By Julius Peter, Abuja
Dr Helen Oputa-Chime, Deputy Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) and Interim College Secretary of the Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, has been honoured with an ambassadorial award for her commitment to professional service, hard work and contributions to humanity.
Oputa-Chime received the award from Aso APPMEN/Content Creators during the investiture of a Grand Patron and the unveiling of the Nigeria Leadership We Want Ambassadors and the 2026 conference.
The conference, themed “Vision and Purpose,” featured a sub-theme, “Practical Steps to Recover Monies Currently Outstanding or Services Not Paid For by Key Global Platforms.”
Speaking after receiving the honour, Oputa-Chime described the award as a recognition that would further strengthen her commitment to service and encourage her to contribute more to society and the development of Nigeria.
She said the recognition was an indication that her efforts were being noticed, adding that she would use the honour as motivation to intensify her activities in the service of humanity.
According to her, “This award is for commitment and hard work. I will double what I have been doing before. I will continue to do more for humanity and Nigeria.”
She stressed the importance of creating a society where people are respected and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully, regardless of their backgrounds or places of origin.
Oputa-Chime also expressed strong confidence in Nigeria’s potential, urging citizens to believe in the country and contribute to building a better future rather than abandoning the country in search of opportunities elsewhere.
She said, “I want to make things easy for everyone, irrespective of where you come from.”
The veterinary professional maintained that Nigeria remained a country with enormous potential, arguing that citizens had a responsibility to contribute to making the nation work effectively.
She said, “Nigeria is a place where things are working well. If we leave our country, who will build for us?”
According to her, although there are challenges confronting the country, there are also Nigerians with the capacity, knowledge and determination to provide solutions and contribute to national development.
She said her confidence in Nigeria was strengthened by her own educational experience, noting that all her academic degrees were obtained in the country.
Oputa-Chime explained that her educational background had equipped her to compete professionally and intellectually with people from other parts of the world.
She said she did not believe that obtaining her education in Nigeria had made her inferior to her contemporaries globally.
“I believe in this country and I believe there are people who can make things work in the country. I believe in our educational system. All my degrees are in this country. I don’t think someone will tell me I did not meet up with my mates globally,” she said.
She further illustrated her confidence in Nigeria’s educational system by recounting her experience teaching children abroad through digital platforms.
According to her, she has been able to teach her sister’s children in the United Kingdom through WhatsApp, and the children often compared her teaching methods favourably with what they experienced in their schools abroad.
She recalled the children telling her: “Our teachers don’t teach us like this over there. We enjoy your teaching, ma.”
For Oputa-Chime, such experiences demonstrate that Nigerian professionals possess knowledge and skills capable of competing favourably on the international stage when given the right environment and opportunities.
She therefore called for renewed confidence in the country, stressing that Nigerians should not give up on the nation’s ability to overcome its challenges.
She said the development of Nigeria should be viewed as a collective responsibility, requiring citizens in different professions and sectors to contribute their knowledge, expertise and resources towards national progress.
The ambassadorial recognition, she noted, would further inspire her to remain committed to professional excellence, service to humanity and initiatives aimed at making life easier for others.
She reaffirmed her willingness to continue supporting initiatives that promote human development, professional excellence, education and national advancement.
The event brought together stakeholders and personalities from different sectors for the investiture of the Grand Patron, unveiling of the Nigeria Leadership We Want Ambassadors and discussions around the 2026 conference theme of “Vision and Purpose.”
The organisers’ focus on practical solutions to outstanding financial obligations and unpaid services by key global platforms also underscored the importance of accountability, economic justice and effective engagement in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
Oputa-Chime’s recognition at the event highlights the organisers’ acknowledgement of individuals whose professional commitment and service are considered worthy of encouragement and wider public recognition.
The awardee pledged that the honour would not mark the end of her efforts but rather serve as an additional responsibility to do more for humanity and contribute to the development of Nigeria.
