The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Ilorin on Monday inducts 44 Graduands of the 2020/2021 Graduating Class of the university as Veterinarians.
Speaking during the Induction and Oath-Taking ceremony, AIG Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria emphasised on the importance of veterinary practice in Nigeria.
She stated that the provision of high quality Veterinary education is very important so as to equip potential Veterinarians and Veterinary Para-professionals with the necessary knowledge and skill to perform efficiently and support Veterinary services effectively.
“The Veterinary professionals are the majority in most rural African countries, including Nigeria, offering the much needed services to smallholder farmers.
“This makes the work of the Veterinarians ever so crucial in view of animal health in particular and public health at large hence the need for proper regulation,” she said.
According to her, in line with World Organization for Animal Health (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 authorized by the Veterinary statutory body (VCN) to take care of the health of the animal.
Baju explained that the Veterinary Council of Nigeria was established in 1952 with the mandate of regulating the quality of Training and Practices of Veterinary Medicine in Nigeria.
She added that some of the functionsnof the council includes determining the standards of knowlegde and skills to be attained by persons seeking to be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons Act as Veterinary Surgeons and of raising those standards from time to time as the circumstances may permit.
“It also ensures all registered Veterinary Professionals remain ethical, law abiding and are continually improving themselves through a regular peer approved Professional Continuing Education,” she said.
The Council president admonished the graduands that Veterinary Medicine is a noble profession hence personal comportment of a Veterinary professional must reflect nobility.
“Therefore, the use of inappropriate and flamboyant titles which is the general practice in Nigeria is frown at by the Council. The comportment of a Veterinary professional in dressing and behavior must command respect,” she said.
Prof Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the university reminded the graduands to edfect the necessary change that will impact positively in the world.
He reiterated the resolve of the university in ensuring students are impacted with necessary knowledge, skills and best practices.
Earlier in his welcoming address, Prof. Raji Mashood, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine congratulated the graduands while advising them to be professional in the discharge of thier duties.
He observed that the advent of the COVID-19 pabdemic has shown the importance of the profession in helping to promote the health of humans as well as animals.
Mashood added that the veterinanrian should collaborate with other health sector in the improvement of the hwalth of the citozenry.
Miss Mutiat Adetona, emerge the overall best graduating student of the faculty. (NAN)
