…As Yakasai urges young pharmacists to make a difference
Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, president of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) has expressed disappointment that no other pharmacist has been able to make it to the status of health minister almost 23 years after he occupied the same position.
Addressing participants at a recent mentoring programme organised by NAPharm, in Lagos, Adelusi-Adeluyi, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) charged the gathering of young pharmacists to learn from the lapses of older colleagues and hit the ground running.
“As young people, I want you to go in pursuit of happiness. Unless you lack confidence, pharmacists can hold their own anywhere in the world. As pharmacists, we need to always be on our guard. There was a time that I was the only black pharmacist attending international Federation of Pharmacists (FIP) meetings.
“Twenty-three years ago, I was made a federal minister of health. However I am not happy that since then no pharmacist has made it to that position again,” he bemoaned.
While acknowledging the fact that pharmacists had been generally marginalised in political appointments, the managing director of Juli Pharmacy disclosed that it was high time pharmacists started giving serious consideration to politics too.
The NAPharm president however singled out the duo of Tolu Ogunlesi, presidential aide on new media and Jimi Agbaje, former Lagos gubernatorial candidate, for making the profession proud.
“Pharmacy is indeed a profession to be proud of. At least, I can say that I am impressed with Tolu Ogunlesi. He is an epitome of pharmacy excellence. Jimi Agbaje is another person I respect so much,” he said.
Buttressing his view, Pharm Ahmed Yakasai, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) encouraged young pharmacists to launch out and make the difference.
“Anybody can be successful if they push hard. As young people, the time we spend on social media running ourselves down will do us no good. Don’t join those who sit and keep lamenting that the older pharmacists are not doing enough for them,” he remarked.
While charging young pharmacists to be responsible professionals, the PSN president stressed that they should aim to emulate the online exploits of the likes of HealthPlus and MedPlus.
“Please don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to promote or hold brief for anybody. But it is good to say the truth in whatever form it comes. Let me also say that I am impressed with what Pharm. Seun Omobo and Young Pharmacists Group are doing by sponsoring people to the annual FIP event,” he stated.
