McPherson University held its annual Christmas Carol of Five Lessons, a festive celebration blending music, drama, and a special award ceremony to honor staff excellence. During the event which is usually graced by members of the university community, including staff, students, and distinguished guests, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francis Igbasan, commended staff for their dedication to the growth of the university over the past year, highlighting their collective efforts in propelling the institution toward greater success.
In his address, Professor Igbasan expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Chaplaincy for organizing the event, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving the university’s goals. He acknowledged the contributions of various university departments, including the Acting Registrar and the academic staff, who had worked tirelessly to create an environment conducive for learning and personal development. “Let us continue to work together with the same spirit to achieve all our set goals. Remember that there is power in teamwork,” he said.
Professor Igbasan also took the opportunity to address key issues affecting the university community. One of the most significant announcements was the approval of a 20% salary increase for all staff, effective December 2024. This increment follows previous increases and aligns with his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of university staff. The Vice Chancellor explained that the salary increase was a necessary step to retain the best talents at the university, especially in light of the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
He also addressed the growing demand for student accommodation, with nearly 200 students still in need of residential space. Despite the expansion of facilities in the past year and the commissioning of new halls of residence, the university is focused on securing additional accommodations, laboratories, and offices to meet the increasing needs of both students and staff. He therefore urged the university community to remain patient and supportive, assuring them that efforts are underway to alleviate the accommodation crisis.
Another highlight of the event was the announcement of plans to continue investing in staff welfare and infrastructure development. Professor Igbasan revealed that the university had made significant progress in various infrastructure projects, listing the completion of the Reverend Rachel Odunike Hall of Residence, MCU Bakery, Water Factory, Cafeteria, and new halls of residence as reference points. These achievements are a testament to the university’s commitment to improving the physical and academic environment for students and staff alike.
The event also featured various performances, among which was a dance by the children and staff of the University’s Creche, who were later prayed for by the Acting Registrar, Mr. Olufemi Adebowale. The sonorous rendition by the student choir which thrilled the Vice Chancellor into joining the presentation and a drama Group by the University Chapel, Chapel of Grace followed shortly after.
In keeping with the university’s commitment to rewarding excellence, the Christmas Carol also included the presentation of awards to staff members who demonstrated outstanding dedication and exceptional service in the past academic year. Nine staff members were honored, a significant increase from the six who were recognized in 2023.Professor Igbasan took a moment to remind staff that excellence is recognized and rewarded at McPherson University, emphasizing the importance of commitment and reliability in the workplace. “We reward excellence, we reward commitment, we reward dedication,” he affirmed while encouraging staff to remain diligent in their roles, with hopes that next year’s awards would be bigger and more inclusive. The awardees, include individuals from diverse departments such as ICT, entrepreneurship, student affairs, bursary, the academia and works department.
In his closing remarks, the Vice Chancellor prayed for continued commitment to the continuous growth of the university and wished everyone the best in the new year