The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has pledged financial and institutional support for the takeoff of the Eruwa Veterinary Field Station as part of efforts to strengthen veterinary education, food security, and agricultural development.
Ogundoyin made the commitment while chairing the 55th Oath-Taking and Induction Ceremony of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduands at the University of Ibadan.
He described the induction as a defining moment marking the transition from academic training to professional responsibility, noting that the veterinary profession remains vital to national development. According to him, food security and public health are closely linked, with veterinarians playing a critical role in safeguarding both.
Speaking on the Eruwa Veterinary Field Station, the Speaker traced its origin to 1977 when over 2,000 acres of land were secured through the intervention of the late Oba Bolanle Olaniyan and the Eleruwa-in-Council. He described the facility as a strategic asset for practical training, research, and community service.
Ogundoyin, however, noted that the station’s potential remains largely untapped, calling for stronger collaboration among government, academia, and relevant stakeholders to reposition it as a centre of excellence.
He also backed the establishment of a technical committee to develop a clear framework for the facility’s transformation and pledged support towards its takeoff design phase, with a focus on food safety, agricultural productivity, and economic growth.
The Speaker further advocated reforms in veterinary education to reflect current realities, emphasising the need for practical training, agribusiness knowledge, and value-chain integration.
In their remarks, Vice-Chancellor Kayode Adebowale and Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, B. O. Olugasa, commended the graduands and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
In recognition of his support for the faculty, Ogundoyin received the Outstanding Leadership and Supporter of the Faculty Award.
The ceremony ended with the formal induction of the graduands, who were urged to uphold professional ethics and contribute meaningfully to national development.
