The Association of Private Veterinary Medical Practitioners (APVMP), Oyo State Chapter, held its End-of-the-Year Get-Together, Handing-Over Ceremony, Dinner and Award Night on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, where Florence Olubukola Olayemi officially took over as President, promising a stronger professional voice, deeper collaboration, and renewed unity among private veterinary practitioners in the state.
The ceremony, held at the Western Hall, Oyo State Secretariat, brought together veterinary doctors, regulators, partners and stakeholders to celebrate the year’s achievements while marking a significant leadership transition within the association.
In her maiden presidential address, Dr. Olayemi said: “Tonight, we gather not merely to dine but to breathe together, to pause in the gentle glow of fellowship and remember why we chose this calling that holds both life and tenderness in its hands.”
She paid tribute to the commitment and resilience of private veterinarians across Oyo State, noting that their daily work carries both emotional weight and professional courage.
“Every day, we step into farms, clinics, homes, and communities carrying knowledge, compassion, and the quiet courage that defines true service.
“Veterinary medicine is more than a profession; it is a promise, a promise to protect life in all its fragile forms.” she said.
Olayemi spoke about the challenges practitioners face, from establishing clinics to navigating emergencies and unpredictable cases.
“We build our clinics from the ground up. We navigate markets, clients, long nights and the weight of responsibility that only those who have held a dying animal in their hands can truly understand,” she said.
However, she emphasized the collective strength of the profession: “But we stand. We keep standing. And tonight, we honour that strength.”
She promised continuity, growth, and renewed visibility for the association.
“As an association, we have opened doors that once felt locked. We have spoken with one voice where silence used to live.
“We will continue with deeper collaboration, stronger advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.” she declared.
The outgoing president, Dr. Awoyele Adebayo Adedamola, delivered his stewardship report and used the moment to highlight the intentional reforms of his administration.
He described the last two years as “a period of growth, rebuilding and strengthening our professional identity as private veterinarians in Oyo State.”
Speaking on capacity building, he stated, “We prioritised free training for our members because a skilled veterinarian is a confident veterinarian. We invested in disease surveillance training and ecosystem-focused programmes to ensure our members were not just practitioners but protectors of public health.”
Discussing the introduction of technology and the launch of the association’s new digital platform, he added,
“One of the achievements I am most proud of is the creation of our new website, ‘Find A Vet’. It is the first of its kind in our branch, designed to help residents easily locate verified veterinary practitioners and reduce quackery.”
Dr. Awoyele also emphasised the association’s commitment to sanitising the profession.
“We worked with authorities to close down unregistered veterinary facilities across the state because our profession must not be compromised. The safety of animals and the confidence of the public depend on it,” he said.
He also noted that,
“In 24 months, we held 22 general meetings, each one aimed at improving knowledge, professionalism and unity among our members.”
He highlighted APVMP’s active participation in the Antimicrobial Resistance Week, noting that
“our involvement shows that private veterinarians in Oyo State are part of global conversations on animal and public health.”
“For the first time in our history, we completed the corporate registration of private veterinary practitioners in Oyo State. This step gives our members structure, legitimacy and a stronger collective voice.”
The event also featured the presentation of awards to outstanding members and partners who contributed significantly to the growth and integrity of veterinary practice in the state.
