In a show of appreciation and recognition, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, NAPharm honored the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. [Mrs] Chinedum Peace Babalola and the Director General of National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC for being outstanding pharmacists and congratulate them on their recent appointments as the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University and DG NAFDAC respectively.

The event which was held yesterday at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos had in attendance people from all walks of life who converged to celebrate the achievers in the field of pharmacy in an event which could be described as highly colorful.

In his remarks, the President of NAPharm and a former Minister of Health of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Pharmacist [Prince] Julius Adelusi Adeluyi eulogized the rare virtues possessed by Prof. Babalola and Prof. Adeyeye.

‘';Prof. Chinedum Babalola has had a distinguished career as a drug development expert, researcher, teacher and a mentor to undergraduates and young pharmacists as well as administrator at the University of Ibadan. We have no doubt, whatsoever, that her tour of duty at Chrisland University will be the most successful. The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is an unrepentant and unabashed promoter of excellence. We commend our two colleagues on their appointments and exhort them to spare no effort in excelling at their new roles,’’ he said.

Prof. Babalola in her remarks as an honoree, appreciated the Almighty God for giving her the rare opportunity to thrive in life. The Vice Chancellor also expressed her sincere appreciation to her parents for the role they played in her upbringing and education.

The erudite Professor appreciated her husband, Venerable Collins Olufemi Babalola, Vicar/Archdeacon St. Stephen';;;;s Anglican Church for the supportive role he played in ensuring that she becomes whom she is today.

Prof Chinedum Peace Babalola and her husband

Prof. Babalola also thanked the organizer of the event for counting her worthy to be honored even as she noted that being a fellow of the academy goes beyond her own understanding and she had never prepared for such when they bestowed it on her. She promised never to disappoint the trust and confidence reposed in her by the academy.

In her words, '; I can never forget this academy. I was even shocked to receive the award of fellowship in this academy. I don';t know what they saw in me to make them select me but I thank you very much under the able leadership of our president. Finally, I thank the man behind me. God has used him to make me what I am today. He gave me hundred percent support and that';;;;s Venerable Collins Olufemi Babalola. That is the celebrant of today. Please thank him for encouraging me.';

Curtailing drug abuse in Nigeria is everybody'; responsibility - DG NAFDAC

The Director General of the National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye has called on all stakeholders and major key players to join the campaign against drug abuse in Nigeria noting that it is a collective responsibility which must not be left alone for NAFDAC to handle.

Prof Mojisola Adeyeye and her husband

The DG NAFDAC made this statement while fielding questions from journalists at the award ceremony organized by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, NAPharm in Lagos. Prof. Mojisola who was an honoree at the event stated that, part of curtailing drug abuse is to make sure that illicit drugs do not get into the country and that is exactly what NAFDAC is doing despite some barriers experienced by the agency.

According to the DG, there are many containers of illegal drugs that have been intercepted. She explained that, the community needs to be more proactive in the campaign against drug abuse and intake of illicit drugs due to the negative implications such act poses to the health of the individual and the grave danger it also poses to the collective existence of Nigeria as a country.

Prof. Mojisola therefore called on the communities, churches and mosques to propagate deeper and wider campaign against the use of illicit drugs just as she promised that NAFDAC would continue to discharge her duties and responsibilities diligently.

';;;;';;;;An individual who use illegal drugs will not be ok, you will never be the same unless you pass through rehabilitation and anybody whose brain is not working well cannot function, cannot contribute to our economy, cannot be a good citizen of Nigeria. That is why we need to put an end to illegal drugs. Communities have to do that, churches have to do that. We have mega churches that should be preaching against illegal drugs because we listen to our pastors or Imams in the mosques.';

Prof. Mojisola who noted that the mandate of NAFDAC is to make drugs safer, prevent falsified medicine, fake medicines, to make sure that narcotics don';;;;t get to our children as well as making our foods and water safe, said that, so many people are in the hospital probably as a result of the food they took or wrong medicine.

The DG NAFDAC was honored by NAPharm for being a distinguished pharmacist and also congratulate her on her appointment as the Director General of NAFDAC.

The event which featured musical performance and cultural display, witnessed the presence of Senator Shola Adeyeye, the senate whip, Major General Samson Adewumi, representatives of Chrisland University, management team and host of other dignitaries.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the awards to the honorees, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola and Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye.

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