Renowned pharmacist, academic, and global health leader, Pharm. Lizette Njideka Ezenekwe, has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Ugosimba’ title by the Umu Ada of Oko town, Anambra State.

The honour, which translates to “The Pride of Her People,” was formally bestowed on her during a colourful ceremony held at the Alex Ekwueme Civic Centre, Oko, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to pharmacy practice, academia, ethical leadership, and global health advocacy.

Following the conferment, Pharm. Ezenekwe expressed deep appreciation to her family, friends, colleagues, and community members who stood by her to make the occasion memorable.

“I wish to give a big shoutout to my family, friends, and everyone who came through for my Ugosimba award ceremony at Oko,” she said. “You all showed up and made it a day to remember. Thank you for rejoicing with me, supporting me, and gracing the occasion with your presence.”

She also paid special tribute to her family and close friends for their encouragement and unwavering support, describing them as the “real MVPs” for their energy and commitment to celebrating the milestone with her.

Extending her gratitude to the organisers, Pharm. Ezenekwe thanked the Umu Ada of Oko for the honour and the successful hosting of the event.

“To Umu Ada Oko, thank you for the honour and for putting up a great event. This one is for all of us,” she stated, while encouraging continued unity, support, and collective progress within the community.

Pharm. Ezenekwe, a lecturer in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, is also the Global Lead of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Her interdisciplinary expertise—spanning pharmacy, climatology, and law—has positioned her as a respected voice in global health policy and pharmaceutical governance.

Her career has earned her high-level engagements with the World Health Organization (WHO), including international policy discussions in Malaysia, as well as a prestigious leadership sponsorship by the Chinese Government in Beijing.

Beyond her global engagements, she is widely admired for her integrity, transparency, and principled leadership. During her tenure as National Publicity Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), she was a strong advocate for accountability, ethical practice, and reforms in pharmaceutical education and professional standards.

Despite her international footprint, Pharm. Ezenekwe has remained deeply connected to Nigeria’s healthcare development, consistently using her platform to advocate policies and practices that strengthen local institutions and improve community health outcomes.

The Ugosimba title not only celebrates her remarkable achievements but also serves as a source of inspiration to young women aspiring to excel in science, healthcare, and leadership—proving that global excellence can coexist with strong community roots.

She concluded her appreciation message with a call for unity and mutual support, saying: “Let’s keep showing up, keep shining, and keep supporting each other.”