The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Professor Francisca Bassey, has approved the Professional Women Accountants in Nigeria (PROWAN), Cross River State Chapter’s proposed Children’s Day outreach programme for pupils of the UNICROSS Staff School.
The endorsement was made during an official courtesy and working visit by the leadership of PROWAN to the Vice Chancellor’s Office at the institution’s main campus in Calabar on May 20, 2026.
PROWAN is the female arm of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
Speaking during the visit, the Vice Chancellor commended the leadership of the UNICROSS Staff School for its readiness to host the initiative.
She also commended PROWAN for promoting unity, professionalism and collaboration among women in leadership, noting that the Association continues to dispel the long-held stereotype that professional women cannot effectively work together in support of one another.
Addressing UNICROSS staff members who are also members of the Association, Professor Bassey emphasized the need for stronger institutional synergy and directed all accounting units within the university to improve coordination with the central administration.
She further advised them to interface closely with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) ahead of forthcoming management assessments.
The Vice Chancellor also urged PROWAN to consider establishing mentorship platforms capable of connecting female students and young graduates with career opportunities and professional guidance.
She said: “I want to encourage this profession to establish a dedicated platform that connects our young graduates directly to employment opportunities.
The accounting profession offers enormous prospects beyond the traditional banking sector. There are opportunities within universities, private organizations, schools and businesses that require competent and trustworthy financial professionals. Through this collaboration, we should create structured mentoring programmes, including virtual engagements, to ensure students across all campuses benefit. We must continue to inspire, prepare and position our young women for excellence in their careers.”
Earlier, the Cross River State Coordinator of PROWAN, Mrs. Elizabeth Oko Effiom, congratulated Professor Bassey on her leadership and described her achievements in office as highly inspiring to women professionals across the state.
She explained that the visit was undertaken for three major reasons: to officially congratulate the Vice Chancellor and her management team, to express condolences to the university community over a recent tragic incident involving staff and students, and to seek the university’s endorsement for PROWAN’s forthcoming Children’s Day outreach programme at the UNICROSS Staff School.
According to Mrs. Effiom, the outreach, scheduled for May 27, 2026, will feature educational materials, motivational sessions and mentorship talks aimed at supporting the academic and moral development of the pupils.
She further disclosed that the Association intends to honour Professor Bassey with an ambassadorial investiture at a later date in recognition of her contributions to leadership and women’s advancement.
On her part, PROWAN’s Public Relations and Welfare Officer, Mrs Dora Ebyenyong Okon, expressed pride in identifying with the university’s first female Vice Chancellor.
Other members of the PROWAN delegation included the Secretary General, Mrs Justina Brian Otio, the Treasurer, Mrs Mercy Uwah, as well as UNICROSS staff members who are active within the Association, including Dr. (Mrs) Utibe Okon and Financial Secretary Mrs. Andorshiye Vera Francis Okon.
The PROWAN delegation was received by principal officers of the university, senior registry officials, bursary representatives and other administrative stakeholders.
— UNICROSS Media Team
Comments
Post a Comment