My 5 years celebration with OpenStreetMap
Down My (OpenStreetMap) Memory lane…
I was just a Geo-informatics and Surveying Polytechnic student at Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State. We used to have practical sessions using Surveying instruments but with time I realized that we are doing the same thing over and over without any data being stored. We would just acquire, use and trash!
I then decided to form a team of 4 with my fellow students who I convinced of my vision – we would collect the data, save it and be updating it later to make data available to all and easy to access. We set objectives to achieving our aim and being close with my Head of Department and my lecturers give us access to instruments at any time. We decided to pick every existing feature within the school - it was a difficult experience for months but my passion for data kept me going. At the end of the struggle, we had the data and I then created a unique map for my school which is currently serving as the base map for the school even up to this day. The result got applauded by the department as I made it easy for anyone who may need data for a particular section of the school they can get it easily, saving time and eliminating use and trash.
Since that day, I started keeping any data I collected and saving it for reuse. Initially I wanted to pursue Computer Science and Electronic Engineering because of my love for computers and I wanted to change the world as my strength could carry me but alas, I found myself in Geo-informatics and Surveying and completely fell in love with it. More like it was meant for me.
It was at University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2017, I was walking around campus and I saw about 7 people gathering around Mr. Victor N. Sunday, my eyes were glued on the laptop they had placed in front of them with imagery background of Bing. I stopped just to observe for a couple of minutes then after they were done, I nicodemusly approached him and I inquired of whatever they were doing. There it was! OpenStreetMap! I shared my story from the Polytechnic. He taught me how to use the platform and how to make edits. I left my dream of having the geospatial database since I had discovered a platform that housed my dream. I started off with mapping my village completely before proceeding to other places, I admit I received many emails on mistakes I made but I did not give up. Unfortunately, Mr. Victor N. Sunday’s left for Port Harcourt which is about 300 km from Enugu and there I was helpless without even his contact. After some months, he showed up again. I was so overwhelmed and I showed him all the work I had been doing during the last couple of months and straight away he made me the Media/Technical Director of LionMappersTeam Enugu Campus. Now that I was part of the Chapter leads I needed more information to pass to others, I kept mapping and that’s how I improved in my skill. I became the President of the chapter -Team Leader/Chapter President. There I had the greatest of the tasks, organizing students, training them and all. Apparently, I am an introvert and at one point was stuck and had no idea where to start with the little information about OpenStreetMap that I had, fortunately, I sailed through and crossed the bridge.
My Motivation
- I am passionate about Geospatial Data and having met a platform where I can contribute to a global mapping initiative and humanitarian service that helps respond to resilient communities I became highly motivated.
The New Leaf
New Story After Meeting OpenStreetMap
- OpenstreetMap gives me the opportunity to showcase my skills, passion and talent by providing data that solves various problems, it makes my self-driven passion for Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technology come more true.
- I am thrilled that OpenStreetMap gives me the opportunity to train others as well as the opportunity to map and place many communities on the global web map leading to more opportunities to impact more people and collectively contributing to this global geospatial database to solve the world’s special needs.
- I dream of becoming a Remote Sensing and GIS expert, to help people quench their curiosities and better understand the world around them- contributing to OpenStreetMap and witnessing the solutions it provide makes that dream wholly true
My Contribution on OpenStreetMap
I had an opportunity to bring many OSMite and train them on OpenStreetMap which enables my growth, expand the community and get it sustained. I have learnt so much and I am still learning which is really impacting my Geospatial Industry and beyond - especially the opportunity given to me by HOT as 2022 HOT Data Quality Intern. I am learning a lot from experts on tools and data quality, data and data use cases, I also learnt Team Management and Human Management.
My Mapping Contribution So far
- HOT Tasking Manager
- Missing Map
- How Do I Contribute To OpenStreetMap
- OpenStreetMap
- HeatMap
- Recent Changes on OSM
My Dream|Goal|Aspiration
This is one thing I want to do for the rest of my life because I love the solutions it provides. If Ralph Aytoun can say at his old age that as long as His Sight Can Carry him and Strength, he will never stop contributing to OpenStreetMap. I want to provide a safe world using Remote Sensing and Geospatial Techniques. Sign up to openstreetmap.org and let us together solve problems globally.
Thanks to :
- Mr. Victor N. Sunday For Introducing me to OpenStreetMap and Youth Mappers / Mentoring, Inspiration and Believing in Me.
- Ralph Aytoun Inspiring and Serving to me as a monument/BenchMark on OpenStreetMap
- Becky Candy through her I learnt tools and skills during My Internship with HOT
- Unique Mappers Network Nigeria- There I grow and Keep growing
- To Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Family- Together we will continue humanitarian action and community development through open mapping.
OpenStreetMap
Building relationships was another highlight of my FMTM journey. The innovation brought forth by HOT through FMTM is truly remarkable. I had the privilege of meeting Ivan Buebdia Gayton, whose wealth of knowledge left an indelible impact on me. His insights further deepened my understanding.
