The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has inducted 32 graduands of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi into the veterinary profession during the 17th Oath-Taking and Induction Ceremony for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduands, held on Friday at the Richard Kimbir Senate Building of the University.
The Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr. Fadipe Oladotun, formally administered the oath of allegiance and professional induction on behalf of the Council.
Speaking at the event, the keynote speaker, Dr. Muyiwa Benedict, charged the newly inducted veterinarians to uphold the ethics, integrity, and professional standards of the veterinary profession.
Addressing the graduands on the ceremony’s theme, “Veterinary Medicine at the Frontier: Unlocking Aquatic Animal Health and the Blue Economy in Nigeria,” the keynote speaker emphasized the critical role of veterinary professionals in advancing aquatic animal health, food security, public health, and sustainable economic growth within Nigeria’s blue economy.
He encouraged the new veterinarians to embrace innovation, continuous learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing emerging challenges in animal health and production systems, particularly in the aquatic sector.
Dr. Muyiwa further reminded the inductees that the veterinary profession remains central to national development through disease control, food safety, zoonotic disease prevention, livestock development, and environmental sustainability.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Prof. Mathew Adamu, charged the fresh veterinary doctors to remain committed to professionalism, ethical conduct, and lifelong learning in the discharge of their duties. He urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the profession by contributing meaningfully to national development through quality veterinary services, research, and innovation.
In her remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Mrs. C. D. Tuleun, congratulated the graduating students on their successful induction into the veterinary profession. She commended the Veterinary Council of Nigeria for its continued commitment to maintaining high professional and academic standards in veterinary education and practice in Nigeria.
A high point of the ceremony was the presentation of the President VCN Award of Excellence to the Overall Best Graduating Student, Dr. Luka Ntorey, in recognition of his outstanding academic performance and dedication to excellence.
The event attracted dignitaries from academia, the veterinary profession, government agencies, parents, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the successful transition of the graduands into professional practice.
The induction ceremony marked another milestone in the commitment of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria toward strengthening veterinary education and professional excellence in Nigeria.