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Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards

Overview

Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards  is a World Bank sponsored center of  excellence established at the  Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State. CIPESS is funded by the World Bank for a 5-year period in the first glance under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project.

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MISSION

To produce a critical mass of highly skilled and fit-for-purpose professionals in the areas of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards for sustainable development.

stairs going upward, 3d rendering
Mission

VISION

To be a dynamic regional hub for expert training and research in public procurement, environmental and social standards based on global best practices.

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Vision

Mandate

The mandate of CIPESS is to build sustainable capacity in the management of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards in the public and private sectors

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Mandate

CIPESS ORGANOGRAM

Academic Collaborators

1. Susan H. Allen, PhD
Position/Title: Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice University/Institution: George Mason University, Virginia, USA
Email: sallen29@gmu.edu

2. Frank Vanclay, PhD
Position/Title: Professor and Head of the Department of Cultural Geography University/Institution: University of Groningen, Netherlands
Email: frank.vanclay@rug.nl

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Industrial/Sectoral Partners

  1. SERAPH Nig. Ltd.
  2. Oracle Business Limited
  3. Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)
  4. Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Benue State Chapter
  5. Organization Name: Benue Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BECCIMA)
  6. State Emergency Management Agency, Benue State Chapter
  7. Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja
  8. Benue Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BECCIMA)

Partners/Project Implementation Units

i. World Bank.
ii. Association of African Universities (AAU)
iii. Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC)
iv. Bureau of Public Procurement
v. Federal Ministry of Women Affairs
vi. Federal Ministry of Environment
vii. Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning

Other SPESSCE Project Centers

i. SPESSCE, University of Lagos (UNILAG)
ii. SPESSCE, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
iii. SPESSCE, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)                           

iv. SPESSCE, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
v. SPESSCE, University of Benin (UNIBEN)

 

Regional Centers

ACEs in Benin
ACE: Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science and Applications (ACE- SMIA), University of
Abomey – Calavi, Benin

ACE: Water and Sanitation (C2EA), University of Abomey- Calavi, Benin

College of Engineering, (CoE_EIE), Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin

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Other Centers of Excellence in Nigeria

Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State (Africa Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, ACEGID);

African University of Science & Technology, Abuja (PAN African Materials Institute, PAMI);
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(Center for Agricultural Development & Sustainable Environment, CEADESE);

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Contact

  • Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  • +234 8066 321 522
  • cipess@uam.edu.ng

Social Networks

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Links List

CIPESS FUAM

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Overview of cipess

Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards is a World Bank sponsored center of excellence established at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
CIPESS is funded by the World Bank for a 5-year period in the first glance under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project.
The SPESSE project is aimed at enhancing sustainable human capacity development in Procurement, Environmental and Social standards in public and private sectors in Nigeria and its regions to support governance, increase transparency, competition, equal opportunity, sustainability along with environmental and social standards and management. This will be done through training, professionalization and research in procurement, environmental and social standards.
Furthermore, the center will leverage to a great extent on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and collaborations with International and Local partners to train its students in
i. Short Executive Certificate Courses
ii. Advanced Certificate Courses
iii. Post -Graduate Diplomas
iv. Bachelor’s Degree Programs
v. Master’s Degree Programs

VISION
CIPESS is established as a Center of excellence funded by the World Bank through the Federal Government of Nigeria, to take on the challenge of the dearth of professionalism in the areas of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards by engaging in rigorous and structured academic programs that will address these capacity gaps.
To this end, the overall VISION of the Centre is
…..to be a dynamic regional hub for expert training and research in public procurement, environmental and social standards based on global best practices……

MISSION
As a Center of excellence established for training and capacity building to address skills gaps, the mission of CIPESS is
……to produce a critical mass of highly skilled and fit-for-purpose professionals in the areas of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards for sustainable development……..

OBJECTIVES
CIPESS has the following objectives
1. To train professionals with competence in procurement, environmental and social standards who will translate skills and knowledge gained into improving the act of procurement in the private as well as public sector, enhancement of legal framework and backstopping environmental and social safeguards through its academic programs and research,.

2. To generate enough interest and activity in public procurement, with alumni and impacted stakeholders having a good understanding and culture of international best practices in public procurement, transparency and accountability.

3. To contribute to a drastic reduction in the corruption experienced in public procurement, curb the trend of environmental degradation and improve the social landscape of Nigeria.

4. To become a first choice destination for training in these key areas for both the public and private sector stakeholders.

5. To influence the creation of public service cadres in procurement, environmental and social standards respectively

6. To create awareness on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) needs, requirements and processes as well as existing World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) along with environmental and social standards management systems.

Academic Collaborators

1. Susan H. Allen, PhD
Position/Title: Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice University/Institution: George Mason University, Virginia, USA
Email: sallen29@gmu.edu

2. Frank Vanclay, PhD
Position/Title: Professor and Head of the Department of Cultural Geography University/Institution: University of Groningen, Netherlands
Email: frank.vanclay@rug.nl

3. Dr. Eihab E.M. Elias
Position/Title: Head, Department of Pesticides and Toxicology University/Institution: University of Gezira, Sudan
Email: eihabelias1@gmail.com

4. Dr. Murat Arsel
Position/Title: Professor
University/Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands/International Institute of Social Studies,
Email: arsel@iss.nl

5. Ms. Nikki Funke
Position/Title: PhD Fellow/Senior Researcher

University/Institution
1. Institute for Environmental Studies (Instituutvoor Milieuvraagstukken, IVM), Vrije University Amsterdam
2. Natural Resources and Environment Unit, Council for Scientific Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, South Africa.

Email: n.s.funke@vu.nl

6. Elisabeth Simelton
Position/Title: Senior Climate Change Scientist/Dr University/Institution: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Vietnam Country Office, 13th floor HCMCC Tower, 249 A Thuy Khue Street, Thuy Khue Ward, Tay Ho District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Email: E.Simelton@cgiar.org

Dr Peter Tsue
Professor Adolphus Angol Naswem

Academic Programme Coordinator(Social Standards)

Dr Peter T. Tsue is a successful Agricultural Economist who specialized in Production, Resource and Environmental Economics. He obtained a Ph.D in Agricultural Economics with specialization in Resource and Environmental Economics in 2015 from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. He has undergone several relevant capacity building trainings from IFPRI, USAID, IFAD and the World Bank. He has over years been involved in project implementation of several Local and International donor Organizations such as USAID MARKETS II, IFAD/VCDP, OX-FAM, IITA in the Agriculture and social sector to improve productivity, sustain the environment and care for the vulnerable groups. Currently he is a socio-economic specialist for IITA soybean seed system in Benue State, Nigeria. Dr Tsue has vast research experience in land administration, land exchange, climate change resilience and adaptation, land degradation, production and productivity, sustainable natural resource use and adoption of innovations. In addition, he has good knowledge of data analysis using SPSS, Stochastic Frontier Analysis, E-views, Stata, Minitab and DAD statistical soft wares.

 

Macsamuel Ugbaa
Mr. Macsamuel Sesugh Ugbaa

Examination Officer, Environmental Standards

Macsamuel Sesugh Ugbaa is a Plant Breeder and Geneticist with 5 years cognate University teaching experience at the Department of Plant breeding and Seed Science, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), and over 10 years experience in implementation ofresearch projects funded by donors such as CORAF, Kirkhouse Trust SCIO UK, Bill and Melinda Gates through the IITA and AGRA. He has also collaborated on international project with Researchers at the University College London on Biological control of Fall army worm using Social wasps.
His professional expertise isin genomics-assisted breeding for resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, breeding for Climate and Nutrition smart agriculture, germplasm characterization using morphological and molecular tools to enhance exploration and usage and consumer based and farmer participatory breeding. Macsamuelis a Research Fellow of the Kirkhouse Trust and has received training at the University of Virginia USA and Cambridge University UK. He is also trained in Online facilitation for teaching and learning, World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, FAO Agricultural Risk Assessment, Project management, Leadership and Teamwork, Project monitoring and Evaluation and Data analysis.
He is currently a Co-PI at the Molecular Biology Laboratory FUAM, Coordinator of the Biotechnology Interdisciplinary Research Group FUAM, Nigeria country Coordinator of the JR Biotek Foundation, USA and Treasurer/Training Coordinator of Plant Breeders Association of Nigeria.

Dr. Mrs Nnamonu
professor Lami Angela Nnamonu

Centre Leader/Director

The raison d’etre of any government is the pursuit of the happiness of its citizenry. This way, the government adds value to the quality of life of its people in all strata of society. One of the ways of doing this is via standardization. In recent times, interest in the fields of procurement, environmental management and social safeguards have increased. This has necessitated the need for concomitant capacity building in minimum benchmarks to decrease the negative consequences linked to the absence of standards in the tripartite areas of procurement, environment and social safeguards.
In Procurement, standardization of procedures is a crucial element in maintaining transparency, accountability, impartiality and fairness. It helps to prevent corruption issues, such as suppliers bribing those in charge of the procurement process, the fixing of bid prices (commonly called quotation) or the awarding of contracts to one supplier without competitive bidding, among others. The existence of standards helps ensure that supplies are procured only from ethical sources with good track records. The Nigerian government just like in other countries is the major provider of services or public goods to society. Even though endowed with human and natural resources, corruption-linked procurement processes have been reported to contribute to poor service delivery systems and compromise, youth unemployment and a cascade of other socio-economic ills which have taken a toll on the nation. The Human Development Index (HDI) of the country comparatively ranks low, while the HPI (Happy Planet Index) ranks very high paradoxically – Nigerians are happy people!

Furthermore, despite universal Environmental consciousness in recent decades, the Nigerian ecosystem is being degraded by anthropogenous activities such as agriculture, fisheries, transport, industry, tourism and the urban sprawl. Global pressures on the environment have resulted to climate change and variability, in addition to economic and population growth, and changing consumption patterns. At the same time, growing understanding of the characteristics of Nigeria’s environmental challenges and their impact on economic and Social systems in a globalized world has brought with it the increasing recognition that existing knowledge and governance approaches are inadequate to deal with them. With no formal curricula specified for standards development in these key areas, the gap between sustainable policy and implementation keeps widening.

In response to this, the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) through funding from the World Bank has established the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS) under the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project to develop competences in the three core areas offered under five distinct academic tracks in the first instance of 5 years). CIPESS will leverage to a great extent on ICT and collaborations with international and national partners to train her students in the following tracks:
Track A: Short executive certificate courses for existing workforce in PESS.
Track B: Advanced Certificate Courses for school leavers and others in PESS.
Track C: Post-graduate Diploma (PGD) in PESS.
Track D: Master’s degree (Professional and Academic Masters) – and later, PhD programmes – for degree holders to focus on in-depth research in PESS.
Track E: 4-year Bachelors programme in PESS.
In simple terms, the time has come, in Nigeria, that any one desiring to hold public office in any capacity – be it in academia, the public sector, in industry or the organized private sector – might need to present some kind of certification in an area in the field of Procurement Standards, Environmental Standards or Social Standards, depending on their area of specialization. Movement from your current position or rank to the next level in your career might soon be hindered without this training. CIPESS is the hub for this in North Central Nigeria for all civil servants at State and Federal levels. State and Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the organized private sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society, industries, academia and the general public are the focus of these programmes.
Using experienced personnel from the composite departments in the University and drawing on the rich pool of partners, CIPESS shall focus on offering world-class in-person and on-line pedagogic content and hybrid learning systems with opportunity for industry-based internship and exchange programs with sectoral and academic partners within and outside Nigeria.
CIPESS will translate research milestones and teaching into improving the process of procurement in the private as well as public sector, enhancement of legal framework and backstopping environmental and social safeguards.

On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Anande Kimbir (KSM), I urge you to grab the opportunity to study with us in the culture of World Bank excellence and global best practice.
Welcome to CIPESS!

Signed
Professor Lami A. Nnamonu FICCON, FCSN
(Project Leader & Centre Director)

Dr. Mrs Nnamonu
Professor Lami Angela Nnamonu

Centre Leader/Director

Professor Lami Nnamonu, a Professor of Agrochemical Technology, Commonwealth Scholar and two time winner of the prestigious Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future postdoctoral Fellowship, has many years of experience in environment-friendly agricultural chemistry research. She brings to her role in CIPESS, leadership capacity as past Head of Pre-degree Department and former Director of the Center for Agrochemical Technology, now Centre for Agrochemical Technology and Environmental Research, CATER. She has been a research associate in Durham University, England and Newcastle University, England United Kingdom at various times. She is passionate about advancing females in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medicine. Her outfit, Girls In Future Tertiary Science (GIFTS) is empowering girls not only to pick STEM courses and careers but to remain and progress there.
Her research focus is on:

• Pesticide/fertilizer formulation research – slow-release and nano-formulations of pesticides and combination agrochemicals (fertilizer cum pesticide), employing non-toxic, biodegradable, inert, user-friendly, cheap and readily available materials as matrices. These matrices – like chitosan, kaolin and starch – are also extracted from local sources.
• Profiling physico-chemical characteristics of the formulations and monitoring of factors affecting pesticide release in order to develop management protocols for optimum pest control from encapsulated formulations.
• Agrochemical alternatives – discovery of new materials for pest control from the abundant natural resources with which Nigeria is endowed, with a view to developing safer and environmentally friendly products.
• Efficacy testing of these formulations against a group of commercially important cereals and associated weeds
• Agrochemicals/environment interactions, viz. the determination of pesticide and heavy metal residues in food, soil, air and water.
• Exploration and application of essential oils and other plant products as green pesticides
• Organic syntheses of these bio-actives, applying green and benign chemical processes

Prof. Simon Kpelai
Professor Simon Tersoo Kpelai

Deputy Centre Leader, Procurement Standards

Professor Simon Tersoo Kpelai holds a Ph.D in Management with bias in Finance. He has been teaching Financial Management and Entrepreneurship Development at the university level for 26 years. He has many scholarly publications to his credit in peer reviewed academic journals. He is an author of two books; Managerial Finance and Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria. He is also on the Editorial Board of many academic journals. He has also worked as a consultant to Benue State Government, Federal Ministry of Finance, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Department for International Development (DFID, UK) among others. He served as a commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment to Benue State Government from 2015 to 2018. He is currently the Deputy Centre Leader, Procurement Standards at the Centre for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS), as well as Head, Department of Business Administration, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He is happily married with two children.

Prof. Rufus Sha`Ato
Professor Rufus Sha’Ato
FCSN, FICCON, MIPAN, MANCAP,

Deputy Centre Leader, Environmental Standards

Professor R. Sha’Ato is a Professor of Chemistry and Dean, Postgraduate School in the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurd and pioneer Deputy Centre Leader (Environmental Standards), CIPESS. He is an active executive member of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) and Nigeria Coordinator, African Network for the Chemical Analysis of Pesticides and other Chemical Pollutants (ANCAP). He was trained at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Ibadan, Ibadan; He is a CIDA post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Chemistry at Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada.
His research activities include traverse-analytical and environmental chemistry, waste management/water use, general environmental management and sustainability. Specifically: the physical chemistry of chemical (pollutants) fate (transformation, adsorption) and transport in soil-water systems; development of low-cost water treatment technologies and environmentally friendly agrochemical technologies, including novel slow-release and combination pesticide formulations, using nano-materials; environmental management advisories. He is also a Faculty member at the University’s Center for Agrochemical Technology and Environmental Research; as a lead researcher in agrochemical technology; with Prof. O. J. Okonkwo, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria (investigations of brominated flame retardants in the environment and other POPs)

Dr Angol Naswem
Professor Adolphus Angol Naswem

Deputy Center Leader, Social Standards

Professor Adolphus Angol Naswem is a  Professor of Rural Sociology, and Director, Institute of Food Security. He obtained a B.Sc in Sociology at the University of Jos in 1986, M.Sc and Ph.D at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in 2004 and 2010 respectively. He also serves on the Editorial Board of Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Science. His research interests include sustainable rural development, social capital, and climate change, and is widely published in these areas. Dr. Naswem is passionate about reaching rural folks with technologies that will benefit not just their farming activities, but also impact every area of their lives. He is involved in community outreach, and is deeply involved in professional societies where he serves as Vice-President II of the Rural Sociological Association of Nigeria, and member, Executive Board of the Research Committee on Sociology of Agriculture and Food (RC40) of the International Sociological Association.

Professor Dooshima Tuleun
Professor Dooshima Tuleun

Academic Programs Coordinator , Procurement Standards

Dr Lami Nnamonu, an Associate Professor of Agrochemical Technology, Commonwealth Scholar and two time winner of the prestigious Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future postdoctoral Fellowship, has many years of experience in environment-friendly agricultural chemistry research. She brings to her role in CIPESS, leadership capacity as past Head of Pre-degree Department and former Director of the Center for Agrochemical Technology, now Centre for Agrochemical Technology and Environmental Research, CATER. She has been a research associate in Durham University, England and Newcastle University, England United Kingdom at various times. She is passionate about advancing females in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medicine. Her outfit, Girls In Future Tertiary Science (GIFTS) is empowering girls not only to pick STEM courses and careers but to remain and progress there.
Her research focus is on:

• Pesticide/fertilizer formulation research – slow-release and nano-formulations of pesticides and combination agrochemicals (fertilizer cum pesticide), employing non-toxic, biodegradable, inert, user-friendly, cheap and readily available materials as matrices. These matrices – like chitosan, kaolin and starch – are also extracted from local sources.
• Profiling physico-chemical characteristics of the formulations and monitoring of factors affecting pesticide release in order to develop management protocols for optimum pest control from encapsulated formulations.
• Agrochemical alternatives – discovery of new materials for pest control from the abundant natural resources with which Nigeria is endowed, with a view to developing safer and environmentally friendly products.
• Efficacy testing of these formulations against a group of commercially important cereals and associated weeds
• Agrochemicals/environment interactions, viz. the determination of pesticide and heavy metal residues in food, soil, air and water.
• Exploration and application of essential oils and other plant products as green pesticides
• Organic syntheses of these bio-actives, applying green and benign chemical processes

Professor John Igoli
Professor John Ogbaji Igoli

Academic Programs Coordinator , Social Standards

Professor John Ogbaji Igoli has a PhD in organic chemistry, specializing in natural products from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 2003 and had postdoctoral training at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow from 2008 to 2014. He currently works at the Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi Nigeria. He has over 140 publications involving research in organic chemistry, pharmacology and Phytochemistry reporting on the isolation, structure elucidation and bioassay of several novel compounds. He is keenly interested in drug discovery and the bioassay of isolated or synthesised compounds. John is vividly involved in spectroscopic identification of compounds and the evaluation of plants used in traditional medicine. John has a dream of establishing functional laboratories in Nigeria as he is concerned about the lack of research and spectroscopic facilities in Nigeria. John is passionate about teaching and research collaboration. He has facilitated several grant writing, research and spectroscopy workshops in Nigeria, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and Malawi. He has obtained fellowships, research and travel grants from DAAD/OPCW, IFS, NHS GGC, RSC, CRUK, IFAH, CADFP and the Wellcome Trust. Professor Igoli has mentored and supervised several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Professor Igoli is a member of a National Committee to develop protocols for the evaluation of herbal medicines and products. He is also the Director of the University Specialized Equipment Centre.

Mrs Margaret Gwebe
Mrs Margaret Gwebe

Financial Management  Coordinator

Mrs. Margaret Gwebe is the Financial Management Coordinator for the Centre for Innovation in Procurement Environmental and Social Standard, World Bank Assisted Centre. She is also a Deputy Bursar at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State where she has worked for 34 years.
Mrs Margaret Gwebe holds a BSc in Accounting. She is a Certified National Accountant and a member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). She is also a member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

Dr Simon Shomkegh
Professor Simon Shomkegh

Monitoring and  Evaluation Officer

Professor Simon Shomkegh is a Professor of Forest and Environmental Management with over 20 years’ experience in tertiary-levelcapacity development, research and community/outreach serviceat the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Environmental Management and has undergone several inter/national capacity building trainings especially in the field of natural resource management and online pedagogy. He is an experienced mentor and is passionate about building the capacity of Africa’s next generation of innovative practitioners, in order to provide cutting edge solutions to today and future environmental challenges of the continent. In addition, Dr Shomkeghhas been involved in the implementation of donor supported projects especially with CIDA, Sida, USAID, UNICEF and PAC and his experience will supporttheachievement of the objectives of theCenter for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS), a World Bank and National Universities Commission (NUC) supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (SPESSE) project. He currently Heads the Department of Social and Environmental Forestry in the University and is servingon the CIPESS projectasthe Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. His current interests include result-oriented capacity development, sustainable use ofnatural resources, climate resilience building, mentoring and translation of research results into effective policies and practices. He can be reached at sshomkegh@uam.edu.ng

Dr. Christopher Eche
Dr. Christopher O. Eche

Environmental and Social Safeguards/Academic Liaison Officer

Dr. Eche is an astute agronomist with over 15 years’ experience in field crop research and environmental protection. He currently works at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) and is the  Academic Programme Coordinator(Social Standards)/Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer of the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS). He is also the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Specialized Equipment Centre, FUAM. In addition to research, he teaches and engages with international and national academic and governmental agencies as Academic Liaison Officer of CIPESS. With vast experience in project management and consultancy, Dr Eche was the Project Focal Person (PFP) for FUAM in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project dubbed “Increasing Groundnut Productivity in Mali, Ghana and Nigeria” (2015 to 2018) and as the field/biometrician on the “Cassava Weed Management in Nigeria Project” funded by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation between 2014 and 2016. He also consults for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Fadama III Project and one of the consultants for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project dubbed “Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Savannah Zones of Nigeria”. Working with other team members in FUAM, they recently won the World-Bank funded project which led to the establishment and take-off of the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS). He is an alumnus of a number of institutions including Ahmadu Bello University(ABU),Zaria; Ghent University, Belgium; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB); Ohio State University, Columbus, USA; Shenyang Agricultural University,China and Wageningen University, Netherlands. He is also a Fellow of Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF). With vast training in Applied Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) of World Bank, Dr Eche while liaising with other academic institutions to promote the academic quality of CIPESS, also ensures that all activities and programmes in CIPESS are in tandem with World Bank’s ESF. He is a member of Nigerian Society of Plant Protection (NSPP), American Phytopathological Society (APS), Nigerian Society of Nematologists (NISON), Food Security and Nutrition Network (USAID/TOPS), to mention a few.

Iveren Chenge
Dr. Iveren. B. Chenge

Research Team Leader, Environmental Standards

Dr. I.B. Chenge is a specialist in forest biometrics, forest mensuration and remote sensing. Her research focuses on the development of statistical methods and tools for solving problems related to forestry growth, biodiversity and environmental sustainability. She is a Lecturer in the Department of Forest Production and Products Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria and also the Research Theme Leader for Environmental Standards at the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS).

Simon Ejembi
Professor Simon Ameh Ejembi

Research Team Leader, Social Standards

Professor S.A. Ejembi hold a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology from the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Currently, a Professor of Rural Sociology, a lecturer and researcher at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi for upward of 21 years with a bias in Community and Agricultural Development. His teaching experience has manifested in the successful supervision of both graduate and undergraduate students’ project. His research experience also stern from my assignments with United Nations Development Project, World Bank groups like International Fund for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization and other international agencies such as IITA, HarvestPlus and CSDA. He is a member of several professional associations in his area of discipline including International Rural Sociological Association, International Sociological Association, Association of International Agricultural Extension Education, Rural Sociological Association of Nigeria, Society for Gender in Agriculture and Rural Development and Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria. As a staff of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Dr. S.A. Ejembi currently serves as the Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Deputy Dean, College of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Research Team Leader, Social Standards at the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environment and Social Standards and Chairperson, Academic Staff Union of Universities. Dr. S.A. Ejembi is married to Sarah with four lovely children as proofs of God’s faithfulness to their union.

Simon Yange
Dr. Terungwa Simon Yange

ICT Officer, Social Standards

Dr. Terungwa Simon Yange holds BSc Computer Science from Benue State University, Makurdi, and MSc and PhD in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Nigeria. His research interest is in the areas of Data Science & Engineering, Software Engineering and Information Systems. Dr. Simon started working as a software developer at Panet Technologies Ltd Makurdi in 2008 and later moved to Lagos in 2010 where he served as senior software developer with Programos Software Ltd, senior software architect with Conservative Estimates Ltd and senior software architect/business manager with Pega Financial Partners LLC. He later joined the services of the University of Agriculture Makurdi on the 7th of August, 2014 as an academic staff in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. Dr. Simon is a member of several professional bodies. These include: Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Data Science Nigeria (DSN), Academia in Information Technology Profession (AITP), International Academy of Science and Engineering for Development (IASED), Professional Council of African Research Experts (PCARE), International Association of Engineers (IAENG) and Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN). He is certified by both oracle (Oracle Certified Associate) and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).He has served on several committees in Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria, Nigeria Computer Society, Academia in Information Technology Profession, Benue State Government, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He is the current Chairman of Nigeria Computer Society, Benue State Chapter. He has attended several local and international conferences and workshops, published over 25 articles in reputable journals, and also a reviewer to several journals and conferences. Dr. Simon has also travelled to Finland, South Africa, Burundi, Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana. He is the Managing Consultant of Xttech Global Services Ltd.

John Ona
Dr. John Ona

Academic Liaison Officer

Dr John Ona is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. He has over 15 years’ experience in teaching and research at the tertiary education level. He serves as CIPESS Academic Liaison Officer where his duties include liaising with other academic institutions to improve academic qualities at CIPESS. He holds a PhD in Pure and Applied Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde Glasgow Scotland and has carried out extensive research in Biofuels, enzyme hydrolysis and other biotransformation studies. Dr Ona also has research experience that has seen him work at the Indian Institute of Technology New Delhi, Arizona State University Phoenix USA and the University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada. He is a recipient of the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI), Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (TEEP).

Terngu Tingir
Engr. Terngu James Tingir, COREN

ICT Officer, Environmental Standards

Engr. Terngu James Tingir holds a B.Eng and M.Eng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering(with Specialization in Digital Electronics and Computer Engineering) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He is currently undergoing a Ph.D in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Electronics and Telecommunication) at the University of Benin, Benin City. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Networking, Embedded Systems and Web Development.
He is an Academic Staff with the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He has several publications across different fields of Electronics and Computer Engineering. He is a registered Engineer with the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is currently a member of ASUU’s Covid-19 committee credited with the development of a Mechanical ventilator and also the ICT Officer for Environmental Standards

Onyeke Idoko
Onyeke Idoko Charles

ICT Officer, Procurement Standards

Onyeke Idoko Charles is a lecturer with the department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He is currently a Ph.D candidate at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Benue State University and a Masters’ Degree in Computer Science from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
A practicing software developer with thirteen years’ experience in mobile and web based application development, his areas of interest are computer programming, software engineering, design and analysis of algorithms, intelligent information systems. He has seven publications in learned journals.
He is currently the ICT Officer for Procurement Standard at the Centre for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards, University of Agriculture Makurdi.

Godwin Tor-Anyíin
Mr. Godwin A. Tor-Anyíin

Procurement & Property Management Officer,  P.P.M.O

Mr. G. Tor-Anyiin Holds a Bsc. in Bus.Mgt, and is a Chartered Member, Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN). Mr. G. Tor-Anyiin joined the services of the University in June 1989,worked for 2 years and proceeded to read B. sc Bus.Mgt in University of Jos. After graduating in 1996 and in 1999 He was upgraded and posted to Bursary Department,under Pension Unit.i worked as Secretary to the Pension Board from 1999-2003.i Worked directly with the Vice Chancellor,Insurance Fund managers, Insurance Brokers, as it relates to pension Administration
In 2003-2013, He was posted to Assets & Insurance,as a unit head.From 2013-2016 i was posted to Purchasing Unit of the University.In 2016,i was posted to the Central Stores.As a procurement professional, He undertook trainings at Local and international level.

Ihori Amara
Barr. Ihori Mary Amara

Legal Officer

Barrister Inori Mary Amara, Deputy Registrar (Legal) in the FUAM Legal Unit, is a qualified Legal Practitioner and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK Nigeria Branch. Barrister Amara will be bringing on board her extensive legal experience in grant management and others to guide the Team towards effective realisation of set aims and objectives of the CIPESS project.

Uche Michael
Aondohemba Michael Uche

Communications Officer

Aondohemba Michael Uche is a graduate of Mass Communication and an ICT compliant with effective writing and communication skills in information gathering, collation and dissemination. A journalist by profession and a Public Relations Officer by designation. He is innovative, hardworking, dedicated, creative and computer friendly. His unique professional experience stems from many years of working as an Information and Public Relations Officer in the Directorate of Information, Protocol and Public Relations of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM). His wealth of experience has over the years exerted profound influence in upholding the Vision and Mission of the Directorate through my immense contributions in the weekly and monthly publications, writing of press releases and effective handling of University corporate functions and public affairs.

 

Hephzibah Obekpa
Hephzibah Onyeje Obekpa

Examination Officer, Social Standards

Hephzibah Onyeje Obekpa is a lecturer II at the department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. She is a young academic and also a Ph.D candidate at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. She is a 2019 Nigerian Agricultural Policy Project Scholar under the Feed the Future project sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development. She was a short-term student for 2 semesters at Michigan State University where she learnt to develop policy briefs from evidence-based research. Her areas of research interest include Food and nutrition security, gender studies as well as development Economics. She has over 15 scholarly publications and she is currently the exam officer of Social Standards at the Centre for Innovation in procurement, environmental and social standards, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi

Tongu Sylvester
Dr. Sylvester Tongu

Examination Officer, Environmental Standards

Dr. Sylvester M. Tongu was born on 25th September, 1979 to the family of late Mr. Tongu Kunde and late Mrs. Mnguzenden Sarah Tongu in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. He obtained his Certificate of Primary Education in 1990 and WASSC in 1995, both in Benue State, Nigeria. He proceeded to Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) and graduated in 2004 with BSc.(Ed) Chemistry and further to Benue State University Makurdi where he obtained MSc degree (Analytical Chemistry) in 2010. He later returned to FUAM for his Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry, visited Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa for his bench work and graduated in 2018. He was employed as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, FUAM in 2013, where he is engaged in teaching and research, and has risen to the position of Lecturer I. Before his employment at the University he had served as Chemistry Teacher in Secondary Schools during his National Youth Service in Ondo State, Nigeria (2005-2006) and while with Benue State Teaching Service Board (2007-2013). Dr. Tongu has held several positions including Chairman, Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Benue Chapter (2018-date), Examinations Officer College of Science/Chairman, FUAM Time Table Planning Committee (2019-date), CIPESS Examinations Officer, Environmental and Social Standards (2020-date), Registration Area Collation Officer, Nigeria General Election (2019), Coordinator, National Chemistry Competition, CSN Benue Chapter (2014 – 2018),Secretary, LOC ICCON Training Workshop (2011). He has many publications in peer reviewed journals and has attended and presented papers atseveral local and international conferences. He is a member of Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria and CSN, and a recipient of CSN Gold Award of Excellence (2020) and NYSC Certificate of Commendation (2006). He is married and blessed with children.

Igbawua Igbahenah
Dr. Felix Igbawua Igbahenah, MANUPA, KSM, AP.

Student Administrator

Dr. F.I. Igbahenah is a Principal Assistant Registrar with the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He is hardworking and enthusiastic Administrator with a proven track record in human resources/personnel management. He is always try to achieve the highest standard possible, at any given task and in any situation. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from BSU Makurdi. In addition, He holds an M. Sc Environmental and Resource Management and Ph.D in Geography which places him on point of vantage for engagement as faculty in the area of Environmental Standards. His Administrative experience spans over three decades with excellent track record of service. Email: felix.igbahenah@uam.edu.ng

Joy Aondoakaa
Mrs. Joy Aondoakaa

Store Keeper

Mrs.Aondoakaa Joy holds a National Diploma in Marketing from Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo in 2003-2006.
She is a dedicated staff of the Federal University of Agriculture under the Store Unit, Bursary Department with about seven years of excellent experience that has facilitated acceleration to the rank of a store officer. She has attended several workshops such as ITF workshop on supply chain management in Makurdi 2018.
She believes in hard work, commitment to duty and execution to meet the best practices in her work assignment. She brings the wealth of experiences to CIPESS and a desire to add value to the culture of excellences at the center.

Comfort Ahile
Mrs. Comfort Ahile

Assistant Account Officer II

Mrs. Comfort Ahile is an enthusiastic accountant eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organisational skill with a clear understanding of task and training. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in work space. She hold a Higher National Diploma Accounting from Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo. She is a Certified National Accountant. She is also an Accountant II in the Bursary Department of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. She is the Assistant Account Officer II at the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS).

environmental Standards

The recent global emphasis on rational use of natural resources has raised the need for increased environmental education and capacity building in the area. Of particular importance is the fact that the impact of various human activities on the environment may remain unnoticed until it becomes a threat to human and animal existence. An effective policy or program for sound environmental management is largely dependent on availability of trained personnel both in the private and public sectors.
The selected tracks in environmental standards are interconnected by the common objective of developing skills and knowledge of individuals in environmental standards throughout the public and private sector organizations related to environmental management and sustenance. Our program will give our students a deep knowledge of this interconnectedness and prepares them for a rewarding career that makes full use of your passion for the environment, as they can progress from one track to another in a bottom up structure. The degree programmes courses portray the interconnectedness of the many sub-disciplines within the Environmental Sciences. Put together, the five tracks in environmental standards component of the CIPESS.
Our students can progress through the five tracks and gain advanced knowledge and skills across similar themes as the move to a higher track. This is a unique structure that will provide a blend of professionals and ultimately professionalize the practice and implementation of environmental standards in our private and public institutions.

social Standard

The effectiveness of social standards system mirrors the quality of life and development in any society. Effective social standards systems are vital ingredients for healthy growth and development of the society and are invariably a measure of the effectiveness of social institutional structures and general impact of good governance.
In Nigeria, a huge gap exists between the available skills/competencies, and the requirements for effective social standards practices. Professionalized kills and knowledge are required to assure focused organizational growth that relies on social standards. Training and strengthening social institutional capacities are essential in having a healthy society, enhance the effectiveness of governance impact on citizens and importantly promote long term value, peace and co-existence in space and time. There is need for training and education for social standard practitioners to improve top and bottom line performance in organizations. These skills and knowledge gaps will be addressed through sustained human capacity building and up to date academic research programs in social standards at CIPESS.
Social Standards Management courses on offer at the Center via five (5) tracks are mutually related as they constitute a bottom-up learning structure-beginning with certificate courses up to graduate degrees. This is effective for career development from lower cadre to senior and executive cadre in the civil service and private organizations. The 5 tracks are well designed with elementary courses building up to advanced studies and research based degrees capable of breeding cadre practitioners, policymakers, academics among others.

environmental Standards

The recent global emphasis on rational use of natural resources has raised the need for increased environmental education and capacity building in the area. Of particular importance is the fact that the impact of various human activities on the environment may remain unnoticed until it becomes a threat to human and animal existence. An effective policy or program for sound environmental management is largely dependent on availability of trained personnel both in the private and public sectors.
The selected tracks in environmental standards are interconnected by the common objective of developing skills and knowledge of individuals in environmental standards throughout the public and private sector organizations related to environmental management and sustenance. Our program will give our students a deep knowledge of this interconnectedness and prepares them for a rewarding career that makes full use of your passion for the environment, as they can progress from one track to another in a bottom up structure. The degree programmes courses portray the interconnectedness of the many sub-disciplines within the Environmental Sciences. Put together, the five tracks in environmental standards component of the CIPESS.
Our students can progress through the five tracks and gain advanced knowledge and skills across similar themes as the move to a higher track. This is a unique structure that will provide a blend of professionals and ultimately professionalize the practice and implementation of environmental standards in our private and public institutions.

Ms Priscila Gbough
Priscilla Mbakaan Gbough

Security Supervisor

Ms. Priscilla Mbakaan Gbough, an Assistant Security Officer (ASO) in the FUAM Security Department, is a security expert trained by Romgat Morgan Limited and Cropland International Limited Abuja. Ms Priscilla Gbough holds a National Certificate of Education (NCE) from the College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State and is currently the Security Supervisor at the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS).

 

Dr. Mrs Nnamonu
professor Lami Angela Nnamonu

Centre Leader/Director

The raison d’etre of any government is the pursuit of the happiness of its citizenry. This way, the government adds value to the quality of life of its people in all strata of society. One of the ways of doing this is via standardization. In recent times, interest in the fields of procurement, environmental management and social safeguards have increased. This has necessitated the need for concomitant capacity building in minimum benchmarks to decrease the negative consequences linked to the absence of standards in the tripartite areas of procurement, environment and social safeguards.
In Procurement, standardization of procedures is a crucial element in maintaining transparency, accountability, impartiality and fairness. It helps to prevent corruption issues, such as suppliers bribing those in charge of the procurement process, the fixing of bid prices (commonly called quotation) or the awarding of contracts to one supplier without competitive bidding, among others. The existence of standards helps ensure that supplies are procured only from ethical sources with good track records. The Nigerian government just like in other countries is the major provider of services or public goods to society. Even though endowed with human and natural resources, corruption-linked procurement processes have been reported to contribute to poor service delivery systems and compromise, youth unemployment and a cascade of other socio-economic ills which have taken a toll on the nation. The Human Development Index (HDI) of the country comparatively ranks low, while the HPI (Happy Planet Index) ranks very high paradoxically – Nigerians are happy people!

Furthermore, despite universal Environmental consciousness in recent decades, the Nigerian ecosystem is being degraded by anthropogenous activities such as agriculture, fisheries, transport, industry, tourism and the urban sprawl. Global pressures on the environment have resulted to climate change and variability, in addition to economic and population growth, and changing consumption patterns. At the same time, growing understanding of the characteristics of Nigeria’s environmental challenges and their impact on economic and Social systems in a globalized world has brought with it the increasing recognition that existing knowledge and governance approaches are inadequate to deal with them. With no formal curricula specified for standards development in these key areas, the gap between sustainable policy and implementation keeps widening.

In response to this, the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) through funding from the World Bank has established the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS) under the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project to develop competences in the three core areas offered under five distinct academic tracks in the first instance of 5 years). CIPESS will leverage to a great extent on ICT and collaborations with international and national partners to train her students in the following tracks:
Track A: Short executive certificate courses for existing workforce in PESS.
Track B: Advanced Certificate Courses for school leavers and others in PESS.
Track C: Post-graduate Diploma (PGD) in PESS.
Track D: Master’s degree (Professional and Academic Masters) – and later, PhD programmes – for degree holders to focus on in-depth research in PESS.
Track E: 4-year Bachelors programme in PESS.
In simple terms, the time has come, in Nigeria, that any one desiring to hold public office in any capacity – be it in academia, the public sector, in industry or the organized private sector – might need to present some kind of certification in an area in the field of Procurement Standards, Environmental Standards or Social Standards, depending on their area of specialization. Movement from your current position or rank to the next level in your career might soon be hindered without this training. CIPESS is the hub for this in North Central Nigeria for all civil servants at State and Federal levels. State and Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the organized private sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society, industries, academia and the general public are the focus of these programmes.
Using experienced personnel from the composite departments in the University and drawing on the rich pool of partners, CIPESS shall focus on offering world-class in-person and on-line pedagogic content and hybrid learning systems with opportunity for industry-based internship and exchange programs with sectoral and academic partners within and outside Nigeria.
CIPESS will translate research milestones and teaching into improving the process of procurement in the private as well as public sector, enhancement of legal framework and backstopping environmental and social safeguards.

On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Anande Kimbir (KSM), I urge you to grab the opportunity to study with us in the culture of World Bank excellence and global best practice.
Welcome to CIPESS!

Signed
Professor Lami A. Nnamonu FICCON, FCSN
(Project Leader & Centre Director)