-Members Walk against Drug Abuse, Visit Emir of Ilorin's Palace
The ancient city of Ilorin, Kwara State was lit Monday as members of Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) across the country arrived the city in hundreds for the 22nd AHAPN Annual National Conference, tagged ‘Kwara 2021’.
For the pharmacists, the first port of call was the Emir’s Palace, HRM Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, as a means of paying homage to the monarch and intimating him with the association’s programme in the city for the week.
The day, designated for arrival in the conference week, also witnessed a walk against drugs and substance abuse, and medical outreach, at Oke Oyi, Ilorin East, Kwara State.
In his address to the Emir, Dr Kingsley Amibor, national chairman, AHAPN, expressed the excitement of his members to stay in the city for the period of the conference, hoping they will enjoy the loving ambience of the state. He also seized the opportunity to inform the Emir about the association and their activities.
“We bring you greetings from the National Executive Council of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN). AHAPN comprises pharmacists that practice in government hospitals, private clinics, parastatals and regulatory agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Health and so on.
“The association is committed to upliftment of the healthcare sector in Nigeria through provision of high quality pharmaceutical care to the Nigerian people.
“Every year, it is customary for our association to meet as part of our peer review mechanism to review progress made in the preceding year as well as receive latest updates from pharmaceutical sector across the world and the healthcare sector in general”, he enthused.
He further explained the reference of the association for the state, which made them reserve the hosting privilege of last year of which the pandemic prevented to this year.
”Last year, the National Executive Council of our great association decided to bring the national conference to the great and ancient city of Ilorin, capital of Kwara State. However, the Corona pandemic was at it's peak then, and the association had no choice but to shift the conference to this year 2021. Because of the huge respect we have for Kwara State, the decision was taken by our Council to retain Kwara as hosting state and that is why we are here today your Royal Majesty.
“Today is the arrival date for the national conference, and over 500 hospital and administrative pharmacists including the President of our great Society, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa FPSN, MON, OFR and his Executive Committee members will be converging in Ilorin for this great Conference.
“The conference is holding from 2to 6 August 2021 at De Peace Hotel and Suites Ilorin, with theme “Advancing Technological Revolution in Pharmaceutical Service Delivery”. The Chairman of the opening ceremony is Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN.
“Your Royal Majesty Sir, we are here this morning to formally notify you of our presence in Ilorin, and to seek your Royal blessings not just for journey mercies for our members, but for the overall success of the conference”, Amibor revealed.
In his response, the Emir appreciated the pharmacists for coming over to his palace to pay him homage and for accepting to host the conference in his city.
The monarch further thanked the group for the magazine presented to him , being his first time of receiving such magazine.
