The short training was declared opened on Monday, 29th April, 2024 at the SICT Lecture Theatre, Main Campus and would last till 17thMay, 2024.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, FUT, Minna, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Uno Essang Uno, noted that the short training is important and timely. He encouraged the participants to pay rapt attention to learn, so that they can use the knowledge acquired to impact on others.
He advised that there should be a communique at the end of the training and a copy should be shared with the school management to see what can be implemented from the report.
In her keynote speech, the Centre Leader/Director, Lami Nnamonu, who was represent-ed by Dr. David Oriabure Ekhuemelo stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria with assistance from World Bank is implementing the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement project (SPESSE). He added that SPESSE is conceived on the need to bridge the gap between insufficient supply of quality professionals in the Procurement, Environment, Social sector sand the lack of academic programmes and curriculum in these sectors in the Nigerian educational systems.
She pointed out that the cornerstone of SPESSE implementation is the creation of centre for excellence in Nigerian Universities to deliver a series of capacity building tracks in a sustainable manner in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards.
While making his presentation on requirement and obligation of the trainee, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Prof. S. A. Shomkegh, represented by the Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Patricia Kuma stated that the objective of CIPESS project, is to develop sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards in the public and private sectors of Nigeria.
Prof. Shomkegh emphasised that the programme is designed for practitioners who desire to become professionals in Nigeria. Adding that, the programme was designed for a period of one week per course and a cohort of three courses that is, Procurement Management, Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Social Development has been scheduled to fully equipped participants with relevant skills to improve their knowledge and performance. He reiterated that trainees must strive to achieve100% attendance in course activities, saying that irregular participation in training activities will lead to non-issuance of course completion certificate.
In his vote of thanks the State Training Coordinator (STC) and Director, DCAL, Prof. Israel Kayode Olayemi, appreciated Management, other dignitaries and participants who made the event a success. He also advised the participants to take the three weeks short training seriously so as to acquire the necessary knowledge, while encouraging them to be dedicated and punctual throughout the training.
