‘Collaboration Key to Increased Digital Connectivity’

Emma Okonji

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has stressed the need for collaboration between the public sector and the private sector, in order to drive widespread digital connectivity.

The minister said this while commending the collaboration between Galaxy Backbone, a government agency and Interra Network, a private organisation, for the launch of STORM, a broadband internet connectivity infrastructure that will provide connectivity access for the South-east and South-south regions of the country.

STORM was launched recently in Enugu though a hybrid event, which attracted physical audiences in Enugu and virtual audiences from across the country.

Pantami who connected to the event through video conferencing, said explained efforts by the government to transform Nigeria into one of the leading digital economies in the world.

According to the Minister, “In our attempt at achieving this, we came up with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy with the clear vision to transform Nigeria into a leading Digital Economy providing quality life and digital economies for all.

“This vision is strengthened by our mission which guides our daily activities towards ‘building a nation where digital innovation and entrepreneurship are used to create value and prosperity for all.

“With the launch of STORM, which has the capacity to provide high speed internet and hosting services everyday across the South-east and South-south regions, covering Enugu, down to Ebonyi to Owerri, Portharcourt, Awka, Onitsha and Asaba, the objectives of the initiative is gradually being met.”

Pantami said STORM would open up massive opportunities for corporates, small businesses and for homes looking to improve the quality of internet services at their location.

“We are much more convinced also that the project will lead to the creation of new businesses and an improvement in the living conditions of citizens across these locations,” Pantami said.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, said change remained the only constant thing in life. He, therefore, advised everyone to embrace change so that no one is left behind at the ‘speed of light’ transformations taking place all around the globe.

“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 us 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 technologies have taken centre stage especially in Nigeria where we have noted its great contribution to the GDP of our country in the last quarter of the year 2020. Projections continue to show an upward movement in this even in this year 2021,”Abubakar said.

He said broadband internet connectivity and hosting service being offered by STORM would lead to an experience that people would find efficient, reliable and with great support. Abubakar called on the people of South-east and South-south regions to take advantage of the digital opportunity that Galaxy Backbone is bringing to the regions in collaboration with Interra Networks.

Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, who was physically present in Enugu for the launch of STORM, said Nigeria’s future development would depend on capacity building that would drive human capital development, which he said the STORM initiative would achieve.

Enugu State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Obi Kama and his counterparts in Imo and Delta states, Prof. Boniface Ginikanwa and Mr. Rocky Ighoyota respectively, said the initiative would provide digital access for the South-east and South-south regions to explore the world of technology.