[OSGeo-Discuss] Nigeria OSGeo Local Chapter

[Jeff McKenna]

Thanks for this great news from Nigeria, Ayo!

I have added your chapter link to the list of local chapter initiatives: 
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Local_Chapters#Local_Chapter_Initiatives

I have also filed a ticket for your new mailing list, with you as the 
administrator of that list: https://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/ticket/1497

In your connections with local universities in Nigeria, please be sure 
to promote the GeoForAll network to them (http://www.geoforall.org/), 
made up of researchers promoting FOSS4G all around the globe.  They can 
subscribe to the mailing list and introduce their activities (subscribe 
at http://lists.osgeo.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ica-osgeo-labs).

And possibly consider hosting a local FOSS4G event in Nigeria, why not?! :)

Please keep us all updated with your activities in Nigeria promoting 
OSGeo, through this mailing list.

Thanks again!

-jeff


-- 
Jeff McKenna
President, OSGeo
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Jeff_McKenna




On 2015-05-31 8:25 PM, Ayo Akinseye DSS wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I hold a Masters in GIS from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (1997)
> and have worked on GIS projects in Nigeria ever since.
> My transition to Opensource software (operating systems, Server, Desktop
> and Web) began about 5 years ago. Over time  I have acquired most of the
> basic skills required for Opensource (java, python, javascript, html5,
> CSS etc) and have become an Opensource advocate of some sort (in public
> and private sectors in Nigeria).
>
> I have a group of people that we have held informal meetings and we are
> passionate about Open Source software, GIS, and our part of the world.
> We have people from all walks of life - academia, government and business.
>
> We have decided to set-up a Local OSGeo Chapter to assist our current
> drive of increasing FOSS4G and Opensource awareness in Nigeria.
>
> I have looked at the guidelines, OSGeo mission and according to
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/Starting a page has
> been set-up at http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/User_talk:Ayolagos
>
> To grow our potential user base, we want to adopt the Ubuntu Linux model
> of distributing CDs/Flash drives with FOSS4G videos and software to
> interested people and organisations across our country. These costs will
> be borne by us. We would like to put the OSGeo logo on all these items.
>
> A training facility in Lagos Island, Lagos has given us access to one
> of their training rooms that can seat 50 people. The room has all the
> facilities required for workshops and trainings. This will form our
> Lagos base for now while we will look for other facilities in other
> parts of the country as we move along. We intend to start monthly
> workshops within the next 6 weeks. We intend to have movable banners at
> all our events, and would like to put OSGEO logo on these banners.
>
> We also have a couple of businesses (including our company) who have
> pledged at least 2 PCs in each of our offices which we will encourage
> potential users to come to use for specified periods, to mitigate the
> issue of users not having access to an internet facing computer. These
> will be managed by a booking system so we do not disturb the commercial
> activities of these businesses.
>
> We have started discussing with 5 Universities across Nigeria (as a
> start) about including Opensource and FOSS4G courses in their related
> departments. We actually found one university already using QGIS!.
> Introduction letters have been requested from these organisations and we
> would like to use the OSGeo logo as part of these letters.
>
> We have started development of a website and still working on the most
> suitable domain name. Suggestions are welcome so we are in line with
> OSGeo best practises. We will also like to put the OSGeo logo on the
> website.
>
> We would also like a mailing list set-up so we can start holding
> conversations outside of this main list.
>
> I joined this list around January this year and have been reading the
> posts to get a proper feel of how things are done. I realise that there
> will be other Nigeria residents here and use this as a reach out for
> them to join us and participate, since we are looking for more members
> to follow through on specific sectors based on the OSGeo mission and
> ours as well.
>
> I also solicit any support and assistance that can make our mission
> easier to achieve.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Regards
>
> Ayo Akinseye
>
>