NIGERIAN AIR FORCE PARTNERS WITH BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY TO PROMOTE GENDER INCLUSIVITY
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken a significant step towards advancing gender inclusivity and enhancing capacity building by partnering with Benue State University. The partnership, which was formalized through a courtesy visit to the university’s campus, aims to promote gender mainstreaming and specialized training programs. Air Commodore E.P. Bindul, leading the NAF delegation, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the military and academic institutions. “We are committed to strengthening our internal structures by mainstreaming gender in our operations, and we believe this partnership will support that goal,” he stated. The proposed partnership with the university’s Centre for Gender Studies will help align the NAF’s internal policies with national and global gender standards. This collaboration not only focuses on training but also symbolizes the NAF’s dedication to national unity and strengthening civil-military relations. Air Commodore Bindul reiterated the NAF’s constitutional mandate to protect citizens, highlighting the need for mutual trust between the military and civilians to tackle the nation’s security challenges. The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Mike Odugbo Odey, welcomed the initiative and assured the NAF of the institution’s readiness to collaborate. “The university has a long-standing relationship with the Tactical Air Command in Makurdi,” Professor Odey stated. “We are proud to expand this collaboration to new frontiers, particularly in the area of gender development.” Professor Member George-Genyi, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies, expressed her appreciation for the recognition and trust shown by the NAF. She assured the visiting delegation that the Centre would work diligently to actualize the shared goals. This partnership marks a significant step towards institutionalizing gender-sensitive policies within the armed forces and fostering knowledge exchange between military and academic institutions.