On FUTO CE- SPESS’ Training In Rivers State

It’s often noted that, irrespective of one’s level of knowledge, as a professional, they require a constant training to fully equip them with the needed skills and techniques to attain to the echelon.

This could be the reason the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-sPESS) of the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has not rested in ensuring that the members of the public, particularly professionals, acquire the requisite technicalities to excel in their respective fields of endeavour.

Since inception, the Centre which was established by the World Band in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC) five years ago, has continued to travel out of her comfort zone to train various personalities on Executive Courses (Track A) in three different areas, namely: Procurement Management (PRM), Environmental Standards (EVS) and Social Standards (SSD).

The aforementioned programme areas are all centred on issues bordering on public procurement. Having observed the lapses being created in procurement matters, the said sponsors thought it wise to come up the national project, which is currently piloted by six different universities across Nigeria.

The FUTO CE-sPESS, who had previously toured all the states across the South-Eastern zone, transcended to Rivers State in September 2024 in a bid to extend her wealth of knowledge to the people residing within the area. The 5-Day (40-hour) special Training Workshops on Executive Courses, which held precisely in the Rivers State University (RSU), Port-Harcourt, was rounded off on Saturday, 21st September 2024 after series of rigorous interactive sessions.

The programme had in attendance over 400 participants comprising distinguished professionals from countless fields of endeavour. The most interesting aspect of the learning sessions was that, in spite of their levels in workplace, they were all very attentive in the classrooms. Earlier in the Opening Ceremony, which happened

This gesture, according to the programme organisers, was to ensure that none of the attendees was distracted during the various learning sessions

on Tuesday, 17th September 2024 being the date of commencement, the participants were encouraged to remain committed to their respective trainings by the Centre Leader, Engr. Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe, in her Welcome Address.

The Leader, who was inevitably absent owing to other official engagements but was ably represented by the Deputy Director on Social Standards, Prof. Jude Ogbulie, took time to highlight the origin and journey-so-far of the FUTO CE-sPESS to the delight of the attendees.

She equally highlighted the challenges being faced while carrying out the lawful obligations. The Leader stressed that the Centre, having been powered by the World Bank and the NUC, was poised to strive towards achieving the prime mandate of the project sponsors.

She pointed out that, despite myriad of barriers, a lot had already been accomplished by the institute within a short time. According to her, the Centre kick-started her training in 2022. In his Opening Remark, the Vice-Chancellor of the RSU, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule enjoined the participants to take the trainings very seriously, saying it was a big privilege for those who made it to the workshop.

The VC, who specially appreciated the team from FUTO, stressed that they were blessed to have witnessed such a collaboration, hence told the participants that they were privileged to be among the chosen ones.

The Workshops, which commenced with a PreQuiz on the first day, ended with a Post-Quiz after all the tactical teachings and interactive segments, which were apparently appreciated by the numerous participants. It’s noteworthy that breakfast and lunch were served among the participants on each day of the trainings.

This gesture, according to the programme organisers, was to ensure that none of the attendees was distracted during the various learning sessions. The lofty outing also ended with a Closing Ceremony in which the participants were collectively congratulated for their patience, sacrifice and maturity throughout the training workshops.

They were equally urged to ensure they obtained the Centre’s Advanced Certificate, which is being awarded to a graduate of the Track A after writing and submitting a Long Essay on a certain relevant topic to be assigned by the Centre’s Research Coordinator.

They were also conscientized to enrol in the FUTO CE-sPESS’ Postgraduate studies, Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Master’s of Science (M.Sc) precisely. The gathering was equally informed that Undergraduate studies in the three aforementioned programme areas were currently run in the Centre.

When interviewed, some of the participants enthused that the training at the RSU was indeed very educating and informative, thus asked the Centre Management to make it a regular outing. According to them, many were determined to acquire more knowledge to advance in their professions.

Another participant opined that knowledge remained the greatest gift anyone could give out, therefore commended the FUTO CE-sPESS for trailing on such a laudable path, having lauded the project initiators for the “excellent” initiative. The 5-day Workshop was simply scintillating and splendid to any sane observer, because it was rigorous and all-encompassing in respect of the issues pertaining to public procurement as well as environmental and social standards.

Of course, an outing that witnessed the presence of distinguished individuals – such as industrialists, high-ranking civil cum public servants, entrepreneurs, and even professors – as members of the learning group, ought to be described as one in a million.

If a professor who is regarded to have known all, could still sacrifice reasonable time and energy to learn more, it means the Centre in question is really and undoubtedly doing wonders in the area of knowledge creation and distribution.

This is the reason every right-thinking education stakeholder in Nigeria is expected to throw their support behind this project towards achieving its desired goals, if truly we look forward to a changed system as regards public procurement. Think about it!