Abuja: Galaxy Backbone (GBB) has launched a digital empowerment initiative for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday as part of activities marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebration in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the five-day programme was tagged ‘Social Skills and Media Empowerment’. The training attracted 52 participants and focused on equipping IDPs with digital skills. GBB Managing Director, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, highlighted the significance of the organisation’s milestone, reflecting two decades of digital innovation and the opportunity it presents to transform lives through technology.
Adeyanju described GBB’s 20-year journey as a testament to innovation, resilience, and service. He emphasized that true connectivity extends beyond telecommunications infrastructure and broadband services, aiming to connect people with opportunities, hope, and a dignified future. The initiative is regarded as the company’s most meaningful intervention, addressing the challenges faced by displaced persons through technology.
The programme’s objective is to shift the narrative from dependency to empowerment and self-reliance. Adeyanju stated, ‘For too long, the narrative around IDPs has been one of charity and dependency. Today, we are moving from relief to resilience and from handouts to digital tools.’ The programme is built on three pillars of digital development: skills training, digital starter toolkits, and market access with mentorship.
Training was provided in areas including digital marketing, social media management, graphic design, content creation, data entry, and virtual assistance skills. Participants received smartphones with productivity and learning applications, along with subsidised internet data packages to mitigate connectivity barriers. The programme also aims to provide market access and mentorship opportunities, with GBB volunteers offering ongoing guidance and coaching.
Adeyanju urged government agencies, private organisations, and development partners to support similar initiatives, advocating for collaboration to expand opportunities for vulnerable communities. He also called upon the international community to connect IDP talents with opportunities in the global digital economy.
The programme’s success will be measured by lives transformed, with digital inclusion and economic empowerment as core objectives. Adeyanju encouraged the beneficiaries, describing them as future business leaders, designers, and technology entrepreneurs. Liyatu Ayuba, the IDP women leader, expressed gratitude for the gesture and committed to ensuring the effective use of the phones and opportunities provided.