I heartily felicitate
with members of the university community on the occasion of the 2020 Easter
celebration today 12 April 2020. It is the period for shouts of victory and
Alleluia over death, pains, sufferings and problems. A time when songs of
victory are sung – “Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, The strife is o’er, the battle won, Now is the Victor’s triumph won,
Oh let the song of praise be sung Alleluia”

Reflecting on the global
challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, it will appear like singing the Lord’s song
in a strange land. Indeed today’s world has suddenly become strange but when we
consider the victory of Jesus Christ over death and the Resurrection Power of
our Lord Jesus Christ, we have confidence and faith in God that this pandemic
along with the aftermath plus all our challenges will be conquered by the same
resurrection power. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. A tomorrow without
COVID-19, a tomorrow with hope and joy, a tomorrow with new and great
achievements.

I want to sincerely
appreciate all the Chancellor, BOT, Pro-Chancellor, Governing council, staff,
students and friends for their contributions towards the success of the first
semester which ended in March. Apart from our academic activities, the First
semester captured events such as maiden convocation, NUC resource verification
of new programmes, inauguration of new pro-chancellor – Distinguished Prof A. Olukoju,
Chancellor’s 80^th birthday among others.

I thank all staff for
their commitment all through plus the success of the first semester
examinations. I also applaud the staff, students and parents for supporting
management by adopting the online learning method during the Sit-at Home period.
Despite the teething problems, victory is ours. I believe this is another right
step to greater achievement.

I will also like to
applaud and put to record our great effort and commitment towards the
successful NUC approval of 11 new programmes including Basic Medical Science
programmes. God is indeed on our side and has given us reasons to shout our
Alleluias as victors.

The COVID-19 pandemic on
Nigeria and the entire world has been extremely devastating with huge loss of
lives, resources and hope, but let us not rest on oars but believe strongly in
God for victory. My message is this, God is the owner of the universe and no
human being or nation or leader can control Him. He is the custodian of
knowledge and wisdom. We should therefore return to Him, submit and surrender
to Him and pray for His mercy, intervention and solution to the problems.  Please let us pray fervently for all nations
of the world and their leaders especially those nations that are badly hit. Because
Jesus arose, we will arise over this pandemic soon and suddenly. Remember the
Easter hymn– “Up from the grave He arose,
with the mighty triumph over His foes, he arose the Victor from the dark
domain. And He lives forever with his saints to reign, He arose, He asrose,
alleluia, Christ arose”

Secondly the university
applauds all arms of government – (Presidency, Federal, State, Local
government), task forces, WHO, UN, World bank, Central bank, philanthropists,
health workers, corporate bodies, NGOs, religious organizations, institutions,
media, individuals etc. for their commitment, donations, support, services to
curb this menace. May God bless, reward and smile on all during this season of
Easter. COVID-19 has brought the world together in unity to fight a common
enemy. May this unity remain with us and may the wars seize afterwards.

Thirdly, we commiserate
with all those (families, nations and others) that have lost loved ones. No
words can replace a lost person but we pray for God’s own comfort and for the
plague to stop.

Fourthly, for all of us,
let us obey the cardinal rules of: hand washing, social distancing, staying at
home, coughing rightly, calling the necessary numbers among others.

As our corporate social
responsibility, Chrisland University is preparing for donation of hand
sanitizers to Ogun state Government and other groups.

Happy Easter celebration
to you and your treasured ones and God bless you richly. We look forward to
seeing each other very soon with everyone intact by God’s grace.

Professor
(Mrs.) Chinedum Peace Babalola, (FAS, FAAS, FPSN)

Vice-Chancellor

Chrisland University