The 6th Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) held on Wednesday, 26th June 2024 at ASUU Hall, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, was a gathering of intellectual pageantry, class and style.
Being an annual event started in 2019, the BOF-PSN has over the years, held the Public Lecture and her Mid Year Meeting (MYM) to discuss pressing health needs in Nigeria, as it relates to pharmaceuticals, training, policy etc.
The 2024 event, themed “Access to Quality Medicines in an Unstable Environment”, was characterized by music interludes, artistic cultural performance, products presentations and goodwill messages. 
In his opening remarks, Chairman Planning Committee, Pharm Martins Igbonacho, FPSN, FCPAN, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to every attendee, urging the need to take advantage of the event for important discussions and networking opportunities.
“Let us leave here inspired, informed and ready to implement changes that will make tangible difference in the lives of those we serve,” Igbonacho said.
On his part, the Chairman of the Board, Pharm Dr. Joel E. B. Adagadzu stated his joy at the turnout of pharmacists and attendees at the event, recognising the dignitaries who honoured the invitation to grace the occasion. 
He disclosed that the guest speaker, Mr. Peter Obi was carefully selected being a friend of pharmacists, adding that his versed personality will do needful justice to the topic of the lecture, focusing on the current situation of the quality of medicines.
Speaking further, Adagadzu told the audience that governance belongs to everyone, saying that “all of us must join hands to contribute to the development of the country.”
He also said, “our mid year meetings provide fellows the opportunity to socialize and unwind and exchange pleasantries. It is an annual ritual that has impacted on fellows, and this explains why pharmacists have an impressive life expectancy that is way ahead of above the national average.”
The Chairman of the occasion, the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), CFR, mni, who also expressed his delight as being invited to chair the occasion again, said the topic of the event was aptly chosen to reflect the present circumstances in Nigeria.
Explaining recent innovations and adoption of new technologies, he said “the adoption of mobile phones which has replaced traditional means of communication. Digital technology is changing very fast such that even the cell phones we have today might become obsolete in five years.”
He therefore noted the essentiality of the topic of focus, expressing that Artificial Intelligence is now being deployed by corporate bodies, organisations etc.
While delivering the 6th Public Lecture of BOF-PSN, former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, harped on the importance of healthcare in the development of every country, citing that anywhere in the world, life expectancy which is a critical measurement of human development index (HDI) is an identifier of a developing nation.
The 2023 Presidential Candidate for the Labour Party lamented that Nigeria is still dragging its feet when compared to other countries of the world in the areas of health and life expectancy.
“Every other nation you can compare us with is doing better than we are doing on the issue of life expectancy. Health care is human right. We have signed to SDG which says healthcare is human right. Citizens of the country should have access to quality healthcare,” he said.
Highlight the problem of leadership as the root cause of the problem of access to quality medicines, Obi reiterated the need to break down the walls of criminality and self-centeredness in governance, to ensure that every citizen has access to affordable and quality healthcare.
The former Anambra governor who gave a list of some of his achievements in the health sector while in office, lamented that the only medicine people have now is prayers which according to him, can work only work effectively with proper medical attention.
“We need people who are committed, competent and have compassion on governance. We need to have a country where health is wealth,” said Obi.
After his delivery, awards were presented from the Board to the Obi of Onitsha, and the guest speaker, Mr. Peter Obi, for gracing the occasion and their significant contributions to the development of the health sector in Nigeria. 
Also, in attendance at the public lecture are, Acting Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Anambra,, Professor Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, Immediate Past VC UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, Igwe of Ogidi Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Igwe (Pharm.) Alexander Uzodinma Onyido, the Ezechuamagha of Ogidi Kingdom; Commissioner for Police, Anambra State, Obono Nnaghe Itam; Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike; Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Paulinus Onyeka; Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo; first Professor of Clinical Pharmacy in Nigeria, Prof. Nzebunwa Aguwa; past Chairmen of the Board; past Presidents of PSN, among others.
The day’s event collapsed with an evening of relaxation and entertainment for the Board of Fellows and others.