The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, on Tuesday, commissioned the long anticipated national secretariat of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), otherwise known as “NAIP House” in Lagos.
The NAIP House is located at Ike God Street, Ajao Estate, Oshodi- Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State.
While speaking shortly before the official commissioning of the house at the commissioning ceremony, the National Chairman of NAIP, Pharm. Ken Onuegbu described the national secretariat as a legacy project, noting that the building is the first property of the association.
NAIP, it should be noted, has been in existence for 47 years, as it was founded in 1977, operating in rented apartments.
The NAIP chairman pointed to the national secretariat as a turning point for the association as it will provide a solid foundation for expanded influence, operational efficiency and sustained growth. Reminiscing, Onuegbu said “despite its pivotal role, NAIP operated for 47 years without a permanent base of operation, a limitation that did not dampen our impact but underscored the need for a more stable and symbolic base.
“Our new national secretariat in Lagos is not just a structure, it is a legacy. It is a testament to the perseverance of our past and present leaders. It gave us the foundation to expand our impact and better serve our members and the broader healthcare system. It also provides a platform for the association to host industry-specific training, strategic and collaborative forums; enhance administrative efficiency and continuity in leadership transitions and then foster a stronger identity and sense of belonging among members”, Onuegbu said, adding that it will attract partnerships and funding for pharmaceutical innovation and advocacy.
Onuegbu also noted that the NAIP House will feature a specialised library dedicated to pharmaceutical technology, a showroom for displaying research output from member companies, and a research centre to foster collaboration between NAIP and its fellow technical group.
He said “With this acquisition, NAIP is poised to amplify its voice in national health discourse and for our school policy. The association leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to driving local pharmaceutical production, regulatory compliance, and innovation”.
The commissioning of the industrial pharmacists’ association secretariat has however elicited unreserved commendations from notable stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry. Top personalities at the occasion commended the Chairman of the association, Onuegbu for his relentless effort and doggedness to deliver the project before the expiration of his tenure in June.
In his remark, Pharm. Ayuba commended Pharm. Onuegbu for his relentless effort, stating that his name has been written in gold in the anal of the history of the association.” Those who have been before Ken Onuegbu have done their part. Ken Onuegbu has come and he has done his part, those coming from behind should not use him as a benchmark, they should try and surpass Ken”, Pharm Ayuba said.
The immediate past president of PSN, Prof. Cyril Usifoh pointed out that industrial pharmacists have always been the solid rock to pharmacy practice and activities of PSN. While commending Pharm. Onuegbu for conceiving and attaining the projects, he charged pharmacists to always dream big. He said “dare to dream big. Don’t worry how you achieve it, but if you have people who you can reason with, they will enable you to achieve it. We must be ready to do the impossible. Even if you face opposition, do what you believe you can do”.
Similarly, the Chief Executive officer of Alpha Pharmacy, Sir Ike Onyechi charged pharmacists to always dream big and work hard, saying hardwork and the power of big dreams has enabled the NAIP chairman to build on the foundation of his predecessors and accomplish the NAIP House.
The chairman of the occasion, Pharm. Ibrahim Yakasai also commended Pharm Onuegbu and his predecessors for the effort to have gotten a permanent secretariat for NAIP. He charged all pharmacists to be their brothers keepers and lift one another where necessary.
While going down the memory lane on the formation of NAIP, the Publisher of Pharmanews, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi disclosed that Pharm. A. O. Odusina, the then marketing manager of ICI, Apapa, was the brain behind the formation of the NAIP, based on his experience with the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
According to Pharm. Atueyi, early in 1977, Pharm. Odusina hosted several organisational meetings in his office, ICI, Commercial Road, Apapa with Pharm. HBK Bob-Manuel, marketing manager of Glaxo Nigeria Ltd, Creek Road, Apapa; Pharm. Nath Akobundu, marketing manager of Roche Nigeria Ltd, Town Planning Way, Ilupeju and Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi, marketing manager of RT Briscoe, Creek Road, Apapa, who was at that time, the Editor-in- Chief of the Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy.
He disclosed further that after a few meetings, officers were appointed with Pharm. Odusina as chairman (the designation of President was rejected by PSN), Pharm. HBK Bob-Manuel – treasurer/financial secretary and Pharm. Nath Akobundu as secretary. According to the octogenerian, the association was officially inaugurated on 5 May, 1977, at the PSN Secretariat, 52A Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Yaba, during the presidency of Chief (Sir) Chris Efobi (1974-1977), making NAIP the first technical section of PSN.
He recalled that Akobundu resigned as secretary after one year in office. When his letter of resignation, dated 21 September 1978, was read by the Chairman during the meeting held same day; Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi (himself) was elected as the new secretary and Pharm. Miss R. O. Britto elected as the assistant secretary. However, his tenure as the secretary was also short as that of Akobundu, as he served for only about one year.
The Pharmanews boss noted that the reason for his resignation was to focus on Pharmanews business, which started in 1979. He therefore resigned his appointment as the marketing manager of RT Briscoe Pharmaceuticals in January, 1979, after which the first edition of Pharmanews was published in May 1979, and since then till date, the relationship of Pharmanews and Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi (himself) with the NAIP has continued to grow stronger and stronger.
Pharm. Atueyi commended the leadership of the association from inception till date, even as he extolled and congratulated the incumbent chairman, Onuegbu on the accomplishment of the NAIP House during his tenure.
Also present at the occasion were former PSN presidents, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; Pharm. Olumide Akintayo; Pharm. Azubike Okwor; others and BOT chairman of NAIP, Prof. Lere Baale, past chairman of NAIP, Lagos PSN Chairman, Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, ACPN national Chairman-ably represented, NAPA Chairman, as well as chairmen of other technical arms of PSN, among others. They all commended the association on the feat.
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