From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof Nnennaya Oti, has applauded the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-sPESS) of the university on the inauguration of its main ultra modern administrative building.
Oti said the achievement marks a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to excellence.
The new building, funded by CE-sPESS Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) Disbursement Linked Result (DLR), has state-of-the-art facilities, including 15 offices, a computer lab, social standards studio, EVS lab, conference room, seminar room, six stores, relaxation room, server room, and 27 toilets.
The VC praised the CE-sPESS team for their hard work and dedication, saying, “This milestone is a significant step towards achieving our goal of excellence in sustainable procurement, environmental, and social standards.”
Unveiling the building, the VC lauded Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe, Director of the Centre, for completing a 15-office, two-storey building within 10 months.
“I’m shocked beyond words; this truly is a delightful occasion. The building commenced in April 2024, it took 10 months to be completed. In my 35 years of service in the academia, I have never seen such a feat achieved within a record-breaking time frame,” she said.
Oti also praised the immediate past VC, Prof. Francis Eze, for establishing the CE-sPESS centre, which she described as “a legacy.”
In her welcome address, CE-sPESS Director, Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe, said with the building, the future of the three accredited programmes – Procurement Management, Sustainable Environmental Studies and Sustainable Social Development – have become fully embedded into FUTO strategic plan.
“Today, we gather to commission another signature project, PPRC Expansion, which will serve as our main administrative building. The newly completed building, funded by CE-sPESS DLIs/DLRs, boasts three floors, featuring 15 offices, a computer lab, social standards studio, EVS lab, conference room, seminar room, six stores, relaxation room, server room, and 27 toilets,” she said.
Chukwudebe expressed gratitude to the World Bank and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for their support, stating, “We have fully embraced the vision of sustainability of the sPESSE Project, and with this building, the future of our three accredited programmes has become fully embedded into FUTO’s strategic plan.”
The CE-sPESS Director also acknowledged the contributions of various individuals and teams, including Eze, and the Project Manager, Director, FUTO Physical Planning, and their team.
The FUTO CE-sPESS main administrative building is expected to serve not only CE-sPESS lecturers, staff, and students but also all FUTO staff interested in fostering academic excellence,” she added.