EDOGIS Takes Delivery Of Hardwares To Enhance Geospatial Data Management
By EDITOR
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has donated specialised hardwares to Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) aimed at enhancing the Agency’s capacity and commitment to Geospatial Data Management in the Country.
Director-General, NASDRA, represented by a Senior Director in the Agency, Dr. Innocent Ehiaguina Bello, who made the donations at a recent critical training session at the EDOGIS premises, also commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and his team for making the Project a reality.
He noted that the gesture was partly in recognition of the outstanding feat of EDOGIS as the winner of the Best State GIS in Nigeria Award conferred on the Agency by the Federal Government of Nigeria in October, 2024.
He disclosed that the deployment of the hardwares in the operations of EDOGIS was aimed at strengthening the Agency’s capacity and commitment to enhanced Geospatial Data Management in Nigeria.
The historic handing over ceremony of the Hardwares was during the unveiling of the 4-day GRID³ Nigeria Project held at the EDOGIS premises from December 2nd – 6th, 2024.
Participants at the event were drawn from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) in Edo State who were trained for four days to enhance their knowledge and capacity in Geospatial Data Management.
The capacity-building training which was carried out with the effective facilitation, collaboration and input of the Training Unit of EDOGIS headed by Town Planner and GIS expert, Mr. Joshua Faniran also had other senior Management Staff of Edo State Geographic Information Service, (EDOGIS) led by its Managing Director, ESV. Osaro Grace Aihie, FNVIS in attendance.
The participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies included Ministry of Education; Ministry of Physical Planning Urban and Regional Development; Ministry of Women Affairs; Ministry of Environment and the host, Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS).
NASDRA’s Director-General, in his address delivered on his behalf by Dr. Innocent Bello, highlighted the country’s achievements since entering the global space community in 2003 with the launch of NigeriaSat-1.
According to him, the Country’s milestone laid the groundwork for leveraging remote sensing data to address socio-cultural and environmental challenges.
”Over the years, Nigeria has made significant strides in deploying geo-information technologies for disaster management, security, agriculture, telemedicine, and other critical sectors.
“The GRID³ Nigeria Project aims to enhance the coordination, collection, and management of geospatial data to ensure evidence-based policy making and equitable resource distribution, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations. The initiative will also bolster access to updated geospatial datasets for state governments, private sector players, and non-governmental organizations.
“Additionally, it seeks to strengthen the capacity of data managers through hands-on training in geospatial data applications”, he declared.
The NASRDA D-G used the opportunity to emphasize the Agency’s long-term commitment to managing and maintaining the GRID³ portal on behalf of the Federal Government.
He said the Agency plans to collaborate with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at both national and state levels to integrate all government geospatial data into the GRID³ portal.
He said it was in this regard, Edo State was chosen as pilot scheme and EDOGIS selected to host the training based on her superlative performance in a recent poll conducted by the Federal Government and the technological advancement in place which earned the Agency the enviable award of the Best State GIS in Nigeria in October 2024.
He pointedly remarked that Edo State was expected to significantly contribute declassified geospatial datasets for inclusion during the training.
As part of the expectations and partnership, the Project donated advanced hardware to Edo State Geographic Information System (GIS), including two high-end workstations for data processing and development.
Additionally, he said ₦540,000 worth of internet subscriptions had been allocated to the hardwares to facilitate seamless data uploads to the GRID³ portal.
The D-G expressed gratitude to the Governor Monday Okpebholo, and his team for their dedication to the initiative and also extended appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other stakeholders for their support in ensuring the project’s success.
He averred that the collaboration with all relevant stakeholders signifies another milestone in leveraging home-grown geospatial solutions to support governance and national development.
In her remarks, the Managing Director, EDOGIS, ESV. Mrs Osaro Grace Aihie, FNVIS, welcomed and appreciated the representative of the Director General and his team for the choice of EDOGIS as the training center and assured them of the usual warmth and culture of hospitality Edo State is known for.
Mrs Aihie also a Lawyer and Seasoned Land Administrator, particularly thanked NASDRA for the gift of the Hardwares donated to EDOGIS and promised to put them to good use for the benefit of Edo state and Nigeria.
She used the occasion to reflect on the modest achievements of the Agency under her leadership, while thanking profusely, the crop of dedicated and Hard-working EDOGIS staff and management who made the journey to the topmost position as “Best State GIS in Nigeria” possible.
Highlights of the event was the official handing over of the Specialized hardwares and a group photograph of the Participants and trainees who were visibly overjoyed at the opportunity and exposure provided by the training.
