The Oyo State gubernatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, has commended the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo State Branch, for its commitment to public health education and disease prevention, pledging continued support for community-based health initiatives across the state.
Adekanmbi made the commendation during the official kickoff of the 2026 World Pharmacists Day celebration and Awards Night in Ibadan, where he was represented by the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North-East Local Government, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo.
The week-long celebration, organised by the PSN Oyo State Branch, commenced with a public health awareness walk focused on promoting wellness, preventive healthcare and community medicine education.
The awareness campaign also highlighted osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition that commonly affects older adults, with participants sensitising residents on early detection, management and prevention of complications associated with the condition.
Speaking with CEOAFRICA, Akintayo explained that the major objective of the awareness walk was to educate members of the public on osteoarthritis and encourage people, particularly those approaching 40 and above, to pay greater attention to joint health.
According to him, the campaign provided an important platform for pharmacists and other health professionals to take preventive healthcare education directly to the people.
As part of the outreach, participants distributed copies of a medical guide titled “Osteoarthritis: A Brief Guide for Patients – Joint Pain,” co-developed by Keele University, United Kingdom, and WAFERS under the Joint Implementation of Guidelines for Osteoarthritis in West Africa (JIGSAW-A) initiative.
The educational material highlights the role of accredited community pharmacies in providing early assessments for joint pain, practical self-management guidance and support for people living with chronic pain.
Speaking on behalf of Adekanmbi, Akintayo praised the PSN leadership for sustaining public health advocacy and providing communities with practical information on disease prevention, arthritis management and general wellness.
“We have learned a lot, and this outreach is deeply educational and impactful,” Akintayo said. “We remain fully supportive of this great work. Whenever you host programs like this, you can always count on our local support.”
The council chairman also highlighted some grassroots healthcare initiatives in Ibadan North-East, including the establishment of a dedicated committee for retirees and pensioners to facilitate regular free medical check-ups and access to essential drugs.
He said the local administration was also committed to making primary healthcare centres fully operational, adding that health-related matters had continued to receive priority attention in the council's governance process.
Akintayo further noted that Adekanmbi's background as a technocrat and former public financial manager had provided him with considerable insight into the effective allocation of public resources, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.
He explained that Adekanmbi's healthcare blueprint considers medical infrastructure not merely as an expenditure but as a strategic investment capable of improving human capital and strengthening the state's socio-economic development.
According to him, the APM platform plans to strengthen primary healthcare delivery by improving emergency response capabilities, expanding social health insurance coverage for informal workers and collaborating with local pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure consistent access to affordable essential medicines.
“What we have come to see today is an eye-opener. The dedication of the PSN leadership has taken us to this level. Whether in terms of health advocacy or providing for the medical needs of the nation, this is something we should all be proud of,” Akintayo said.
He assured the PSN of continued collaboration and support for initiatives aimed at improving public health and creating an enabling environment for community-based healthcare programmes.
Also speaking at the event, the Guest Speaker, Mr. John Alamu, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CapitalSage Holdings and Johnvents Group, stressed the importance of linking corporate social responsibility with sustainable public health development.
Alamu said sustainable corporate vision must go beyond commercial expansion to include initiatives that contribute meaningfully to societal well-being.
“Our objective has never been simply to build the largest footprint in Africa. It has always been to build one of the world’s best healthcare frameworks, delivering quality interventions that improve public health, protect the environment and position Nigeria as a leading health and innovation leader,” he said.
The World Pharmacists Day celebration, which runs from Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 27, 2026, will feature a series of activities focused on pharmacy practice, public health education and professional development, culminating in a grand Awards Night.
Expected dignitaries include the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, as Special Guest of Honour, alongside the First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde.
The Chairman of the Occasion is Engr. (Chief) O. O. Oyetade, FNSE, FNIHTE, while the PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, FPSN, FNAPharm, is the Chief Host. The PSN Oyo State Branch Chairman, Pharm. (Col.) Victor Segun Ajanaku (rtd.), FPSN, FCAI, is the Host, with Adebayo Olukayode Gbadamosi serving as Chairman of the 2026 Planning Committee.
The programme will also feature the Keynote Speaker, Pharm. Lekan Asuni, FPSN, FNAPharm, and Featured Speaker, Pharm. (Chief) Rahamon Jimoh Bioku, FPSN, FNAPharm, JP.
Reaffirming his commitment to people-centred healthcare, Adekanmbi said strengthening primary healthcare centres, expanding access to subsidised medicines and deepening collaboration with professional bodies such as the PSN would remain important components of his healthcare agenda.
He said his administration, if elected, would pursue practical measures aimed at improving access to affordable, quality healthcare while addressing critical health challenges at the grassroots level.
