SATURDAY- 13th November, 2021: As the mantle of leadership in the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria PSN shifts from the Immediate past President, Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, to the newly elected President, Pharm. Prof. Cyril Usifoh, the need for a handover ceremony was imminent.
And so it was at the PSN House located in Anthony Lagos State, where after extensive briefings by Ohuabunwa on the successes, challenges and achievements of the PSN in the last 3 years, finally handed over the baton of leadership to Usifoh to take charge for the next 3 years.
While promising to always be available to render any help to the incoming President, Ohuabunwa charged Usifoh to take advantage of the existing cordial relationship between past Presidents of the society to seek for advises and contributions wherever he needed them.
“I will keep all my contacts open for you, and continue to show interest in the unfinished businesses or any other assignments you may wish that I assist you with.
“With the current unity within and enhancement of the role of our college of past Presidents, I believe you have a great asset base to support you and resuscitate the growth of pharmacy and the PSN,” Ohuabunwa said.
Speaking with CEOAFRICA, Ohuabunwa further advised the new President to follow the constitution of the society in all his decisions.
“Other than the fact that I am happy that I am being succeeded by an individual who has carved a niche for himself in the minds of pharmacists and academia’s, my advice to him is that he should be even handed.
“He shouldn’t worry about who claps for him and who doesn’t because there is a price for leadership. He should leave his doors open and carry everyone along.”
He called on pharmacists and members of the society to support the new president and not bother if they voted him or not during the elections.
The new President of PSN, Prof. Usifoh, while responding thanked the immediate past President for his role in the society and efforts towards ensuring a new regime came into power with a new vision.
Usifoh also gave an insight to how he intends to kick start proceedings at the society
He said “It’s true what they say that a leader without a good successor cannot be said to be a good one. You have made the job much easier for me sir with what you have done so far.
“I believe one of the first things I would do is to have a zoom meeting with the National Executive Council members after which I hope to have a retreat in Lagos for NEC members where we will have to discuss how we want to function.
“We will also have the council members join us so that we can have a clearer picture of where we heading as a team.”
He added that he would be involving other contestants who contested the position with him, because he believes their contributions will be valid and of importance to the society.
In an interview with CEOAFRICA, Prof. Usifoh assured members of good results from his tenure, noting that the outcome of the soon to hold retreat would shed more light on what the new regime will be working on.
The session was rounded up with the immediate past President taking the President on a round the PSN house, and also introducing him to the members of staff.
