…As May & Baker increases award’s cash reward to N1.5million
A former Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku has won the 2024 edition of the prestigious May & Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy.
She was announced the winner of the award at the closing bouquet of the 97th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), held from 4-9 November, 2024, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Meanwhile, pharmacists in academia have dominated the award in the past four years, winning it back to back in 2021, 2022, 2023 and now 2024.
A former National Chairman of the Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), Prof. Martins Emeje, clinched the award in 2021 in Port Harcourt; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, University of Benin, Professor Ray Ozolua, won the award in 2022 in Jos. Prof. Emmanuel Chinedum Ibezim, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged the winner of the award in 2023 and now Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan (UI), has won the 2024 edition.
While announcing the winner of the award, the chairman of the award committee, Pharm. Anthony Oyawole, who likened the award to the “Nobel Laurel”, noted that the May & Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy was instituted in 2005 by May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
He stated that the award was meant to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions by individual practitioners, public servants, industry operators, academicians/researchers in the study and practice of pharmacy in Nigeria.
The award committee chairman expressed profound appreciation to the management of May & Baker Nigeria Plc for sustaining the award since it was established till date. While commending pharmacists in academia for dominating the award, Pharm. Oyawole urged pharmacists in other practice areas to be innovative in their practice so that they can win the subsequent editions.
In his remark, the managing May & Baker PLC, Pharm. Patrick Ajah, commended the award committee for a job well done over the years. He also commended all the past winners of the award, saying their contributions to the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria remain indelible.
Meanwhile, the cash value for the award, which is currently N1 Million will be increased to N1.5 Million from the next edition. While announcing the increment of the cash value, Pharm. Ajah said, the value was once N500,000 but was increased to N1million, he averred that in view of the inflation rate in the country, the cash value will be increased to N1.5million from next year.
The managing director added that May & Baker will also partner with the winner of the award henceforth, especially the academia by sponsoring their research works and also ensure that the outcome of the research will be transformed to finished products that will be produced in commercial quantity and make them available in the market.
While speaking to Pharmanews on the award, professor Odeku commended the management of May & Baker for their consistency in recognising valuable contributions to the pharmaceutical sector.
She said “I count it a great honour to be the recipient of the 2024 May and Baker professional service award. I am grateful to God and my family for their support. I appreciate May and Baker for consistently recognising contributions to the profession of pharmacy over the years. I wish May and Baker continuous success”.
The May & Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy is one of the most prestigious awards in the Pharmacy profession in Nigeria and prominent pharmacists have won the award over the years.
The past winners of the award include Pharm. (Lady) Adaeze Omaliko, managing director of Malix Pharmacy, Onitsha; Professor (Mrs) Mbang Femi-Oyewo, former deputy vice chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University; Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited; Pharm (Mrs) Margaret Obono, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); and Pharm. Folashade Lawal, a renowned community pharmacist, among others.
, Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku has won the 2024 edition of the prestigious May & Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy.){kind=link}