Open And Distance Learning: IPESS JOSTUM Trains Staff
March 28, 2026
The Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (IPESS), Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), in collaboration with the Open and Distance Learning Centre (ODLC) at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja, has organised a 3-day hands-on workshop on open learning course content development for print and digital spaces.
The 3-day workshop, which was resourced by the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL) held at the IPESS complex from 24th to 26th March 2026. Delivering the opening remarks, the Centre Leader and Director, Prof. Lami A. Nnamonu, expressed gratitude to the RETRIDOL team and the Director, Open and Distance Learning Centre, JOSTUM, Prof. Rufus Sha’Ato for their coordination and stated that ODL is an enviable height the Institute aspires to reach in her quest to build sustainable capacity in the areas of procurement and environmental and social standards. The Centre Leader and Director, who was represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Prof. Simon Shomkegh, noted that the workshop was beneficial not just to staff of the Institute but also to the University. She urged the participants to participate actively to gain valuable knowledge for the task ahead.
The Director, Open and Distance Learning Centre, JOSTUM, Prof. Rusfus Sha’Ato thanked IPESS management for supporting the programme and further stated that the University is poised to commence the Open and Distance Learning Centre. Prof. Sha’Ato reiterated that the training was designed to build individual capacities to enable the development of materials that are fit for delivery on the digital and print spaces.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of JOSTUM, the leader of the RETRIDOL team, Felix K. Olakulehin, said the team was deployed to build the capacity of staff in content development for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) resources for both print and digital spaces. He expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality the team received and promised to give the required support to help the university’s Open and Distance Learning Centre to thrive.
Reacting, the Vice Chancellor of JOSTUM, Engr Prof. Isaac N. Itodo, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Elizabeth Kembe, commended the team for the visit and stated that ODL is a trending and useful innovation, and the University is anxious to institute and reap the benefits thereof.
The Vice Chancellor thanked IPESS JOSTUM management for facilitating the 3-day workshop and expressed confidence in the Institute’s capacity to host the programme seamlessly. He charged participants to make the most out of the training to enable them to take the University to greater heights.
