GIS DAY 2023. WHAT HAPPENED AT SAMBUS NIGERIA.
INTRODUCTION
November 15, 2023 was the 25th GIS Day. Inspired by Ralph Nader, Jack Dangermond created GIS Day. It happens each year on the Wednesday of Geography Awareness Week, which is the third week of November. Geography Awareness Week is a program from the National Geographic Society.
Sambus Nigeria had one of her best GIS Day events yet. With rigorous planning and implementation, we mapped out a four-day program comprising of 8 events spread across four states, including Abuja, Jos, Lagos and, Kaduna. Here is a summary of what those four days looked like:
Monday, November 13, 2023
With the focus on ‘Celebrating the GIS Professionals, we kicked off the week by targeting the young future professionals of GIS. We visited Solid Rock International School, Lugbe, Abuja; the excited students and staff created a conducive environment to hold an interactive session on GIS. They paid rapt attention as our Research and Development specialist, Olumide Ogungbemi engaged them in topics and discussions spanning the meaning, applications and, careers in GIS. This was aimed at improving GIS literacy and inspiring the next generation of GIS Professionals.
Next up was the Geoinformation Society on Nigeria (GEOSON) Conference/Annual General Assembly/GIS Day celebration – a four-day annual event that brings together members of GEOSON and stakeholders, including professionals like GIS Analysts, Surveyors, Urban planners, Geographers, Lecturers and others who leverage geographic information to help people make better decisions. Sambus exhibited various ranges of GIS Solutions to the participants/delegates. Solutions that will improve the impact of the GIS professionals. The highlight was the presentation by Sambus GIS Developer, Moyinoluwa Olajide on ArcGIS Field maps for Field Operations and Security Management.
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Tuesday, 14th of November; the second day of GIS week also marked Day 1 of a two-day GIS Day Nigeria event organized by our partners; Jamitan Tech and co-sponsored by Sambus Geospatial. The first day was themed “GIS for Executives” and featured presentations and discussions on the application of GIS in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Not leaving the higher education students out, we visited the Faculty of Environmental Science, Baze University Abuja to hold presentations, sales preamble, and, interactive sessions around the use and applications of GIS.
Our visit held simultaneously a virtual event hosted by Sambus Geospatial Ghana, gathering students across West Africa and anywhere in the world. Key activities included breathtaking presentations from leading GIS Professionals such as Valentine Anaba, Arnaud Leidgens, Caleb Odiji and, Kingsley Twumasi. Attended by over 170 people from across the globe, it offered participants an excellent opportunity to ask questions and interact one-on-one with the professionals.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023: GIS DAY.
Still with focus on education, it kicked off with another event in Kaduna Polytechnic. A highlight of the event was the virtual presentation by Sambus GIS Developer, Moyinoluwa Olajide. She captivated the students; touching on relatable topics like ‘Top 5 Skills Needed for a Successful GIS Career’ and a Demo on the Africa Geoportal. Sambus supported the event through sponsorship as well as gifts of GIS Day/ESRI Swags.
With GIS Day Nigeria Day 2 also taking center stage, Sambus staff and management graced the dynamic event that featured passionate speakers, engaging presentations, and, a keenly contested Story map competition with mouth-watering prizes up for grabs. Sambus Technical and Professional Services Lead, Bamidele Oke delivered a presentation on GIS in Oil and Gas: Monitoring and Evaluation.
Our Lagos office was not left out. The team, in partnership with the Young Surveyors Network, Lagos State Chapter; a vibrant community of young surveyors, organized a technical and interactive session at the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors Secretariat, Lagos State. With over 200 participants, it was a worthy showcase of the wonders of GIS.
After that, attention shifted to our in-office GIS Day celebration. Dazzling in our adorable GIS Day T-Shirt, the staff and management had a good time in the office, which climaxed with the cutting of the GIS Day Cake!
Thursday, November 16, 2023
We wrapped it up with a Partners breakfast meeting. It was an exciting time with our partners; our MD, Akua Aboabea Aboa and Regional Partner Manager WAMEA’ ESRI, Ghassan Schbley in attendance. Product updates, ESRI partnership initiatives and, 2024 outlook, and GIS Solutions were discussed in very informative presentations.
Conclusion
It was a sensational 4 days of remarkable GIS Day events. All over the country and beyond, we spread the fragrance of GIS day to celebrate the professionals leveraging GIS in making the world a better place. A result of months of rigorous and intentional planning by the dedicated staff and management at Sambus Geospatial.
With all these in 4 days, one could argue having GIS Day every day. But until then,
See you next year, November 20, 2024, for an even better celebration. Until then, Happy GIS Day!!!
