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ASR Africa launches N250M sports complex project at Uni Jos Campus

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Asile Abel, Jos

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has kicked off the construction of the N250 million sport complex for the University of Jos.

ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

The sporting facility which is sited at the Naraguta Campus of the university, is set to consolidate the preparedness of the university in hosting the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).

The facility will feature a 300-seater spectator stand, changing rooms, a lawn tennis court, and a basketball court.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, praised the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu for the critical facility intervention.

He mentioned that at the time of the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa for this laudable project, the university management was concerned about sourcing for funds to meet up with its nomination as the host university for the NUGA games. He added that with the ASR Africa TEGS grant, the university is positioned to host more games during the tournament.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the university signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Sports University in South Korea to develop a comprehensive sports programme to harness the talents that abound across the country in the various fields of sports and “this complex would be a business boost to implement the agreement”.

The Managing Director of ASR Africa, Ubong Udoh, applauded the management of the University of Jos for being an outstanding institution. He added that all of the universities who are beneficiaries of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme, were selected based on some stringent criteria which include the quality of leadership, the academic excellence at the University, amongst others.

“I want to start by commending the vice chancellor and the management of the university. He was very right when he said the criteria for qualification for this grant was very, very stringent. It was tight. But the University of Jos was very proactive. They actually sent us an application even before we opened to receive proposals. So they were one of the first universities to send the proposal and of course that put them high on the priority list.

“I congratulate you all for proactive and visionary governance. I want to talk also about another aspect of the criteria for qualifying for this grant, which is the vision and leadership of the university in question. The vice chancellor has proven beyond reasonable doubt. He’s a man of vision, he has created a lot of solutions. He has attracted a lot of development and infrastructure to the university. And I can only say that it was very easy for us to agree to partner with him and to partner with this institution to add value to where the gaps are.

“The choice of a sport complex is also very heartwarming to me. Like the VC said, I’m a sports lover. I’m a product of the university Games system, a proud winner of gold medals at Nigeria University Games Association in basketball. So when we saw the sports complex as a project, I mean, it was very heartwarming for me, because I believe we don’t just provide kids with a place to exercise and get healthy. When we build a sports complex or sports facility, we create a platform for social cohesion, for building unity, for building character. A place where kids can go and build their self esteem and become great citizens. This is a special and unique project and we’re very pleased that University of Jos is embarking on this.

“ASR Africa is the brainchild of Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu. It’s a hundred million dollar annual fund for renewal and social development. Samad Rabiu has committed $100 million every year to intervening and creating solutions in the areas of health, education and social development.

“He is passionate about giving. He’s always been a giver. His family has always been a giving family. But he’s also passionate about Africans and Nigerians taking responsibility to solve their own problems, looking inwards and creating our own solutions. This is why he created ASR Africa as a platform where we can look inwards and create solutions to our own problems”; the MD said.

Udoh assured the university of the speedy completion of the project ahead of NUGA games and reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, in supporting the education sector in Nigeria and Africa as a whole by providing indigenous solutions.

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Business

Galaxy Backbone Unveils Ambitious 4-Year Digital Transformation Roadmap for Nigeria

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Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria’s foremost digital infrastructure and services provider, has unveiled a bold and comprehensive four-year strategic plan (2025-2028) aimed at accelerating the integrated digital transformation Strategy (|DTS) plan for government and businesses in Nigeria.

This strategy is designed to enhance digital service delivery, strengthen connectivity, and support
Nigeria’s vision of a fully integrated digital economy.

Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, the strategy focuses on five core pillars that will drive efficiency innovation, and sustainability in Nigeria’s digital landscape.

Mr. Chidi Okpala Head, Corporate Communications in a statement said the first focuses on building a Resilient Digital Infrastructure; ensuring that govemment and businesses have access to secure, high-speed, and scalable digital platforms.

He said by building and maintaining a robust digital backbone, GBB aims to support the nation’s growing demand for seamless connectivity and data security.

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He also said the second pillar, Integrated Digital Ecosystems; fosters coll aboration between
government, businesses, and local communities, creating a more connected Nigeria.

He however said, through this initiative, GBB seeks to break silos and establish a unified digital
experience that enhances communication, innovation, and service delivery.

He added that to meet the evolving demands of governance and business, the strate gy prioritizes Innovative Service Delivery; ensuring that digital solutions are tailored to address economic, social, and administrative needs.

“By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, GBB is committed to driving efficiency, economic growth, and improved public service delivery.”

“Now, recognizing the critical role of trust in the digital era, the fourth pillar of the strategy places a strong emphasis on Digital Leadership & Trust.

“GBB is dedicated to fostering a culture of cybersecurity transparency, and accountability, ensuring that Nigerias digital infrastructure is not only efficient but also secure and reliable.”

“To sustain long-term impact, the fifth pillar, Financial Sustainability; remains a key priority.”

According to him, by investing in innovative technologies and expanding its digital services, GBB aims to drive revenue growth while ensuring affordability and accessibility for all users.

He also maintained that at its core, this strategic roadmap is designed to enhance government efficiency, boost economic development, and improve the overall digital experience for Nigerians.

” So, as part of its commitment to achieving these goals, GBB is actively engaging with government agencies, private sector players, and international and local partners to foster collaboration and accelerate implementation.”

He pointed out that through strategic partnerships, the organization is poised to lead Nigeria into a new era of digital excellence, ensuring that businesses and government institutions alike are equipped for the future.

Galaxy Backbone, through its IDTS plan, remains steadfast in its mission to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation through world-class infrastructure, secure connectivity, and innovative solutions that power progress.

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GBB to Train Over 300 Civil Servants on Govmail

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Abuja, Nigeria – Galaxy Backbone (GBB), the nation’s foremost digital infrastructure and services provider, is set to train over 300 civil servants, including Email Administrators and Heads of ICT, on the adoption, management, and administration of Govmail—the secure official email platform for Nigeria’s public sector. The training, which will be conducted in batches throughout the month of March 2025, aims to ensure maximum impact and effective knowledge transfer.

This initiative is in alignment with the Federal Government’s digitalisation agenda, which prioritizes secure, efficient, and technology-driven governance. By equipping civil servants with the necessary expertise to optimize Govmail, the government is ensuring seamless communication across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) while strengthening data security and operational efficiency.

Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation through innovative and secure technology solutions. “As the nation’s leading provider of digital infrastructure, GBB is playing a pivotal role in ensuring that government communications are secured, professional, and aligned with global best practices. This training will enhance civil servants’ ability to effectively utilize Govmail in carrying out their official responsibilities,” he stated.

The training is being conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), who has sent out a Circular to all MDAs informing them of this specialized training aimed at providing hands on experience with GOVMAIl features and ensure uniform adoption of and compliance with government approved digital communications standards. This further reinforces the government’s commitment to a digitally-driven public service. It would be recalled that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation recently described Govmail as a ‘game changer’ for government communication. This underscores the significance of the platform in enhancing inter-agency collaboration, data sovereignty, and information security across all MDAs.
Through this capacity-building initiative, GBB is reinforcing its role as a key enabler of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, ensuring that public sector professionals are well-equipped to harness the full potential of digital tools in their daily operations.

 

About Galaxy Backbone
Galaxy Backbone Ltd is a digital infrastructure and services company committed to providing secure and efficient digital solutions to support governance, service delivery, and national development for public and private sector organisatuons. GBB plays a critical role in the digitalisation of government processes, ensuring efficiency, security, seamless collaboration across MDAs and providing a platform for enabling digital services across corporate and public organisations.

Signed:
Chidi Okpala
Head, Corporate Communications

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KEDCO Sees Improvement in Financial Performance Following Power Restoration, Appeals for Prompt Payment

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Kano Electricity Distribution Plc. (KEDCO) has reported steady improvements in financial and business performance following the restoration of power supply after a significant blackout during the September-October 2024 billing and collection cycle. This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Sani Bala Sani, Head of Corporate Communication at KEDCO.

According to Sani, the blackout had severely impacted KEDCO and three other distribution companies in the North East and North West regions, with KEDCO being the worst hit. “Recall that KEDCO, alongside three other distribution companies in the North East and North West had significant disruption to power supply in October, with KEDCO being the worst hit,” he stated.

The operations at KEDCO were initially affected on October 13th, 2024, with only 40% of their grid allocation being supplied after the Shiroro-Kaduna 330kV line incident. This situation was exacerbated by a total blackout on October 20th, 2024, during the peak of the revenue collection cycle. “Although the power supply was partially restored to a 40% level on 30th October, we were only availed with up to around 85% supply levels on November 14th and are anxiously awaiting the completion of the Shiroro-Kaduna repairs,” Sani explained.

The blackout resulted in KEDCO’s worst market performance of the year, posing significant financial and economic challenges for both KEDCO and its customers. “Having zero grid supply posed significant financial and economic challenges for KEDCO and its customers, with many customers resorting to costly backup sources or shutting down operations,” Sani noted.

Despite the challenges, KEDCO has seen improvements in power supply, which now stands at around 85%, leading to significant collections from last month’s arrears. Sani urged customers to cooperate by paying their current bills and outstanding arrears promptly to ensure business sustainability. “Thankfully, with the current power supply at around 85%, we have recorded significant collections from last month’s arrears and are appealing to our customers to continue to cooperate with us on prompt settlement of their current bills and arrears, for business sustainability,” he appealed.

Sani also commended the resilience of KEDCO’s customers and vowed to continue improving the performance in supplying safe and reliable electricity. “We commend the resilience of our customers and vow to continue to improve our performance in supplying them with safe and reliable electricity,” he said. He thanked the Honourable Minister of Power for his timely intervention and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for their restoration efforts. “We equally acknowledge TCN’s restoration efforts and appreciate the Federal Government’s commitment to helping improve the redundancy and safety of the National Grid,” he added.

Looking ahead, KEDCO’s core investor and Board remain committed to driving investments and improving performance through embedded generation supply options via the Safe Grid and Utility 2.0 projects. “It remains our core investor and Board’s resolve to continue to drive investments and improved performance through embedded generation supply options in our network via the Safe Grid and Utility 2.0 projects,” Sani stated.

 

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