By Uche Aondohemba
The Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (IPESS), Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) has concluded another round of training by issuing 420 certificates of participation to trainees drawn from Ministries Departments and Agencies of Government in Lafia and Keffi, Nasarawa State and also Jos, Plateau State.
This, the institution explained is in line with her quest to build sustainable human capacity, and instill basic skills and knowledge that will better the society,
The Examination Officer, Social Standards, Dr Hephzibah Obekpa in a presentation titled “Drivers of Change” admonished the graduands to be the change they seek through the application of the knowledge and skills garnered during the training to better their workplaces and the society.
Dr Obekpa stated that, though the actualisation of a positive change could be challenging in an unfavourable environment, it takes men and women of courage with a firm belief in human dignity and prosperity to make a mark. She charged the graduands to uphold integrity, professionalism, patriotism, and as well as contribute to reducing the incidences of corruption and mismanagement of public resources.
The examination Officer while encouraging graduands not to relinquish their quest of becoming
professionals further called on them to sustain the already established relationship and seek more learning opportunities at the institute.
In Lafia, the representatives of Procurement, and Environmental standards classes, Engr Adamu
Ahmed and Umar Lubabatu Adamu respectively, in separate valedictory speeches commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for the initiative and praised the uncommon level of coordination and seamlessness in the delivery of the courses by the Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards. The class representatives stated that the training has empowered and equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive meaningful change in their respective places of work.
Engr Adamu while appreciating the
facilitators and support staff for their uncommon dedication which culminated to the success of the programme encouraged his fellow trainees to diligently and responsibly apply the knowledge gained in the service of their various organisations, communities, and the nation.
Corroborating the above, the social standards class representative, Epi David Joshua while speaking in
Keffi stated that the training was a transformative journey that broaden their knowledge of the concept of social justice, inclusion, equity, and human rights. He also charged the graduands to put to practice the knowledge gained for the good of humanity.
“As we step forward from here, let us carry the lessons we’ve learned not only in our minds, but in our words, actions, and choices. Whether we serve in government, education, civil society, or the private sector, let us become voices for justice, champions of inclusion, and examples of ethical leadership in our
respective spheres,” Epi David stated.
Earlier in a goodwill message, the Centre Leader and Director, Professor Lami A. Nnamonu, represented by the Academic Programme Coordinator of Social Standards, Dr Peter Tsue congratulated the graduands for their commitment and resilience which aided the delivery of the course.
Dr Tsue thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Management teams of Narasawa State University Keffi and IPESS JOSTUM for playing critical roles in the
implementation of the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project in North Central Nigeria. The Academic Programme
Coordinator called on the graduands to use the acquired knowledge to improve the society.
A total of 280 certificates were issued, comprising 70 for social standards in Keffi and 105 each for procurement, and environmental standards in Lafia.
In a similar development, no fewer than 140 participants from diverse Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Jos, Plateau State received certificates of completion after completing the Track A Short Course at the Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (IPESS), Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM).
The rigorous three-week training programme sought to improve proficiency in procurement methods and social norms.
The Centre Leader and Director, Professor Lami A. Nnamonu, represented by the Deputy Centre Leader of Procurement Standards, Professor Simon T. Kpelai, congratulated the graduands while praising their tenacity. He encouraged them to utilise the acquired expertise to enhance service delivery inside their own organisations.
He urged graduands to apply the ideals they have internalised during their
training.
Addressing the subject “Drivers of Change,” the monitoring and evaluation officer, Professor Simon A. Shomkegh, represented by Patricia Kuma Tabe, urged the graduates to become problem solvers and the catalysts for the necessary change.
Course representatives Helen Eugene Manji of Procurement Standards and Ishaya Yakubu Amah of Social Standards, both expressed gratitude to the IPESS management team for the opportunity while commending the flawless execution of the course. Mrs Manji lauded the institute and Joseph Sarwa Tarka University for the initiative and urged her fellow graduates to persist in their pursuit of knowledge. The class governor stated that, the training has enhanced their comprehension and fostered a heightened sense of responsibility, and they were prepared to guarantee openness, efficiency, sustainability, and value in the institutions they represent. She urged her fellow participants to return to their workplaces not only as holders of a certificate, but as proponents of standardised, ethical, and strategic procurement practices.
Mr. Amah of Social Standards Course also enjoined participants to return to their respective corners of the world with a
revitalised sense of purpose and embrace the responsibility of being vanguards and advocates of standard practices.
Deputy Centre Leader, Social Standards Professor Angol A. Naswem commended the graduands while also praising the State Training Coordinator and the entire University administration for fostering a conducive environment for the programme’s success.
