University of Ibadan (UI) on Wednesday inducted seventy-eight (78) fresh graduates of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine into the veterinary profession at the 51st induction ceremony for the 2020/2021 set of students.

The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Olufunke E. Ola-Davies appreciated the Faculty members who through their commitment to teaching and learning, impacted and produced the 78 inductees. She also thanked the alumni for their contributions to the development of the faculty and the veterinary profession.

Professor Ola-Davies advised the inductees to be humble and have a sense of responsibility that will showcase them as good ambassadors of the University of Ibadan. She encouraged those inclined to the academics to return to the University for their postgraduate degrees.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, FAS, mni, ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. E.O. Ayoola, congratulated the parents and inductees on the attainment of their new status and wished them success as they proceed to the next phase of their lives.

In her address, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, AIG (Dr) Aishatu Abubakar Baju represented by Dr. Tunji Nasiru, advised the new vet doctors to distinguish themselves in character and learning by practicing the profession conscientiously with dignity and respect, keeping the principles of veterinary ethics.

The veterinary oath was administered by the Acting Registrar, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr. Ezenwa Nwakonobi and the certificate of oath was thereafter, signed by the inductees.

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In an exclusive interview with DR Samuel Gbadebo OLUKOLE

Question: Your demonstration of professionalism in the coordination of the 2021/2022 Induction ceremony was great, how did you get to this point?

OLUKOLE: Thank you, I think, am already used to coordinating induction ceremonies, I have done that repeatedly over the years, moreso, having served as the Sub-Dean Undergraduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan (2013-2015) has really exposed me to the nitty gritty of the induction process itself.

Question;

Wao! 2013-2015, that’s about 6 to 8 years ago, I should call you a Sub-Dean Emeritus then.

OLUKOLE:

Well, I am also used to the term. Interestingly, I just handed over as the Sub-Dean Postgraduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, having served since August 2019 to July 2021, hence, I think you may gladly add Emeritus plus.

Question: How long have you been teaching at the Vet Faculty and what would you say about this present set of inductees?

OLUKOLE: I started teaching at Veterinary Anatomy as Lecturer II in January 2007, that is like 14 years now. On this present set of inducted veterinarians, I can say a lot about them having taught them over the years on the DVM programme. First, I started teaching them from their very first year when they had the Faculty-wide course, Introduction to Veterinary Medicine. Later, when they came into 200 level and started the core of their training as Veterinary Medical students, I taught them Veterinary Anatomy both Microanatomy (Histology) and Gross Anatomy. I remember teaching them Clinical Anatomy at 500 level too. Having this as the background to answering your question, I can say they are a good set of students, able to combine academic excellence with impeccable character. I am also optimistic that they will do well as our ambassadors in the field, wherever they find themselves.

QUESTION: Based on your experience as a teacher, who is a veterinary doctor and what are the demands of being a veterinarian?

OLUKOLE: Let me add to your question by saying my experience first as a student of Veterinary Medicine and second as a teacher. Veterinary Medicine is demanding anywhere in the world. Let me start by quoting the very words of William Penn Adair Rogers popularly known as Will Rogers. Will Rogers was an American performer, actor, and humorous social commentator. Record has it that he wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns in the US (having lived 1875-1935). Will Roger is famous for his statement on who a Veterinary Doctor is."The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what is the matter-he's got to just know. “ – Will Rogers.

There is a high demand for a veterinarian to think fast and use his skills to understand the health status of the animal as that will assist him in making the correct diagnosis ahead of treatment. Once he misses the diagonosis of any case, then treatment might be a waste oif time and resources and may end up in the animal dying. This may cause emotional torture for the pet owner, hence the work of a veterinarian touches on the lives of pet owners. I can recollect a day at the veterinary teaching hospital while I was on duty as a clinician, a dog owner brought a critically sick dog from Lagos, I think bringing the dog to University of Ibadan Vet Teaching Hospital was his last resort, unfortunately, the dog dies immediately he got to the clinic. We had to manage the dog owner, a man in his 60s. He also slummed, and if you will dissect the issues accurately, you will realise first there was a loss and second, the stress of having to drive down from Lagos in addition to the finances involved. It was after we successfully managed the dog owner that we then moved to attend to the next stage on the dead dog. You can see that a veterinarian treats animals and manage human beings, the owners of the animals whose outcome of the health of the animal will definitely affect. That is who a veterinarian is.

Question: How would you describe Veterinary Education and what would be your advice for those who may want to pursue such?

OLUKOLE: I have earlier said Veterinary education is demanding, anywhere in the world. Unlike in Nigeria, in some other countries, you cannot be admitted to study Veterinary Medicine except you had a degree in related Sciences. Whichever is the case, the stress of the training is enormous. I remember as a student, I would sometimes ask myself a question “ why did I choose this path?”. We had lectures 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, many thanks to Jumat Service on Friday, we would have a break from noon to 3pm. By 3pm we are back to class or for practical. There was one aspect of the training I dreaded as a student, the aspect of being in the cadaver room where formalin is the order of the day. Sometimes tears run down my face because of the effect of the formalin among other things. It will surprise you that what I dreaded then is what I have being teaching in the past 14 years. So, as a teacher, I can understand with my students if they display the type of emotion that I had as a Veterinary student. We must confess, the students are currently going through a lot of stress but I will say things are much better for them then it was for we as students, they may want to challenge this statement but it takes anyone to have tasted two different soup to be able to correctly one is sweater.

My advice for those aspiring to read veterinary Medicine is first, that they should be sound in the core subjects that form the requirement for studying Veterinary Medicine: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Of course, Mathematics and English Language are already sacrosanct in this regard. Second, they must be prepared to stand long ours for practical and clinics. Third, their determination to go through the rigours and come out shinning must be firm. Fourth, they must be ready to forgo certain levels of pleasures for life. I used for life because, the demands continue after school. For example, here at our Vet Teaching hospital, we do not close the clinic for any reason. Strike, holiday or even Christmas or any day, the clinic is open, we are dealing with lives of animals and the emotion of animal owners which may also cost them their lives if not properly handled.

Question : The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Olufunke Ola-Davies referred to you as Acting HOD of Veterinary Anatomy. I can recollect you said you just handed over in July 2021 after being Sub-Dean Postgraduate for two years. When did you assume job as HOD Veterinary Anatomy and how has been the role?

OLUKOLE:I assumed the role August 1, 2021, the role is no doubt demanding but I think I had equipped myself very well ahead. I say this because I had to serve with and support 4 past HODs on the job. I have learnt a lot while supporting them. Leadership does not just start when a man is announced as a leader, it actually started while he was diligently following the then leaders. If such is the case, he must had learned from the strength and weakness of those leaders. We all have our strength and weaknesses. I must say that I have learnt the way not to go and the exact way to go over the years. In summary, I am enjoying the role, the demands notwithstanding. Interestingly, I do eavesdrop on (though not intentionally) people saying am performing excellently well  but I act as though I heard nothing.