NVMA 58th ANNUAL CONGRESS, OYO 2022; VET DOCTORS REUNITE

 NVMA 58th ANNUAL CONGRESS, OYO 2022

It was a moment of joy mixed with excitement on Tuesday 25th, October, 2022 as the National Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA organized the opening ceremony of their annual congress tagged ‘OYO 2022’ at the International Conference Centre University of Ibadan.

Doctors from different parts of the country were present, rejoicing and sharing great memories they have had together over the years. Many were seen with old friends and class mates discussing their achievements in the profession.

At exactly 10:47am the program started proper with the recitation of national anthem followed by opening prayer. 

Giving the welcome address, the chairman of Local Organizing Committee, Professor J.F Akinrinmade, of the department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Ibadan, showed his pleasure to welcome all the guests and expressed his gratitude to NVMA for the privilege and opportunity to hold the event in Ibadan, Oyo state since 19 years ago. 

“The theme, REPOSITIONING THE VETERINARY PROFESSION FOR NATIONAL AND GLOBAL IMPACT  has been carefully and meticulously coined so as to reposition the veterinary profession for national and global impact” chairman said.

For anything to be repositioned, it must have been in a particular position before, said DR Oduntan Ayoola the MD of Amo Farm who happened to be the key note speaker. He revealed the situation of Veterinary Medicine in area like food security, live stock production, public health, institution  as well as technology as ones that call for urgent repositioning. He called attention of the attendees to technology, education, research and entrepreneur. 

Speaking on technology, Dr Oduntan said 'Biotechnology can help in production of drugs, vaccines, genomics, microchips for animal Identification, and forensic’.

He also pointed at the impact of Education and research on industry and encouraged lecturers to not only teach on how to take care of animals, but also entrepreneur education, as this will allow Vets thrive as entrepreneurs.

Professor Adetuberu, NVMA president, spoke on the significance of the congress. “The congress provides an avenue for professional interaction among members. She delineated the functions of NVMA and urged members to be committed to the association. She ended her speech with the Veterinary teaching hospital bill being passed the second reading and assured members how hard they have been pushing to make it a reality.

At the event, speeches were delivered by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad M.  Abubakar, ably represented by Dr Maimuna Habib, the former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadan who were ably represented by Oludayo Obasanjo, Dr Ladiipo and the Bashorun Abiodun Koladaisi respectively. All commended the association for their relentless services and pledged their unflinching supports.

Awards were further presented to some outstanding personalities and farmers. Awardees include; DR Stephen Olufemi Adeyemi, Prof. Ola- Davies, Sen. Ahmad Lawan and professor G.A.T Ogundipe. Farmers awarded were Zartech and Chi farms limited.

The event was garnished with Cultural dance, which did not only exposed  the guest to the culture of Ibadan and Yoruba at large, but was also captivating.

DAY 2 Wednesday 26th.

There was a breakout session during which, there were two sections: one scientific and the other entrepreneurial. 

The breakout session was followed by the product presentation session. During this period, various innovative products that have been proven to be of immense value in the animal health industry were introduced. Zoetis, Adamore (Nig) Limited, Agricare STD Plus Limited and Boehringer Ingelheim were the companies which participated in the product presentation. 

Zoetis unveiled a drug product, (an antibiotic) called SYNULOX® LC which has been proven to be more effective than systemic antibiotics in the treatment of mastitis. The representatives from Zoetis, in demonstrating the need for SYNULOX®  LC, adequately explained the state of dairy production in the country as well as the adverse effect of mastitis on productivity and the economy. Research has proven that the drug has about 99% effectiveness, thereby significantly reducing the effects of the major bane of diary production – mastitis. 

Boehringer Ingelheim presented several equipment that are particularly time and cost-effective in poultry production. Most notable amongst these equipment was the Ovojector which is used for mass vaccination of eggs at 18 days of incubation. 

A few other presentations were made with the presenters urging  Veterinarians to visit their booths for more information and illustrations. 

After the breakout session, there was an impromptu brainstorming session held to address certain key issues in poultry production including the need for increased emphasis on feed formulation and the ongoing shift to vector-based vaccines. 

Shortly after, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad .M. Abubakar, Chairman of event, graced the occasion with his presence. He was properly welcomed by the president of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Olutoyin Catherine Adetuberu. Upon the arrival of the Minister, other dignitaries were recognized, including Dr. Joshua Kantiok, the Royal Father of the convention, who is also a former President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA).  

The Minister, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, gave his opening speech in which he lauded the contributions of the Veterinary profession to the nation’s development. He made mention of the significant role played by Professor Oyewale Tomori in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister assured Veterinarians that plans are in the works to improve the facilities at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom in order to enable the production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar urged the association to in the course of the convention, come up with concrete and implementable suggestions that would guide stakeholders in implementing policies favourable for the Veterinary profession. 

Following the Minister’s speech, there was a question and answer session during which many individuals brought to the notice of the Minister the gaps that are present in the animal health sector and he in turn provided information as to the steps being taken or that will be taken to bridge these gaps. 

The Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, after which, the Minister attended to a few matters before departing. 

The convention was well attended by Veterinarians coming in from across the nation. Past Presidents of the National Veterinary Medical Association were present, as well as Directors of Veterinary Services from various states. Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Commonwealth were also present. 

The convention afforded Veterinarians from across the nation the opportunity to rub minds and get exposed to new ideas and approaches. It also allowed old school chums, now colleagues to catch up, on personal and professional levels. The 58th annual National Veterinary Medical Association convention is without a doubt not one that will be forgotten in a hurry. 

A team of ushers and protocol comprising students of the AVMS UI, was led by Dr Olayinka Oridupa, Dr Folusho Bolawaye and Fasiku Oluwatobi to help coordinate the event.

Day 3 Thursday 27th

As the congress continued on Thursday 27th, the NVMA and executives had a round table meeting; the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and matters around the immediate administration of the association were discussed and deliberated upon.

At some minutes past 8:00pm, the hall was set for dinner.  

While the hall was filled with aural of sweet music, brooding to spice up the night with an irresistible atmosphere of an unforgettable dinner, members of the association were urged to come cast their votes to determine the next host of the 2023 NVMA congress. Lagos and Abuja chapters were together in the race as they came to present a mini-manifesto as of what the association stands to enjoy if elected as the next host of the annual congress.

 Lagos state chapter was elected with the majority vote of 265, defeating Abuja who was able to pull 178 votes.

At the end of the congress, the association recognized the Lagos chapter of the association as the 2023 host of the 59th annual congress.

NOSTALGIA.

A third person opinion: I probably expected to be intimidated or carried away by the aura of all the prestigious people/vets that would show up at the convention, so imagine my shock when I walked in to find broad smiles on a lot of people's face and my big, sometimes with a strict demeanor lecturers with childish smiles on their faces.

Someone mentioned that the convention felt like a mini reunion, everyone was excited to see everyone. Colleagues clapping each other on the back, ex junior colleagues excited to meet former senior colleagues again. It couldn't have been better, for a moment nothing existed within the four walls of the meeting room but smiles, laughter, old jokes and warm hugs.

Professors, Doctors, Royal highness ( for there was one on seat, most likely from the north), mangers, lecturers or whatever. For a moment, titles were forgotten and all that passed around were stories of the fact that at some point these people's path had crossed once or many times before.

And the fashion? It was a cross of culture and fashion. Everyone looking all smartly dressed with the easy identification of the northerners in their usual trouser and that long flowing "buba" with cap, even the faculty ushers done on a beautiful patterned Ankara and black bottom (a good representation of culture). 

I always thought of how people put snakes on their neck without any fear, until I had to see it real life for my self. Dr Tunji Nasri brought a python to the Congress and interestingly, I got to know that pythons do not have venom and as a result, do not bite to kill their preys, but only would strangle their prey to death before swallow. This is why pythons can be kept at close range without any fear of being attacked.

The Congress was indeed a great experience for me.