CIPESS graduates 140 participants on innovation courses in Kogi

No fewer than 140 participants from Kogi State were trained at the just concluded three weeks Executive Courses organised by the Centre for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

The Programme, which took place at the Salem University, Lokoja, on Friday, had courses specialisation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards for participants to make their choice.

Professor Ebenezer Ekefan, Project Management Officer, in his welcome address during the convocation ceremony, disclosed that the empowerment scheme is that of the federal government initiative and funded by the World Bank.

According to Professor Ekefan, “the essence of the  programme is to bridge the gap in the supply of certified professionals in procurement, environment and social standards, as there is no specialised training in these fields being offered in Nigerian Universities at the moment.

“The training will as well go a long way in solving our environmental hazards, boosting the nation’s capacity building and enhancing career progression/professionalism of the graduands

“The training will also help in reducing corruption in the system hence the need to encourage our young people to embrace studies in these three new professional courses (procurement, environmental and social standards).”

He commended the federal government for the establishment of Centre for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

According to him, the Centre at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, covers the North-Central zone of which Kogi State belongs.

In their separate valedictory speech, Course Representatives, Akubo Belson, Larry Ibilola, Jibrin Kasim and Akinola Joy, hailed participants for the commitment exhibited throughout the period of the training.

They also charged them to make judicious use of the knowledge acquired in promotion of professionalism in their respective field of endeavours

They further called on the graduands to see themselves as privileged change agents that will help in moulding their immediate society in a positive manner.

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