2019 Convention: Kogi State Deserves An Opportunity To Host.

By Tolu Omotugba

Within the last one week, I have been inundated with calls and text messages from well-wishers, all expressing their never waning support for our ambition.

We have received huge solidarity rallies through calls and visits from numerous senior colleagues in the profession many of whom I never knew had their eyes and ears tuned to Kogi state chapter activities; taking note of and appreciating our little efforts in redeeming the image of our noble profession.

Yesterday night I was embroiled in a rather feisty discourse that questioned 'our preparedness'. Primarily, the questions revolved around the matter of 'event centers and hotel facilities' in Lokoja, and for a minute I amused myself by sending to him pictures of 8 classy hotels and the 2,000 capacity Glass House in Kogi State Government House that was recently used for one of our programs.

First, Kogi state is bordered by the states of Nassawara to the northeast; Benue to the east; Enugu, Anambra, and Delta to the south; Ondo, Ekiti, and Kwara to the west; and Niger to the north, hence, its central position on the map. This has in turn made Lokoja a stop point and hub of hotels for inter state travellers and foreign diplomats over the past decades.

There was also the question, "Do you have the support of your state government?” Wow!

Again, the Kogi state chapter of NVMA has been able to collaborate with the state government to organize 3 eventful programs just within this year; the World Veterinary Day celebration, Mass CBPP Vaccination throughout the state and recently, World Rabies Day celebration. These programs witnessed the presence of Kogi state deputy governor,  Secretary to the state government, Commissioner of Agriculture and some other key government figures.

To set the record straight, the honorable commissioner of Agriculture, Barr Kehinde Oloruntoba has expressly promised during a recent meeting, the full support of the sate  governor to make the 2019 convention an event of reference if Kogi state finally gets the hosting right. He had gone ahead to ensure that Kogi state ministry of Agriculture takes up the responsibility of transporting all members of NVMA, Kogi state chapter to participate in the Sokoto congress.

On a final note, we are a young, focused and fast growing body that needs nothing but encouragement; this is what we are passionately asking for in the upcoming general assembly tagged Sokoto 2018.
Please oblige us!


Tolu Omotugba is the NVMA Publicity Secretary, Kogi state chapter.