MONDAY March 17, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
After a keenly contested election, a seven-man tear rubber executive committee of Akwa Ibom State Chapter of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association has been elected to work tirelessly towards advancing the interest of mankind and promoting ideals of veterinary medical profession in Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
The election conducted by an egghead of the association, Bishop Dr. Edem Offiong produced as Chairperson again in person of Dr. (Mrs) Ekaette Augustine alongside others some of which were green horn members, while others were returnees.
The chairperson, Mrs Ekaette Augustine in her post Inauguration address, appealed to Governor Umo Eno to employ more veterinary doctors to be deployed to each of the 31 local governments in the state and also procure more vaccines to protect animals from attack by diseases.
However, she seized the forum to highlight her past achievements recorded in her first tenure to include facilitation of employment of four veterinary doctors into Akwa Ibom State civil service, bought facilities for public address system, paid courtesy visits to colleagues and held a lot of online courses, symposia and counseling in secondary schools.
Also carried out advocacy on zoonotic diseases in the media and churches, acquired office for secretariat amid others that space may not allow for listing, and most importantly collaborated with the Federal ministry of Agriculture and food security and Akwa Ibom State ministry of Agriculture, to take part in Anti rabies vaccination campaigns, world rabies Day, World veterinary day, World zoonotic day and world Egg day.
According to her, “all these were possible with the support of state government, Patrons, DVS -AKS, friends of the profession and think tank of 2023 exco amongst others.” She therefore thanked them for their services of love, and as often said, the reward for hard work is more work , the dean of Students affairs, University of Uyo, Prof. Etefia Ekanem who was also thanked by the chairperson, was again called upon to perform the role of commissioner for oaths at the inauguration.
Administering oaths of office and allegiance on the elected officials, Prof. Ekanem, who started with the chairperson first before proceeding to the exco members, advised the chair person to run an inclusive leadership and carried all members along. In the same vein, charged members to cooperate with the leadership of the association and bear in mind that no human being is infallible.
In appreciation of his invaluable contributions, the association chairperson presented an award of excellence to the Dean. Responding, Prof. Ekanem expressed surprise that he came only to do his work but was going back with award of appreciation,” adding, “in whatever we do we should do it the way we want it done to us, because somewhere and somehow some people are watching and dedicated the award to his students.”
The learned law professor advised everybody to embrace and key into the agrarian policy as encapsulated in ARISE agenda of Governor Umo Eno for food security and nutrition for healthy living, to stamp out hunger that is staring us in the face and also donated generously to the launch of a 30 KVA powered generator. The 7 -man EXCO members who were sworn in alongside the chairperson were Dr. Uchenna Esin, vice chairperson, Dr. Ekemini Akpan, secretary, Dr. Eunice Akpan – assistant secretary, Dr. Ubong Nsewo – Fin. Secretary, Dr. Akan Akpan.
Akwa Ibom State Chapter of NVMA Elects New Executives
