By Emeka Oluka
The role of veterinarians in today’s world extends far beyond treating sick animals. They are increasingly recognised as global leaders in tackling complex challenges that affect both animal and human health.
This was the submission of Dr. Musa Alasa, the Chief Executive Officer of Adamore Nigeria Limited, Lagos who was the Guest Speaker at the 16th Oath-taking and Induction Ceremony of Veterinary Medicine Graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) into the Veterinary Practice.
Themed “Veterinarians Leading Global Health: Navigating Emerging Challenges,” Dr. Alasa opined that from combating zoonotic diseases like Ebola and COVID-19 to addressing climate change and food security, veterinarians are at the forefront of initiatives that influence the health and well-being of the planet.
According to him, despite their critical role, Veterinarians face numerous challenges, including zoonotic disease threats, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and food security.
To address these challenges, Dr. Alasa said, Veterinarians are leveraging science, technology, and education to drive change. They are advancing research in genetics, vaccine development, and disease prevention, and embracing technology like wearable health monitors, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine to transform veterinary care.
Veterinarians are also playing a crucial role in shaping future professionals by incorporating topics like public health, sustainability, and ethics into veterinary education, he added.
The Guest Speaker noted that real-world examples of veterinary leadership include global vaccination campaigns, disaster response efforts, and wildlife conservation initiatives.
Additionally, he stated that as the world looks to the future, Veterinarians must continue to adapt and lead in innovative ways. This included strengthening collaboration, enhancing veterinary capacity, and advocating for policies that prioritise animal welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability.
He concluded by underscoring the fact that Veterinarians are the unsung heroes of global health, saying that their contributions are indispensable to addressing the challenges of our time.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, acknowledged the academic, professional, and moral training the graduates received.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Kola Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the College of Veterinary Medicine has been a leader in the field since its establishment in 2001, working to improve animal, human, and environmental health in Nigeria and beyond.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the College’s achievements, including the development of innovative education programmes and groundbreaking research in animal and human diseases.
He informed the gathering that recently, four FUNAAB alumni obtained their practising licenses in the United Kingdom, making the College and University proud.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the importance of resilience in achieving success, citing the countless hours of study, examinations, and clinical practice the graduates endured and also acknowledged the College’s recognition as the number one Veterinary Institution in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2024.
He attributed the College’s success to the character, values, talent, and work ethics of its staff and students. He appreciated the Management’s efforts in providing a conducive environment for teaching, research, and learning, including staff welfare, teaching aids, research grants, and infrastructure development.
The 16th Oath-taking and Induction Ceremony for Veterinary graduates marked the induction of the third set of graduates into the profession of Veterinary Medicine during the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde.
The event also witnessed contributions of words of admonition to the inductees by key officers from the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), and the Dean, COLVET, FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Ajayi.
