As community pharmacists, under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), prepare for their much anticipated national conference, tagged “Tunmbin Giwa 2019”, and holding in the ancient city of Kano, from 30 June to 6 July, its national chairman, Pharm. Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, has assured members across the country to look forward to a well-planned and generally improved conference that will be unrivaled in the history of the association.
The national chairman, while speaking with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview in his office in Lagos recently, expressed gratitude to God for making the association witness another conference year, the first since he took over the reins of leadership from Dr Albert Kelong Alkali.
While inviting delegates, guests, sponsors and exhibitors to Kano City, for the 38th edition of the annual conference, Adekola said, “I assure them just like I said when I was campaigning that I would ensure that this conference remains memorable in the minds of our members, to the extent that no other conference before it would be able to match its success.”
Speaking further, the new ACPN chairman, who had served as the national vice- chairman, as well as chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ondo State Chapter, said even though he was under intense pressure to take the hosting right away from Kano for security reasons, he had been assured by the host that the state was ready, stressing that he had also personally ascertained this from his recent visit to the state.
“When I made a trip to Kano to know what they have on ground, I was amazed by the standard of the venue they have prepared for the conference and I make bold to say that not even the PSN have got that kind of place for a conference before. Talking about accommodation spaces, they are absolutely conducive, coupled with the fantastic state-of-the-art conference venue. There is no doubt that Kano is highly prepared for this event,” he said
According Adekola, the Kano ACPN conference, which has been designed as a unified conference for pharmacists in the entire north-central, north-east and north-west states, promises to be at par with conferences of international standard through friendlier and stress-free registration; spacious, air-conditioned and highly conducive exhibition stands; highly innovative and educative programmes; awards, leisure and side attractions; serene environment; hospitality and fun at its peak, as well as befitting accommodation, among others.
“One significant thing I cannot fail to mention about this conference is that we are going to have the maiden edition of the ACPN Faculty running Continuing Education Programme, which willl afford every participant a minimum of 10 points unit.
“We have also secured the best deal for our members through the registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. NAE Mohammed, who has approved a full module of MCPD during this conference. So Kano is set to make history.
“Another innovative idea we are planning to put into this conference is that the usual conference shirt that people normally struggle to get is made surplus, such that everybody will get. In fact, apart from the fact that it is going to be of great quality, it will form part of the materials that people will get at the registration point,” he said.
He added that the conference, which will hold at the Afficent Event Centre, Nassarawa, GRA, Kano City, with the theme, “Tackling the Menace of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: An Innovative Approach”, will feature innovative and memorable events, including a one-day PCN accredited pre-conference workshop; clinical master classes; business strategy master-class; night of fun and relaxation.
Speaking further, the number one community pharmacist in the country said the theme was carefully chosen because of its importance to national development, adding that community pharmacists have always being at the receiving end whenever issues that relate to drug abuse is mentioned.
“As I have always said, the panacea for drug abuse is community pharmacy. If all drugs in the community are left in the hands of the community pharmacist, we won’t have any issue with drug abuse
“We are looking at the innovative approach to bring an end to this menace and that is why we have decided to give the job to a capable hand, in person of Alh. Ahmed Yakassai, the immediate past president, PSN, and founder, Safe Medicine Foundation, who is going to deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony.
“We are also going to celebrate him as an appreciation to what he has done for pharmacy, so it’s going to be a round peg in a round hole,” Adekola said.
The ACPN leader, who eulogised his immediate predecessor, Alkali, for bequeathing the association a befitting ultra-modern secretariat, which he said had made the running of the association’s affair very easy, further said, “I have said it countless times and will continue to reassure my colleagues across the country that we have come to a season of rejoicing and possibilities, and that by the grace of God, we shall all rejoice together.
“A time has come to make community pharmacists in Nigeria to rejoice, and all I want from them is to cooperate with me and see where God is leading us to.”
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