The Vice Chancellor of University of Cross River State, Professor Francisca Bassey, has approved the proposed Children’s Day outreach programme of the Professional Women Accountants in Nigeria (PROWAN) for pupils of the UNICROSS Staff School.
The approval was granted during a recent courtesy visit by the leadership of PROWAN to the Vice Chancellor’s Office at the institution’s main campus in Calabar.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Bassey commended the leadership of the UNICROSS Staff School for its readiness to host the initiative and praised PROWAN for promoting professionalism, unity and collaboration among women in leadership.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the association has continued to challenge the long-held stereotype that professional women cannot work together effectively in support of one another.
Addressing UNICROSS staff members who are also members of the association, she stressed the need for stronger institutional synergy and directed all accounting units within the university to improve coordination with the central administration.
Professor Bassey also advised the staff members to work closely with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) ahead of upcoming management assessments.
She further encouraged PROWAN to establish mentorship platforms capable of connecting female students and young graduates with career opportunities, professional guidance and structured mentoring support.
“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,” she said.
The Vice Chancellor added that such collaborations should create mentorship programmes, including virtual engagements, to ensure students across all campuses benefit from career guidance and exposure.
Earlier, the Cross River State Coordinator of PROWAN, Mrs. Elizabeth Oko Effiom, congratulated Professor Bassey on her leadership, describing her achievements in office as inspiring to women professionals across the state.
She explained that the visit was undertaken to officially congratulate the Vice Chancellor and her management team, express condolences to the university community over a recent tragic incident involving staff and students, and seek the institution’s endorsement for PROWAN’s forthcoming Children’s Day outreach programme.
According to her, the outreach, scheduled for May 27, 2026, will feature the distribution of educational materials, motivational sessions and mentorship talks aimed at supporting the academic and moral development of pupils at the UNICROSS Staff School.
Mrs. Effiom further disclosed that the association plans to honour Professor Bassey with an ambassadorial investiture at a later date in recognition of her contributions to leadership and women’s advancement.
Also speaking, 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 delegation included the Secretary General, Mrs. Justina Brian Otio; the Treasurer, Mrs. Mercy Uwah; Dr. Utibe Okon; and the 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.
By Kingsley Agim
