The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State has inducted 63 graduands to enhance the development of the profession. The event, which marks the 54th oath-taking and induction ceremony of the veterinary doctors by the institution, held at the faculty auditorium, was attended by numerous dignitaries, proud parents, the new inductees, veterinarians and academicians.

The Chief Host – the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Kayode Adebowale, was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, as well as Registrar and Deans from different faculties.

In her speech, the 16th and first Female Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Olufunke Ola-Davies, who expressed appreciation to staff of the faculty, said she’ll be completing her two terms of four years by July 31, 2025 as the dean of the faculty.

She highlighted her major achievements in office to include human capacity and infrastructural development, which enabled the faculty to gain back her full accreditation with the National University Commission (NUC).

Prof. Ola-Davies stressed that her administration also boosted research and clinical activities through the completion of the Virology and Parasitology Laboratory, renovations and the acquisition of new equipment, including binocular and compound microscopes, ultrasound machines, a semi-automated microtome, a spectrophotometer, animal blood pressure monitor machines, two otoscopes, large animal weighing scale, digital X-ray machine, as well as a 45 kVA Mikano generator to assist in power generation in the faculty’s auditorium, among others.

She listed others to include the renovation and painting of the administrative building (White House), the actualisation of R&D building, the renovation of the faculty boardroom to world class standard, the renovation of the faculty auditorium among other infrastructural developments, which she sourced for funds from friends and well-meaning Nigerians.

An alumnus of the faculty, Dr. Akinbowale Jenkins, who is the Head of Services and Lead Consultant, Animal Health Product Development, based in United Kingdom, urged the graduands to build on their training at the University.

“They should embrace innovation and One Health approaches in their careers, collaborate with their senior colleagues in the profession, challenge paradigms, and always ask: “How can my work improve the health of all species?”