The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Monday honoured Shihan (Pharm.) Victor Akhimien, the technical director of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Nigeria (MMAFN) for his exploits as a multi-talented pharmacist and martial arts coach. The event, which took place at the PSN National Secretariat in Anthony Village, Lagos, had in attendance, distinguished pharmacists and associates of Shihan Akhimien. The mixed martial arts coach just returned from the recently concluded All Africa Games in Ghana with his team, which won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
President of the PSN, Professor Cyril Usifoh, expressed the society’s elation with the achievements of Pharm. Akhimien, who has remained very consistent in using his multiple talents to advance the cause of engendering positive social change, especially among Nigerian youths.
Usifoh added that it is a plus to the Pharmacy profession that one of its own is excelling in other fields and bringing glory to the society. He also noted that the medal-winning feat of Shihan (Pharm.) Akhimien and his team at the just concluded All Africa Games is something worth celebrating because it happened during his tenure as President of the PSN.
Publisher of Pharmanews, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, lent his voice to the galore of eulogies as he described Shihan (Pharm.) Akhimien as a rare breed, who has channeled his talents towards making the society a better place. He recalled how Akhimien worked for him as a cartoonist for his book project twenty years ago. “People know him as a cartoonist, musician, salesman and martial artist,” he added. Atueyi commended Akhimien for remembering those who aided his development and urged him to remain focused in his illustrious pursuits of honing talents and impacting humanity positively.
Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, managing director, Alpha Pharmacy & Stores, while encouraging Akhimien to continue using his talent to the glory of God said that people usually accomplish more than their peers because of their dedication and passion in deploying their talents for the collective good of society.
Speaking also, Professor Lere Baale, remembered how Shihan (Pharm.) Akhimien distinguished himself as an effective salesman during their days at Globacom. Baale also expressed his delight with the way the Pharmacy profession has been producing outstanding men and women who are etching their names on the sands of time through great exploits in different fields of human endeavor.
He said, “Victor Akhimien is a true quintessential polymath, a true renaissance man whose multifaceted talents, boundless passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence serve as an enduring inspiration to us all.”
Mr John Obeya, one of the many students of Shihan (Pharm.) Akhimien in the mixed martial arts who also fought at the just concluded All Africa Games in Ghana, said his master has been a great source of motivation for him in his fighting career. “He spends most of his time into the late hours of the night training me to be a better fighter. In fact, I have become a better fighter since I met him,” he declared.
Thanking the PSN and all those who took out time from their busy schedules to grace the occasion, Akhimien promised to continue developing young talents, especially now that young people are keying into the mixed martial arts which provides an opportunity for international stardom. He called on the pharmaceutical stakeholders in Nigeria to leverage on sports for the development of young talents. He also called on pharmacists with exceptional talents to come out and showcase them.
 on Monday honoured Shihan (Pharm.) Victor Akhimien, the technical director of the Mixed Martial Art){kind=link}