The Office of the Surveyor-general of the Federation (OSGOF) is collaborating with the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the National Population Commission (NPC), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Jamitan Tech Nig. Ltd, the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), and other critical GIS organizations and societies to host a GIS Day Event.
The organisers said Nigeria, GIS Day is yet to be celebrated at the scale they envision, which is why it opted to split it into two days. Day 1, 14th November 2023, has been themed “GIS for Executives.”
The event would be graced by dignitaries from various sectors to discuss the application of GIS in their ministries, departments and agencies. The organisers also announced that there will be presentations from experts. Former director of AGIS, Dr Isa Jalo is among the experts expected to speak at the event alongside panel discussions.
“GIS departments, organisations and societies will also be allowed to exhibit their GIS Projects on Day 2, 15th November 2023, GIS Day proper, will be primarily focused on the users of GIS – in line with this year’s theme of Celebrating the GIS Professional. Demos from old hands in GIS like OSGOF, Esri, Khatib & Alami (K&A), and Mr Glen Stewart of the NYPD have also been scheduled for Day 2.
“Finally, Day 2 will wrap up with an exhilarating StoryMaps Competition where users will display StoryMaps prowess and expertise. Prizes will be given to all who participate and special prizes will be given to the top five winners.
“GIS Day is an international celebration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and its many applications. Our event will bring together GIS professionals, students, and enthusiasts from all sectors to display and showcase their GIS Projects,” the organisers said in a statement.
The founder and CEO of Esri, Jack Dangermond, began the worldwide event in 1999. GIS Day is celebrated by GIS professionals, enthusiasts, businesses, students and organizations across the world. GIS Day has never been celebrated in Nigeria at this scale and this consortium hopes to bring all that GIS excitement to life in Nigeria.
