ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, VETERINARY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, AIG. AISHATU ABUBAKAR BAJU DVM, PhD, FCVSN, NPOM ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD VETERINARY DAY 2021, ON THE 24th APRIL, 2021.

 

It is with profound gratitude and pleasure that I congratulate all Veterinarians and Veterinary para professionals in Nigeria and across the globe on this historic auspicious occasion of the WORLD VETERINARY DAY 2021. A day usually set aside to celebrate the achievements, advocacies, programs, policies and the general contributions of Veterinary profession towards the well being of humanity and safety of our Planet-Earth.

2.       This year’s celebration is indeed unique and peculiar as the day has come again during the time of the dreaded global pandemic of Covid 19, which has brought the entire world to its knees. As a veterinarian, I feel quite fulfilled as a result of the immense contribution the profession has made towards ensuring that the devastating impact of the pandemic on humanity and the globe is curtailed to the barest minimum. This has reaffirmed again the critical position Veterinary medicine occupies in the one-world one-health approach advocacy of the World Health Organization toward global health and health related issues.

3.       It is in recognition of this huge contribution by the profession that in my strong conviction the organizers of this year’s celebration selected the theme ‘’ Veterinary Response to the covid 19 crisis”. There couldn’t have been any better theme. Consequently, I will like to call upon all of us to re-dedicate our collective effort in ensuring that these achievements recorded by the profession in battling the pandemic is not only sustained but improved upon.

4.       I am indeed excited to state here that, under my leadership as the president of the VCN, the Council has successfully developed the “Covid 19 protocol in animal” which was presented to the public by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in an elaborate and well attended event here in Abuja. Nigeria being the first to develop such in Africa has once again set a pace and had written its name in gold in the sand of history. This document may be the template for other African countries to adopt. I will at this juncture once again congratulate all of us on the attainment of this feat.

5.       Similarly, the inclusion of NVRI VOM laboratory in the lists of Government approved Covid 19 diagnostic laboratories and subsequent cooption of veterinarians in to the FCT EOC on Covid 19 as well as in other states of the Federation is quite commendable. This couldn’t have been possible without the dogged and proactive advocacy of the Council and other stakeholders in making relevant the activities and programs of the profession in our society to government at all levels conspicuous and glaring. As the Council continues to work toward revamping and re-awakening of roles and importance of the profession at all strata of governments, I will like to admonish all and sundry to give in their best and be good ambassadors of the profession at all levels of engagement, for it is through this, we can push and advocate our collective goal as a noble professional entity. This, we had truly demonstrated during the decontamination and fumigation of birds and livestock markets which was coordinated by the Council in collaboration with various stake holders during the peak of pandemic in Abuja and other states of the Federation.

6.       Furthermore, during the same period, the Council did not only ensure free movement of veterinarians, Veterinary para professionals, livestock and livestock products during the lock down but was able to successfully organize the unique 2020 maiden virtual continuing education program with over 1000 professionals in attendance.

7.       In its derive to move the profession to the highest global standard the Council organized a 3-day strategic retreat for all board members with Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development also in attendance. Action plans and roadmaps were developed which Veterinarians in no time will start seeing its implementation and execution, accordingly.

7.       I am also happy to inform you that the leadership of the Council is actively engaging the National Assembly and closely working with other relevant government establishments in ensuring that all bills as it relates the profession that are pending before the National Assembly are given speedy legislative considerations and are eventually accented to by Mr. president. This when actualized will not only provide effective policies and protocols that are reflective of emerging professional realities but will also make execution and implementation of our professional dictates much easier.

8.       In conclusion, may I admonish all of us to take advantage of the Covid-19 vaccination program as well as ensuring that we observe all prescribed protocol emplaced by the Federal government for the prevention of the spread of the virus even as we engage our professional competences in combating the crisis as advocated in the theme of this year’s celebration.

9. Thank you and once again on behalf of all the Council members I wish you a very happy World Veterinary Day 2021.