The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has pledged strong financial and institutional support for the takeoff design of the Eruwa Veterinary Field Station, as part of broader efforts to strengthen veterinary education, food security, and agricultural development.
Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin made the commitment while chairing the 55th Oath-Taking and Induction Ceremony of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduands at the University of Ibadan.
Addressing the gathering, the Speaker described the ceremony as a defining moment that marks the transition from academic training to professional responsibility, stressing that the veterinary profession remains central to national development.
He maintained that food security and public health are inseparable pillars of economic stability, positioning veterinarians as critical actors in safeguarding both.
Speaking on the Eruwa Veterinary Field Station, Ogundoyin traced its origins to 1977, when over 2,000 acres of land were made available through the intervention of the late Oba Bolanle Olaniyan and the Eleruwa-in-Council.
He described the facility as a strategic asset capable of driving practical training, research innovation, and community engagement.
The Speaker noted, however, that the full potential of the station remains largely untapped, calling for deliberate and structured collaboration among government, academia, and stakeholders to reposition it as a functional hub of excellence.
To this end, he pledged handsome support towards the takeoff design phase and backed the constitution of a technical committee to develop a clear and implementable framework for the facility’s transformation into a centre for food safety, agricultural productivity, and economic advancement.
Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin further emphasised the need to reform veterinary education to reflect real-world demands, advocating for stronger emphasis on hands-on training, agribusiness knowledge, and value-chain integration.
In their separate remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Kayode Adebowale, and the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, B. O. Olugasa, commended the graduands and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and relevance in veterinary training.
Other stakeholders at the ceremony echoed the need for sustained investment and stronger partnerships to advance veterinary practice and enhance national food systems.
In recognition of his contributions and consistent support for the faculty, Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin was presented with the Outstanding Leadership and Supporter of the Faculty Award.
The ceremony concluded with the formal induction of the graduands, who were charged to uphold the ethics of the profession and contribute meaningfully to national development.
