Education
THE Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Ilorin on Monday inducted 44 Graduands of the 2020/2021 academic session as Veterinarians.
Speaking during the Induction and Oath-Taking ceremony in Ilorin, AIG Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, harped on the importance of veterinary practice in Nigeria.
She said that high quality education would equip potential veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform efficiently and support veterinary services effectively.
“The veterinary professionals are in the majority in most rural African countries, including Nigeria, offering the much needed services to smallholder farmers.
“This makes the work of the veterinarians crucial in view of animal health in particular and public health at large, hence the need for proper regulation,” she said.
Abubakar-Baju said that in line with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) founded as Office International des Epizooties (OIE), all veterinary professionals are required to work and salvage the lives of animals and the public at large.
She described the veterinary doctor as a person who is trained and authorised by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) – the statutory body – to take care of the health of animals.
She said that the VCN was established in 1952 to regulate the quality of training and practices of veterinary medicine in Nigeria.
Abubakar-Baju identified other functions of the council to include determining the standard of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons Act as Veterinary Surgeons and raising those standards from time to time as the circumstances permit.
“It also ensures that all registered veterinary professionals remain ethical, law abiding and continually improve themselves through a regular peer approved Professional Continuing Education,” she said.
The council president described veterinary medicine as a noble profession that require personal comportment to reflect its nobility.
“The use of inappropriate and flamboyant titles, which is the general practice in Nigeria, is frowned at by the council.
“A veterinary professional must command respect in dressing and behaviour,” she said.
Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the university, urged the graduands to effect the necessary and positive changes in their world.
He reiterated the resolve of the university at ensuring students are impacted with necessary knowledge, skills and best practices.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Raji Mashood, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, congratulated the graduands and advised them to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
He said the advent of COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of the profession in helping to promote the health of humans as well as animals.
Mashood also urged veterinarians to collaborate with other health personnel in the improvement of the health of the citizenry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ms Fatima Jiddah was awarded the best graduating student in the faculty. (NAN)
A.I
Tags: Aishatu Abubakar-Baju Prof. Raji Mashood Prof. Wahab Egbewole
