Authorities of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Federal University of Technology, Akure [FUTA] have put a machinery in place to further deepen their relationship so as to sustain an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and other allied collaborations in the areas of engineering, meteorology and digital sciences.
The MoU, signed about five years ago included the maintenance and repairs of NAF aircrafts. It provided an opportunity for engineers from FUTA to join a team that successfully repaired some NAF aircrafts that developed problems in Porthacourt.
Leading a team from the Air Force high command to explore ways of deepening the collaboration, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar expressed the force readiness to tap into the expertise of the institution, particularly in the area of the university’s core competence in cutting- edge technological innovation and research.
Represented by Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshall Kingsley Lar, the naval chief said the vision of NAF is to reform its operations through capacity building, which can be sought from reputable higher institutions like FUTA.
He added that the MoU signed a few years ago has been of mutual benefit to the two parties.
Responding, the vice chancellor, Prof Joseph Fuwape said FUTA has the capacity to collaborate with NAF and other reputable organisations, adding that the institution’s engineering unit, which is well equipped with needed manpower is second to none in the country.
Prof Fuwape added that the force can benefit from FUTA’s technical know-how in meteorology and climate science, space research and applications as well as allied fields.
He recalled that the university, in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), is the first Institution to launch a satellite in Nigeria and has capacity to develop digital map of any environment, which will be of great help to the Air Force in its operations.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the effort of the officers for their role in supressing the activities of Boko Haram in the northeastern part of the country.
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