The commissioning ceremony of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) House on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, marked a historic milestone in the association's nearly five-decade journey. This momentous event, held at 1B IkeGod Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos, gathered a veritable "who's who" of the pharmaceutical industry, underscoring the importance of this landmark achievement.

Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm. Ahmed Yakassai, Former President of PSN and Chairman of the occasion; Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, MD/CEO of Alpha Pharmacy; Pharm. Cyril Odianose Usifoh, immediate past president of PSN; Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, President Emeritus of PSN; Pharm. Azubuike Okwor, past president of PSN; Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, past president of PSN and Pharm. Ken Onuegbu, National Chairman of NAIP and host of the event. The gathering also saw the presence of Prof. Lere Baale, representing the Board of Trustees Chairman, along with numerous NAIP past chairmen, and stakeholders from across the industry.

In his opening remarks, Pharm. Ken Onuegbu emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating, "This occasion is a monumental achievement in the life of our great association. After 47 long years, NAIP has acquired its first permanent property—a substantial turning point that provides a solid foundation for expanded influence and operational efficiency." Onuegbu outlined the features of the new national secretariat, highlighting its specialized library dedicated to pharmaceutical technology, a showroom for displaying research outputs from member companies, and a research center to foster collaboration between NAIP and other technical groups.

Reflecting on the path to this achievement, Onuegbu expressed fulfillment, saying, "For the first time in the history of NAIP, we are making a statement and having a property we can call our own. This was made possible through persistence, commitment, and the strength of our unity. Today, we celebrate not just a structure, but a legacy that will solidify the future of pharmacy practice in Nigeria."

The Chairman of the commissioning committee, Pharm. (Sir) Eugene Ikobi, delivered an inspiring welcome address. He stated, "Let me start with these quotes: 'Impossibility is only in the mind, not in the heart.' Nothing is impossible for a willing heart. You must not be afraid of dreams." Our current NAIP chairman has exemplified and lived out these quotes, and the outcome of his dream is what we are witnessing today." He recognized the collective effort of the commissioning committee and affirmed, "No longer will there be annual payments of rent; today, we celebrate the power of dreams and determination."

The assembly of industry leaders at the event reinforced the spirit of collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector. Pharm. Ayuba Tanko, the PSN President, congratulated NAIP, urging future leaders to aspire to elevate the association further. He noted, "The incoming national chairman should not see himself as a yardstick but rather as someone who strives to achieve even more than their predecessors."

Pharm. Cyril Usifoh, immediate past president of PSN, praised NAIP's progress, stating, "NAIP has shown excellence by proving its commitment with a permanent address. This serves as a solid foundation for the pharmacy profession."

Chairman of the occasion, Pharm. Ahmed Yakassai, echoed sentiments of unity, saying, "We arent just celebrating this building; we are celebrating our unity and purpose. This property grants us a home for exchanging ideas, networking and fostering innovation within our ranks."

Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, MD/CEO of Alpha Pharmacy, capped the series of inspiring speeches with a call to action: "Dreaming big has brought us to this moment. Lets continue to scale up in the industry, pushing beyond what we think is possible."

In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, past president of PSN, emphasized Ken's collaborative approach, stating, "Having five past presidents under one roof for this occasion speaks volumes about the kind of person Pharm. Ken Onuegbu is. He isn't aggressive; he is a goal-getter with a unique vision for the future of our profession."

Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim further lauded Onuegbu’s leadership qualities, remarking, "Ken has done exceptionally well in leaving behind a legacy of unity and accomplishment. He listens to advice and is a humble leader. I hope this marks the beginning of even greater achievements for NAIP, and I encourage other technical groups to emulate this example." He also expressed a hope to see Ken at the national level of PSN, emphasizing that "NAIP shouldn't base its leadership selection on sentiment; true progress comes from choosing leaders based on merit."

Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, Past President of PSN, noted the growth of both PSN and NAIP by sharing his personal journey: "Today, I should say I am the past president who is a member of NAIP. I came from the industrial side of the profession to become a president, which shows how PSN and NAIP are growing. A strong organization thrives when leaders build upon the successes of their predecessors, so we congratulate Ken and his executive team for taking this bold step."

Ohuabunwa continued, "NAIP has a tremendous future. By building this secretariat, they establish an institution that is transforming sustainably. This permanent home settles a major need, encouraging more business engagements and enhancing confidence, which will boost their image and appeal to both local and international businesses."

Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, MD/CEO of Alpha Pharmacy, reflected on the pressures of leadership, noting, "Ken has made history today; dreaming big pays off. Take your dream and vision to the next level, aiming for the upliftment of humanity, not just personal gain. I hope the next leader coming after him continues to build upon this foundation."

Pharm. Cyril Usifoh, past president of PSN emphasized Onuegbu's capability, stating, "Ken has done well and has shown that he's capable of leaving a lasting legacy. He listens to advice, which has been beneficial for NAIP. I hope other technical groups will emulate this for the growth of PSN, and I congratulate NAIP for this monumental milestone and achievement."

Pharm. Ahmed Yakassai, Fmr president of PSN recounted his own challenges while president, saying, "When I was the president, I challenged all the technical arms to stop being tenants and own their property. I'm happy Ken has accepted the challenge. I admonish them to view this house as a place where they will exchange ideas, launch startup businesses, and share knowledge. Ken embodies the qualities of a good leader; he is friendly, a good listener, honest, and straightforward."

Pharm. Eugene Ikobi, the commissioning committee chairman, praised Ken's dedication, stating, "Pharm. Ken is a goal-getter. Whenever he calls me, I don’t hesitate to answer him. His leadership skill has been fantastic. He has always been at the forefront, and he's leaving with a very significant legacy."

The ceremony culminated with the official commissioning of the NAIP House, performed by Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim. In a symbolic gesture, he highlighted the collective efforts that made this moment possible, emphasizing the spirit of collaboration and commitment that has characterized this journey.

As the guests gathered at the newly commissioned NAIP House, it was clear that this landmark achievement would be remembered as a turning point for the association. The property not only serves as a permanent base of operations but also represents a unified identity for the entire pharmaceutical community in Nigeria.

This historic occasion is a testament to the perseverance and vision of Pharm. Ken Onuegbu, whose leadership has successfully navigated the challenges faced by NAIP over the decades. With a firm foundation established, the association is poised to enhance its influence, foster innovation, and further solidify its crucial role in advancing pharmacy practice in Nigeria.

As NAIP embarks on this new chapter with its permanent home, the sentiments echoing throughout the commissioning ceremony reveal a shared commitment among industry stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and elevate the standards of pharmaceutical practice. Pharm. Ken Onuegbu's legacy is now firmly etched in the annals of NAIP history, and the future looks brighter than ever for the association and its members.