The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) led by its Chairman, Dr. Tolu Omotuba has awarded the Director General, Government House Administration, Lokoja, Alh. Dr. Umaru Shuaibu Oricha as the VETERINARY AMBASSADOR FOR KOGI STATE. The presentation of the award plaque took place at the office of Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu in his office at the Government House, Lokoja.
According to Balogun Omeiza David, Presenting the award plaque to the astute administrator, Dr. Tolu Omotuba said, “The Kogi State Chapter of Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) presents this award to you in recognition of your immense contributions towards the advancement of the veterinary profession in the state dated this day 21st March, 2024.”
Responding to the award given to him by NVMA, Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu said, “I want to thank God Almighty for this award conferred on me. I also want to appreciate all those who are lovers of animals and birds created by God Almighty. As humans, we cannot survive without animals, birds and even some insects that are of great benefits to humanity. Despite this, it is a herculean task for many to love animals and birds not to talk of going an extra mile to rear them.
“It takes extra care and affection to love and nurture animals and birds and anyone found doing this ought to be celebrated greatly. I am a lover of both and that is why I do respect and appreciate veterinary doctors whose work it is to professionally take care of these creatures, a task which made them to sojourn the four walls of the ivory tower just to learn the intricacies involved in attending to sick animals and birds. We all know that animals are hard to treat as they cannot talk or explain what type of ailment is wrong with them.” He said.
Speaking further, the Director General, Government House Administration, Lokoja appreciated the body of NVMA for taking good care of the animals and birds within the Government House community. He also encouraged them to try and have more medical equipment to help them in treating animals and birds anytime they are sick. He recalled how he had to take one of his dogs for scanning in Abuja when one of its legs was ran over by a car as the scanning equipment was not readily available within the domain where they work.
The Assistant Secretary General of NVMA, Dr. Ummuhani Oyiza Obansa thanked the Director General, Government House Administration, Lokoja for his unwavering love towards the association which has given them more confidence for them to do their work without any reason to fidget. She also appealed to him to help the body in pushing for a bus from the government as she said the availability of such mobility will aid the association in the process of surveillance for the animals placed under their care. More to the request she made was the plea for Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu to please consider the need for NVMA to have an office within the Government House.
Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu assured them that their requests will gradually be looked into as he will love the body to function well by making available the much needed facilities they have tabled before him for the animals and the birds to be well taken care of just the way human beings are looked after when they fall sick.
The Secretary General of NVMA, Dr. Musa Gomina and Dr. Majeed who is also a member of the body were also on ground as the award of Veterinary Ambassador, Kogi State was conferred on Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu.
Picture Credits: Josh D Vibe (Official Photographer of the Director General, Government House Administration, Lokoja).