For the practice of Pharmacy to remain relevant in the healthcare system, pharmacists, especially lady pharmacists have been urged to uphold professionalism, while bridging the gap, between young and elderly pharmacists, through effective leadership and mentoring programme.
Prominent elders in the profession, including Dr Dere Awosika, honorary consul, Czech Republic and Chairman, Access Bank Management Board; Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher, Pharmanews; Pharm. Deji Osinoiki; Pharm. Ebenezer Adeleke, and others gave this charge at the 2022 Forum of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) Lagos State Chapter, held at the Lagos PSN Secretariat recently.
Addressing the lady pharmacists at the programme, Dr Awosika, who was the chairman of the occasion, pointed out reasons why the ladies must uphold ethics of the profession wherever they find themselves, as she cited different instances from her years of practice, how she demonstrated courage in speaking truth to people at the corridors of power, even at the detriment of her position and job.
She reiterated it to the pharmacists that God has equipped them with everything they need to be trusted caregivers in the healthcare system to patients, irrespective of patients’ status whether high or low. Having being assigned this huge responsibility, she asked them what they are doing with their licences as pharmacists, whether they are engage in saving lives or killing others.
“What are you doing with your licences, saving lives or killing patients? The goal is precision in Pharmacy; there is no room for uncertainty because we are dealing with people’s lives, hence we must always ensure precision and accuracy in all our services.
“Don’t tolerate idleness in disguise for God’s grace, let your work speak for you”, she quipped.
A versatile professional and visionary leader laid it bare to the Lagos Alpians that they must strive to occupy leadership positions in their various fields as it won’t come on a platter of gold but their efficiency at work and determination to succeed will make it happen.
“Nobody will give you any opportunity, you have to take it. And while in position, always remember that speaking truth to powers and not politics is one of your obligations”, she stated.
In his remarks, Sir Atueyi, spoke on the importance of blending the old with the new, as he encouraged executives of the association to create the opportunity to visit older colleagues who have played significant roles in the formation of the association decades ago, saying this will be a source of motivation for the elder ones.
The octogenarian cited an example of his recent visits to two senior pharmacists who are Pharm. E.S.C. Nwabunike, 92 years, owner of Fontana Chemist and Pharm. Joseph Okonmah, 94 years. He said the visits were rejuvenating moments for the nonagenarians, as they reminisced together on their roles in practice.
The Pharmanews boss also congratulated Lagos ALPs for their successful 2022 Forum and their philanthropic works towards the education of girl child.
The keynote speaker, Pharm. (Dr) Oluwatoyin Ojo, spoke on the theme of the programme “Bridging the gap: The place of leadership and mentoring”. She differentiated between the two, stating that leadership is what you do, how you take responsibility, your degree of selflessness, how passionate you are about a cause. While mentoring is as much about counseling as it is transferring knowledge and leadership skills.
She further pointed out the differences in the two roles to avoid any confusion, saying a leader is someone who inspires passion and motivation in followers with a vision and the path to realising their goals.
On the other hand, she explained that a mentor sometimes see “diamond in the mud” and gives opportunity.
“Mentoring is a process to perpetuate ideas, innovations, systems, knowledge or practice beyond ourselves and usually in our lifetime.
“The most fulfilled and successful professionals are often the beneficiaries of both leadership and mentoring influences. For continuity of best practice across generations we must create an environment in which both thrives”, she urged.
