The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, (NVMA), Delta state chapter on Thursday, in Asaba, held its 2nd Biennial General Meeting and award ceremony.
The event, which attracted notable veterinarians from within and outside the state, dwelt on the theme: ‘The Role of A Veterinarian In The Society’.
In his remarks on the occasion, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr Omoun Perekebena Perez, said the occasion was thoughtful as it provided an opportunity for veterinarians to brainstorm on the way forward for the profession.
Perez noted that the event came at a time the challenge of diseases shared by man and animals had become common, and advocated a need for the practitioners to seek ways to improve on the general health and well-being of both man and animals to guarantee a healthy living.
He pledged the support of his Ministry for the Association and congratulated those honoured with awards on their recognition, which he said should be seen as a call to greater service, as there was no end to the quest for the best in any endeavor.
The Chairman on the occasion and Permanent Secretary, Government House, Asaba, Sir Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje, noted that the BGM was not only a wake up call for veterinary doctors and other veterinary medicine practitioners to defend and strength the profession, but also a forum to encourage them to further push the frontiers in their roles as veterinarians and as lovers of pet animals.
Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje, represented by an Assistant Director in the state civil service, Mr Francis Eboka, said it was important for the practitioners to recognize, appreciate and embrace the dynamics of veterinary medicine as a profession and the evolving scenarios of the practice on the sociocultural heritage of the people.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Delta state chapter of the Association, Dr Festus Chukwumalu, said the executive under his watch succeeded in bringing together all professionally qualified veterinarians in the state to promote and defend the practice of veterinary medicine.
Dr Chukwumalu added that steps were taken to checkmate quackery in the profession by insisting that every veterinary clinic must be manned by a qualified practitioner.
He called on members of the body to remain united and focused on taking the practice of veterinary medicine to greater heights, stressing that the good health and well-being of animals, and by extension man, should not be compromised under any guise.
The event featured a lecture on the theme of the BGM by Comrade Victor Ojei and presentation of awards to deserving veterinarians and other personalities.
They include the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Sir Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje; Dr Bala Mohammed, Dr Gani Enahoro, Dr Kenneth Jowe-Asidi, Dr David Onuora, Dr Anthony Ezekwueme, Mr Kareem Akintunde, among others.
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