The University of Ife ‘87 Pharmacy Alumni Association recently held its 2018 Annual Conference and AGM at the Holiday Inn Express in Hanover, Maryland, USA, with many members in attendance.
Speaking on the theme of the conference:”Building Collaborative Capacity”, the keynote speaker Dr Ed Olowookere, made a graphical analysis of the tremendous potential for networking amongst healthcare professionals in Africa, as he highlighted the different opportunities that abound in the health sector in Africa.
Dr Olowookere, who also spoke on “Factors Fostering Growth in African Pharmacy Industry”, noted that: Urbanization, healthcare capacity and business environment create opportunities and interesting challenges for healthcare practitioners.
Dr Babajide Oguntimehin in his own presentation, emphasized the need for pharmacists to keep a mind of compassion towards their patients at all times, noting that pharmacists by their training and inclination will find deep professional fulfillment and satisfaction in their professional practice, if they make patients’ interest their ultimate focus in practice.
Oluwole Williams, an Ife ‘87 Pharmacy grad and a PharmD degree holder from Howard University Washington DC, spoke on:” Structure Activity Relationships in Medicinal Chemistry”, comparing the antifungal activity of Benzoic acid and the keratolytic activity of Salicylic acid.
Williams, who chose to create an interesting dimension to SAR- Structure – Activity – Relationship, advised his classmates present to structure their yearly activities in favour of their family relationship, noting that in the same way that Salicylic acid is the Parent compound to Aspirin(Offspring), members of the alumni association should remember they are offsprings of their parents.
The meeting had very many interesting interactive sessions full of anecdotes, jokes, reminiscences of school times and a consensus that members must continually cooperate and work towards projects that benefit their Alma mater- the University of Ife (now known as Obafemi Awolowo University) and particularly the Faculty of Pharmacy.
Plenary session and AGM of the meeting was presided over by Mr Chris. E. Ehimen, chairman of the Ife ‘87 Pharmacy Alumni Association. The AGM adopted the association’s constitution which according to the chairman, shall be submitted officially to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria, with which the association was registered as a non-profit organisation.
Other highlights of the conference included: A guided tour of museums and the Capitol in Washington DC on Friday 19 October, 2018.There was election of new officers and a closing dinner on Saturday 20.
Am very happy for you all. Pharmacy Alumni Association