Telecom
Galaxy Backbone Partners Interra Network to Connect S/East and S/South with STORM ISP
Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and Interra Networks have officially launched an Internet Service Provider, codenamed STORM.ng, for the benefit of the South East and South South regions of the country.
The project, under the Nigeria National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) Phase I, was launched in Enugu State on Tuesday.
The GBB and Interra Networks, through STORM, would cover Enugu, Ebonyi, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Awka, Onitsha and Asaba under its national fibre roll out programme.
Dr Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, at the launch of the project expressed delight with the unveiling of STORM as a fibre connectivity and digital services platform powered by GBB, which aligned with the vision of the present administration.
The minister, who joined virtually, explained that STORM would open up massive opportunities for corporates, small businesses and for homes looking to improve the quality of internet services in those regions.
“I would like to congratulate Galaxy Backbone and its project partners for achieving this great feat, which will provide fast and efficient delivery of Internet and hosting services for the South-East and South-South regions.
“Since 2019, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has championed the country’s digital transformation agenda in efforts to position it as one of the leading Digital Economies in the world.
“To achieve this aim, we developed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) (2020-2030) with the clear vision ‘to transform Nigeria into a leading Digital Economy providing quality life and digital economies for all.”
He said the mission was “to build a nation where digital innovation and entrepreneurship are used to create value and prosperity for all.”
He, however recalled that STORM initiative was in line with the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria (2020 – 2030).
Pantami added that STORM was a significant milestone in support of the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate broadband penetration across cities and underserved communities in the country.
He expressed optimism that Digital Services would expand and strengthen development since Nigeria was endowed with enormous potential.
He congratulated GBB and Interra Network teams for putting the launch in place and urged them to work together in order to ensure wealth and prosperity was expanded in the nation.
“In particular, it supports the implementation of Pillar 3 (the Solid Infrastructure Pillar). It is also in alignment with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020 – 2025).
“Broadband connectivity plays a major role in the economic fortunes of countries around the world.
“A 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration can lead to growth in Gross Domestic Product in the region of 0.6 per cent to 2.8 per cent.
“Furthermore, the use of broadband technology goes beyond facilitating socialisation.
“Rather, it supports key sectors of the economy, such as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“These enterprises are a critical part of the Nigerian economy and broadband access enables them to extend their services beyond their physical locations through the use of e-commerce platforms.
“It will support government’s effort in meeting the target of the NNBP, which aims to achieve a 90 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.
“Through platforms like STORM, we are extending the provision of internet services beyond major cities in the country, thereby deepening broadband penetration across the country to overcome the existing digital divide,” he said.
Recall that Galaxy Backbone had deployed fibre optics to 17 major cities across the federation under the first phase of NICTIB.
Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, managing director of GBB, said the plan to launch the project in year 2020 was aborted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abubakar, who also joined virtually, expressed optimism that with the official launch of STORM, GBB and Interra Networks were ready to unleash broadband services to organisations and homes in South East and South South.
He informed that STORM would bridge the notable gaps in the market in terms of reliable internet service.
According to him, change is the only constant thing in life and as people living in a fast changing digital world, I am sure you all know how important it is to ensure we embrace change,
“So, that we are not left behind at the speed of light transformations taking place all around us.
“We are confident that by making fast and reliable internet services available in urban and rural communities, greater number of job opportunities will emanate and we can lift more people out of poverty.
“History has shown that in every major pandemic, one or two sectors begin to thrive and lead to the transformation of the lives of entire communities and indeed the world.
“In this case, Digital Technology has taken centre stage, especially in Nigeria, where we have observed its great contributions to the GDP of our country in the last quarter of the year 2020.
“We are not unmindful of the strides recorded by most of our competitors in this industry.
“We are confident that the broadband internet connectivity and hosting service being offered by STORM will lead to an experience that you will find efficient, reliable and with great support.”
Speaking on ‘”Partnering to Serve: The Storm Value Proposition”, Mr David Onu, president, Interra Networks, , said that the service would enable greater youth participation in technology and digital economy drive.
According to Onu, ICT is considered to be the new oil worldwide and it is very interesting to see that just 15 years ago, the top six companies were oil companies.
“Today, those companies are no more in the top 10. The only one that has broken the top 10 record is the Exxon Mobil.
“And you ask yourself what has made it so. What have made it so are the IT services and data.
“It is something interesting, taken away from the corporate world and countries that were considered to belong to the third world 20 years ago.
“It is interesting to see how they have erased their poverty index; by empowering people, creating jobs and creating wealth.”
He, however bemoaned the misnomer in Nigeria, which was excessive reliance on natural resources, adding that the biggest strength had been intellectual resources.
“What has been going on today in the country is that silent revolution and it will soon take the country by storm with the engagement of our young people in technology.
“We hear of our young people getting investments from companies outside the country to expand; we hear of services that are being used Africa-wide and worldwide and we haven’t even started.
He hinged the launch of STORM on the harnessing of the capacity of young people and businesses in the regions to boost the economy.
Dignitaries present at the event included: Mr Osita Chidoka, former minister of Aviation; Sir Carl Obi Kama, commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Science and Technology; Prof. Boniface Nworgu, commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Science and Technology.
Others were Rocky Ighoyota, director of ICT, Delta State Ministry of Science and Technology; Abdul-Malik Suleiman, group head, Regional Offices, Galaxy Backbone; Tope Dele-Oni, head, Regional Business & Operations, Galaxy Backbone (Lagos and South West), among others.
Telecom
NASENI Retreat Focuses on Aligning Development Institutes’ Goals
In order to achieve greater cohesion amongst its Development Institutes and also sustain their proper alignment with the goals and vision of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, the Agency is holding a two-day strategic retreat for Overseeing Officers who are managing the institutes.
Participants at the retreat also include Project Managers, Coordinating Directors and some Directors from NASENI headquarters.
The event, held in Abuja, is expected to strengthen leadership skills to achieve strategic alignment of the various Development Institutes’ goals with the overarching vision of NASENI, ensure collaborative synergies with the headquarters to streamline efforts, maximize resource utilization and enhance decision making capabilities.
It will also shift the focus of research and development (R&D) efforts towards solutions that are market-ready, innovative and capable of generating sustainable economic values.
In his welcome address at the opening ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, stated that the retreat was not merely about planning, but about creating the blueprint for action, adding that each of the participants hold a unique and pivotal role in translating the vision of NASENI into reality.
“The conversations, strategies, and commitments forged here will determine how effectively we position NASENI to lead Nigeria into a future defined by innovation, self-reliance, and technological advancement, instill a shared commitment to excellence by adopting global best practices in innovation management”, he stressed.
He pointed out that recent assessments have shed light on the need for greater cohesion between the goals of the Development Institutes and NASENI’s renewed vision, highlighting that the retreat was a critical step in the Agency’s transformative journey-a journey anchored in the guiding principles of Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialization (3Cs).
He added that the principles encapsulate the essence of what NASENI stands for: creating cutting-edge solutions that are commercially viable and impacting directly on the lives of Nigerians who sit at the core of the renewed hope agenda of the President.
“Today, we gather not just to deliberate but to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more unified NASENI-one that is poised to drive Nigeria’s technological aspirations to unprecedented heights.
“As an institution saddled with the responsibility of indigenous technology advancement, NASENI has always been a beacon of innovation, a catalyst for progress, and a key driver of sector-specific solutions.
“Across our specialized Development Institutes, I see clearly that remarkable work has been done to push the frontiers of research, foster innovation, and develop solutions that address national and industrial challenges.
“Yet, we recognize that to stay true to our mission in this rapidly evolving world, we must continuously adapt, align, and refocus our efforts”, he affirmed.
The EVC/CEO, therefore urged the top management staff to engage fully, think boldly, and collaborate purposefully. “This is our moment to redefine our collective impact and to reaffirm our dedication to a vision that transcends individual institutes to unite us under the banner of progress for our nation.
“Together, we can and will achieve extraordinary outcomes. Let us move forward with clarity, resolve, and to demonstrate an unyielding commitment to excellence that defines NASENI,” he concluded.
Telecom
IHS Nigeria Partners with the NCMM to Digitize Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage
IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count has announced a strategic partnership with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy (FMACCE) to support the digitization of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
This collaboration aims to make Nigeria’s historical artifacts, artworks, and cultural monuments more accessible to the public through a digital museum.
The partnership between IHS Nigeria, NCMM, and FMACCE will leverage technologies to digitalize and display artifacts online, helping to preserve and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage. It marks a significant step towards modernizing the preservation and dissemination of Nigeria’s cultural assets, making them more accessible to a broader audience.
The digital museum is the first significant project under the Honorable Minister’s Digital Culture Initiative and is designed to provide a platform for the exploration and appreciation of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage. This partnership underscores IHS Nigeria’s commitment to sustainability and its role in helping foster cultural preservation and digital education.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, “We are excited to partner with the National Council for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy on this groundbreaking initiative. As a company deeply rooted in Nigeria, we recognize the importance of preserving, protecting, and promoting our cultural heritage.
“This partnership also aligns with our commitment to sustainability, education, economic growth, and community development. We look forward to contributing to the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural legacy”.
Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, commented, “We are delighted to partner with IHS Nigeria on this initiative which aligns with His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and our Ministry’s 8-point plan on fostering strategic partnerships.
“I am particularly pleased that this initiative, which is the first significant project under our Digital Culture Initiative, embodies our commitment to innovation, global partnerships, and the sustainable growth of our creative industries, positioning Nigeria as a leader on the global stage.”
Olugbile Holloway, Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commented, “We are grateful to IHS Nigeria for their support in this remarkable initiative.
“We believe that to keep ahead of current trends and appeal to a younger demographic, it is imperative that a digital experience of our rich cultural heritage is created and made available to the public.
“The digital museum will serve as an invaluable resource for researchers, students, and the general public, both in Nigeria and around the world, and will play a crucial role in the preservation of our national heritage.”
Telecom
Google Faces Major Antitrust Action: DOJ Demands Chrome Sale
In a significant escalation of its antitrust battle against Google, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, November 20, urged a federal judge to break up the tech giant by ordering the sale of its widely used Chrome browser.
The DOJ also called for an end to Google’s agreements to be the default search engine on smartphones and proposed measures to prevent it from leveraging its Android operating system to dominate the market.
The DOJ suggested that if these remedies fail, Google should be compelled to divest Android entirely. The proposals mark one of the most aggressive antitrust moves against a major tech company in decades, with regulators seeking to curtail Google’s alleged abuse of its market power.
Google’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, criticized the filing, accusing the DOJ of pursuing a “radical interventionist agenda.” Walker warned that the proposed breakup would disrupt Google’s product ecosystem, harm innovation in artificial intelligence, and threaten America’s global technological leadership.
This case represents a historic shift in the US government’s approach to regulating tech companies, following decades of relative inaction since the failed attempt to break up Microsoft in the early 2000s.
Google is set to respond in a filing next month, with a hearing scheduled for April before Judge Amit Mehta. The judge’s August ruling declared Google a monopoly, setting the stage for this next phase of the legal battle. Any decision is likely to be appealed, potentially taking years to resolve and possibly reaching the US Supreme Court.
The case’s future could also hinge on political changes, as President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration may take a different approach to antitrust enforcement. Trump has previously criticized Google for alleged bias against conservatives but has also expressed skepticism about breaking up major tech companies.
The DOJ’s proposals come amid broader efforts to address the dominance of big tech, with five antitrust cases currently pending against Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Google. These cases, brought under the Biden administration, are expected to shape the regulatory landscape for years to come.
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