THE WORLD’S VETERINARY DAY; ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE - FROM AWARENESS
TO ACTION.
The World Veterinary Day
celebration held on Saturday 29th April, 2017 hosted by the Oyo state branch of
the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association at the new auditorium of the
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine started at 11:00am. The event was tagged, Antimicrobial
Resistance-From Awareness to Action. Some of the fathers in the profession were
in attendance namely Dr. S.O Adejoro, Dr. Ogunleke, the Chairman of the board
of director of The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Stephen O.
Adeyemi, The Asst. Treasurer of NVMA Dr. Mrs Tola Adedeji, Rev’d. Dr. Olusola
Gabriel Oluwatoyinbo, Prof. Olofemi Adedeji, Retired Prof. Oludapo Ogunkoya
from the department of Veterinary Public
Health whose extensive research on the Rabies virus left a landmark to
be built on. The speakers at the events
were Dr. Samuel O. Adeyemi, the C.E.O of Soptimal Nigeria Limited, Ibadan and
Dr. Olugbenga Jubril Hassan form the Veterinary Public Health and Preventive
Medicine department , Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta amongst
others. Present also were the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof.
Matthew Oyeyemi, the acting Chairman of the occasion Prof. J.F Akinrinmade, the
Sud-dean clinics Dr. Mrs Akioye, Dr. Mrs Oguntoye, other lecturers in the faculty,
the AVMS President Adeoye Caleb and executive members and a good number of
student from DVM 0 - DVM V were also in attendance. A correspondent from the
broadcasting cooperation of Oyo state was also in attendance.
The
opening prayer was rendered by Dr. Olaifa at 11:42am followed immediately with
the welcome address by Dr. Dayo Adejuigbe, the Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary
Medical Association, Oyo State branch who explained further the reason for the
occasion. He said ‘the World Veterinary Day is a day specially designated by
the World Veterinary Association (W.V.A) in collaboration with the World
Organization of Animal Health (O.I.E) annually to bring to public domain the
special niche occupied by veterinary doctors in the society which was first
celebrated on the last Saturday in April, 2001’. He delved into the history of
Veterinary Medicine in the world and appreciated the presence of all in
attendance for the occasions.
He
also said that two eminent Veterinarians would be admitted as ambers of NVMA
Board of Advisers ably chaired by the indefatigable professional elder statesman
and doyen of Veterinary profession, Dr Stephen O Adeyemi. The new Board members
are Rev’d. Dr. Olusola Gabriel Oluwatoyinbo, a former National General
Secretary of NVMA and Dr. Kanayo Joseph Nwufor, former Provost of the Federal
College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor plantation, Ibadan.
The
first lecture titled ‘The veterinarian as a pluripotentiary’ was delivered by
Dr. Samuel Adeyemi C.E.O of Soptimal Nigeria Limited and arguably the most
diversified veterinary doctor in this part of the World. He started by
appreciating the Council for allowing him choose the topic of the lecture explain
how he coined the word ‘pluripotentiary’ from embryology. He continued by
giving several definitions of who a veterinary doctor is. A striking one is his
own addition to late Professor G. O Esuruoso’s definition of who a vet is. ‘a
veterinarian is a person trained in the art of medicine who should be
biomedically literate, statistically numerate, socio economically self
conscious and an adept strategic thinker ’and that phenotypically, a
drilled Vet is a pluripotential. He called on us to be more diversified and
dominate the other professions as he is a living example of a pluripotential Veterinarian.
A proposal as stated that facilitation visits should be made to farms by the
students so that medicine will not be all theory and ended by promising to be
available to part more knowledge across to the students. His lecture brought to
the fore the versatility of the Veterinarian and exposed numerous opportunities
inherent in our profession.
Next,
the highlight of the day’s event- the installation of a seasoned, highly
respected and influential veterinary surgeon, High Chief Dr. Olufemi
Olasunkanmi Olaifa, the Otun Balogun of Ibadan land and the Chairman of Ona Ara
Traditional Council as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Medical Association,
Oyo state branch in recognition of his immense contribution to the veterinary
profession in Nigeria. His citation was read by his godson Dr. Olaifa from the
department of Veterinary Surgery. He Was presented the commemoration plaque and
re responded by appreciating the organizers of the event, gave us a little more
insight into his experiences so far in his years of service. We got to know
that the salary scheme that puts us on the same level or even higher than the
human medics was approved on the spot when he tabled it before the Council
responsible. A cheque of the sum of #50,000 in addition to a new 10-sitter bus
was presented to the association. The ministry of Agriculture, Oyo state also
gave a sum of #50,000 to the association.
The
2nd lecture focused on the global theme ‘Antibiotic Resistance-From Awareness
to Action’ was delivered by Dr. J.O Hassan DVM, MPVM, MS, PhD. He postulated
that the ignorant man easily under dose himself by giving little doses that
makes microbes resistant. Some of the ways little doses of antibiotics are
introduced into the environments include in household washing soaps (e.g
Triclosan), manure and biological solids applied to land .e.t.c he also stated
that there are no regulations in Nigeria on dispensation of drugs in the
clinics Without prescription to the layman and we were advised to follow the
basic hygienic principles as veterinary surgeons in relation to animals and
help the poor man by making them understand the risks involved in resistance to
antibiotic action. He ended by asking this question; ‘there are 3 basic
antibiotics used in Nigeria, what next after we become resistant to them
all.
In
conclusion, Dr. Adedeji the C.E.O of Amo farm and chairman of the occasion came
in during the course of the 2nd lecture. He apologized to everyone
present for his lateness stating reason for it and he donated a sum of #100,000
to the association to that effect. He also proposed that there be closer
relationship between the academia and the private sectors. He then promised to
give a number of chicks from his company to the Faculty for the clinical year
students which will be divided equally into five as will the class as well,
each group is to care for the chicks to a certain age and the group that best
meet the set goal Will be awarded by his company. This was met with great
applause by the students present at the occasion. The Dean of the Faculty
responded by appreciating his gesture and promised to make good use of the
opportunity. The chairman of NVMA Dr. Adejuyigbe gave the closing speech
appreciating all for their patience and cooperation towards the success of the
program. Dr. Mrs Adebyi from the small animal clinics gave the final remark
imploring us to be proud of our profession and tell everyone we come across that
we are worth the celebration.
Jemimah.
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