For emerging First and Second Best Graduating Students, Miss. Popoola Deborah and Miss. Kuye Anuoluwapo have instantly secured immediate employment in a reputable Animal Hospital in Lagos.

Reward for academic excellence expressly came the way of Popoola and Kuye who topped the graduands’ exceptional performance list, when Dr. Tunji Nasir announced his employment of the duo.

Nasir is the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of Truthmiles Animal Hospital Limited, Lagos and President Commonwealth Veterinary Association.

The renowned Veterinary Doctor said he decided to employ the inductees as reward for their landmark and academic excellence and to boost the morale of those coming behind them.

Nasir disclosed that he had cultivated the habit of employing FUNAAB graduates because over the years they have added value to his hospital as thorough bred veterinarians.

The immediate employment of Popoola and Kuye which threw the gathering into jubilation and sent their mouth wagging was witnessed by the representative of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Morenike Dipeolu, Principal Officers of Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) and Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association among others.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako, stated that Veterinary Medicine has strong ethical values which the inductees must uphold, pointing out that the University has done its best to ensure that the inductees are well equipped to face challenges in the society.

Professor Salako urged the graduates to be great ambassadors of the University wherever they find themselves, assuring that the University will always do the needful to ensure that College of Veterinary Medicine remains one of the best in the country.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Tunji Nasir, CEO/Medical Director, Truthmiles Animal Hospital, Lagos, in a Paper titled, “Upholding the Veterinary Creed in a Challenging Economy” described Veterinary Medicine as a noble profession, saying that they should not be afraid of the journey which seems so far at graduation but instead be proud to be Veterinary doctors. Noting that while human Doctors deal with one specie, Veterinary Doctors deal with many species.

Dr. Nasir, who is also the Vice-President, Small Animal Veterinary Association of Nigeria wondered whether the challenging economy will allow a young Veterinary Doctor to do the right thing, because, in taking this oath, they are confessing their sins and telling God that they are going to use the power being given to them well in order to uphold ethical standards and values.

He defined oath as “the traffic of soul, a law within a man, the seal of faith, the bond of every conscience, unto whom we set our thoughts like hands”, stressing that they must deploy their Scientific Knowledge and Professional skills for the benefit of the society.

In his Welcome Address, the Dean of the College, Professor Adebayo Akinloye noted that the inductees were well-trained by highly professionals and are ready to face the challenging nature of our society. He appreciated the University management for the continuous support given to the College.

Prof. Akinloye charged the awardees to keep the flag flying while thanking the parents and guardians for all the support given to their wards throughout the programme.

Earlier, the President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Prof. Bello Agaie, congratulated the University for its steady progress and support to its College of Veterinary Medicine, charging the new inductees, to continue to be hardworking, professional in whatever they do, to maintain the ethics of the profession and to be enterprising.

While conducting the swearing-in, the Acting Registrar, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr. Josiah Kantiyok, who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, Dr. Dotun Fadipe admonished the inductees saying that it is not a crime to start small, as their latter day will be great. He reminded them that the Certificate they are collecting is temporary and last for only one year. Adding that they are expected to visit the Council after the expiration.

Highlight of the ceremony was the swearing-in of the new inductees, donations and presentation of awards of excellence to two distinguished friends of the College, Dr. Tunji Nasir and Dr. Taiwo Alabi for their immense contributions to the practice of   Veterinary Medicine and achievement to the production of Veterinary feeds respectively. Awards were also given to the best students from 100 to 600 level.