The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) says everything is set for its tenth anniversary, which will feature the investiture of nine new Fellows and the unveiling of a giant project, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Innovation Centre (NAPIC), to address the critical need for advanced research, development, and innovation in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
NAPharm’s investiture of new Fellows and tenth anniversary, scheduled to hold on 19 September, at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, will be graced by the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, as the special guest of honour, while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State, will be represented at the ceremony.
In a press conference heralding the great event, the Vice-President of NAPharm, and Managing Director of Pharmanews Ltd, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, highlighted the programmes of the event to include, conferment of honorary Fellow of the Academy on Prof. Zulum, who will be the fourth recipient of this prestigious award. The previous awardees are General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR (rtd), (2015) General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON (rtd) (2018) and Aare Afe Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN (2022).
Since its inauguration in 2014, with 47 foundation Fellows, he disclosed that the list of Fellows will rise to 133 by next Thursday, with the induction of nine eminent pharmacists as Fellows of the Academy. The event, he said will also witness an addition of one new Life Fellow, bringing the number of Life Fellows of the Academy to eleven.
Atueyi said the theme for this year’s investiture is, “Healthcare Transformation & National Development”, explaining the pivotal role of healthcare as one of the most critical pillars of any society, serving as a foundation for individuals’ well-being and economic growth. When a nation invests in transforming its healthcare system, it invests in its people, the most important asset of a nation and, ultimately, its future.
Buttressing the essence of the innovative project of the Academy, NAPIC, to be launched on Thursday, the octogenarian decried the paucity of funds and infrastructure for indigenous research, saying despite the country’s rich biodiversity and potential for pharmaceutical advancement, the industry has been hindered by inadequate research infrastructure, limited funding, and insufficient collaboration for scientific discovery, pharmaceutical innovation, and developing homegrown solutions to our health challenges.
While the Academy has taken the initiative to identify the gap and conceive the project, the NAPharm Vice-President admitted that the Academy may not be buoyant enough to set it up, but it can compel well-meaning Nigerians and government to buy into the vision in providing the necessary funds to run the multibillion naira project to completion.
He particularly emphasised reasons for the government and indigenous manufacturers to invest in the project, as it promises a lot of healthcare services at affordable rates to the Nigerian populace.
“While Prof. Zulum, our special guest of honour, has kindly agreed to unveil this project during the investiture ceremony next Thursday, We do not expect these multinational companies to invest on it. It is our responsibility. And it should be done by indigenous companies. Foreigners will not do it for us.
“So we are taking the initiative, aspiring to set up our research and innovation facility that will be useful to all companies and institutions that require services. I said multi-billion because the structure and equipment will be heavy in terms of financing today. But it’s a necessity.
“There is no country that we grow without such laboratory service facilities to help other sectors and manufacturers. That is why we have talked about it and said we will embark on it. It’s a big project, I said. And money cannot come from Academy. No, Academy is not money maker. It will come from people with large hearts who want to support projects. And then, of course, government can give support. But it is a project we have embarked on. And it’s going to work,” he stressed.
Notable among the achievements of NAPharm, he mentioned, in the ten years of its existence was its significant contribution to pharmaceutical education in 2015, which resulted in the adoption of Clinical Pharmacy curriculum by the National Universities Commission, leading to the award of Pharm. D degree by Nigerian universities.
Sir Atueyi, further reeled out other milestones of the group to include, mentoring and guiding young pharmacists via its mentoring programme, which was organised in 2016; successful organisation of a symposium in partnership with PSN in 2017; the launch of Olu Akinkugbe Research and Innovation Centre (OARIC) in 2018 by General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, among others.
He also disclosed that the Academy established Lifetime Achievement Award to honour those who have played significant roles in various sectors, with recipients as: Prof. Attahiru Jega, OFR, FNARD (2015), Prof. Julius Okojie, OON, FAANS, FFAN, FSAN (2016) and Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR (2018).
The press briefing was also attended by other NAPharm executives including, Pharm. (Dr) Lolu Ojo, proramme director; Prof. Udoma Mendie; Pharm. (Dr) Folashade Lawal; Distingusihed Prof. Cecilia Igwilo; Pharm. Gbenga Falabi; Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola; Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale; and Pharm. Anthony Bola Oyawole.
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