14/10/2025
Handover Speech by Rt. Comr. Iliya Benoni Faruk
President, Association of Veterinary Medical Students (AVMS)
Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi
Monday, October 13, 2025
The Vice-Chancellor, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, faculty and university staff, Patrons and Matrons, dedicated executive council members, committee chairpersons and their members, my cherished colleagues, the Speranza Surgeons of 2025, incoming President Rt. Comr. Edwin Divine Anyebe, veterinary medical students, ladies, and gentlemen, good day to you all.
Today, as I stand before you, my heart swells with gratitude, with pride, and with a bittersweet sense of fulfillment.
It is with profound honor and a deep sense of responsibility that I deliver this handover speech, marking the end of my tenure as President of the Association of Veterinary Medical Students (AVMS) at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. This moment is not merely a transition of leadership but a celebration of our collective journey, a journey rooted in resilience, unity, and a commitment to veterinary education and the welfare of our members.
As I reflect on my time in office, I am reminded of the vibrant spirit of AVMS, a college that thrives on passion, collaboration, and the shared vision of shaping the future for veterinary medicine. Hailing from Bauchi State, I carried the pride of my heritage into this role, but it was your trust, dedication, and relentless support that transformed our vision into reality.
Together, we have etched milestones that will forever define the legacy of this administration.
Let me take a moment to highlight some of the landmark achievements we accomplished together:
1. Classroom Renovation: We have to the best of our ability, transformed our learning spaces, all students from 200-400 levels now have a learning environment, a situation which hasn’t been so in the past few years.
2. Prof. J.S. Rabo Park Renovation: We revitalized this iconic space, through the sponsorship from our father, Prof. JS Rabo (Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State) making it a a better hub for relaxation, interaction, and pride for our college.
3. College Sports Jersey Production: We unified our identity on the field by producing high-quality sports jerseys, fostering team spirit and showcasing AVMS’s vibrancy during sporting events, through our partners, VetKonnect and Merchy.Ng
AVMS is forever grateful.
4. AVMS 2025 Constitution: We amended our Constitution, a project which has not been concluded despite several attempts by previous administrations, since the change of university name from Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi to Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, a guiding framework that will steer the association toward transparency, accountability, and progress for years to come.
5. Proposal for Resit Exams and Semester Extension: We championed the welfare of our students by advocating for resit exams for 400L and 500L students to alleviate the burden of repeating an entire year, and we proposed extending the semester duration to accommodate our rigorous veterinary curriculum. These proposals, now awaiting official approval, stand as a testament to our commitment to academic fairness and student success, it is not done yet, but we are almost there.
But these achievements were not the work of one individual but the result of collective efforts, shared vision, and unrelenting dedication.
From the classrooms to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Annex, to the fields of play, we have left an indelible mark on this institution.
It’s true, no administration succeeds in isolation, and ours was no exception. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the AVMS Executive Council 2024/2025, whose tireless efforts turned ideas into reality.
To the various committees, your creativity, diligence, and sacrifice breathed life into our projects.
To the College staff, particularly those in the College of Veterinary Medicine, your guidance and expertise has really shaped our path.
To the university staff, including the Vice-Chancellor and the University Registrar, your support for our upcoming National Convention in Jos, has been invaluable.
A special thank you goes to our esteemed Patrons and Matron, whose wisdom and encouragement lit our way.
To my colleagues and partners, your collaboration and dedication to humanity made every challenge surmountable.
To the Speranza Surgeons of 2025, the final-year veterinary students who have been at the heartbeat of AVMS for the past six years: your commitment through dues, services, and loyalty has been the backbone of this association.
Today, as I usher you out of AVMS, I do so with immense pride. You have not only excelled academically but have also set a standard of resilience and unity that will inspire generations. Go and make us proud veterinarians who heal, lead, and transform.
Furthermore, I’ll like to charge to the Incoming President, my successor, Rt. Comr. Edwin Divine Anyebe that leadership is not a crown to wear but a mantle of service to bear.
As you take the helm of AVMS, I charge you to place the interests of the association above all else. Protect its values, champion the welfare of its members, and build on the foundation we have laid. Listen to the voices of your colleagues, collaborate with college and university leadership, and lead with integrity, courage, and vision. The road ahead may have challenges,so many of which we have faced as an administration but with the support of this vibrant students, you will steer AVMS to even greater heights, which is my prayers for you.
As my tenure draws to a close, I hereby dissolve all committees, appointees, and the Executive Council, with the exception of the Convention Committee 2025. For the purpose of the National Convention in Jos, Plateau State, scheduled for October 22, 2025, the Convention Committee will continue its activities until the final day of the convention on October 26, 2025, after which it will be automatically dissolved following a successful tenure.
In conclusion, serving as your President has been the greatest honor of my life. The memories we’ve created, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the victories we’ve celebrated will forever remain etched in my heart. As I hand over the baton, I am filled with hope for the future of AVMS, a future that is bold, innovative, and unstoppable.
Let us continue to work together, not just as veterinary students, but as a family united by a shared passion for healing animals and uplifting humanity.
Thank you, and may AVMS continue to soar as we shape a “Fur-midable Future” together.
God bless AVMS,
God bless the College Of Veterinary Medicine
God bless Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University,
God bless Benue state
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Comr. Iliya Benoni Faruk
Outgoing President, AVMS JOSTUM.
October 13, 2025