₦airaland Forum

Nigerian Developers competing in Developing Lagos Online Map-based Crime Reporter to win N350,000 Prize Award
Violent crimes, as well as petty crimes, are prevalent throughout Lagos and majority of these crimes go unreported. Lagosians are getting increasingly worried about the upsurge of criminal activities committed on a daily basis in the state

Spatial Technologies Ltd –Nigeria’s foremost mapping and GIS solution provider is inviting Nigerian web developers to enter the Lagos online map-based Crime Reporting app development competition that would create innovative online map-based solution which would empower victims or witnesses of muggings and street attacks in Lagos report these incidents consistently and effectively by using Google map to pinpoint exactly where they were targeted and providing additional details of the incident including pictures where appropriate. This way, victims and witnesses crowd report crime incidents across Lagos, telling their stories to the wider internet audience.


The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali, has disclosed that there has never been a successful robbery operation in the state since he took over the as police boss in January 2011 (Source: http://www.npf.gov.ng/npf/en/commands/zone-2/lagos-command)

The motivation for this competition, as Ireti Ajala –CEO of Spatial Technologies Ltd and the sole sponsor of this competition explained, is that "a significant portion of violent crimes in Lagos goes unreported. Most Lagosians may not agree with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, however there is no documented evidence available in the public domain to challenge this position.The vision of this Lagos Crime Report online map project is therefore to bring together the best Nigerian GIS experts and web application developer communities to create an online map-based app using online Google map for reporting and documenting crime incidents across Lagos using crowd sourcing and the visual power of geographic maps”

The plan is to forward each reported incident to Lagos Police command and the Lagos state government from this portal. We cannot guarantee that any action would be taken in resolving each incident, this however must not stop the victims or witnesses of crimes in Lagos from reporting these incidents. The target of this competition is to use the power of crowd sourcing in making a difference when reporting crime statistics in Nigeria's most populous city. We have kept quiet for too long!

This is an open competition to discover how Nigerian web developers can create an online portal that would assist victims or witnesses of crimes in Lagos report these incidents efficiently using the visual power of location technologies.

Welcome to the Booth Camp
A panel of judges would evaluate all the received entries and select the best 6 talented developers who would be invited to the booth camp where in a Dragons' Den-style, the 6 selected developers would present or demonstrate their propositions before the judges.

The booth camp would be a 3star hotel in Lagos paid for by Spatial Technologies Ltd. The six selected developers would camp in the hotel for 2nights and fine tune their propositions. On the 3rd day, each selected developer would be invited to pitch the idea behind his/her entry before a panel of judges. They would also be ready to answer some touch questions about their entries.

Got any question about the competition?
Contact Ireti Ajala: iretia@spatialtechnologiesltd.com

Prize Award
The best developer would win a N350,000 prize award towards the development of his/her winning idea.

Judging Criteria
What will win? We are interested in entries that genuinely improve the public reporting capability of crime incidents in Lagos. Entries will be evaluated on the following simple broad criteria, which are loosely defined, in order not to constrain innovative and wide-ranging entries.
1) Ease of use
2) Usefulness
3) Potential
4) and … coolness

These criteria are a guide to entrants and to judges, whose decision will be final.

Interested in joining the competition? Get more details of what is expected here at this link http://lagosstreetmap..co.uk/2012/04/lagos-online-map-based-crime-reporting.html

I have just done a price comparison search on Opodo.co.uk for flights from London to Lagos for April 18, 2012 to April 25, 2012. (see below the screenshot of the search result)

Arik Air's price is £743 whilst Virgin Atlantic is £692. The implication of this is that Arik Air is far more expensive than Virgin Atlantic. This confirms to me that the problem of regional price disparity in Nigeria, has nothing to do with foreign airlines.

It is a known fact that Arik Air is far more expensive than BA and VA sometimes, so whats this hullabaloo about foreign airlines' discriminatory pricing regime in Nigeria?
There is something fundamentally wrong with the pricing elements of flights to/from Nigeria and that is what the Honorable Minister of Aviation should tackle -not this shadow chasing

[center]Blog about Nigerian Mapping & GIS Industry and win N100,000 [/center]

Spatial Technologies Ltd (www.spatialtechnologiesltd.com) -Nigeria's foremost mapping and GIS solution provider in collaboration with Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (www.osgof.gov.ng ) -Nigeria's mapping agency is inviting students in Nigerian tertiary institutions studying mapping and Geographic Information (GI) related course to enter into a blogging competition codenamed Project Zuma.


Project Zuma -an online competition named after the popular and legendary Zuma rock in Niger State is a strategic online campaign designed to improve and strengthen the online information and brand awareness of Nigerian GIS, map based solutions, Location Based Services, etc.

According to Ireti Ajala -the CEO of Spatial Technologies Ltd, "The idea behind project Zuma is to engage students of GI and related courses across Nigerian tertiary institutions constructively and assist them to channel their intellectual capacity towards a worthy project instead of wasting precious time and money on online gossips via Facebook, Yahoo and other social network platform"

Professor Peter Nwilo -the newly appointed Surveyor General Of the Federation supports Project Zuma. He said, "Project Zuma is expected to provide the platform to improve the online search profile of Nigerian mapping industry regarding news, information, who is doing what within the industry. The project is also expected to improve the creativeness and innovations of our students. This we believe would transform Nigerian GI industry from being a sluggish, uninspired industry to a vibrant, innovative and technology savvy mapping industry providing a wealth of information about the emerging industry to the internet community in a consistent and efficient "

Objectives of Zuma
1. To connect with Nigerian GI professionals and students of surveying, GIS, Geography, etc across the country.
2. To improve the brand profile of Nigerian GI industry and make it more attractive to more people in Nigeria.

Competition Qualifications
1. Zuma competition is opened to ONLY Nigerian students either at undergraduate or post graduate level studying any of the following courses:
• Land surveying
• Geography
• GIS
• Computer Science
• Geology
• Architecture
• Estate Management
• Other geography related course

2. The blog must focus ONLY on the Nigerian GI Industry
3. It must be maintained for at least 2months.
4. You must keep it fresh and updated regularly by posting news, articles, innovations, etc about what is happening in the Nigerian GI Industry, atleast once in 2weeks.
5. You must link each post to your Facebook page and encourage your friends to create links to your posts from their facebook pages

How to Enter the Competition
Get details of how to register at this link: http://lagosstreetmap..com/2012/01/project-zuma-blogging-competition-for.html

Please note that this competition is opened to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in either Polytechnics or Universities across Nigeria


Reward
1. First prize : N100,000 cash
2. Second prize: N50,000 cash
3. Third Prize: N20,000 cash

[center]Blog about Nigerian Mapping & GIS Industry and win N100,000 [/center]

Spatial Technologies Ltd (www.spatialtechnologiesltd.com) -Nigeria's foremost mapping and GIS solution provider in collaboration with Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (www.osgof.gov.ng ) -Nigeria's mapping agency is inviting students in Nigerian tertiary institutions studying mapping and Geographic Information (GI) related course to enter into a blogging competition codenamed Project Zuma.


Project Zuma -an online competition named after the popular and legendary Zuma rock in Niger State is a strategic online campaign designed to improve and strengthen the online information and brand awareness of Nigerian GIS, map based solutions, Location Based Services, etc.

According to Ireti Ajala -the CEO of Spatial Technologies Ltd, "The idea behind project Zuma is to engage students of GI and related courses across Nigerian tertiary institutions constructively and assist them to channel their intellectual capacity towards a worthy project instead of wasting precious time and money on online gossips via Facebook, Yahoo and other social network platform"

Professor Peter Nwilo -the newly appointed Surveyor General Of the Federation supports Project Zuma. He said, "Project Zuma is expected to provide the platform to improve the online search profile of Nigerian mapping industry regarding news, information, who is doing what within the industry. The project is also expected to improve the creativeness and innovations of our students. This we believe would transform Nigerian GI industry from being a sluggish, uninspired industry to a vibrant, innovative and technology savvy mapping industry providing a wealth of information about the emerging industry to the internet community in a consistent and efficient "

Objectives of Zuma
1. To connect with Nigerian GI professionals and students of surveying, GIS, Geography, etc across the country.
2. To improve the brand profile of Nigerian GI industry and make it more attractive to more people in Nigeria.

Competition Qualifications
1. Zuma competition is opened to ONLY Nigerian students either at undergraduate or post graduate level studying any of the following courses:
• Land surveying
• Geography
• GIS
• Computer Science
• Geology
• Architecture
• Estate Management
• Other geography related course

2. The blog must focus ONLY on the Nigerian GI Industry
3. It must be maintained for at least 2months.
4. You must keep it fresh and updated regularly by posting news, articles, innovations, etc about what is happening in the Nigerian GI Industry, atleast once in 2weeks.
5. You must link each post to your Facebook page and encourage your friends to create links to your posts from their facebook pages

How to Enter the Competition
Get details of how to register at this link: http://lagosstreetmap..com/2012/01/project-zuma-blogging-competition-for.html

Please note that this competition is opened to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in either Polytechnics or Universities across Nigeria


Reward
1. First prize :  N100,000 cash
2. Second prize:  N50,000 cash
3. Third Prize: N20,000 cash

Mancentral:
http://gis.lagosstate.gov.ng/LAGIS/WebPages/Map/MapViewer.aspx

Has anyone seen this? I think its's pretty impressive, if you know how to navigate the map viewer. however, I have a question. Does anyone know this data can be accessed digitally from the state?

Please, I need only serious answers, !!!! Thanks.

I spent a few weeks in November 2011 evaluating the LAGIS online map portal and i found it amazing.
I found the LAGIS online portal very engaging and stimulating. It provides public access to the best of Lagos. The concept is world class and the implementation is brilliant. From a usability point of view, I found the layout and the map tools very easy to use and refreshing

An Evaluation of the Map Tools
This portal has a complete list of relevant map tools that encourages serious exploration and exploitation of the map content. The Zoom tools are standard professional tools and very easy to use. The panning tool is delightful. I also found tools like Identify, Previous Map, MapTip etc very illuminating as they take map interaction to the next level.

In terms of functionality, I dare say that this portal has more professional map tools than the mighty Google map. Some of the tools embedded in LAGIS portal that are conspicuously missing in Google map include the distance measurement tool, the selections tools and the Buffer selections!!!

I am now looking at the Orthophoto for Lagos on the LAGIS Portal …men, the only thing I can say is Eko oo ni baje ooooo!! Yes this is an apt response to what I am seeing. I did a simple comparative test. I wanted to compare the imageries of the same area in both Google map and LAGIS. I zoomed to an area of Adelabu Rd in Surulere that I know very well. GIS beats Google's satellite imagery hands down!!! (see the imageries below showing the same area around Adelabu Rd, Masha, Surulere)

The portal seemed to be having serious problem right now. I have noticed that it is not available now since December 2011. Well good things do not last including fuel subsidy hahahaaaa!!

I blogged about this portal extensively, why dont you check it out (see http://lagosstreetmap..com/2011/11/lagos-online-enterprise-gis-portal-is.html )

I have a couple of issues with this project. One is about data update. This is a N3billion project, howeverwhen the project was officially launched in March 2011, very little was said about the data update strategy for the project to improve the data currency assurance going forward. Is the data collection management a one off-sprint or is there a strategy that defines the systematic and consistent methology for collecting data updates? E.g, when a new building springs up somewhere in Lagos today or an existing one collapeses or is demolished, how long does it take to register this update the LAGIS database?
In June 2011, it was reported that there were about 1.2million houses in Lagos, will the LAGIS project still be dependable to give an accurate estimate of the total number of houses in Lagos 7years from now?

For the data to remain reliable dependable and capable of supporting decision making process in the most consistent way, (for which reason it was set up), it must be updated and versioned very regularly. A definite data lifecycle strategy must be applied rigorously to make the project relevant 50years from now. The ISO 19100 series of standards for Geographic Information could be very useful in defining this strategy. See http://lagosstreetmap..com/2011/12/how-many-houses-are-in-lagos-as-at.html

-Ireti Ajala

In June 2011, the Lagos State Government made a profound statement based on the content of the LAGIS database that there were at least 1,194, 525 houses in Lagos. (see: http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/03/08/1-2-million-houses-in-lagos/)
For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a state government could say categorically how many houses were found within the state without any fear of a back lash from the so called experts.

This statement could easily be dismissed with the typical Lagosian impatience of “and so what”? However, for those that know, this announcement must be seen and celebrated as the most important and iconic declaration ever made by a state government since Nigerian Independence. For the first time, it is possible to plan adequately for infrastructures like schools, hospitals, roads, etc more efficiently and in a consistent way simply because the number of houses within the state can be determined spatially and accurately within a reliable level of confidence.

However during the official launch of the project in March 2011, very little was said about the data update strategy for the project to improve the data currency assurance going forward.

Is the data collection management of the Lagos State GIS project a one off-sprint or is there a strategy that defines the systematic methology for collecting data updates? E.g, when a new building springs up somewhere in Lagos today or a building collapses today (as they seem to be doing recently), how long does it take to register this update in the LAGIS database?
Will the LAGIS project still be reliable to give an accurate estimate of the total number of houses in Lagos 7years from now?

For the data to remain reliable and capable of supporting decision making process in the most consistent way, (for which reason it was set up), it must be updated and versioned very regularly. A definite data lifecycle strategy must be applied rigorously to make the project relevant 50years from now. The ISO 19100 series of standards for Geographic Information ([url]http://www.osdm.gov.au/Metadata/Standards/ISO%2019100%20Geographic%20Information%20Standards.pdf/?id=1066[/url]) could be very useful in defining this strategy.

-Ireti Ajala (http://lagosstreetmap..com)

STL Introduces "Unlocking the Power & Secrets of MapInfo Professional" advanced GIS Training in Lagos, Nigeria

The "Unlocking the power and secrets of MapInfo Professional" course is part of Spatial Technologies Ltd’s (STL) commitment to providing quality hands-on MapInfo Professional and advanced GIS training to the emerging Nigerian GI industry.
The course is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical GIS experience using the compelling power of MapInfo Professional. STL would be using location data about the branches of Zenith bank, dealer (B2B) location data for MTN and Globacom as case studies to assist delegates connect with the course effectively and put it in the right perspective.

STL will provide the following map data for the training.
1. Zenith Bank Branches (Zenith_branches.TAB)
2. UBA Branches (UBA_branches.TAB)
3. GTB Branches (GTB_branches.TAB)
4. First Bank Branches (Firstbank_branches.TAB)
5. Oceanic Bank Branches (Oceanic_branches.TAB)
6. Intercontinental Bank (Intercontinental_branches.TAB)

POINTS OF INTEREST (POI)
1. Markets venue location data (Market.TAB)
2. Restaurants Locations (Restaurant.TAB)
3. Schools Locations (School.TAB)
4. Shopping Mall Locations (ShoppingMall.TAB)
5. MTN Dealer location data across Lagos (MTN_Dealers.TAB)
6. Globacom Dealer location data across Lagos (Globacom_Dealers.TAB)

OTHER MAP LAYERS
1. Lagos Street map (Lagos_Road.TAB)
2. Lagos Landuse Map(Lagos_Landuse.TAB)
3. Lagos LGA with Demographic details (LagosLGA_Census.TAB)
4. Lagos Towns (Lagos_Suburb.TAB)

Required Previous Experience: Each student is expected to have a good knowledge of database, simple SQL scripting and a working knowledge of MapInfo Prodessional software.

Target: Much of the reason you use MapInfo Professional is to perform geographic analyses on your data with the aim of making strategic decisions. This course would take a look at some sophisticated GIS analyses that illustrate practical ways MapInfo Professional can be integrated into business decision making process. MapInfo Professional can be useful in understanding patterns and spread in a way that will be difficult using only spreadsheet. At the end of this course, delegates would know more about using MapInfo Professional to conduct market analysis, competitive analysis, Customer Management/Targeting. The course also contains 2 practical workbooks to be undertaken by each delegate to gain practical experience in using GIS to make informed business and strategic decisions.

Course Description

1. Market Research: MapInfo Professional allows you to analyze your market area. If you are a business strategist or a business decision maker in Nigeria, the future of your organization depends on the decisions you make today. The key to smart decisions is putting accurate, relevant business to business market research and business data into the right business context. The application of GIS in Nigerian businesses has grown rapidly in the recent years. This course would help the delegates identify the critical success factors that can be focused on to improve the performance of the worst performing sales outlets using the power of geography for a typical business

Workbook 1: This section of the course would use the geographic spread of Zenith Bank branches as a case study. Each delegate would be able to undertake a practical geographic analysis that investigates the existence of a correlation between the geographic spread of Zenith Bank branches and grocery market venues across Lagos.

(STL will provide the geographic location of existing Zenith Bank branches and of grocery market venues across Lagos for this project)

2. Competitive Analysis: Understanding how competing brands position themselves can allow retailers to learn from their mistakes and successes, and act in a distinctive and powerful way. More importantly by understanding where the competitors are located can provide a powerful tool to stay ahead of the competition. This course would therefore assist delegates to explore what geographic comparative analyses for typical business markets should include to assist businesses in Nigeria to position themselves better.

Workbook 2: The Nigerian telecom industry is one of the most competitive industries in Africa. Operators use a network of sales and product Business-to-Business distribution channels to get products to the Nigerian consumers. Delegates would be conducting a geographic comparative analysis of MTN and Globacom distribution networks to gain insight into how GIS can be used to investigate the strenghts and weakenesses of each distribution channel and identifying opportunities for channel optimisation.

(STL will provide the geographic location of B2Bs making up both MTN and Globacom distribution channels for this analysis. The B2B location data was gathered from an extensive field geo-market research project conducted by STL in 2010 across Lagos )

Specific skills required for the above analyses which would be covered in the training include the followings:

1. SQL Selection through queries:
-Whole textual entry in the data
-Partial textual entry (wildcards)
-Numeric values in the data
-Length or area of a map object
-More than one aspect concurrently

2. GIS Analysis -Thematic mapping:
-Shade areas
-Size of points
-Thickness of lines
-Two layers at once
-Mini-charts to compare values
-Redistricting for presentation

3. Output and printing:
-Copy-paste techniques
-Create Layout windows

4. Data Manipulation:
-Creating new tables from scratch
-Importing external data (Microsoft Excel & Access)
-Creating new fields
-Use of various field types
-Table "packing"
-Simple calculation from existing fields

5. Database Management:
-Understanding spatial database management system
-Creating ODBC from MapInfo to Oracle
-Making a DBMS table map-able
-Selection using SQL

Dietary requirements : [/b]This course includes lunch as well as mid morning and afternoon refreshments for each day. We are happy to cater for vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements, providing we have advance notification.

[b]Opening hours: 9:00am - 4:45pm on training days.

Date: February 3 & 4, 2012 (2days)

Internet access: Delegates can use the internet or check webmail on a dedicated machine in the Spatial Technologies Ltd reception area.

Trainer : Our trainer will guide you through the functionality of MapInfo Professional; offering you help, advice and tips to improve your efficiency along the way. This course is 100% custom developed by STL's experienced GIS instructor who has 8+ years experience using and teaching MapInfo Professional

Car parking: There is ample free car parking on site.

Attendance Cost: N15,000

Enquiry: 0802 392 4832

How to Regsiter: Send an email to: info@spatialtechnologiesltd.com

(3) ACL annually, openly and transparently auction slots to fly into Heathrow via slottrader portal. All airlines bid, there is no mago mago. ARIK, like so many other airlines cant get exactly what they want, they then have to buy in the secondary market. Pure business sense tells u, dont overbid if your passenger load cannot sustain it.(Ask HITV ala EPL)

[quote][/quote]Well, this is nonsense!!
The Bilateral agreement was signed between 2 countries. If the British govt decided to appoint a private company to manage the landing slot arrangement on its behalf, that is entire their prerogative. Nigeria however decided not to appoint a private company to manage its own side of the agreement. The point is both countries have their different but unique styles of managing landing slots. Either of them must not use its style of slot management as an excuse to contravene the spirit of that agreement.

Elbowing out of Arik Air from Heathrow due to the influence of market forces is entirely acceptable however reducing BA's landing slot in Lagos due to the influence of People's force is also acceptable. This means that both market forces and people forces are acceptable methods for managing the agreement. The British Govt has no moral justification to criticise Nigerian’s decision to use People’s force to manage its own side of the agreement.

And those who think it was generally unfair targeting BA for the sins of the British govt could be right, I mean why visit the sins of the father on the child? But why was it reported that British Govt was concerned about the reduction of BA's slots?

So what makes it right for the British govt to intervene when BA's landing slot was reduced to 3 and a mortal sin for the Nigerian govt to intervene when Arik Air was disadvantaged by the use of the private TRANSPARENT method by the British Govt to manage the bilateral agreement?

Thinking of a visit to Lagos this December? Book early on LagosLocation.com and enjoy 10% discount on some selected hotels. Some hotels even offer free airport pickups for those taking advantage of these offerings. Book at LagosLocation.com and save money. We processed over 800 hotel bookings in October 2011. There must be a reason why all these people trust us with their hotel bookings.

See some hotels in Lagos offering up to 10% discounts in December 2011 http://www.lagoslocation.com/December_2011_Promo.htm

keyremotes:
Can you convert this finding into a code?
That is the bottom line.

No body will because of Nigeria change the post code rules and begin to use this sort of long hand.

Actually, I think it is a lot easier than it sounds provided NIPOST is sincere about the unreliablity of the current postcode system and they really wish to improve on this and make it more intelligent.

The first thing they need to do is to develop a strategy for a comprehensive address system. This strategy will provide clarification on things like, how do we map individual streets to the different postcode polygons? What is the targeted confidence level and how this can be attained? How will the data be updated and maintained going forward?

They also need to start thinking of business use cases for investing in this. This will help them develop a commercial focus and monetise the data.
I have the requisite skills, professional experience, the map data and the technology to undertake a pilot project and create consistent postcode data covering every single street in Lagos with no obligation from NIPOST. It is my firm believe that this would demonstrate to NIPOST that this project is attainable for the whole Nigeria. The question is, does this strategy interests NIPOST enough?

Error in Nigerian Postcode Data
I did a postcode search on NIPOST’s website[ http://www.nigeriapostcodes.com/views] and discovered that the postcode of Karonwi St in Itire, within Surulere LGA, Lagos is 100281. To my surprise, this postcode is shared by the popular Allen Avenue in Ikeja LGA!!

Could Karonwi St be that close to Allen Ave that makes it possible to share the same postcode?
Well, the answer is a capital NO!!! Visit my blog (http://lagosstreetmap..com/2011/10/error-in-nigerian-postcode-system.html) for more information. See below the map I generated using MapInfo professional showing the crow fly distance between Allen Ave  and Karonwi Street in Itire below.  Karonwi St is approximately 11.3km away from Allen Ave.  The question is how can 2 separate streets that are 11.3km apart share the same postcode? Something is definitely wrong somewhere!!!!

This means that Nigerian postcode data on NIPOST’s website is not consistent, prone to error and is therefore not dependable in my opinion.


I am therefore proposing the following structure for our postcode system.
State + Postal District + LGA + Electoral ward

When fully implemented, Allen Ave’s postcode could therefore look like:
Lagos State+Lagos North+Ikeja LGA+Ikeja North ward

Karonwi St could have a postcode made up of:
Lagos State+Lagos Central+Surulere LGA+ Surulere West ward

I strongly believe that this structure will introduce uniqueness in our postcode system which is an important dependency that must be fulfilled when creating an intelligent address system

The implication of error in Nigerian Postcodes.
We have a number of property search websites developed by some smart and clever Nigerians targeting the Nigerian market such as the www.ip4properties.com.

It would be impossible to develop or implement any meaningful application using Nigerian postcode system in its present state. Without an accurate postcode system, it would be difficult to leverage and milk much value from the SIM registration database that was recently implemented costing several billions of naira!
Oh before I forget, without a proper postcode system, our address system will remain primitive, and our Finance Minister -Okonjo Iweala will continue to decry the dearth of quality data for government to implement good infrastructure plan.

The very resourceful Tech blogger Tim Akinbo had written in his blog (http://blog.timakinbo.com/2010/07/24/nigerian-postcodes-a-case-for-open-data/)  like so many other people about the value chain in opening up this postcode data to the general public, but what data are we talking about here? The same data that gave Itire and Allen Ave the same postcode?

By integrating Nigerian postcode search capabilities, Nigerian websites can provide deep values like www.Zoopla.co.uk Hopefully, the Nigerian Police will one day publish intelligent crime data in a useful format on their website (www.nigeriapolice.org) like www.police.co.uk when they finish re-branding their website.
NIPOST can recoup the cost of developing accurate Nigerian postcode database and maintaining its currency like Royal mail of UK (http://www2.royalmail.com/postcode-finder-sme) by selling accurate and most reliable postcode data to the general public to implement different solutions that will touch the lives of Nigeria in so many meaningful ways.

Our company Spatial Technologies Ltd (www.spatialtechnologiesltd.com) -a Lagos base GIS solution provider is currently preparing for a GIS data capture project across Nigeria. The code name for this project is MIMIR (named after the mythical Greek god of knowledge). This project will involve extensive travel by air and road across Nigeria. MIMIR will be both exciting and interesting as it would take you to places you have not had the opportunity to visit before across Nigeria with all expenses paid. It would also provide a unique opportunity for you to be part of a highly motivated team involved in delivering one of the largest GIS projects in Nigeria. This project will last for about 1 calendar month and start first week in September 2011.
Spatial Technologies Ltd had implemented similar GIS solutions for UBA PLC, MTN Nigeria, Greenwich Consulting, TimePiece Integrated Services, etc (see http://www.prlog.org/11161589-uba-plc-nigerias-largest-bank-selects-stl-as-the-preferred-gis-and-mapping-solution-provider.html)

To join, you MUST have a GPS, a digital camera and a laptop and a desire to succeed. We shall pay you a token for you to use your own tools (i.e. your GPS, Laptop and camera) in addition to the usual reward for your participation in this project.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are passionate about GIS solutions for the Nigerian environment and who posses a high sense of adventure. You could potentially earn up to N70,000 for your role in this project and additional N30,000 for the use of your GPS, laptop and digital camera for the duration of the project. Please note that this does not include your air flight fares, hotel lodging costs, road travel costs and GSM recharge card cost -all required for MIMIR

We shall train you on the use of MapInfo and how to use GPS to capture data in the field. We shall also teach you how you can hotlink pictures with location data in a GIS environment.

Are you interested? If yes, then you need to send a mail to iretia@spatialtechnologiesltd.com and briefly state why you should be considered for this project. We need about 34 people and we have already received positive confirmation from 26 people already.

If you do not have a GPS, Laptop and Digital Camera, please do not bother to apply.

Closing date for your application is September 6, 2011[/color][color=#990000][/color][color=#990000]

Our company Spatial Technologies Ltd (www.spatialtechnologiesltd.com) -a Lagos base GIS solution provider is currently preparing for a GIS data capture project across Nigeria. The code name for this project is MIMIR (named after the mythical Greek god of knowledge). This project will involve extensive travel by air and road across Nigeria. MIMIR will be both exciting and interesting as it would take you to places you have not had the opportunity to visit before across Nigeria with all expenses paid. It would also provide a unique opportunity for you to be part of a highly motivated team involved in delivering one of the largest GIS projects in Nigeria.  This project will last for about 1 calendar month and start first week in September 2011. Spatial Technologies Ltd had implemented similar GIS solutions for UBA PLC, MTN Nigeria, Greenwich Consulting, TimePiece Integrated Services,  etc (see http://www.prlog.org/11161589-uba-plc-nigerias-largest-bank-selects-stl-as-the-preferred-gis-and-mapping-solution-provider.html)


To join, you MUST have a GPS, a digital camera and a laptop and a desire to succeed. We shall pay you a token for you to use your own tools (i.e. your GPS, Laptop and camera) in addition to the usual reward for your participation in this project.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are passionate about GIS solutions for the Nigerian environment and who posses a high sense of adventure. You could potentially earn up to N70,000 for your role in this project and additional N30,000 for the use of your GPS, laptop and digital camera for the duration of the project. Please note that this does not include your air flight fares, hotel lodging costs, road travel costs and GSM recharge card cost -all required for MIMIR

We shall train you on the use of MapInfo and how to use GPS to capture data in the field. We shall also teach you how you can hotlink pictures with location data in a GIS environment. 

Are you interested?  If yes, then you need to send a mail to iretia@spatialtechnologiesltd.com and briefly state why you should be considered for this project. We need about 34 people and we have already received positive confirmation from 26 people already.

If you do not have a GPS, Laptop and Digital Camera, please do not bother to apply.

Closing date for your application is September 6, 2011

joomlaman:
@Iretia,
I just want to seek your professional advice on how GIS cold be used in managing crime in Nigeria? And how your company cold help in achieving that.

Thanks.

Apologies for just seeing your post today.

GIS like any other strategic tool does not produce magic. What you get out of it is a function of what you put in it. The intrinsic value of GIS in any field lies in the ability to combine huge amount of contextual data from several sources to make informed decisions in a consistent and efficient manner
See  this link for some practical ways GIS is being used in crime management. http://www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdfs/crime-analysis.pdf


It would be interesting to see how GIS is used in crime management for the London 2012, perhaps there could be a lesson for Nigerian police in this study, abi?

If you are looking at a specific scenario, then I'll suggest that you get in touch with me. I hope you'll find the link useful.

I have been following the Lagos GIS project with keen interest. I could not almost believe it when I heard that Fashola’s administration was considering a serious investment in GIS, it sounded almost too good to be true.

I have always held the view that every state government in Nigeria owes its citizens the duty of moving away from those methods that limit possibilities to more innovative methods.

You could then understand why I had this rueful smile on my face when I read in Vanguard newspaper http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/lagos-gets-n3-billion-digital-mapping-project/ that the project had been launched, I told myself –with this project , Fashola had undoubtedly placed Lagos State on the shoulders of giants above other states in Nigeria.

Geographic Information System (GIS) is one powerful tool that can help place the government in the driving seat when it comes to understanding issues affecting citizens. GIS allows the government to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. Examples abound around the world about how developing countries like India, South Africa, Dubai, Singapore, China, etc have been able to transform their countries by using modern methodologies like location based technologies that produce results

Although I am excited I cannot help being concerned at the same time. I am particularly concerned about how this project would be deployed and managed so that it does not join the long list of failed GIS projects implemented in the past by Lagos state govt e.g. the PIE (Property Identification Exercise project)

There are so many private companies within Lagos State that would be interested in the map data from this project for their own operational use. Banks such as UBA are currently investing huge financial resources in geographic intelligence solutions. My company - Spatial Technologies Ltd (STL) recently completed a Business optimization solution powered by GIS for UBA PLC as part of a N9billion expansion project (see http://spatialtechnologiesltd.com/uba_selected_stl.html )
By making some aspects of the map data from the LAGIS available to the general public for a fee, private businesses like Banks, insurance companies, telecom, electricity companies, retailers and a host of other huge companies within the state will therefore benefit greatly from this project and could be encouraged to invest in it. GIS experts within the State would concentrate on deploying well-thought-out  GIS solutions for their clients in Nigeria and leave the complex task of map data gathering to the managers of LAGIS.

I believe that the project could turn into a huge commercial success when LAGIS supplies all the map data required by the private sector within the state.
The project would then be self sustaining, self-financing and could ultimately eliminate the need for the mangers of LAGIS approaching the govt in the future with cap in hand begging for more operational fund

The most important factor is to ensure that LAGIS outlives even the coming administration. This model had worked successfully for Ordnance Survey (OS) –UK mapping agency www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. OS as a trade fund company is financially independent of the British govt. OS is run like a proper business with all the elements of a big successful company.

OS map database contains over 400million features updated very regularly. In addition to the usual technical experts producing the map data that the British govt and private companies depend on, OS also has several Sales and Marketing experts that engage with both govt agencies and private companies to further help them to leverage on what is now known as the most intelligent map data in the world.
OS makes over £110million (about N2.75Billion) annually from the sale of its map data products to both govt and private companies in UK. (Source: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/docs/annual-reports/ordnance-survey-annual-report-and-accounts-2009-10.pdf)
It is therefore not surprising to know that OS recently celebrated its 220 years of operation (see http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/news/2011/06/ordnance-survey-celebrates-220-years.html )

I have no doubt that the LAGIS will meet international standards in terms of positional accuracy and completeness judging by the calibre of map experts involved e.g. Prof Peter Nwilo who incidentally was my lecturer in Unilag, however the state govt needs to look at a wider picture here especially on how to turn this project into a lasting legacy that other future administration of the state can building on without re-inventing the wheel.
Entrusting this N3billion (£120million) baby to the Lagos State Lands Bureau (http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/index.php?page=moduledetail&mpid=22&mnusub=ministry&mnu=module) would be a great disaster!! It would simply go the way of previous failed GIS projects in Lagos State and we’ll be back at square one. The Lagos State Lands Bureau runs like a typical civil service with all the familiar red tapes, managed by civil servants who are used to depending on the govt for budgets and other operational funds. Getting them to manage LAGIS means they’ll be back for more budget in about 7years from now

I could not help but noticed that there is actually very little information on how the general public can have access to the data. What are the technical specifications of the data, how much will the data cost, how is it licensed and priced anyway? How often will it be updated? Is there a website where GIS experts within the state can go to get more technical information about LAGIS and its map products data, or do we have to depend on the press to provide this level of technical details?

By rushing to the press to announce that LAGIS is operational without giving definite answers to questions like these in a wider context is a sign that the project is already showing classic symptoms of failure. Is there anything we have learned from previous failed GIS projects. If the govt does not come up with the efective business use cases that will sell the project to the private sector, then I can predict that LAGIS will undergo a natural death in the next 4years or another administration will need to invest over N3billion again to start a fresh project.

One specific thing that the managers of the project can do to get the private sector to buy into it is to provide an online interactive access to the data allowing the public to play with the data, to evaluate the data and most importantly to appreciate the complexity modelled into the data. I am convinced that this will definitely excite the general public and will also give them that sense of belonging.
Again, it is important that this project runs as a profitable business entity –financially independent of the state govt. I am particularly interested in knowing the projected sales figure for LAGIS after year 1, or year 3 of operation. If nobody is thinking of this, then we have started on a wrong foot.

I am therefore suggesting that the state govt needs to invite world-class reputable business consulting companies like KPMG, Accenture, etc to advice the government on how to market the project and turn it to a huge commercial success.

When it comes to hotel bookings in Lagos –Nigeria, price is more important than Security

A poll has indicated that Lagos bound travelers are identifying hotel price as the most important consideration when choosing their hotels in Lagos

The hotel booking poll, carried out by www.LagosLocation.com, revealed that 42% of consumers consider price as the most likely factor to make them book a hotel in Lagos.
The research polled more than 500 online users between December 2010 and June 2011 on what they considered to be the most important factor when choosing a hotel in Lagos.

Only 36% of the consumers identified security as the most important consideration.
23% of the respondents said that a good location was the most important factor, while 7% identified the availability of free wireless internet as the most likely factor to make them book a hotel in Lagos.

“The research findings reinforced the importance of setting the right hotel price in Lagos. With the shout of insecurity in Lagos, who would have thought that consumers actually rated hotel price higher than security when booking their hotels in Lagos? Those hotels in Nigeria, especially Lagos that are not appropriately priced could find themselves fighting a losing battle. LagosLocation.com is giving more power to consumers by helping them compare prices in a very simple way before making an informed decision” said Ireti Ajala CEO of Spatial Technologies Ltd –the parent company of LagosLocation.com

While applauding this great effort of Fashola’s administration in implementing a GIS solution at a State level, I am however not convinced that there is an effective business plan on ground to run the project as a professional and profitable business entity without the need to come back to the govt for more operational fund in the next 7years!

There is very little information on how the general public can have access to the data. How much will it cost, how is it priced anyway? The project is already showing classic symptoms of failure judging by previous failed GIS projects e.g. PIE. If the govt does not come up with the business case for it, i can predict that the project will undergo a natural death in the next 10years or another administration will need to invest over N3billion again to start a fresh project.

To start with, does the project have even an interactive website like that of Google map where people can zoom in/out, do a search & find, pan, and generally play with the data?. I am not talking about pasting some nasty or dirty jpeg screen shots of street map in Arcview!!!!
By the way, who is responsible for managing the project as a profitable business entity? Entrusting this N3billion babe to the Lagos State survey will be a great disaster!!. It will simply go the way of previous failed GIS projects and we’ll be back to square one.

I have no doubt that the project will meet international standards in terms of positional accuracy and completeness judging by the calibre of map experts involved, I just wish the state govt will also invite world-class reputable business consulting companies like KPMG, Accenture, etc to advice the government on how to market the project and turn it into a huge commercial success. This perhaps explains why mapping agencies like Ordnance Survey of UK had existed for the last 220years.

www.LagosLocation.com –Nigeria’s most innovative online hotel search and booking portal for Lagos announced that over 500 hotel bookings were processed in January and February 2011.

500 hotel online bookings within just 2months is a good result by any standard considering the fact that some few years ago, searching for hotel information in Lagos was quite difficult and tedious. Typically, a guest had to call several hotels one after the other to get their details and compare their prices.
More than 70% of these bookings were from guests visiting Nigeria from abroad with Europe and North America accounting for 32% and 25% respectively.
5% of the guests came from South Africa. An impressive 20% were bookings from guests within Nigeria

LagosLocation.com had processed hotel bookings on for guests staying at Chalon Suites, Tamarin Hotel, Lasal Hotel, Villa Sofia Court, etc

"The guest traffic we are receiving from LagosLocation.com has increased, being listed on LagosLocation.com is good for our business” said Mr Shola Adewale –the General Manager of Villa Sofia Hotel located at Omole Estate

“This figure is a positive sign that online hotel search and booking is gaining popularity with Nigerian internet community. LagosLocation.com will continue to focus on balancing the need to maintain our value proposition with the expectations of providing authentic information about Lagos hotels to Lagos bound travellers,” explained Ireti Ajala, CEO of Spatial Technologies Ltd –the owner of LagosLocation.com.

Victor Akogun -a guest from Canada said, “Thank you for your wonderful website that made it a lot easier to compare hotel prices across Lagos and book directly”

LagosLocation.com is also happy to announce that more hotels from Egbe, Igando, Ikotun, Egbeda, etc are now listed. This is to ensure that users are presented with more choices when booking their hotels in Lagos.

www.LagosLocation.com –Nigeria’s most innovative online hotel search and booking portal for Lagos announced that over 500 hotel bookings were processed in January and February 2011.

500 hotel online bookings within just 2months is a good result by any standard considering the fact that some few years ago, searching for hotel information in Lagos was quite difficult and tedious. Typically, a guest had to call several hotels one after the other to get their details and compare their prices.
More than 70% of these bookings were from guests visiting Nigeria from abroad with Europe and North America accounting for 32% and 25% respectively.
5% of the guests came from South Africa. An impressive 20% were bookings from guests within Nigeria

LagosLocation.com had processed hotel bookings on for guests staying at Chalon Suites, Tamarin Hotel, Lasal Hotel, Villa Sofia Court, etc

"The guest traffic we are receiving from LagosLocation.com has increased, being listed on LagosLocation.com is good for our business” said Mr Shola Adewale –the General Manager of Villa Sofia Hotel located at Omole Estate

“This figure is a positive sign that online hotel search and booking is gaining popularity with Nigerian internet community. LagosLocation.com will continue to focus on balancing the need to maintain our value proposition with the expectations of providing authentic information about Lagos hotels to Lagos bound travellers,” explained Ireti Ajala, CEO of Spatial Technologies Ltd –the owner of LagosLocation.com.

Victor Akogun -a guest from Canada said, “Thank you for your wonderful website that made it a lot easier to compare hotel prices across Lagos and book directly”

LagosLocation.com is also happy to announce that more hotels from Egbe, Igando, Ikotun, Egbeda, etc are now listed. This is to ensure that users are presented with more choices when booking their hotels in Lagos.

Villa Sofia Court –One of Nigeria's most illustrious hotels in Lagos joins www.LagosLocation.com[b][/b]
Villa Sofia Court which was commissioned in 2007, features 19 individually designed rooms and suites. The hotel is located in the secured and serene quiet suburb of Omole Estate (North of Lagos) and is just 15-25 minutes drive from both local and international airport within the city.

Villa Sofia Courts has enhanced position within the design segment with light, scent, sound and decor which are all important elements in the guest experience. Each room has air conditioning, Colour Satellite TV (multi channel) with , Flat Screen LCD TV, Tea/Coffee making facility, Electronic door Key Card, Safety Deposit, Box Hair Dryer, High Speed Internet Access, DVD on Demand, Alarm Clock Radio. Villa Sofia Court offers 15% discount as part of its loyalty program for all Villakard guests. Villa Sofia Court can also arrange pick up services for guests with the efficient Lagos Redcap taxis or the Metro taxis. Pick ups can be from anywhere within Lagos e.g. airport runs, shopping, etc

With this agreement, Villa Sofia Court had joined the list of over 200 hotels and 600 hotel rooms in Lagos listed on www.LagosLocation.com for online promotion and marketing. Each hotel room can be independently searched on LagosLocation.com either by price or surburb.

Villa Sofia Court –One of Nigeria's most illustrious hotels in Lagos joins [url=http://www.LagosLocation.com ]www.LagosLocation.com [/url] for online promotion and marketing
Villa Sofia Court which was commissioned in 2007, features 19 individually designed rooms and suites. The hotel is located in the secured and serene quiet suburb of Omole Estate (North of Lagos) and is just 15-25 minutes drive from both local and international airport within the city.

Villa Sofia Courts has enhanced position within the design segment with light, scent, sound and decor which are all important elements in the guest experience. Each room has air conditioning, Colour Satellite TV (multi channel) with , Flat Screen LCD TV, Tea/Coffee making facility, Electronic door Key Card, Safety Deposit, Box Hair Dryer, High Speed Internet Access, DVD on Demand, Alarm Clock Radio. Villa Sofia Court offers 15% discount as part of its loyalty program for all Villakard guests. Villa Sofia Court can also arrange pick up services for guests with the efficient Lagos Redcap taxis or the Metro taxis. Pick ups can be from anywhere within Lagos e.g. airport runs, shopping, etc

With this agreement, Villa Sofia Court had joined the list of over 200 hotels and 600 hotel rooms in Lagos listed on www.LagosLocation.com for online promotion and marketing. Each hotel room can be independently searched on LagosLocation.com either by price or surburb.

Villa Sofia Court –One of Nigeria's most illustrious hotels in Lagos joins www.LagosLocation.com
Villa Sofia Court which was commissioned in 2007, features 19 individually designed rooms and suites. The hotel is located in the secured and serene quiet suburb of Omole Estate (North of Lagos) and is just 15-25 minutes drive from both local and international airport within the city.

Villa Sofia Courts has enhanced position within the design segment with light, scent, sound and decor which are all important elements in the guest experience. Each room has air conditioning, Colour Satellite TV (multi channel) with , Flat Screen LCD TV, Tea/Coffee making facility, Electronic door Key Card, Safety Deposit, Box Hair Dryer, High Speed Internet Access, DVD on Demand, Alarm Clock Radio. Villa Sofia Court offers 15% discount as part of its loyalty program for all Villakard guests. Villa Sofia Court can also arrange pick up services for guests with the efficient Lagos Redcap taxis or the Metro taxis. Pick ups can be from anywhere within Lagos e.g. airport runs, shopping, etc

With this agreement, Villa Sofia Court had joined the list of over 200 hotels and 600 hotel rooms in Lagos listed on www.LagosLocation.com for online promotion and marketing. Each hotel room can be independently searched on LagosLocation.com either by price or surburb.

I am holding a FREE GIS training using MapInfo Professional for interested people. I own Spatial Technologies Ltd (STL) - a lucrative GIS and Location base solution provider in Lagos (see http://www.spatialtechnologiesltd.com)

The course is divided into 3modules to provide progress learning.
Module 1. GIS & MapInfo Fundamentals (2days) Cost FREE
Module 2. Advanced Data Manipulation using MapInfo (Duration (2days) Cost FREE
Module 3. Technical & Business Strategic Decision Making Process using MapInfo -a case study of UBA PLC and Zain (2days) Cost FREE

This invitation at this point covers just Module 1. Modules 2 & 3 would be planned based on the response from Module 1

Course Requirement: Each student is expected to be computer literate and ready to try something new and exciting. Previous knowledge of MapInfo and GIS are not required.

Course Target for Module 1: At the end of this section, each student should be able to open a table in a Map Window, browse an attribute table in the browser window, understand the standard tools, perform simple task such as changing the symbols of points, lines, polygons, label a map using a particular field in the attribute table, and finally save and open workspaces


Module 1 Course Outline:
1) Introducing the Basics:
•   MapInfo file and directory structure
•   Saving, copying, and closing
•   Understanding the MapInfo Screen
•   How a map and data are connected
•   View Tools: Zooming, setting map
•   Scale, arranging the map in its window
•   Working with Layers
•   Object size concepts
•   Understanding Workspaces
•   Labeling the map
•   Setting the zoom range
•   Map types: Raster versus Vector


2) Selection in MapInfo:
•   One or several objects by clicking
•   Within a rectangular area
•   Within a circular area of set radius
•   Within a (user-defined) drawn polygon
•   Within the boundary of an area
•   Invert a selection
•   Remove a selection

3) Creating and editing objects in MapInfo:
•   Points of various styles / formats
•   Lines of various patterns and thickness
•   Areas of various fill and boundary style
•   Reposition and reshape
•   Reformat

4) Information tools
•   Distance between points by measuring
•   Object properties
•   Statistics on stored numeric values
•   charts production

The course would be taken by STL's Chief's Technology Officer. The course material would be sent as email atatchment to each student selected by STl for the course.

Venue:
Spatial Technologies Ltd office:
14 Raufu William Crescent, Masha
Surulere, Lagos
Get driving direction from anywhere in Lagos to our Lagos office using our online street map of Lagos  http://www.lagoslocation.com/mapPage.aspx?x=3.35529936&y=6.5939427&z=7&w=150&h=100&f=1

Course Fee: FREE

Joining InstructionThere are ONLY 5 spaces available for Module 1. If you are therefore interested, you need to write and tell me why you should be considered for this training. I will also appreciate a brief background information about you e.g your area of expertise, etc. My email is iretia@spatialtechnologiesltd.com. I can also be reached at ireti.ajala@lagoslocation.com. I promise to acknowledge and reply any mail you send me.

STL will provide FREE snacks and FREE lunch.  At the end of Module 3, you would be given a certificate of attendance and you may be invited to work with STL on a current GIS project as a consultant.


Question1: Why is STL offering MapInfo training that usually cost over £2,500 Free of Charge?
Answer: I thought we should start a MapInfo revolution and introduce more people to the exciting world of GIS and MapInfo at no charge.

Question2: Is STL qualified to undertake a GIS or MapInfo training?
Answer: STL had implemented multi-million naira GIS projects in Nigeria for UBA PLC, Zain, BAT, ICSL, Greenwich Consulting (France), etc. We have won an awad for our GIS projects, etc. Why dont you visit our website to see some of our past projects and achievements.


About me:
Name: Ireti Ajala
Designation: CEO Spatial Technologies Ltd
Total GIS Experience: over 12years
Previous GIS Experience: 5years as head of GIS unit for MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd
Current country of residence: UK

Find me Online:
1. Google Search: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=ireti+ajala&meta=&aq=f&aqi=g1g-v2&aql=&oq=
2. My Blog: http://www.lagosstreetmap..com

I am holding a FREE GIS training using MapInfo Professional for interested people. I own Spatial Technologies Ltd (STL) - a lucrative GIS and Location base solution provider in Lagos (see http://www.spatialtechnologiesltd.com)

The course is divided into 3modules to provide progress learning.
Module 1. GIS & MapInfo Fundamentals (2days) Cost FREE
Module 2. Advanced Data Manipulation using MapInfo (Duration (2days) Cost FREE
Module 3. Technical & Business Strategic Decision Making Process using MapInfo -a case study of UBA PLC and Zain (2days) Cost FREE

This invitation at this point covers just Module 1. Modules 2 & 3 would be planned based on the response from Module 1

Course Requirement: Each student is expected to be computer literate and ready to try something new and exciting. Previous knowledge of MapInfo and GIS are not required.

Course Target for Module 1: At the end of this section, each student should be able to open a table in a Map Window, browse an attribute table in the browser window, understand the standard tools, perform simple task such as changing the symbols of points, lines, polygons, label a map using a particular field in the attribute table, and finally save and open workspaces


Module 1 Course Outline:
1) Introducing the Basics:
• MapInfo file and directory structure
• Saving, copying, and closing
• Understanding the MapInfo Screen
• How a map and data are connected
• View Tools: Zooming, setting map
• Scale, arranging the map in its window
• Working with Layers
• Object size concepts
• Understanding Workspaces
• Labeling the map
• Setting the zoom range
• Map types: Raster versus Vector


2) Selection in MapInfo:
• One or several objects by clicking
• Within a rectangular area
• Within a circular area of set radius
• Within a (user-defined) drawn polygon
• Within the boundary of an area
• Invert a selection
• Remove a selection

3) Creating and editing objects in MapInfo:
• Points of various styles / formats
• Lines of various patterns and thickness
• Areas of various fill and boundary style
• Reposition and reshape
• Reformat

4) Information tools
• Distance between points by measuring
• Object properties
• Statistics on stored numeric values
• charts production

The course would be taken by STL's Chief's Technology Officer. The course material would be sent as email atatchment to each student selected by STl for the course.

Venue:
Spatial Technologies Ltd office:
14 Raufu William Crescent, Masha
Surulere, Lagos
Get driving direction from anywhere in Lagos to our Lagos office using our online street map of Lagos  http://www.lagoslocation.com/mapPage.aspx?x=3.35529936&y=6.5939427&z=7&w=150&h=100&f=1

Course Fee: FREE

Joining Instruction[/b]There are ONLY 5 spaces available for Module 1. If you are therefore interested, you need to write and tell me why you should be considered for this training. I will also appreciate a brief background information about you e.g your area of expertise, etc. My email is iretia@spatialtechnologiesltd.com. I can also be reached at ireti.ajala@lagoslocation.com. I promise to acknowledge and reply any mail you send me.

[b]STL will provide FREE snacks and FREE lunch.  At the end of Module 3, you would be given a certificate of attendance and you may be invited to work with STL on a current GIS project as a consultant.


Question1: Why is STL offering MapInfo training that usually cost over £2,500 Free of Charge?
Answer: I thought we should start a MapInfo revolution and introduce more people to the exciting world of GIS and MapInfo at no charge.

Question2: Is STL qualified to undertake a GIS or MapInfo training?
Answer: STL had implemented multi-million naira GIS projects in Nigeria for UBA PLC, Zain, BAT, ICSL, Greenwich Consulting (France), etc. We have won an awad for our GIS projects, etc. Why dont you visit our website to see some of our past projects and achievements.


About me:
Name: Ireti Ajala
Designation: CEO Spatial Technologies Ltd
Total GIS Experience: over 12years
Previous GIS Experience: 5years as head of GIS unit for MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd
Current country of residence: UK

Find me Online:
1. Google Search: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=ireti+ajala&meta=&aq=f&aqi=g1g-v2&aql=&oq=
2. My Blog: http://www.lagosstreetmap..com

aminalib:
wow am impressed, may i have your email as well i want to ask questions pertaining to mtn

See my blog here. http://www.lagosstreetmap..com

See a Google search on me

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ireti+ajala&hl=en&aq=f&aqi=g1g-v2&aql=&oq=

aminalib:
i reaaly appreciate your information

If you are in Lagos, May i offer you a free GIS appreciation course. I have an office at Masha Surulere, i have the systems, GIS software, and data. You'll also gain industry experience of how MTN and UBA PLC are using GIS. I laso have the right GIS resource person to help you on a good start.

If this does interest you, please let me know.

Geographic Information System. "A Geographic Information System is a computer system designed to allow users to collect, manage, and analyze large volumes of spatially referenced and associated attribute data.

The major components of a GIS are: a user interface; system/database management capabilities; database creation/data entry capacity; spatial data manipulation and analysis packages; and display/product generation functions."

GPS
Global Positioning System. A network of radio-emitting satellites deployed by the US Department of Defense.

Ground-based GPS receivers can automatically derive accurate surface coordinates for all kinds of GIS, mapping, and surveying data collection.

[quote][/quote]Your list is missing the human component.