by FRED NWAOZOR
The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-SPESS) of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has concluded another set of training workshops on Executive Courses tracks A and B in Umudike, Abia State.
The 5-day outing which was hosted by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike in Abia State and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) was attended by staff of various Government Ministries in the State as well as entrepreneurs and captains of industries.
It could be recalled that the FUTO CE-sPESS was in the MOUAU in October 2023 for similar Training Workshops, which witnessed a massive turnout.
In his Welcome Speech, the Executive Director (ED) of the NRCRI, Prof. Chiedozie N. Egesi who was represented by the Director of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Department of the NRCRI, Dr. Mrs. Tessy Madu told the FUTO CE-sPESS team that the Institute was delighted to partner with them having heard of the Centre’s track record.
In his Goodwill Message, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. M. O. Iwe congratulated the participants for being among “privileged professionals who have been called to update their resumes towards becoming procurement ambassadors.”
On her part, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Mrs. Nnenna N. Oti thanked the Management of the NRCRI for welcoming the University team members who traveled from Owerri. She was represented by the CE-sPESS PES Research Coordinator, Prof. Alex Opara.
The Director FUTO CE-sPESS, Engr. Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe appreciated the NRCRI Management, particularly the Executive Director, for the support while educating her audience on the SPESSE Project.
Prof. Chukwudebe equally informed the participants that every session of the Workshops was very important and mandatory, hence enjoined them to take it seriously.
The training featured numerous Modules in each of the three available Programme areas, namely: Procurement Management, Environmental Standards, and Social Standards, which were delivered by the seasoned Resource Personnel of the Centre.
Some of the attendees testified that the outing was “an eye opener” for them as they were exposed to the nitty-gritty of procurement rules and regulations.
