– Emzor, Elbe, WWCVL, others clinch awards
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to pharmaceutical practice and healthcare in Nigeria, as well as his commitment to promoting and supporting the activities of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), the Executive Chairman, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dr Obiora Chukwuka, has been given an award of excellence and made a life patron of the association.
The honours were conferred during the closing banquet and special dinner to mark the end of this year’s annual ACPN national conference, held recently at Africa House, Government House, Kano State.
The colourful event attracted several healthcare professionals, as well as eminent personalities in both the pharmaceutical and the political fields, including the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alh. Abdulahi Umar Ganduje; his wife, Dr Hafsat Umar Ganduje, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs (REPA), office of the secretary to the state government, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota; Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulazeez Garba Gafasa; former Deputy Governor, Katsina State, Alh. Ahmad Tukur Jikamshi; Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Umar Farouk, who was represented by Justice Nura Sagir Umar; Head of Service, Kano State, Dr Kabir Sheu; former President, PSN, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo; immediate past President, PSN, Pharm. (Alh) Ahmed Yakasai; President, PSN, Pharm. (Mazi). Sam Ohuabunwa, who was represented by Dr Ejiro Foyibo, vice-president, PSN (South); immediate past National chairman, ACPN, Dr Albert Kelong Alkali; former national chairman, ACPN, Pharm. Olufemi Ismail Adebayo; and National Chairman, ACPN, Pharm. Samuel Adekola.
While presenting the award plaque, ACPN national chairman, Adekola, applauded Chukwuka, and his company, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, for consistently supporting community pharmacists and ACPN over the years.
“Our award recipient today, who is now our father, being the life patron of our association, truly deserves the awards, because of his immense contribution to the ACPN, both at the state level and at the national level. He has demonstrated his support for Pharmacy in so many ways, while his company, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, has equally paid its dues in the pharmaceutical industry,” Adekola said.
Receiving the award, Chukwuka disclosed that although the recognition and award came as a surprise to him, he had always held the ACPN in high esteem.
He remarked further that the honour of being the ACPN life patron was a dream fulfilled, adding that the vision to establish his company was as a result of the experience he had in 1968, during the Nigerian civil war.
“During the war, so many children like me suffered serious ailments, but God used the Red Cross Society to treat us. As a result of this, I developed much love for the Red Cross and I made a promise to be a member when I grew up, which I later did.
“I started Caleb Pharmacy in Idumota in 1985, but today, Caleb Pharmacy Limited has metamorphosed into Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited at Ilupeju. The company has contributed immensely to the pharmaceutical industry, to the extent that in the year 2016, PSN decorated me as an honorary pharmacist in Minna, during its yearly conference, which was another achievement in my life’s vision in the pharmaceutical industry. So, today, I am not only an honorary pharmacist, but a proud father of two pharmacists as well a life patron of the ACPN,” he enthused.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of a five-million-naira cheque to the ACPN by Chukwuka.
The award, which was received by Adekola, was applauded by the executive governor of Kano State, Mallam Ganduje.
In his address, Ganduje reiterated that more people like Chukwuka are needed in the pharmaceutical sector, to help stabilise the sector and drive it to its desired destination.
Also speaking, Pharm. Yakasai, the immediate past president, PSN, lauded the Greenlife boss for the company’s supportive gesture towards the pharmacy profession, adding that he deserved the award and recognition for his philanthropic acts.
In other categories of the award given earlier during the opening ceremony , five products, which included, Para 1000 by Emzor Pharmaceuticals Plc; Amatem Forte Soft Gel, by Elbe; Amino Gard by Phillips Pharmaceuticals; Osteo by Goldmore; and Betaman/Betawoman by SK Medicine, were adopted as the products of the year by ACPN.
In a related development, World Wide Commercial Ventures Limited (WWCVL) was also given a Platinum Award, being the highest sponsor of ACPN 2019 Annual National Conference, in Kano State.
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