The College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), recently Inducted forty nine graduands into the veterinary profession as surgeons.
At the 11th Oath taking and induction ceremony of the 2023/2024 veterinary graduands, held at the Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium, the students were equally admitted into the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA).
In a momentous event that drew stakeholders, guests, and proud families,
the Chief host and 6th Vice Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, congratulated the graduands for attaining an enviable height in their educational pursuit.
Prof Iwe commended the resilience and perseverance of the graduates, acknowledging the rigorous nature of veterinary training. “I salute your doggedness and determination. You are now ready to contribute meaningfully to animal health, public health, food security, and national development”.
The VC reiterated the university’s support for the training of Veterinary surgeons in the College of Veterinary Medicine, pledging an enabling environment for quality research, teaching and improvements in the welfare of staff and students, as efforts are underway to tackle challenges like inadequate facilities and staffing shortages in the college.
Prof Iwe, however, commended the Veterinary Council of Nigeria for conferring legal rights on the graduands, as well as, partnering with the MOUAU College of Veterinary Medicine. He said the school has maintained the standard required for the training of Veterinary Surgeons.
He also reaffirmed the gratitude of the university to the VCN accreditation team, for their fair and objective assessment which granted the institution’s DVM programme full accreditation status for the period of 2024 to 2029, recounting also how the VCN has helped the university to ensure high standards in teaching and research, as well as, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional development for Veterinary Surgeons.
The Varsity Don also expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries and attendees for honoring the institution’s invitation, with special recognition to the CEO of Blue Bat Veterinary Company Limited and member of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr Charles Ibe, who conducted a two-day training session on veterinary entrepreneurship for the graduands.
Prof Iwe, however, charged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the school, upholding the ethics of the profession and remaining committed to lifelong learning.
In his keynote address, the Speaker, Dr Charles Ibe, said the Veterinary profession is imbued with several challenges but urged the graduands to stay with their dream, create space for themselves, break new grounds and see failure as a spring board to success.
Dr Ibe noted that despite the critical economic situation in Nigeria, they should make the best of every situation, striving to improve themselves.
Dr Charles Ibe
In his Goodwill message, the President Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Prof Matthew Adamu, commended the school for the good job done amidst the scarce resources.He appreciated the VC for accepting to tackle the challenges facing the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Prof Adamu while welcoming the graduands into the Veterinary Council, urged the graduands to carry their activities within the ambient of the professional ethics, as VCN would not hesitate to sanction any unethical behavior.
He commended the parents and guardians of the students for the efforts put all through their undergraduate journey.
Also, the President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Moses Arroyo, congratulated the graduands for staying focus on their journey, reiterating that the Veterinary profession was a distinguished one that demanded high level of professionalism to scale through.
According to him, veterinarians are gate keepers in the society, therefore, crucial abilities are needed to tackle global disease challenges.
He assured the graduands of the continuous support of NVMA in their career, adding that the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, would always provide a strong network to ensure the success of practitioners.
The Director of Veterinary Services in Abia State, Dr Martins Okoji, disclosed that veterinary medicine was a unique profession. “Unlike human medicine, which focuses solely on the human body, veterinary doctors have a broader range of options”. He noted that some of the best surgeries in the world have been performed by veterinarians. Dr Okoji enjoined the graduands to practice the profession with high ethical standards.
Meanwhile, the Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr Fadipe Oladotun, while administering the Oath taking, told the graduands not to relent in advancing their learning process, informing them of several programmes within the association that can keep them abreast.
Earlier, the Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Prof Cosmos Chikezie Ogbu, thanked the students for upholding the good image of the College and the University throughout their course of study. He said the College did not aim to produce graduate veterinarians alone, but graduates with sound etiquette, graduates that love God and his precepts, as well as, principled professionals who would practice the Profession with honour and dignity.
The Dean, expressed profound appreciation to the parents and guardians of the students, the Vice Chancellor and the university management for supporting the College of Veterinary Medicine strongly throughout the period of the graduands.
He also thanked the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association for their partnership with the University, appealing to the VC that the challenges confronting the Veterinary College be addressed.
While responding, the Best Graduating Student, Dr. Dennis Jesse Uzochi, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his lecturers and fellow students for their contributions, which he credited as key to his success. He encouraged his colleagues to remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams and to continue seeking new opportunities.
In an interview, Dr. Uzochi shared the secret to his success, stating that he committed himself to his studies from the very beginning, which ultimately led to his achievement. He pledged to support the university in training future veterinarians and expressed his willingness to impart his knowledge and skills through teaching.
Dr Dennis Jesse Uzochi
Uzochi also encouraged undergraduates to stay committed to their responsibilities, explore opportunities and hobbies, even those outside their chosen profession and above all, to work hard and stay prayerful.
The graduands were later presented with Provisional Certificates, Veterinary Oath Certificate and the Veterinary Ethics. Students were also presented with several awards and recognitions.
While declaring the event closed, the 6th Vice Chancellor urged the students to prioritize God in all their endeavors, emphasizing that Veterinary Medicine is a valuable field full of untapped potential.
