MOUAU VC Tasks 48 New Veterinary Doctors on Food Safety and Public Health

The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has charged 48 newly inducted veterinary doctors to prioritize professional ethics, food safety, and the protection of public health in their medical practice.

Speaking at the induction and oath-taking ceremony for the newest cohort of veterinarians, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the critical role the profession plays in the "One Health" global agenda, which links animal health to human well-being.

The VC highlighted that veterinarians are the first line of defense in ensuring that animal-source foods—such as meat, milk, and eggs—are safe for human consumption and free from zoonotic diseases.

With the rise of emerging infectious diseases, the inductees were urged to be vigilant in monitoring and controlling diseases that can jump from animals to humans.

The university leadership warned the new doctors to uphold the highest standards of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), stressing that any form of professional negligence could have dire consequences for the nation's health and economy.

The VCN representatives at the event officially administered the oath, welcoming the new doctors into the professional fold and reminding them of their responsibility to society and the animal kingdom.