Today I attended day two of the training hosted by UN Mappers in conjunction with key to the city YouthMappers. During the training, Severin introduced us to mapping with JOSM, plugins, extrude tools, HOT Task manager, etc. Mapping with JOSM is more fun and easier than the ID Editor. JOSM offers a lot more freedom and flexibility than the ID Editor. It also provides more tools to help with accuracy. The building plugin automatically ensures that building edges are square. It also provides the option of having a reference to align other buildings, a feature that is not available in the ID Editor. The extrude tool makes it possible to accurately and efficiently delineate buildings with complex edges. As part of the training, Severin tasked us with mapping areas in our locality which we did with JOSM to practicalize what we learned. I found JOSM intuitive and easier to use, and I was a lot more productive compared to using the ID Editor. Tomorrow, the UN Mappers is hosting a mapathon which I intend to take part in, and I am sure I will have a lot of fun mapping with JOSM.

Alongside other participants from the University of Lagos, I attended day 1 of a series of 3-hour training organized by the UN Mappers in conjunction with Key to the city YouthMappers. Severin Menard anchored the session and in the session, he gave an introduction to the OSM platform, expatiated on how the UN is making use of OSM data in her peacekeeping missions, how people can get involved and contribute to the OSM platform, HOT Task Manager, contributions of the UN Mappers over the years, mapping using ID Editor, Quality and use of OSM data, etc I really enjoyed the training session, and I am looking forward to day two tomorrow.

On 12th November, Mr. Victor Sunday sent me the registration link for the State of the Map 2021 conference, which I promptly registered for. On the first day of the conference (19th November, 2021) I attended the following sessions. -Beyond mapping! Reusing OpenStreetMap Data and FOSS4G -The Emerging Flood Vulnerable Building footprint in OpenStreetMap Nigeria: Metrics -Mapping Remote Nepal for Emergency -Preparedness and Disaster Response -Best Practices for Meaningful Online Sessions with Open Geospatial Communities -Community mapping to improve Flood preparedness in Nigeria -Growing OSM in Eastern and Southern Africa - Challenges and Opportunities -Student internship model as an innovative way to enhance skills During the sessions, I was able to gain more insights into how OSM data is being used, why people should continue to map on the OSM platform, and the fantastic work that several OSM communities in Africa are doing. I also learnt more about open source software from the “Beyond mapping! Reusing OpenStreetMap Data and FOSS4G” session and people’s perception of virtual meetings from the “Best Practices for Meaningful Online” session. On the second day of the conference (20th November, 2021), I attended the “OSM Africa November Mapathon: Map Ghana” training session and participated in mapping Project 9313. On the third day of the conference (21th November, 2021). I joined the Bridging YouthMappers through the Pandemic: Opportunities and Challenges session but unfortunately had to leave after a while due to in being in an inconducive environment. The aftermath of the conference is that I am psyched to contribute more to the OSM community. Tomorrow (22nd November, 2021), I will be participating in the “Citizen Science Mapathon for Vulnerable Flood Communities in Nigeria” or organized by the UniqueMappers Network. Later this week I would be attending a six-day training spread over three weeks (24, 25th of November, 1st,2nd,8th and 9th of December, 2021) organized by Key to the city YouthMappers in conjunction with UNMappers.