– As ALPs Biennial National Conference holds in June
The trio of Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, president, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy and chairman Juli Plc; Dr (Mrs) Stella Okoli, GMD, Emzor Group; and Dr (Mrs) Dere Awosika, chairman, Access Bank, have charged the leadership of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), to throw its full weight behind girl-child education, through the sponsorship of less-privileged girls in the Nigerian society.
While the pharmacy elders commended the efforts of the association so far in supporting girls’ education, they insisted that more needs to be done, considering the huge percentage of girls that are still without education in the country. They also urged the lady pharmacists to scale up their roles in organised pharmacy activities as a means of bringing many younger ladies on board.
The ALPs patron and matrons gave the advice during the recent visit of ALPs national executives to their offices at different times to inform them of the forthcoming ALPs National Biennial Conference, holding in Lagos, from 5 to 11 June 2022. Tagged “EKO 2022”, the conference is expected to run with the theme: “Pharmaceutical value chain, for optimal utilisation: Where are we?
Receiving the lady pharmacists in his office, Adelusi-Adeluyi took them down memory lane, recalling his roles in the establishment of ALPs. He reminisced on how the association was birthed on his table with the founding mothers, including how he chose the name “ALPs”, among several alternatives. He added that he was delighted that the efforts put into the establishment of the association had been sustained over the years.
While assuring the ALPs delegates of his attendance at the conference, he urged all members of the association to stick to all resolutions that will be made at the gathering. He also expressed his interest in hosting the executives again after the programme.
The octogenarian Icon of Pharmacy further counselled the ALPs leadership on how to endear themselves to the parent pharmacy body, through deliberate efforts in donating tangible amount of money to the Society.
On her part, the Emzor Group boss, appreciated the ALPs delegates for visiting her, while also pledging to support the imminent programme with substantial financial support.
Dr Okoli recalled her previous contributions to the association’s projects, stressing that her company is ready to do more in partnering with ALPs for the betterment of more women and girls in the society.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Emzor Group, Mrs Uzoma Ezeoke, particularly referred to ALPs project of girl child sponsorship, urging the ALPS executives to do more, as the Emzor Group would be willing to assist them.
She also emphasised the need for more lady pharmacists to take up leadership roles in the wider pharmacy body, noting that despite the fact that there are more female pharmacists than males, only a few of them are in the hierarchy of the profession’s leadership.
Similarly, Dr Awosika expressed gratitude towards the visit, saying she it had boosted her commitment to do more with ALPs, despite her several engagements in the corporate world. She further affirmed her continued support by accepting the chairmanship position of the coming conference.
The National Chairman, ALPs, Pharm. (Mrs) Victoria Okwu, who led other executives on the different visits intimated their hosts on the activities of the group and progress made under her watch, such as the Project 91, which deals on medicinal plant research; ALPs School project; Sponsorship of girl child education, and others.
Speaking on the 15th Biennial National Conference billed for 5 to 11 June, 2022, the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, said the venue of the conference is Radisson Blu Hotel; while the keynote speaker will be Pharm. (Mrs) Clare Omatseye, managing director, JNC International Limited.