-Obideyi Takes over Leadership Mantle
It was an emotional moment at the indoor hall of the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, as Pharm. (Mrs) Abiola Paul-Ozieh, chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), recalled the challenging but equally rewarding moments during her 12-year of service with the ACPN, Lagos State.
Pharm. Paul-Ozieh, while reading her valedictory speech during the last Annual General Meeting of the association held recently, disclosed that it has been 12 good years of service, availability, challenges, ruggedness, courage and boldness to the most dynamic and foremost state chapter of ACPN in the country.
In her words, “I had been able to serve as the financial secretary, general secretary, vice-chairman, and ultimately the chairman of this noble association of men of honour since 2005. What an honour, a privilege, opportunity and what an experience? ” she said
Her expression of gratitude to God and family members
Acknowledging the support of her household during her tenure, the chairman noted that she owed a great sense of gratitude to the members of her immediate family for allowing her and for supporting her throughout her years of service.
She further appreciated God for sustaining her through. “How I manage to do this successfully was beyond me, but I give glory to God almighty who, by His grace and divine enablement for this leadership cause I was able to succeed. The God that qualifies the unqualified, the one that chooses the weak things to confound the mighty and chooses foolish things to confound the wise, I give him all the glory”.
In a sober reflection of what lies ahead of the association, as the new chairman takes over the mantle of leadership, the chairman appealed to all members of ACPN across the state to rise above division, anger and rivalry, no matter the cause, and work together with the new leadership, so as to take the association to the next level.
Accolades for the outgoing chairman
While speaking with Pharmanews, Pharm. Deji Osinoiki, chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), ACPN and one time national chairman, ACPN, extolled the virtues of the outgoing chairman, Pharm. Paul-Ozieh and said she would be greatly missed.
According to the respected pharmacist, “Paul-Ozieh has paid her dues in the profession as a committed leader and bridge builder. She has done very well as she has taken the association a little further, so I wish her good luck to any level she wishes to go in life”.
Similarly, the duo of Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, the new chairman, and Pharm. Obiageri Ethel Ikwu, who emerged as the financial secretary in the recently conducted election of the association, described the outgoing chairman as a tireless and dodged fighter, who had sacrificed a lot for the association.
List of newly elected executives of the Lagos ACPN
However, the high point of the programme was the election of the new executive members of the association for the next three years, which is renewable every year.
The newly elected executives of the association are :Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, chairman; Pharm. Lawrence Ekhator, vice-chairman; Pharm. Jonah Okotie, secretary; Pharm. Charles Oyeniyi, assistant secretary; Pharm. Agbude George, treasurer; Pharm. Obiageri Ethel Ikwu, financial secretary; Pharm. Mosunmola Dosunmu, public relation officer and Pharm. Paul Owolabi, editor-in-chief.
I wondered why Pharmanews is silent about the many troubles that happened prior the selection.
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