It was a gathering of who is who in Pharmacy and healthcare practice in Oyo State, at the Function Hall of the prestigious Jogor Centre, Ibadan, as well-deserving individuals, dedicated professionals and eminent personalities were honoured with different categories of awards, at the weekend.
The award ceremony, organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo State Chapter, was to honour and reward distinguished members and friends of PSN in the state, who have played historic roles in the advancement of pharmaceutical practice and contributed greatly to the progress of PSN in the state.
Speaking during the award presentation ceremony, Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, chairman of PSN, Oyo State, disclosed that the association was using the occasion to celebrate some of their late heroes who have served the pharmacy profession in different capacities during their lifetime, adding that it was also meant to celebrate the living heroes, who are defender and promoter of good pharmaceutical services to humanity in the state.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, former president of PSN, commended the leadership of PSN in the state for organising the programme, adding that it is in tandem with the tradition of the association to give honour to whom it is due. He commended the PSN chairman in the state, for his initiative and team spirit, adding that he is working tirelessly to ensure that Oyo PSN takes its rightful place in the comity of states.
Akintayo, a retail pharmacist of repute challenged the state members to be more vibrant in organised pharmacy activities, noting that in spite of having 33 Fellows of PSN, with sagacious and outspoken leaders, they have not been able to produce any PSN president till date.
His words, “Look at a state like Edo, apart from boasting of having the current president, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, it has produced three other past presidents. So it is time to take far-reaching decisions, to end this perambulation in the wilderness of retrogression so that some of your very best would reach the pinnacle of the profession”, he said.
Corroborating Pharm. Akintayo, the President of PSN, Prof. Usifoh, noted that next year’s PSN elections are very important to the future of the profession, adding that the best from the aspirants should emerge so that the progressive train of the Society does not nosedive as a result of picking a wrong choice to lead the professional body.
He added that in Oyo State, there are so many Fellows of PSN, second to Lagos in terms of numbers, adding that with their great numbers and sagacity, it is no gainsaying that the state should be able to produce a PSN president soonest.
He continued, “If you are not in the engine room where the decisions are taken, how do you want to have an impactful contribution? So, we must learn to know when to forget our differences and work together. I am sure that Oyo is ready to join me in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State next year to elect the right person to paddle the canoe of this great body”, he said.
Speaking at the occasion, Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, national chairman of ACPN, noted that the primary purpose of recognising and rewarding members who have contributed to the efficient and quality healthcare delivery is to foster excellence and sustain quality healthcare to those who need care, adding that rewarding excellence plays a pivotal role in providing and sustaining a means by which good healthcare delivery is achieved.
In the categories of 2023 Oyo PSN Awards was the ‘Living Legend Awards’, which were presented to : Chief Adebowale Omotosho, chairman, Bond Group, an industrialist, philanthropist, and renowned pharmacist cum elder statesman; Chief Emmanuel Ajagbe; Pharm. (Chief) Olu Olayinka; Prof. Kolawole Jaiyeoba, former vice-chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo; Pharm. (Chief) Adetunji Amole.
Also, Posthumous Awards were presented to Late Pharm. (Alh.) Musibaudeen Adejare Gbadamosi; Late Pharm. Rasheed Ayinde; Late Pharm. Modupeola Kazim; and Late Pharm. Olubusola Oluyemi Igbaro.
In the category of special recognition awards, Pharm. Bose Ademola; Pharm. Emmanuel Akinlolu; Pharm. Adeyanju Rasaq Adewale; Pharm. Victor Ollornwi; Pharm. Olubunmi Ajaguna; Pharm. Adewale Durowaiye; Pharm. Omotola Adegoke; Pharm. Babatunde Olayiwola; Pharm. Adekunle Omole; Pharm. Isioma Emmanuela Ogunwale; Pharm. Kayode Ogunsesan; Pharm. Adefoyeke Adewumi; Pharm. Karounwi Ogunjobi; Pharm. Mrs Olusola Porter; Pharm. Adebayo Gbadamosi; Pharm. Clement Adeboye; Pharm. Omosolape Dupe Oshin; Pharm. Olubukola Ayinde; Pharm. Hamidat Atere-Akeukere; Pharm. Adedayo Akala; Pharm. Jude Ogunsakin; Pharm. Olayinka Adeyemi; Pharm. Monsurat Oyedare Quadri, and Pharm. Olufemi Oyebanji Femi-Adeoye, were awarded.
Friends of Pharmacists Awards were given to Deaconess Mary Farodolu; Mrs Esther Abosede Kazeem; and Dr Muideen Babatunde Olatunji; while Leadership Award was given to Hon. Dawood Olalere, member, Oyo State House of Assembly, representing Ibadan North-West Constituency, and Ambassador of Pharmacy Award given to Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, national chairman, ACPN.
The Oyo State PSN Merit Awards went to Pharm. (Col) Victor Ajanaku; Pharm. Azeez Gbolagade; Pharm. (Mrs) T.B Sopeju; Pharm. Adediran Oluyedun; Pharm. Lanre Tiamiyu; Pharm. Ajao Olufemi; Pharm. Olukemi Akinbami; Pharm. Lukman Akinwande; Pharm. Taofik Odukoya; Pharm. Joseph Obajimi; Pharm. Moradeke Oyewo; Pharm. Abolade Fawunmi; Pharm. Yetunde Olufunke Adeoye; Pharm. Taiwo Onasile; Pharm. Olubukola Olatokunbo Olumide; Pharm. Aderonke Anifowoshe; Pharm. Omobolanle Ajao.
Others in the category of Merit Awards were Pharm. Olabisi Asaolu; Pharm. Olubukola Abiola Peller; Pharm. Faderemi Adekunle; Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, chairman, PSN, Oyo State; Pharm. Ganiyu Adedayo; Pharm. Rahamon Amidu Oyewole; Pharm. Femi Olawuyi; Pharm. (Dr) Oladapo Adewale Adetunji; Pharm. Obeki Paulson Obeki, and Pharm. Abiodun Gbadamosi.
Earlier, Appreciation Awards were presented to Prof. Usifoh, president, PSN, and Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, while Queens College, Ibadan, Celestial Church of Christ School, and Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Ibadan, came first, second and third respectively in the Quiz Competition organised by PSN among secondary schools in Ibadan, and were also presented awards.
What specific contributions or achievements were highlighted for Usifoh, Omotosho, and the other awardees that led to their recognition at the Oyo PSN ceremony?