relations
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has urged management and members of staff of the Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Limited, on rapid innovation and unflinching drive to put customers first. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
This was contained in a statement signed by the Managing Director of GBB, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, on Tuesday.
Pantami, was speaking in his capacity as minister and also as chairman of a four-day retreat for members of staff of GBB in Abuja.
“I will like to encourage all the Management team of Galaxy Backbone to support the Managing Director to ensure that GBB continues to make innovations such that the perceived and yet to be perceived needs of the customer come first.
“It is my hope that after this retreat, GBB will adopt the exploration, rather than exploitation approach in its long-term critical thinking, to set the nation on a new branded Galaxy Backbone,” Pantami was quoted as saying in the statement.
Also speaking, Abubakar said the minister had set the policy direction for GBB through the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy document, hence the need for the management retreat to strategise on how to execute it.
He highlighted the great achievements of GBB in the past one year and recognised that the successes made were great because of the support of the ministry.
According to him, Galaxy Backbone has in the last one year, with the support of the minister, risen to the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic, by providing digital and network communication services to Federal Government offices.
“Homes of top government functionaries, which has allowed effective government business continuity, while obeying COVID-19 protocols of social distancing and remote working.”
Abubakar promised that he would continue to do everything within his capacity to ensure that GBB’s internal and external stakeholders and customers received improved and committed digital services and make GBB ICT service provider of choice.
He described the Minister’s presence at the retreat as a commitment to the digitalisation of Nigeria and belief in GBB’s capability to provide digital services to government institutions, as well as its ability to deliver on the implementation of the Digital transformation drive of Nigeria.
While describing GBB staff as the organisation’s assets, Abubakar thanked them for their efforts in the development of the organisation.
“This was driven by stakeholder (both internal and external), and Industry perspectives meant to ensure that Galaxy Backbone prepares itself adequately for the challenges and opportunities.
“Not just for the COVID era, but also in the area of digital transformational changes going on in Nigeria and across the world,” he said.
Abubakar noted that the retreat deliberated on a five-year business plan, anchored on six strategic pillars of: Government Policies; Data Sovereignty; Financial Sustainability; Customer Satisfaction; Operational Excellence, Improved Capacity and Capability.
According to him, adequate initiatives and strategies have been developed around these pillars to ensure GBB provides effective, efficient and reliable high speed connectivity services across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), of Government and the country at large.
He also said that this would help in deepening broadband penetration and adding greater value for a digital Nigeria and beyond, saying the vision of GBB remained “to become a leading enabler of digital inclusion for Africa.”
He stated that in the next few years (2021-2025), the services of Galaxy Backbone would be driven by excellence and a customer centric mindset.
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ICT
Kogi First Lady Calls For Responsible Use Of ICT
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The wife of Kogi Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has called on youths across the state to embrace responsible use of Information and Communication Technology and digital platforms as tools for promoting positive values in society.
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Mrs Ododo made the call at a sensitization programme held in Government House, Lokoja, to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence,
The First Lady said the celebration was part of Kogi Government’s efforts to strengthen the campaign against violence targeted at women and girls in the state.
She stressed the significance of this year’s theme, which focuses on combating the growing menace of digital violence.
Mrs Ododo urged all well‑meaning citizens of Kogi State and Nigeria to reject every form of online abuse, harassment, and harmful content while prioritizing the protection and wellbeing of their families.
She emphasised that violence, whether physical, emotional, or digital, remains a major destroyer of homes, bringing sorrow, disunity, and strife, and appealed to parents, especially mothers, to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s online and offline activities.
Reaffirming the Kogi State Government’s commitment, she noted that safeguarding women and children is a top priority, promoting equal access to education, supporting girls’ and women’s participation in policy‑making, and strengthening empowerment structures.
The First Lady also called on women and girls to stand against digital violence, break the silence, and empower themselves to use digital platforms wisely,
She urging men and boys to join the fight and foster a culture of respect and equality.
The Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade (PhD), and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Acharu Okpanachi, reaffirmed a united front against violence targeting women and girls in the state.
Ayoade emphasized that the fight is collective, and urged every stakeholder to contribute to a safer society for women and girls.
Hon. Okpanachi said that her ministry will collaborate closely with partners to shield women from all forms of violence and is launching a program offering counseling, support services, and awareness campaigns on women’s rights.
Several speakers also highlighted the importance of women gathering evidence—such as screenshots—to strengthen justice efforts.
The Governor’s wife with other dignitaries had earlier in the morning led Kogi women and girls on a road walk across Lokoja streets on campaign to stop violence against women and girls in the state and Nigeria at large.
Ends.
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ICT
Digital Economy and eGovernance: Stakeholders Endorse Bill, Demand Institutional Role Definition
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s digital and technology ecosystem have expressed support for the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, describing it as a vital step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework that will strengthen digital governance, boost innovation, and accelerate socio-economic development.
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However, they urged the National Assembly to address potential overlaps between the proposed law and the mandates of existing agencies to prevent institutional conflict and regulatory burden.
The submissions were made on Monday during a Public Hearing convened by the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on ICT, Cybersecurity, Digital and Information Technology at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Among groups that presented their position was the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR), which commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and federal lawmakers for the initiative.
Presenting NADIR’s memorandum, its Legal Adviser, Barrister Yunus AbdulSalam (SAN), said the Bill represents a significant legislative intervention aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s digital governance ecosystem and regulating emerging technologies. He, however, cautioned that certain provisions appear to replicate functions already assigned to agencies such as NITDA, NCC, and NDPC.
Such duplication, he warned, could “trigger constitutional and institutional disputes, raise compliance costs, and discourage private sector participation and investment.”
He recommended that the National Assembly adopt a “consolidation and amendment approach,” extracting the Bill’s innovative elements and integrating them into the existing Act, rather than creating new regulatory overlaps.
Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, said the Bill would enhance Nigeria’s digital competitiveness, strengthen e-governance service delivery, improve transparency, and boost the ease of doing business, particularly in the ICT sector.
He noted that the digital economy currently contributes about 20 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, adding that the passage of the Bill would unlock greater opportunities for job creation, innovation, and revenue growth.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Honourable Adedeji Stanley Olajide, said the engagement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building a transparent and innovation-driven governance structure. He emphasized that collaboration among lawmakers, regulators, and industry players marked “a new phase in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.”
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lauded the National Assembly for advancing the Bill and assured that stakeholder concerns would be considered to guarantee a balanced outcome. He said the proposed framework seeks to enable seamless data sharing across government institutions and foster stronger synergy with the private sector.
He also highlighted the Bill’s provisions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing AI as a strategic tool that could enhance Nigeria’s productivity and global digital competitiveness.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stressed that Nigeria must adopt a modern digital legal framework to benefit from ongoing global technological shifts. He cited the application of AI in agriculture for real-time access to data on best practices, weather patterns, and input quality as an example of the potential impact on food security.
Stakeholders present at the hearing included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), among others.
Declaring the hearing open, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, described the Bill as a bold step toward aligning Nigeria’s governance and economic policies with global digital realities.
The Bill, if passed into law, is expected to play a transformational role in Nigeria’s digital economy comparable to the telecommunications liberalization policy of 2001.
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ICT
Kogi State Govt, MTN Resolves Long-standing Dispute
By Abdulrahman Obaje
The Kogi State Government has resolved its long-standing dispute with MTN Nigeria over tax remittance and operational compliance.
This is contained in a press release dated May 22, 2025 and signed by the Press Secretary to the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Unubi Emmanuel
The meeting, held Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja, was initiated by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and chaired by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu.
Governor Ododo, through his Deputy called on corporate organizations to adhere to tax obligations and operational protocols in their relationship with the government.
He described recent disagreement with the telecom operator that led to service disruptions in the state as a routine challenge in institutional relationships.
The Governor lauded the role of the NCC in mediating in the impasse and acknowledged the willingness of all parties to respect agreements reached by the parties.
He emphasized that Kogi remains open for business, assuring investors of a conducive environment to operate and thrive.
Ealier, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, who spoke on behalf of the National Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that both MTN Nigeria and the state government have agreed to a mutually acceptable terms of settlement of outstanding debts owed Kogi state government by the telecoms operator.
He commmended Governor Ododo for fostering policies that support businesses to grow, adding that the peaceful resolution of the face-off would boost investor confidence and benefit the people of the state.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Hilary Ojoma Egwudah, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor; Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS); Alhaji Taofik Isah, Director General of the Kogi State Utility, Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency (KUIMCA); and Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), among others.
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