-Sets to honour distinguished Nigerians at 15th Biennial Conference
As part of efforts in bridging existing gaps in nutrition, health and women empowerment, the leadership of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) National, has urged governors’ wives across the federation to collaborate with the group towards intentionally growing of medicinal plants to the benefit of all in the nation.
The lady pharmacists made the call in a press briefing heralding the 15th Biennial National Conference of the association, which will hold in Lagos from 5 to 11 June 2022, at various locations within the country .
Briefing pressmen at the gathering, ALPs National Chairman, Pharm.(Mrs) Victoria Ukwu, harped on the need for the partnership of first ladies for the actualisation of medicinal plants cultivation across the country, which she tagged “Project 91”. With emphasis on Agriculture as one of the major contributors to economic development globally, she said there is no better time than now for women in the corridors of power to rally round professional women groups like ALPs in contributing their quota to nation building.
Ukwu further explained that their “Project 91” also serves as a means for the nation in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) most especially goal 3, which seeks to ensure good health and promote wellbeing for all ages.
According to her: “Our pet project “Project 91” an initiative for the cultivation of economically viable medicinal plants for nutrition, health and economic benefits, has identified plants and allotted them to each zone, thus we need the involvement of all our governors wives, who are our patrons in various states to be part of this laudable initiative of planting herbal gardens across the country. This will serve to empower women and showcase our rich herbal resources”.
Speaking on the forthcoming conference, themed: “Pharmaceutical value chain for optimal utilisation: Where are we? the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. (Dr) Monica Eimunjeze, highlighted activities lined up for the conference, which will commence with a retreat at the Whispering Palms Resort, Badagary, Lagos, from 5 to 8 June, will be followed by a Quiz Competition for female students from public schools in Ikeja area of the state, at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja GRA, on 8 June 2022 by 2 pm.
Other events for the conference are : A welcome cocktail on 8 June, at Lagos Country Club; opening ceremony of the conference at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, on 9 June 2022, while Biennial General Meeting and closing dinner will be on 10 June 2022, at the same venue.
The ALPs National Chairman, also hinted on support secured so far by the association towards their pet project, as she mentioned that four first ladies are already aligning with the vision of the group as they will be present at the conference in Lagos to show more solidarity with ALPs. She also mentioned that since the project involves different stages, they are also working with NIPRD for the processing of these plants into safe herbal or nutritional supplements for the use of the populace.
Other activities of the women group, as listed by her include: public education on drug and related matters; School debate and career talks; Health awareness and enlightenment campaign; Girl child training and mentoring; Humanitarian visits to children’s homes, Homes for elderly, prisons; Commemoration of United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and United Nations International Day of the Girl Child.
