Nigeria keeps gaining relevance across the world with the barrage of unmatchable standards of impactful events setting the place for the rest of the world. The 2nd International Scientific Conference, Eko Akete 2024, of the Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (CPAN), besides being a better version of the first, yet again, puts Nigeria on the global stage of having an improved pharmaceutical industry that beats international standards.

Held between Tuesday, April 23 and Saturday, April 27, 2024, at NECA House Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, the conference started with the participants walking their talk as they went on a health walk along with the Provost, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Prof. M. N. Femi-Oyewo, and the Chairperson, Pharmacy Council of Niger Republic. The theme “Global Trends in Patient Care: Clinical Pharmacy as a Gateway to Sustainable Healthcare” sets a pace for advanced practice and provision of healthcare services beyond what currently holds in the country by upping the professional practice of practitioners in the industry.

The beautiful scenery of the opening ceremony matched the undaunted dedication of CPAN to see the world, particularly Nigeria, as a better place in the areas of providing quality healthcare through clinical pharmacy. As company presentations began the event, in their welcome addresses, the State Coordinator of Lagos State, Dr. Arinola Joda; the CPAN Programmes Committee Chairman, Pharm Charles Akinsete; the ICPC Chairperson, Dr. Tricia Cookey-Gam, enthusiastically assured dignitaries and participants present of an impactful and memorable event. The Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed; the Secretary-General of West African College of Post-graduate Pharmacists (WAPCP), Prof Ibrahim Oreagba; the Chairperson, Pharmacy Council of Niger Republic; the Grand Patron of CPAN/Father of the Day, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, among others, delivered their goodwill messages.

In their separate addresses, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh and the Chairman of the opening event, who is the Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, represented by Head of Marketing of THE company, Mr. Friday Enahoro, lauded the organisation of the world-class conference and the association led by Dr. Joseph Madu. While Usifoh assured that the industry is changing narratives, enjoining everyone to belong to CPAN, the Chairman of the opening event declared full support for the association towards the betterment of the industry and Nigeria at large.

On his part, the National Chairman of CPAN, Dr. Joseph Madu charged his audience on the need to do more “especially in Nigeria and some other African countries, when viewed from the context of many Western countries with better health indices. All these, if done will transcend to better health outcomes for our people. There is also a need for a national policy on clinical pharmacy in Nigeria as obtainable in other countries.”

Speaking on the topic “Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Global Roles of Clinical Pharmacists in Focus,” the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi harped on the need for collaboration between related health organisations and agencies, as well as the private and public sector. She added that working together is the way to achieve the primary goals of the scientific conference. In her Keynote Address, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in The Americas (NAPPSA) and the President of the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, also stressed that that “pharmacists need to have innovative solutions, enhanced communication and collaboration, and capacity building.”

After the plenary session on “Mentorship in Clinical Pharmacy Practice: The Way Forward” chaired by Distinguished Prof. Cecilia Igwilo, appreciation awards were given to Dr. Pounds, Prof. Igwilo and Prof. Femi Oyewo for their contributions at the conference. Also in attendance at the opening ceremony are, the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola; the Royal Father of the Day, the Onilu of Alausa land, HRH Toyin Badmus, among others.

The hybrid international conference proceeded with hands-on training sessions which included Basics of X-rays, ECG, and ultrasound scan readings interpretation; Basic Life Support, First Aid Skills, and vaccination or parental drugs administration handled by respective experts. The trainings were preceded by addresses by the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Evbade Arighe-Osula; the Guest of Honour, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo; Chairman, Faculty of Clinical Pharmacy in the WAPCP, Prof. N. N. Wannang; Lead Resource Person, Dr. Femi Ogunremi and Keynote Address by the Founder/Managing Director of JNC International, Pharm Clare Omatseye on the topic “The Value of Clinical Skills Training in Pharmacy Practice.”

Clouded by the beautiful ambience, a cultural/gala night of the Eko Akete 2024 event chaired by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Alpha Pharmacy Ltd, Sir Ike Onyechi, capped the third day with an amazing cultural performance of the popular Eyo (masquerade) dance of Lagos, among other entertaining activities.

Scientific sessions of states and specialty group dynamics, abstracts and poster presentations, company presentations, and lecture presentations on clinical documentation were held before the Annual General Meeting on the fourth day of the conference. The day ended with a dinner/award night which featured conferment of awards, photographs, and dance.

Among presentations of awards for excellent abstracts presentation and branches of CPAN, special awards were given, to Pharm Brigadier General Stella Ibeh, Dr. David Babalola, Prof Bolajoko Ayinla, Pharm Olumide Akintayo. CPAN Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pharm Sir Ike Onyechi and a Grand Ambassador of CPAN award was given to Distinguished Prof Cecilia Igwilo, being the first female to receive such.