– As GMD marks 70th birthday anniversary
It was a grand spectacle as hundreds of top government functionaries, pharmacists, captains of industry, technocrats and professionals from all walks of life gathered to mark the 2014 edition of Emzor Pharmaceuticals’ annual thanksgiving dinner.
The colourful event which took place at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, also had in attendance, Dr Alex Ekwueme, former vice president of Nigeria; Lady Onyeka Onwenu, representative of the Nigerian First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, deputy governor of Lagos; Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola; and Dr Alex Otti, former chief executive officer of Diamond Bank.
While giving the opening address, Otti, who was also chairman of the occasion explained that Emzor had continued to demonstrate what leadership is all about. According to him, the 2014 edition of the annual thanksgiving was the 10th year.
“Sometimes we wonder what makes some people different from others. The reason is not far-fetched. To say “thank you” is something we humans find quite difficult to do.
He continued, “You remember the biblical story of the 10 lepers, where only one returned to show appreciation? The same is happening here. Since Dr Stella Okoli has decided to come back and say “thank you”, things will always turn out right for her.”
Corroborating Otti’s remarks, Pharm. Nnamdi Obi, managing director of Embassy Pharma stated that Emzor had excelled in the industry.
“In fact, there is no way the history of Nigerian pharmaceuticals would be narrated and Emzor would not be mentioned. I join every pharmacist to wish Dr Okoli more wonderful years ahead,” he said.
Appreciating the accolades, Emzor’s founder and Group Managing Director, Pharm Okoli noted that Emzor’s success story had divine backing, adding that the company strives to take a giant stride every year.
“That is why today we have over a hundred new products. We all know that the Nigerian pharma industry is quite unpredictable. But we serve a great God, a mighty one indeed. That is why we want to declare his unfaithfulness publicly each year,” she emphasised.
Towards the end of the programme, a handful of guests also used the opportunity to congratulate the Emzor’s GM Don her 70th birthday.
The company’s management equally used the occasion to unveil Wellocracy, the company’s vision of a new world where unlimited wellness would be available and affordablefor everyone.
Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is a wholly indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing group founded by Dr Stella C. Okoli, OON, in 1984 and starting pilot production in 1985. By 1988 it had become an established pharmaceutical manufacturing company especially with the introduction of Emzor Paracetamol which is today a leading brand of analgesic not only in Nigeria but across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The colourful event which took place at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos also has Dr Alex Otti, former chief executive officer of Diamond Bank; Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, deputy governor of Lagos; Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State governor; Dr Alex Ekwueme, former vice president of Nigeria; Dr (Mrs) Stella Okoli, founder/group managing director of Emzor Pharma and Lady Onyeka Onwenu, representative of the First Lady in attendance.
Also in attendance were Pharm. Bukky George, managing director of HealthPlus Group; Mrs Taiwo Taiwo, managing director of Shonny Properties Limited; Mrs Olufunke Amosun, first lady of Ogun State; Prof. Boniface Egboka, vice chancellor, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka and Dr Emmanuel Egbogah, former special adviser to the president on petroleum matters
