Don tasks FG to tackle security, disaster, agric challenges with GIS

A professor of Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof. Ebenezer Ogunbadewa, has stated that the security, disaster challenges, as well as agricultural issues facing the country can be tackled with GIS.

While stressing the need for an agency that will coordinate the development and application of GIS to be established, Ogunbadewa maintained that with the move, the challenges will be effectively managed.

The don, who gave the advice during the 25th Inaugural Lecture of the institution with the theme “Visualisation Without Barriers: The Quintessence of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Management,” described GIS as a computer-based system with capabilities to analyse and display geographically referenced information about anywhere on the earth’s surface in a database system using appropriate software.

Ogunbadewa, who called on the Ondo State Government to create a State Geographic Information System (SGIS) due to its benefits, urged governments at all levels to develop geospatial data infrastructure for storage, management, and sharing of geospatial information.

He said: “In security enforcement, GIS is beneficial for surveillance, intelligence gathering, smart barcodes, creating virtual boundaries, and crime spot identification.”

The lecturer also disclosed that GIS is also useful in election results transmission and analysis, voter registration, infrastructure planning, maintenance, business management through demographic and market analysis, and site selection.

He recommended the integration of geospatial technology with artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and unmanned aircraft systems like drones.

“The future of geospatial technology is promising, with the potential to improve how global environmental challenges are addressed by providing a more coordinated, connected, informed, and sustainable context for optimising decision-making processes and offering clear views without hindrance.”

Earlier, chairman of the event and Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, noted that inaugural lectures are opportunities for professors to share their research findings and ideas for the benefit of society and to propose solutions to societal needs.

He acknowledged the lecturer as an eminent scholar whose wealth of experience would undoubtedly benefit society.