The Provost of Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology Moor Plantation Ibadan, Dr. Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo has highlighted the College's plans for the year 2024, as they prepare to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee of the College.

Owosibo made this known in an Exclusive Interview with CEOAfrica today, 19th January, 2024, in his office.

FCAH&PTIB boss said 1st of April this year, the College will mark sixty years since its establishment. Dr. Owosibo revealed that they have planned a series of events to commemorate their six decades of excellence.

According to him, the celebration will include the grand commissioning of various completed projects, such as the new administrative block phase 1, the extension of the medical center, staff offices block A and B, and classrooms block E and F. The Entrepreneurship Development Centre will also be inaugurated during this significant event.

Apart from the commissioning of new facilities, the Diamond Jubilee celebration week will feature a Public Lecture to emphasize the College's importance in the country and its pivotal role in fostering food security. As a renowned institution in the field of Animal Health and Production, the College has contributed significantly to the development of agricultural practices in Nigeria.

The College, initially known as the School of Animal Health and Husbandry, was founded on the 1st of April, 1964, through a collaboration between the defunct Western Region and USAID. Its primary objective was to train Livestock Assistants (certificate) to meet the increasing demand for veterinary professionals. In 1970, the institution became an integral part of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R. &T) at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, following the Western State Edict.

Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan became autonomous since 1991 and was rebranded by the ARCN Act of 2021 as amended

The establishment of the college was necessitated by the fact that the Western Region could not secure additional places for its veterinary students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka due to pressures from the Eastern Region. Hence, the government saw the need to establish its own Veterinary or Animal Health School.

Originally proposed to be located in Sango, Ibadan, the final decision was made to construct the school at Moor Plantation. This choice allowed the college to utilize the existing facilities at Mokola Veterinary Centre, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan, and the Cattle Control Post and Abattoir at Bodija. The availability of the expansive land at Moor Plantation also offered opportunities for future expansion and development.

Looking ahead to the new year, Dr. Owosibo expressed his determination to complete ongoing projects and continue to position the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology Moor Plantation Ibadan as one of the leading institutions in the country. Being one of only two federal colleges of Animal Health in Nigeria, the college aims to maintain its reputation for excellence and contribute significantly to the growth of the agricultural sector.

As the college prepares to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, it is expected that the events and milestones achieved in the past sixty years will be recognized, appreciated, and inspire further growth and success in the years to come.