Internet access: Galaxy lifts 110 schools in Anambra

Public sector-based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure provider, Galaxy Backbone Plc, has entered a deal with the Anambra State Government for the provision of internet connectivity with video conferencing capabilities to 110 secondary schools in the state.

This is coming as the video conference facilities were launched in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Monday.

The deal which was concluded in Abuja last week saw the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi endorsing the contract papers alongside the Managing
Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Obi noted that the initiative is in line with his drive to develop human capital and turn the state into a 21st century knowledge society through the provision of network connectivity that would be accessible to students and teachers at a fast speed in the Anambra State secondary education system.

Obi also said, his administration has demonstrated the commitment to lift the standard of education in the state.

“You may be familiar with our chequerred recent past in this state, but we are making sure that we will bring the state back to its lost glory, restore hope and move education forward to achieve the desired change in this state,” he said.

Gov. Obi disclosed that his government has commenced the building of 4,000 classrooms across the state, which he described as the largest anywhere in the country.

He pointed out that not long ago, his administration provided 108 schools with generating sets, and now the internet connectivity to 110 secondary schools in the first phase.

“We are moving also to the Microsoft Academy which we intend to establish in the state”, Obi revealed.

Earlier in his address, Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Ilukwe exhibited confidence that the deal is a demonstration of the governor’s promise and commitment to raise the standard of education in the state.

He reaffirmed Anambra people that Galaxy Backbone would be partners to the current administration to ensure progress in the education sector in the state.

Equally in his remark, the Corporate Executive in-charge of States, Education & Development department of the Galaxy, Mr. Yusuf Kazaure commended Gov. Obi for his efforts at upgrading the standard of education in his domain, stressing that it is a revolution in the annals of the nation’s education sector.

The ICT initiative, he said, would foster collaborative relationships between teachers and students in the development, mostly in sharing of content applications and other resources as well as stimulating capacity building among educational institutions in the state.

“We are committed to the Gov. Obi’s vision for the  state and when we are able to succeed at this level, the state will be better for it because the governor’s mission is to turn the state into a 21st century knowledge society,” Kazaure asserted.

He explained that the network connectivity initiative would enhance the development of human capital in the state, maintaining that human capital development is the hope of the world, and that the initiative of the governor would ensure growth in the state in the future.

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