The Association of Veterinary Medical Students (AVMS) has called for innovative thinking and proactive solutions to address challenges in Nigeria’s livestock industry.
This was stated during the 2024 week of the association, where members gathered to explore new perspectives and ideas.
Led by Comrade Zaccheaus Olayiwola, the AVMS-UI President, the association hosted an academic symposium aimed at stimulating insightful discussions and fostering a culture of innovation among its members.
The highlight of the symposium was a lecture delivered by Mrs. Abidemi Olukole, a Chartered Professional Accountant and economist from Care, Respect, and Compassion (CRC), Scotland, United Kingdom.
Her address, titled “Thinking Outside the Box: An Economist’s Approach,” resonated deeply with the attending students, sparking a renewed enthusiasm for creative problem-solving within the veterinary field.
Mrs Olukole’s message emphasised the importance of integrating economic perspectives into veterinary training, urging students to identify opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures and income generation within the industry.
Drawing on her expertise, Mrs Olukole challenged students to adopt an economist’s mindset, encouraging them to explore innovative solutions to longstanding issues in the livestock sector.
She highlighted the economic inefficiencies prevalent in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, such as preventable waste like the slaughter of pregnant cattle.
Mrs Olukole proposed entrepreneurial solutions, suggesting that purchasing pregnant cows could not only prevent waste but also create opportunities for profitable cattle-rearing businesses.
Her thought-provoking lecture inspired attendees to embrace a proactive approach to problem-solving, viewing challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth.
She emphasised the importance of students harnessing their potential and resources to create opportunities, stating: “Think within yourselves… identify your strengths, and build on them to create a successful future.”
Mrs Olukole stressed that veterinarians should adopt an economist’s mindset, finding ways to generate income from problems others might overlook, stating, “Veterinarians should adopt an economist’s mindset, finding ways to generate income from problems others might overlook.”
Additionally, she highlighted the transformative power of innovative thinking, drawing parallels to the biblical story of the prodigal son’s journey to prosperity, stating: “Prodigality can be converted into prosperity by thinking outside the box like the Biblical prodigal son did when he came to his senses.”
The symposium concluded on a high note, with attendees motivated to harness their potential and explore untapped opportunities as future veterinarians.
Delivering a goodwill message at the event, Mr Adesina Ramoni, the head of the Technical Unit, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, echoed the importance of acquiring skills and taking classroom learning seriously.
He shared personal experiences, highlighting how skills acquired over the years have become valuable sources of livelihood for him.
Mr. Ramoni reiterated that his role as a laboratory technologist has always been auxiliary to that of academic staff in the training of veterinary undergraduates.
He explained that he has, over the years, mastered the procedures involved in the preparation of animals for gross anatomy practical through the application of the embalming technique, a skill that has distinguished him among his peers.
In response, the students gave Mr Ramoni a loud ovation for his exceptional skills in veterinary anatomy, which they had enjoyed over the years as students during their preclinical training.
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