THURSDAY- 30th September, 2021:The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN celebrated its 40th anniversary with a triple celebratory event for Her 2021 Annual National Conference and also the transition of great leadership with the election of a new National President of the Association.
The event which spansfor 6 days, from Monday, 30th August up until Saturday, 4th September, 2021 was hosted at the Conference Hotel, Presidential Boulevard, OkeMosan in the ancient city of Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria.
The event was graced by the special guest of honour His Excellency, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, the Executive Governor of Ondo State. The opening ceremony was chaired by Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi while the former governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel Chaired the closing Banquet.
The annual conference which was themed, “Abuja Declaration: Equipping Community Pharmacists for Universal Health Coverage,” was aptly chosen to invigorate the professionalism of the community pharmacists while also sensitizing them on the appropriate use of vaccines and training them with essential lifesaving skills needed to survive after the global pandemic.
Some of the important dignitaries at the event were the FIP President, Mr Dominique Jordan, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr Hammed Adekunle Makama, Tegbosun III; Olowu of Kuta Kingdom,ACPN BOT Chairman, Dr. Uzoukwu Nelson Odikemere Uwaga, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, Director General of NAFDAC , Prof Mojesola nAdeyeye, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, Senior Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Special Duties and Union Matters, The Odole of Ile-Ife, High Chief Adebukola Adebutu Kessington CFR ably represented , Dr. (Mrs.) Dere Awosika, represented Prof. Lere Baale FSPN, Director General Tinubu Support Organization, Hon. (Alhaji) Aminu Suleiman; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos, Hon. Ayo Amodu; Prof. Hope Oghenrukevbe Eghagha; some members from the Lagos Ministry of Housing, The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who was duly represented; The Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, duly represented, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Dr. Stella Okoli OON; also represented.
The conference kicked off with a vaccination training of delegate pharmacists in Nigeria through a seven modules Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training and certification programme organised by the Emzor Group to enhance pharmacy-based vaccination delivery.
The conference kicked off with a vaccination training of delegate pharmacists in Nigeria through a seven modules Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training and certification programme organised by the Emzor Group to enhance pharmacy-based vaccination delivery.
Some of the lead facilitators were Dr. Kunle Tometi, and Pharm. Emmanuel Omehe from United States among others.
In an interview with CEOAFRICA, Dr. Kunle Tometi one of the training facilitators, emphasized the importance of equipping pharmacists with vaccination skills. He went further to add this training will help prepare pharmacists to be properly involved in the administration process in the primary healthcare. He also said that with this vaccination skill, pharmacists will be able to work hand-in-hand with primary healthcare officials to reduce the mortality rate of the 2-3 million people who die from vaccine preventable diseases. He concluded by advising the pharmacists not to relent after their trainings, but to continue improving and honing their clinical skills, so as to impact significantly in the healthcare sector.
Still speaking on the Vaccine training, Pharmacist Ojwukwu Lewis in an interview with CEOAFRICA reporters applauded the organizers of the event for their initiative, expressing that it will sensitize community pharmacists on the importance of vaccine, and would help in improving global and community health.
Other facilitators at the training like Pharm. Emmanuel Omehe, Pharm. Ayotunde Fajembola, in their interviews with CEOAFRICA also expressed great satisfaction over the training with hopes that the government legalizes the certification. Pharm. Omehe advised pharmacists to keep practicing and improving themselves especially now that there is a global pandemic.
At the opening ceremony, the National Chairman Dr Samuel Adekola in his welcome address thanked all community pharmacist for the mandate given to him and his executive to serve them and the support all through this mandate. He listed some of his achievementswhich includes:
- Introduction and institutionalization of annual budget system in the running of ACPN
- Financial support to the PSN National and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.
- Investment into PSN Mega Plaza Debenture to the tune of N5million
- Complete overhauling and building of additional two office rooms at ACPN National Secretariat on 13, Ladipo Kuku, off Allen Ikeja Lagos.
- Purchase of a brand new Toyota SUV for the Association in August, 2019
- Establishment of three legs of insurance policies for all financial members of ACPN
- Support to members in some specific crisis situations occasioned by natural disasters
- Financial supports to family of any deceased fully registered community pharmacist in a given year.
- Purchase of a good sound proof brand new 45kva generator for the National Secretariat
- Formation and registration of a Foundation for the ACPN, as the development arm of the Association with name the Trans_ generational Pharmacies Development Foundation (TGPDF) officially recognize by the ACPN National Constitution as Unity 2020
- The acquisition of ACPN land on Princess Estate, Kaura District, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Chairman of the opening ceremony in his speech, commended pharmacists for their dedication towards whatever they desire to do. Prince Julius further commended the leadership qualities of Dr Samuel Adekola , he said Pharmaist Adekola has done well, he started well and he finished very well. I congratulate him for job well-done.
The chairman congratulated ACPN for the Vaccination training and for positioning community pharmacist for quality health care delivery.in Nigeria.
Day 3 of the conference followed theme, “Strategic Roadmap to Implementing Community Pharmacists Commitment to Primary Healthcare”. In an interview with CEOAFRICA, the immediate past chairman of the ACPN, Dr. Albert Kelon Alkali appreciated the importance of the conference as it has helped facilitated the vaccination workshop, its importance in this yawning period of Covid-19 pandemic, through the several knowledge and information that have been transmitted during the conference. Dr. Alkali also ensured that all the products like OSTEOCARE and IMUNACE that were launched during the event have been certified by NAFDAC.
Another pharmacist, Pharm. Idris Bada expressed pleasure in the way the conference was organized and managed, adding that it is necessary to equip all health practitioners with necessary skills and promote the need to work together despite various ethnic differences.
There were presentations from all the pharmaceutical companies that partners with ACPN for this historic event.
Day 4 opened with a symposium with sub theme, “Strategic Road-map for Implementing Community Pharmacists Commitment to Primary Healthcare Services in Nigeria”.
Day 5 opened with talks on the sub-theme, “Legalizing Cannabis for Medicinal and Industrial Uses in Nigeria: Myths and Facts in the Eyes of Science, and National Tasks Sharing.”
Prof Chinedum Peace Babalola was the Chairman of the Plenary Session 1
Speaking on the topic of cannabis for medicinal and industrial use in the country, the Special guest of Honour Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN charged Community pharmacist to work towards legalizing, regulating of Cannabis for Medicinal and Industrial Uses in Nigeria
According to him, “it’s a raging debate in Nigeria, it has economic value and as also has its social implications. So what I think you should be doing is strike a balance. The fact that moderation, regulation in Nigeria is not easy to achieve. Already, people are smoking in all corners and cities you get to, almost across the desk. However, it will of great economic potential to Ondo state, to Nigeria, infact, even delta state. I’m in support of these, I’ll join that campaign, take my message from that angle”.
During the course of the conference, Members of the ACPN visited the Emzor Group’s Ultra-Modern Pharma Factory located at the Shagamu Interchange of the Lagos – Ibadan Expresswayin Ogun State. The Ultra-Modern Pharma Factory was toured by the ACPN National Chairman along with other delegates due to it being a World Health Organization (WHO) compliant pharmaceutical facility.
The group were taken on tour to several on-ground facilities like the injectable, capsules, drips and oral suspension for various drugs and pharmaceutical products, plants that have been constructed to comply with the WHO standards, power stations for alternative supplies, dangerous waste material disposals, glass, metal, paper, wood depots, storage, warehouses and record units among others.
Speaking about the ACPN’s visit to the Emzor Group factory, the outgoing ACPN Chairman, Dr. Samuel O. Adekola appreciates the uniqueness of the multibillion naira factory, while calling it a trailblazer in indigenous manufacturing company.
He further implores the government to support the activities of factories like the Emzor group, in order to ensure medicine security in the country.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Group , Dr Stella Okoli commended the leadership qualities of the ACPN led by Dr Samuel Adekola, She promised that Emzor Group will continue to partner with ACPN for quality health care delivery in Nigeria.
It is worthy of note that Samuel Adekola led executive conducted a free and fair election that produced Pharmacist Wale Oladigbolu as the New Nation Chairman of ACPN.
The swearing in ceremonywhich took place during the gala night was conducted by the association legal officer while the new executive lead by Pharm. Wale Oladigbolu, was officially inaugurated .
In his speech of acceptance, the newly elected National President of ACPN, Pharm. Wale Oladigbolu expressed his feeling as being greatly honoured while also promising to work hard to ensure that the association while under his leadership progresses in all aspects of its functionalities.
Speaking in an interview with CEOAFRICA, he added that despite the challenges before him in his new position, and the high objectives he had set for himself, he looked forward to achieving them. He commended the outgoing National Chairman for his laudable achievements and promised to build on them.
Speaking in a similar regard, the outgoing ACPN chairman, Dr. Samuel O. Adekola who had been able to serve the association for three years with great achievements in his personal interview with CEOAFRICA, advised the new chairman to approach all responsibilities with a sense of humility and modesty. He also advised that virtues such as being sacrificial and always treating matters of the association with importance, upholding the association’s constitution in its supremacy, and taking the issues of the National Executive Council (NEC) with high regard helped him during his chairmanship, and should be emulated by the new chairman.
Speaking on how pharmacy as a career could be improved, he added that the government and the people of Nigeria should show more love and appreciation to the jobs done by community pharmacists in primary healthcare, which is the bedrock of health sector. He also added that the government should put more efforts in supporting the health administrators and community pharmacists.
Speaking in the same vein in an interview with CEOAFRICA, the National Secretary of the ACPN, Pharm. Eze Igwekanma advised the new chairman to act as a leader and foster teamwork among members of the association and collective decision-making and execution. He further advised the new chairman to maintain a good relationship with the NEC members and also seek the advice of the elders of the profession like the Board of Trustee (BOT), the body of past chairmen and enjoy their constitutional evaluation to be able to deliver wise counseling.
Eze in a final remark, he also expressed profound appreciation to all the pharmacists both home and abroad for their effort to ensure the success of the conference.
He also added that the portal, was an instrumental element to the success of the conference, as it made the collection of pharmacist’s data for participants for the conference stress-free. He added that the portal will facilitate the availability of statistical data for the identification of members and its accessibility with governmental policies and community interactions.
Prof. Lere Bale, chief executive, Business School Netherland commended the outgoing National Chainman Pharm Samuel Adekola for his passion and dedication to the Association
He urged the incoming National Chairman to ensure that he builds on his achievements.
While the conference lasted, several important programs were featured. Some of which includes empowerment and sensitization of the pharmacists.Vaccine workshop, presentation of winners of the Anti-Drug Abuse Secondary School essay competition organized by the ACPN among others.
The high point of the event was 40th anniversary celebration and the presentation of awards of excellence and other categories of awards to sixteen personalities in recognition of their meritorious service and unique contribution to the Nigerian projects and support for Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), an Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (APCN) by extension.
The awardees include Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, with Doyen of Pharmacy Award; Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, Gov of Lagos State with Audacious Transformation Leadership Award; Prof. Moji Adeyeye, director general, NAFDAC, with Excellent Leadership Award; Dr Stella Okoli, group managing director, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited, with Platinum Philanthropy Award; Dr Mohammed, registrar, PCN, with an Excellent Leadership Award.
Also Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, former president, PSN, with The Most Reference Pharmacy Leadership Award; Mr Santosh Kumar, managing director, WWCVL, with Platinum Philanthropy Award; Prof. Lere Bale, chief executive, Business School Netherland, with Phenomenal Resourceful Leadership Award; Oba (Dr) Hammed Adekunle Oyelude, Olowu of Kuta, with Excellent Leadership Award; Prof. Hope OghenerukevbeEghagha, with Real Estate Meritorious Award; Hon. (Alh) Aminu Suleiman, director-general, Tinubu Support Organisation, with an Excellent Leadership Award.
Others were Hon. Abdul-Akeem Ayodeji Amodu, special adviser to the Lagos State Gov, with Transparency and Motivation Award; Mr Dare Aragbaiye, SSA, Special Duties and Union Matters to the Ondo State Governor, Excellent Leadership and Friend of Pharmacy Award; Prince Tony Abiodun Adedapo Adenubi, with Real Estate Meritorious Award, while the duo of Chief Gabriel Akinmade Taylor, former Lisa of Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, and Prince C.O Nebe, former managing director, Pharmatex Limited, were awarded Posthumous Outstanding Industrialist Award and Posthumous Living Avatar Award respectively.
Other events incudes, vaccine training, patients-pharmacists’ relationship, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training, networking, excursion, comedy, gala, closing banquet and many more.
Having achieved this milestone,it is certain that Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria is positioned to deliver quality health care delivery in Nigeria.
