The social media of Facebook was agog on Friday, 2 August 2019, as pharmacists and other well-wishers of Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi took to the platform to felicitate with him on his 79th birthday.
First among the congratulatory messages came from Dr Lolu Ojo, who described the celebrant as the mentor-general of the Pharmacy profession in Nigeria, while he pronounced God’s blessings on him.
His words: “Happy birthday to the mentor-general of the Pharmacy profession in Nigeria, My Lord Pharmaceutical, Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi mni. May the Lord bless your new age. Igba Odun, Odun kan. Amen”.
Next on the list of well-wishers was the National Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Emeka Callistus Duru, who eulogized Adelusi-Adeluyi thus: “Happy birthday to the erudite and highly revered pharmacist. The man I love to refer to as the ‘Iroko’ of Pharmacy. May God grant you good health as you age gracefully. Amen”.
Also Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim added his remarks to the list of felicitations saying:”Happy birthday to the Pharmacy Icon! I wish him very many happy returns. Congratulations 🍾🎈🎉🎊 and may he continue to age with grace”.
For Kasali Abiola Jnr, who has benefited immensely under the tutelage of Prince Julius, he prayed for his divine protection and preservation as he clocked 79. “To my mentor, teacher, father, Prince julius Adelusi-Adeluyi mni, who clocks 79 today, May almighty Allah guide and protect you sir. Happy Birthday to my mentor”.
Pharm. Otusanya M. Ola was not left out of the early callers to shower encomiums on the celebrant, as he went all out to eulogise him in the Yoruba dialect. “Happy birthday sir. Eruku lele omo ado de ooo”, he remarked.
Other well-wishers include Luke Adeeko, Ademola Kolade, etc who wished him sound health and many years ahead. They remarked: Congratulations and happy birthday. Best wishes for many happy returns, in continued robust health of mind and body; Happy birthday sir. Many happy returns in very good health.
Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi was the first and remains the only pharmacist to have become minister of health in Nigeria. He was appointed Minister of Health and Social Services during the interim government of Dr Ernest Shonekan in 1993. He is also the Chairman of Juli Plc (formerly Juli Pharmacy Limited), the first indigenously promoted company in Nigeria to be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
Juli, as he is fondly called by his colleagues is a Fellow and pioneer president of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), as well as the founding secretary-general of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP). He served as secretary and president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria at different times. And as should be expected of an astute leader, his tenure was characterised by several innovations, one of which was the composition of the Pharmacy Anthem.
Like many super-achievers of his calibre, Juli’s rise to prominence did not happen overnight. Records have it that he had always demonstrated profound understanding and mastery of the art of leadership from his youth. He was an outstanding student and youth leader at the local, national and international levels. He served as vice president of the International Affairs of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1964. He also served as the president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS).
At the international level, he was elected by student organisations worldwide, gathered at their Annual Conference at Christ church, New Zealand, as secretary general of the world student body, the International Students Conference (ISC) based in Leiden, Holland, in 1965. In this capacity he built student union organisations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. This took him to over 143 countries and, as the quick-thinking strategist that he has always been, he seized the opportunity to become multilingual. Presently, he speaks English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba.
The management and staff of Pharmanews Limited join the retinue of his eulogisers to wish him a very happy 79th birthday in sound health and continuous progress.
