At the Helm: Mesioye's Journey as AVMS President

 

EAGLE'S EYE: Good day Mr. President, can you share a brief introduction about youself, perhaps your year of study and maybe one thing that sparked your initial intrest in Veterinary medicine?

MESIOYE: My name is Mesioye Abdul-Quadri, 600 level student of the College of Veterinary Medicine. All my life I wanted to be a farmer, due to the grades I produced, a friend of my dad induldged me to do something a little more professional and tougher than Agriculture, that was why I changed to Veterinary medicine, surprisingly I never had an interest in any Medical field.

EAGLE'S EYE: When you first stepped into the role of President, what were the top one or two things you really wanted to achieve for AVMS? Looking back now on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being fully achieved), how would you rate your success with each of these goals. What were key factors that helped or hindered your progress?

MESIOYE: The topmost thing I when I entered as President elect was to increase the level of participation of AVMSites in various activities organized. I have been an executive twice and I have observed that members don’t participate in the things we do. Secondly, I tried to improve the communication between the college and students alike. Judging on a scale of 1-5,I will give myself a 3.5. Key factors? I think AVMSites love positive reinforcement and incentives. A major hinderance that affected us was the schedule of our members, they love to read! It really did affected us.

EAGLE'S EYE: Thinking about your time as President, what was that one moment or achievement that makes you feel most proud? Paint us a picture of that moment – what happened? Who was involved? And why did it resonate so deeply with you?

MESIOYE:  As a President, that moment was the emergency congress we had, we recorded over 200 students! Students were clamoring due to the hike in prices of logbooks, I reached out the Dean in the early hours of the morning and met with relevant stakeholders. Students came out en masse! Even neglecting their break for over an hour. Our symposium came and the same thing happened, the turn out was alarming! I was happy because it revealed I was getting fruitful with the goals I had, it was a really memorable moment . An achievement? It isn’t here yet, but probably before the end of the week. The editorial board should watch out. 

EAGLE'S EYE: Every leadership journey has its bumps. Can you recall a specific challenge you faced as President? Walk us through that situation- what was the hurdle? What steps did you take to address it? And what is the biggest takeaway from that experience you carry with you?

MESIOYE: Before the administration commenced, I planned having a dog show since August/July 2024. I created a team for that and tasks were not completed for months. I began to doubt myself up until January this year I had to discuss with some people such as Meshack Nwankwo (One time SUG President), Adeleye Habeeb (One time FUNIEC chairman), Adeniji Obasanjo, AKinbowale Olanrewaju (Dog show Committee chairperson). We resolved if we wanted to pull this off we could. There and then we started taking things more serious. January to March was a very short period of time to plan and it became a real hurdle to surpass. The biggest takeaway I learnt was that- if you are committed to something anything is possible.

EAGLE'S EYE: A strong team and an engaged student body are crucial. Can you share a specific strategy or initiative you implemented to encourage teamwork within the executive council or to get more students involved in AVMS activities? What kind of impact did you see? 

MESIOYE: Having served before I have learnt a few things and seen some mistakes and things that could make it better. I drafted out a plan and the way it should be done. For example, the sport secretary must complete the AVMS league before AVMS week. Thanks to God for the good team members I had.

EAGLE'S EYE:  Hindsight is very crucial. If you could go back to the beginning of your presidency with the knowledge you have now, is there one decision you might reconsider or one approach you might tweak? What is the key insight that informs that reflection?

MESIOYE:  Probably the question is meeting me on the spot, I don’t think there is anything I wish I did better or I could have changed.

EAGLE'S EYE:  Being a student and leading a major association like AVMS simultaneously is no small feat! Can you give us a peek into how you managed to juggle your Presidential duties with the demands of your studies? What were some of your go-to strategies for staying on top of everything?

MESIOYE: I am still trying to juggle academics with my duties. To be honest I couldn’t manage, my studies had to suffer for the association and vice-versa. Strategies? This majorly involved the dean and my project supervisor. Who helped me with a lot and also having a good relationship with my lecturers

EAGLE'S EYE: What is your perspective on the current state of AVMS FUNAAB? What are its strengths and areas for potential growth? 

MESIOYE: I honestly feel we have just reached another stepping stone. In terms of strength, I think we have a higher number of students. Areas of potential growth?  We have not been winning scholarships. It ia an aspect we need to work on.

EAGLE'S EYE: What role do you believe AVMS plays in the overall experience and development of Veterinary Medicine at large and other relevant stakeholders during your term.

MESIOYE: AVMS plays a big role in development of Veterinary medical Students. We facilitated students’ trip to University of Ibadan, Oyo State to meet with our fellow colleagues. This helps a lot in our profession to foster relationships, AVMS also helps in terms of the welfarism of its members. The College wont give you any social thing to think about. AVMS has been the bridge with networking and all.

EAGLE'S EYE: How did you collaborate with the College of Veterinary Medicine at large and other relevant stakeholders during your term?

MESIOYE:  As soon as I emerged as President-elect, I started meeting with lecturers and kept a good relationship with them. It is very paramount to note that Dean is a go-to person, he really helped a lot including the staff advisors and patron.

EAGLE'S EYE: What initiatives did you undertake to enhance the professional development and networking opportunities of AVMSites?

MESIOYE: Getting our members more exposed such as the field trip to UI. We also worked hand in gloves with IVSA (International Veterinary Students Association), we also tried to create a bond between students of the lower class and higher ones- although we were faced with challenges in this aspect.

EAGLE'S EYE: What advice would you give to the incoming president of AVMS? What are some key priorities they should consider?

MESIOYE: He has emerged as President-elect and he should start visiting lecturers in ernest and create a good relationship. They actually love to be carried along and he should start raising funds. Money actually helps a lot.

EAGLE'S EYE: What do you hope will be the future direction and focus of AVMS FUNAAB?

MESIOYE: The future, this coming tenure should maintain the standard and improve on somethings and in the next few years AVMS should start producing students that win international scholarships.

EAGLE'S EYE: How can AVMS better prepare its members for the challenges and opportunities within the Veterinary profession in Nigeria?

MESIOYE: Firstly, we need to start attending conventions. Secondly, we should have guest speakers from various sectors of the profession. Also we should be going on educational trips.

EAGLE'S EYE: In your opinion, what are some emerging issues or trends in the Veterinary field that AVMS should be addressing?

MESIOYE: There is a low turn-out of Veterinary graduates applying for jobs in the clinical sector. They are trying to make money and not practice. I think AVMS can help students ignite their passion for Veterinary practice, currently we have about 14,000 veterinarians in Nigeria.

EAGLE'S EYE: How do you see your experience as President shaping your future career and involvement in the Veterinary community? Personally.

MESIOYE: Been the president has impacted me in many ways, leadership skills, speaking and writing skills, persuasion skills. Although I couldn’t manage my time appropriately. Overall, it has made a lot better.

EAGLE'S EYE: What are some of the most valuable relationships you built during your time as President?

MESIOYE: I really made valuable relationships, clinic owners, farm owners I think will be very useful in the coming future. At some point I met with the NCC chairman. Prof. Fadipe (Former registrar VCN), officials close to the Ogun State Government.

EAGLE'S EYE: What are you most proud of in terms of the legacy you are leaving behind for AVMS?

MESIOYE: I wouldn’t say I have left a legacy. I would say we tried to do things in an optimal way to the best of our abilities. In the coming years, if we have actually left a legacy it would resonate and the stories would be told.

EAGLE'S EYE: Do you have any final thoughts or reflections you would like to share about your experience?

MESIOYE: Well, all in all leading AVMS would actually cause you to lose at some point. My regret was that before I started engaging in AVMS activities I has very good grades (4.78 CGPA), after serving in different levels, it reduced because of the time I dedicated. I believe in anything you’re doing you should be ready to sacrifice. Service to AVMS requires sacrifices and I know for a fact, I have gained a lot. Thank you!

By: AKANJI IYANUOLUWA

       DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF