By Uche Aondohemba
Graduands of the just concluded Advanced Certificate Course (Track B) at the Centre for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS), Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi have expressed confidence, readiness, and commitment towards applying the knowledge and skills gained during the three weeks intensive training. This they said will produce positive changes in their various fields of work.
Class representatives of the Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards courses on behalf of the classes made this known during the CIPESS valedictory events which were held simultaneously in Makurdi, Benue State, and Lafia, Keffi in Nasarawa States.
In separate speeches, the graduates expressed profound gratitude to the World Bank (WB), National Universities Commission (NUC), and CIPESS for supporting and implementing the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project. Ogah Felix Mathew of the Procurement Standards class who described the programme as enriching, enlightening, and transformative further enjoined his fellow participants to reflect and apply the knowledge and skills acquired to improve their workplaces and the society at large. “Let us continue to strive for excellence in our respective roles, uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, and contribute positively to our organisations, communities, and the broader society,” he stated.
Delivering lectures on the topic “Drivers of Change,” Dr Victor Otene, Dr David Ekhuemelo, and Dr Gabriel Yager who delivered in Keffi, Lafia, and Makurdi respectively maintained that, as Drivers of Change, graduands were expected to be committed to promoting best practices in their chosen fields by upholding integrity, professionalism, and patriotism. According to them, graduates were also expected to commit to improving the quality of life of the people around them and also contribute to reducing the incidences of corruption and mismanagement of public resources. Dr Otene called on the participants to sustain the already established relationship by responding to inquiries emanating from the Centre, other Implementing Agencies, and or the Independent Verification Agency/Agents as a way of authenticating their participation in the programme(s).
Earlier in a goodwill message at the valedictory event in Keffi, the Centre Leader and Director, Prof. Lami A. Nnamonu, represented by the Deputy Centre Leader, Social Standards, Prof. Angol Naswem congratulated the graduands for their commitment, Courage, and resilience which culminated to the attainment of the feat. The Centre Leader who thanked the then Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University Keffi Prof. S.B. Mohammed for providing a venue for the programme to run expressed confidence that the insight and skill the graduands were exposed to will surely benefit them and the Nigerian society at large.
Prof. Rufus Sha-Ato, Deputy Centre Leader, Environmental Standards, and Dr Felix Igbahenah, Administrative Team Leader while delivering goodwill messages on behalf of the Centre Leader and Director in Lafia and Makurdi respectively commended the graduands’ resolve to be part of the change movement and urged them to put to practice the knowledge and skills acquired in the course of their training for the betterment of the society. Prof. Sha-Ato also urged the graduates to continue their pursuit of becoming certified experts in their various industries, as well as to enroll in higher levels of study at the Centre in areas such as procurement, environmental, and social standards.
The presentation of certificates of participation to more than 400 combined participants derived from the three study centres was the event’s highlight.
In another event, Prof Nnamonu lauded the Centre’s milestones from inception to date as outlined in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD). This she expressed while reviewing CIPESS’ accomplishments and future objectives.
The Centre Director asserted that “on the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project and some other World Bank projects, there are several tangible and verifiable milestones and results that must be achieved before money is released to the project. Until results are achieved and verified, money is not paid, and CIPESS’ metrics are there”.
She emphasized that the training numbers were exciting because CIPESS had accomplished more than a hundred per cent of the five-year training target for Track A and more than 91%, 664%, and 600% in procurement, environmental, and social standards respectively for Track B in just 18 months. According to her, CIPESS earned all Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) entitlements with zero penalty during the World Bank’s first Independent Third-Party Verification Exercise, demonstrating that the Centre was on track.
Discussing the project’s influence and contributions to the University, the Centre Leader said, the project has enhanced online teaching and learning, acquired effective software, upgraded library amenities, and provided free internet access to both staff and students. Other initiatives include the training of over 280 academic and non-teaching University staff members in online engagement and grant proposal writing, as well as the installation of Learning Management System (LMS) capabilities in 10 classrooms for online teaching and learning. According to the Centre Leader, the Centre provided additional contributions to the University by signing Memoranda of Understanding for the institution and has organised information disclosure retreats for university management, Deans, Directors, and Heads of Department to familiarize them with the mandate and mission of CIPESS.
The Centre Director thanked God for His unending mercy and saluted the immediate past Vice Chancellor of JOSTUM, Prof. Anande R. Kimbir, for his services both before and after the project was awarded. She also acknowledged the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of JOSTUM, Engr. Prof. Isaac N. Itodo, for his steadfast support, as well as the entire CIPESS team for their dedication, which has resulted in remarkable accomplishments at the Centre.
