CHRISTMAS MESSAGE DELIVERED BY PROFESSOR V.P.Y. GADZEKPO, PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DURING THE NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS NIGHT HELD ON 21ST DECEMBER 2005.

Let me begin by wishing all of you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. May the good Lord bless all of us during the coming year 2006.

A story is told of a kingdom ruled by King Chief. King Chief was a very kind and very organised person. He insisted that things must be well and properly done. He had a vision of making his kingdom the most powerful and respected one in the whole world. In order to achieve his aim, he called regular meetings of every subject both old and young living in the land. At these meetings he would share his vision with all the subjects and give specific assignments to specific people of the kingdom. This he believed would help him achieve his aim. As time went on, he found out that his vision was not being achieved as quickly as he wanted. He found out that Mr. Frog to whom he had assigned the very important assignment of supervising all projects in the kingdom was just making loud noises and hopping from house to house doing nothing but interfering with peoples domestic lives. He discovered that Mr. Cricket who was responsible for bringing the understanding of the King's vision to all was moving from house to house gossiping and backbiting. Lady Giraffe who was very important in the decision-making process in the kingdom and was to ensure that certain things were done properly was only concerned with her own beauty and walked in a manner to draw attention to herself. Lady Giraffe had visited other kingdoms and brought some fashions to entice the youth in the kingdom. The King saw Miss Giraffe, Miss Monkey, Miss Rat and Miss Dog in new outfits introduced by Lady Giraffe. The youth of the kingdom diverted their energies, which they should have used in the development of the kingdom into frivolities. There was Mr. Dog doing nothing but with his loud mouth criticizing and saw nothing good in the kingdom. He went round convincing everyone not to share in King Chief's vision. Mr. Rabbit who was responsible for the exchange of ideas between the kingdom and other kingdoms was in the habit of wasting the kingdoms fuel traveling to and fro achieving nothing. The scribes in the kingdom reported to work late and did not keep to the pace of development in the land. King Chief however found out that Mr. and Mrs. Ant and their family were working very hard to achieve the vision. He found Mr. and Mrs. Horse faithfully working. Mr. and Mrs. Bee and family were busy as usual carrying out the king's directives. Mr. and Mrs. Parrot regularly announced meeting dates and reminded everyone in the kingdom of the deadlines. On the 31st of December of that year, King Chief called another meeting. He pointed out these shortcomings to everyone in the kingdom. Each and everyone in the kingdom resolved to put away the negative attitudes in their lives. They all resolved that in the coming year they will change their attitudes for the betterment of their kingdom.

King Chief asked that they all hold hands. The Chief Priest of the land prayed and invited the spirit of Christmas to come and dwell in them so that they can keep to their resolve.

In Central University College even though most of us are working hard, we should resolve like the subjects of King Chief's kingdom to put all hands on deck and aim at excellence so that CUC will become first among equals.

I want to use this opportunity to thank all, staff and students for the various roles you played throughout this year. Without your dedication and commitment we would not have made the gains that we have made.

Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.