Varsity, Nigerian Air Force Pledge To Boost Ties

Vice chancellor of  the University of Cross River,(UNICROSSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey, has  pledged to pursue high‑quality academic and professional ties with the Nigerian Air Force.

Bassey made the pledge during the flag‑off of a one‑day workshop titled _“Introductory Perspectives on Aviation and Security,”at the  UNICROSS’s main campus Calabar yesterday.

The VC described the event as the first step toward broader university‑military engagement. Bassey said that the initiative would help staff and students appreciate the professionalism and intellectual depth of uniformed personnel while opening up learning and career opportunities in aviation and security.

“It is a very rare privilege to have this calibre of people come from the military to spend their time and see how our children can be brought up,” she said. “There is so much learning and training to acquire.

“I encourage my colleagues and my children—the students—to open their minds and hearts for this special workshop.

Listen, know the areas you are interested in, and take advantage of today.”

Bassey reaffirmed UNICROSS’s commitment to strategic partnerships, citing the recent collaboration with Zhenjiang College, China, and ongoing efforts to attract top‑tier academic and professional links.

The university‑military partnership aims to boost research and career paths in aviation

In her remarks, Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Hannah Etta, stated  that community service is a core mandate of academic institutions and that the Air Force partnership aligns with that responsibility.

The workshop’s keynote address was delivered by Group Captain Frederick Oyenusi, Commander of the 305 Special Mobility Group, Nigerian Air Force.

He highlighted the relevance of all academic disciplines to the aviation sector, and urged for research that tackles practical challenges, and traced the history of aircraft development, emphasizing Nigeria’s—particularly Cross River State’s—resource potential.

He called on participants to develop proposals that could support local aircraft initiatives.