In an unprecedented manner, members of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) Lagos State Chapter, have trooped out en masse to elect new executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years. The election took place during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held recently at the secretariat of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos State Chapter.
The outgoing chairperson of the association, Pharm. (Mrs) Modupe Alli, also celebrated her 60th birthday, as well as her successful retirement ceremony, on same day.
Of all the executive positions, only the chairmanship was contested between two candidates, as others were nominated unopposed. The chairmanship election was conducted between Pharm. (Mrs) Hafusat Adesina and Pharm. (Mrs) Ngozika Okoye, which Adesina won with 72 votes, as against 20 votes for Okoye.
Other newly elected executives are Mrs Funmilayo Olorunshola, as vice chairman; Mrs Adetutu Oyawale, as welfare officer; Ms Margaret Chibututu, assistant welfare officer; Mrs Abimbola Falope-Lawal, PRO; Miss Onyeka Fiona, assistant PRO, and others.
In her acceptance speech, the newly elected chairperson appreciated all that made the occasion possible, while assuring all members, including her opponent’s camp, that she would run an all-inclusive administration.
She also seized the opportunity to reiterate her 7-point agenda for the progress of the association. The agenda, according to her, include: Facilitating dynamic mentoring of young ALPians; creating an interactive and mutual support forum for retired ALPians; enhancing greater visibility for ALPs in the state; organising regular professional capacity-building for all members; creating greater political awareness among ALPians; facilitating more networking with women professionals; collaborating with NGOs, civil society organisations and government agencies on health promotion programmes for women and children.
Shortly after the AGM was the birthday and retirement ceremony of the outgoing chairperson, as her guests and colleagues took turn to narrate her beautiful qualities and impacts in their lives.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were, Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, chairman of the occasion; Chairman, PSN-Lagos, Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola; immediate past chairman, PSN-Lagos, Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran; Prof. Olukemi Odukoya, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG; Dr Lolu Ojo, CEO, Merit Healthcare; Former ALPs chairpersons, Lagos State; AHAPN-Lagos Chairman, Pharm. (Mrs) Titilayo Onedo; Dr Arinola Joda; Dr Margaret Obono, head of Pharmacy, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, among others.
Congratulating Alli on her milestone achievements, Pharm. Iyiola remarked that she had been outstanding on all fronts, from her leadership of ALPs, to decades of service at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, without any incriminating record. He prayed God to grant her many more years in sound health and greater impact.
The chairman of the occasion also eulogised the celebrant, appreciating God for her life. He charged her to remain ever grateful to God for His mercies in her life and grace to be able to retire on a clean note.
“You have done your family proud, you have done PSN proud, you have done AHAPN and ALPs proud as well,” Iyiola enthused.
Obono, in her own remarks expressed great delight in witnessing such an occasion, stating that she and the celebrant had been together for years at the same institution.
According to Obono, “Mrs Alli is a colleague. we have spent 30 years or more together. We have worked together as professionals. We share so many things together, and she played a very significant role in the completion of Igbobi’s DRC building. She is an epitome of success in career and the home front. We pray that the decades ahead will be more glorious.”
In Chief Yetunde Moroundiya’s words, the celebrant is a paragon of efficiency, success and organisation, with an eye for detail. On behalf of other Alpians, she prayed for more grace on Alli, while appreciating her husband for his patience in allowing her time for the association’s activities.
Prof. Odukoya, on her part, described Alli as a disciplined and very diligent person, who, nonetheless, is friendly and flexible in her dealings.
“She was so committed to ALPs programmes that she personally sent me an invite for every meeting, though I could not meet up for all programmes,” Odukoya said.
Dr Lolu Ojo also joined in the acclamation for Mrs Alli, describing her as an amiable former classmate at the Obafemi Awolowo University. He further portrayed her as a beautiful soul in and out, who will stop at nothing to see that her environment is peaceful.
Many other guests and friends of the celebrant were not excluded in expressing their goodwill messages to her, mentioning different qualities and character traits that endeared her to them, even as they advised her to keep up her good works in mentorship of young girls, as ell as caring for the less-privileged and the elderly.
Appreciating her guests who suspended all their busy schedules to come and felicitate with her, the out-going Lagos ALPs chairman, who couldn’t hide her joy, said she was so excited and fortunate to be surrounded by such a host of caring people. She thanked God for giving her the opportunity to achieve such milestones over the last 60 years of her life.
“It’s good to be flexible when it comes to religion; I think it’s about character. I always thank God for the privilege to work with the Igbobi team – they are a highly professional people. Although it was highly challenging as there were always intellectual arguments on every issue to arrive at the best professional approach to all procedures, I enjoyed all the moments I spent with them.
“I’m also grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to serve as ALPs chairman. Although I initially turned down the offer, I later considered it as a privilege to serve the profession and humanity. Yes, the four years wasn’t easy for me, but I blessed God it was a successful tenure,” she stated.
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