25/04/2026
๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ 2026!!!
Esteemed Colleagues,
โ๐พAs we mark World Veterinary Day today, April 25, 2026 being the last Saturday in April, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) joins the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and other veterinarians globally to affirm a fundamental truth through the theme: *"Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health".*
๐This yearโs theme is both a responsibility and call to action.
From farm to fork, from laboratory to legislation, the veterinary profession underpins the safety, security, and sustainability of food systems while standing as the first line of defense against zoonotic disease threats.
โ๏ธIn an interconnected world defined by climate pressures, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious diseases, the line between animal health, human health, and environmental health has faded.
๐ฏThis theme challenges every Veterinarian, paraprofessional, and public health collaborator to rededicate ourselves to three major imperatives:
1. *Demonstrate Our Value with Data*: We must move beyond anecdote. ๐ธ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
โ๐พ Document the carcasses we saved from condemnation.
โ๐พPublish the outbreaks we contained.
โ๐พQuantify the economic impact of our vaccination programs.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข, ๐๐ ๐๐ *๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข*.
2. *Collaborate, Coordinate, Communicate*: Food and health security cannot be siloed. ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ผ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ช๐ ๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐. Veterinarians must be embedded in One Health teams, State/National EOCs, and national policy dialogues. Our power is collective.
3. *Lead with Integrity and Innovation*:
๐๐พWe must adopt *ethical use* of modern tools such as, digital disease reporting, portable diagnostics, genomic epidemiology, telemedicine for rural extension.
๐๐พ We must combat quackery and champion rational drug use.
๐๐พ We should mentor the next generation to see veterinary medicine as both a public good and a noble enterprise.
๐ฏOn this day, NVMA reiterates the call for:-
๐๐พFull implementation of the National Veterinary Policy
๐๐พAdequate staffing of Veterinary Departments at State and LGA levels
๐๐พSustainable financing for routine vaccination, abattoir rehabilitation, and AMR surveillance
๐จ๐พโโ๏ธTo every veterinarian in the clinic, on the farm, in the lab, at the abattoir, on the field, and in academia;*You are a guardian.* Your daily work, often unseen/unappreciated, is what makes food safe, communities healthy, and nations secure.
โ๏ธLet today's WVD be more than a commemoration. Let it be a recommitment to excellence, to One Health, and to the people and animals we serve.
*Let's Grow Together!!!*๐ซ
*Signed*โ๐พ
*Dr. Moses Arokoyo*
*President*
*Announcer*
*Dr Simiat Adeogun*
*National Publicity Secretary*
*Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association*
