AVMS PUBLIC LECTURE 2021

2021 ANNUAL AVMS PUBLIC LECTURE AND AWARD CEREMONY.

Thursday, 26th August, 2021, The Association of Veterinary Medical Students held her annual public lecture and award ceremony. The theme of the event: Veterinarians, protecting the health of animals and humans for national development. This occasion was graced by esteemed dignitaries in the field of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health in and outside the country. 

The AVMS President, Olaoluwa Ola-Williams while giving the welcome address stated that his administration is trying to widen the scope and broaden the minds of students as to the various opportunities that they have in the profession, hence the choice of the speakers.

The first speaker, Christian Happi, a professor of Molecular Biology and genomics and also Director of the World Bank funded African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease (ACEGID) did  great justice to the topic: Veterinarians at the core of Medicine- COVID-19 Pandemic, an eye opener.

Dr. Gani Enahoro, MD, GAN-ROVET Animal Hospital Warri, Delta State and Chairman Continuing Education Committee, Veterinary Council of Nigeria who joined the programme virtually delivered a speech on the Role of Veterinarians in National Development. He expressed his displeasure about how our country does not have a plan on National Development. He emphasized that the last time the country had a National Development Plan was about 36 years ago (1981-1985) while stating that instead of bothering about our impacts as veterinarians in national development, we should concentrate on the country's impact on the professions. Dr. Enahoro mentioned some Veterinarians such as Dr. Kemi Osunderu, Dr. Oni Remi who is the Executive Director of Corporate banking and Dr. Segun Akinlolu (Beautiful Nubia) amongst others who are keeping the flag up in other fields that they have found themselves.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Olufunke Ola-Davies while addressing the gathering assured students that they will be given all that they need in the outside world. In her remark, she said, when you finally graduate, just open your hands and fly as you have all it takes. She went ahead to commend the awardees and appreciated them for their immeasurable contributions to the growth of the Faculty. She did not finish her speech without commending the leadership of the association for a job well done. 

Dr. Laide Azeez, Director of Veterinary Service, Oyo State duly represented by Dr. Oladapo Abiodun gave a lecture on Government Policies Surrounding Veterinary Practice and Animal Health in Oyo State. He mentioned notably laws that are being enacted by the government of Oyo State to protect Veterinary practices in the state. He discussed the efforts of the government in protecting the general public by giving special considerations to Rabies in Dogs, Contagious Bovine PleuroPneumonia (CBPP) in cattle and Day Old Chick vaccines which are supposed to also help individuals in private practice. He confirmed that there have been reported cases of Avian Influenza in the State while informing the gathering about the renovation of Mokola Veterinary Hospital and also a laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in the State.

Awards were given upon the conclusion of the lectures. The awardees are: Prof. V.O Taiwo of Veterinary Pathology, Prof. G.A. Taiwo of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Hon. Victor Olojede (Special Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State on Student Affairs) as well as all the speakers for the day. Prof. Taiwo in his remark thanked the AVMS and promised to sponsor 10 indigent students in the faculty. He urged the leadership of the faculty to keep up the work and ensure the welfare of students is well attended to. Hon. Olojede Victor donated a sum of #100,000 and promised to sponsor 2 indigent students.

 The day came to an end with a vote of thanks by the public lecture chairman, Abiodun Samuel.