Galaxy to host 2nd infrastructure forum

Galaxy Backbone Plc (GBP) in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has concluded plans to host the 2nd Public Sector Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Forum in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

ITRealms Online recalls that Galaxy in July this year, hosted the 1st Public Sector ICT Infrastructure Forum with the objective to initiate a strategic and cohesive approach to the acquisition and deployment of a secure, pervasive and integrated ICT infrastructure platform within the government as well as drive digital inclusion of underserved communities for the socio-economic development of the country.

According to the Chief, Business Operations at Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Yusuf Kazaure, this forum is targeted at directors overseeing ICT functions and other related cadre in the Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and has been scheduled to hold on December 2, Tuesday, 2008 at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.

He also said that the forum is designed as a one-day interactive workshop to focus on the 1-GOV.net services platform, which is in line with government’s resolve to adopt a more efficient and transparent approach to the acquisition and deployment of ICTs by MDAs.

“This is also the second in the series of our stakeholders’ programmes put in place to create the required awareness of the objective of the government from which the company derives its mission as well as an engagement model designed to meet the requirements of the MDAs,” he said.

Kazaure stressed that Galaxy Backbone is currently engaged in the process of rolling-out a shared ICT infrastructure platform known as ‘1-GOV.net’ consisting a national Internet Protocol (IP) Backbone and Internet Data Center infrastructure through which it offers connectivity, data centre and other ICT infrastructure services for government MDAs.

“Galaxy also develops solutions that help MDAs and other customers to better utilize its shared infrastructure and realize the benefits of ICTs,” he said.

The forum coming at this time provides Galaxy Backbone with the opportunity to properly sensitize the participants on the benefits of the 1-GOV.net services platform and its implications for the 2009 budget.

“It is also an avenue for addressing the expectations of this segment of the company’s stakeholders especially with the commencement of the roll-out of 1-GOV.net services,” he said.

A press statement from Galaxy signed by Head, Corporate Strategy and Planning, Mr. Frank Ugbodaga, informed that the keynote address would be presented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the OSGF, Dr. (Amb.) Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, with the theme; “The Impact of Galaxy’s 1-GOV.net and how it affects the 2009 budget: The need for a paradigm shift”.

He also said that this would definitely reinforce Government’s commitment to this initiative and strongly support the attainment of the anticipated benefits as encapsulated in the 7-Point Agenda and the objectives of Vision 20 2020 of this administration.



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