The Gains of WNCC 2025 End-of-Year Faculty Retreat
The Faculty End-of-Year Retreat was a highly successful and multifaceted event designed to foster wellness, professional development, collaboration, and fellowship among WNCC faculty members. Held as a capstone to the academic year, the retreat combined recreational activities, health-focused session, and performance reviews, with thought-provoking keynote addresses. The event provided a refreshing break from routine duties while equipping the faculty with practical insights for personal and institutional excellence in the coming year.
The retreat featured a well-balanced programme that catered to both physical and intellectual needs. The Health Talk and Wellness Session emphasized the importance of personal well-being, promoting healthy lifestyles and managing stress.
The retreat was enriched by three insightful keynote addresses from distinguished speakers:
1. The Walmart Principles: Leveraging on Tested Principles of the Largest and the Most Successful Business Organisation in the World, delivered by Dr. Biodun Owolabi. This session explored timeless business principles inspired by Walmart’s founder, Sam Walton, such as the power of vision and an enduring culture, respect for the individual, service to customers, and striving for excellence, among others. Participants learned how these principles—rooted in operational efficiency, customer focus, and ethical leadership—can be adapted to academic and institutional settings for greater success.
2. Harnessing AI for Research and Academic Excellence, delivered by Mr. Ogunrinu Adesina. Focusing on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in modern academia. This keynote highlighted practical applications of AI tools in research, data analysis, teaching, and publication. It inspired faculty to embrace emerging technologies to enhance productivity and innovation.
3. Corporate Personality, Branding and Ethics of the Workplace, delivered by Dr. Abayomi Owolabi. This address delved into personal and institutional branding, professional ethics, and cultivating a positive workplace culture. Key takeaways included strategies for building trust, integrity, and a strong professional identity in academic environments.
Overall, the Faculty End-of-Year Retreat was a refreshing, informative, and inspiring experience. It successfully promoted wellness, collaboration, and fellowship while delivering valuable insights through its keynote sessions. As faculty return to their roles, they are better equipped—physically rejuvenated, professionally motivated, and intellectually stimulated—to pursue greater excellence in teaching, research, and service in the year ahead. This event underscores the importance of such retreats in building a vibrant and resilient academic community.
