By SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH
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 at the NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Kado Abuja on the 14th & 15th of November 2023.
In Nigeria, GIS Day is yet to be celebrated at the scale we envision, which is why we opted to split it into two days. Day 1, 14th November 2023, has been themed “GIS for Executives” as it will be graced by dignitaries to discuss the application of GIS in their Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. There will be presentations from experts in the field like Dr Isa I. Jalo, former Director of AGIS, and Panel Discussions with dignitaries like the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surv. Adebomehin Adeyemi and the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra.
GIS Departments, Organizations, and Societies will also be given the opportunity 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 founder and CEO of Esri, Jack Dangermond, began this worldwide event in 1999. Today 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.
