The Vice-Chancellor and President, Association of African Universities (AAU), Professor Olusola Oyewole, has charged the newly-inducted Veterinary Doctors to give back to the nation, their best in appreciation for the Federal Government’s gesture in training them above and beyond graduates of other disciplines. The Vice-Chancellor gave the charge while speaking at the 8th Induction Ceremony and admission of Veterinary graduates into the profession, having successfully completed their course of study in the College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) of the University.
He said that it was imperative for the new inductees to remember to lift high, the flag of FUNAAB wherever they find themselves. The Vice-Chancellor was represented at the programme, which was themed, “The Enterprising Veterinarian”, by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin. The Vice-Chancellor added that the newly-inducted Veterinary Doctors should regard the honour bestowed on them as a stimulus to further add value to the society.
Earlier, the Dean of COLVET, Professor Babatunde Otesile, recalled the establishment of the College in March 2002, saying that the first set graduated in 2009. “Since the commencement of the DVM programme in FUNAAB, which was 14 years ago, our products have continued to do the University proud wherever they go”, he added. Professor Otesile said that the feat recorded would not have been possible if not for the successive Management teams of FUNAAB that had facilitated the granting of full accreditation status to the University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programme by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN). He said that both the accreditation and examination monitoring visitations to Veterinary schools by VCN had facilitated the development and sustenance of qualitative training of veterinarians, adding that the Council influenced the decision of the Federal Ministry of Health in providing free anti-rabies vaccines for the protection of final year students in accredited Veterinary schools. He, therefore, charged the newly-inducted doctors to strive to be the best in whatever they do, noting that a new phase had just begun in their lives.
Dr. Olawumi Funsho, a Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and the Guest Speaker at the occasion, encouraged the new doctors to have mentors, in order to guide them in their drive towards becoming entrepreneurs. The Guest Speaker was represented by Dr. Olatunji Nasir, the Managing Director, Truthmiles Animal Hospital, Lagos, who stated that the inductees needed to be mindful of three things when climbing up the ladder to greatness. They are: being self-confident, being knowledgeable and resourceful, as well as possessing leadership qualities.
Highpoint of the event was the oath-taking, admission into the professional body and the presentation of professional certificates. Present at the occasion were Principal Officers and top officials of FUNAAB. Others include Dr. Amang Avong, Registrar, VCN; Dr. Edgar Sunday, President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA); Dr. Boluosho Taiwo, Deputy Director, Ogun State Veterinary Services; Professor Christopher Adeyefa, former Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan; and Professor Olajide Kasali from the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gani Enahoro, Managing Director, GAN-ROVET Animal Hospital, Lagos and FABIS Farms Limited, Ilorin, were honoured with Awards of Excellence at the occasion.
